Innovate Calgary Life Sciences Fellowship

Do you have a technology-driven solution to a compelling and unmet need in digital health or life sciences? If you need a boost to launch your solution to market, this fellowship may be for you.

Supported by Alberta Innovates, Alberta Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Northern Development, Calgary Economic Development’s Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund and Western Economic Diversification (PrairiesCan), the Life Sciences Fellowship program takes early-stage startups with technology-driven solutions to important problems and adds funding, technology development resources, professional development training and expert support.

The funding is a game-changer, but the program is so much more than that: funding will keep you going, but the support system will help you grow.

• Launch and grow a startup to commercialize your product or service.
• Get expertise and mentorship from leading experts and gain real-world experience to accelerate your potential.
• Secure intellectual property, bring in further funding and grow your team to gain traction for your product or service.

Ideal Applicants

The program strives to invest in high potential projects and people. The ideal candidate:

• Has advanced knowledge and deep technical expertise in a life science-related field.
• Is developing a solution to an important unmet need.
• Is eager to gain business development experience and skills to commercialize their solution.
• Understands the commitment involved in becoming a founder/senior executive of a startup.
• Is independent, disciplined, resilient and coachable.

Ideal Startups

Digital Health is a priority area for this competition. High-ranking applications that engage in any of the following will be prioritized:

• Digital Health Technology – standalone software or integrated hardware and software systems that can utilize digital platforms (such as computers, smartphones, tablets and wearables etc.) to improve the health and wellbeing of citizens.
• Data-Enabled Health Transformation - the creation, amalgamation, analysis, and application of large quantities of complex information to improve health, healthcare decision-making, or the wellbeing of citizens.
• Life sciences applications/startups that do not have an obvious digital health focus (e.g., in healthcare, veterinary medicine, agriculture or wellness) are also encouraged to apply.

Program Funding & Support

Successful startups are eligible for:

• Up to $200,000 in startup funding, allocated over two years toward:
  • Salary support for the fellow
  • Business and technology development expenses
• Paid membership to the Life Sciences Innovation Hub
• Professional development programming
• Life sciences community and lab space, including:
  • World-class equipped life sciences laboratory space
• Mentorship from Expert Advisors.

Fellowship Expectations

Fellowship positions are up to two years, provided that sufficient technology and business milestones are met.

• The fellows' main priority is to drive their startup towards bringing a commercially viable product or service to market, making significant progress in business development, customer discovery, market research, funding, business planning, financial modelling, and expanding their internal team and network of supportive advisors.
• Some technical development is expected, but the fellow must balance business development with technical progress
• A total of approximately one day per month is allocated to professional development workshops.