Southern Ontario Pharmaceutical & Health Innovation Ecosystem Program

Apply now and leverage up to $100,000 in matching funds to work directly with an academic or hospital partner in the Hamilton, Ontario ecosystem.  Businesses will receive advisory services, testing capabilities and financial support from experts in the healthcare field to acquire clinical/research expertise, evidence, or data to develop and commercialize health innovations, increase sales or secure a “first buyer.”

Leverage up to $100,000 in matching funds to work directly with an academic or hospital partner in the Hamilton, Ontario ecosystem.  Businesses will receive advisory services, testing capabilities and financial support from experts in the healthcare field to acquire clinical/research expertise, evidence, or data to develop and commercialize health innovations, increase sales or secure a “first buyer.”

SOPHIE program

About SOPHIE

Southern Ontario Pharmaceutical & Health Innovation Ecosystem (SOPHIE) Program brings together Innovation Factory’s commercialization services with the Synapse Life Science Consortium’s strategic network to leverage access to Hamilton’s unique life sciences capabilities and research expertise.  This funding will support collaborative projects for Ontario-based life science firms in the later stages of commercialization and in need of financing to secure technology validation and first sale.

Commercialization project benefits​

  • Access world-class researchers, clinicians and facilities
  • Accelerate your product commercialization timelines
  • Leverage up to $100,000 in matching funding from FedDev Ontario (1.25:1 match required)

Who should apply

  • Incorporated, private life science companies based in Ontario
  • Working on commercializing an innovative technology at TRL-6 (or above)
  • Demonstrated commitment to commercializing innovation with a clear clinical application

Timelines

  • SOPHIE Commercialization Projects operates under a rolling application intake and will be accepting applications through 2023
  • Applications are open until funds are fully deployed

Innovator testimonials​

Hear directly from innovators who have leveraged the SOPHIE program to accelerate their start-up’s commercialization success.

Have questions? Contact us

We would love to hear from you and explore how SOPHIE can help you bring your life science innovation to market.

SOPHIE recipients

For more information about the grant recipients and their innovative technologies and solutions, check out our portfolio.

Meet our partners

Celebrate BIG ideas that make a bigger impact at The Big DiF, Innovation Factory’s annual open house and client showcase. Join 250+ people from the Hamilton-Halton community to celebrate entrepreneurship and innovation.

Join Innovation Factory's Annual Open House - The Big DiF!

Network with 250+ industry professionals, discover emerging solutions from our innovators, and celebrate entrepreneurship within the Hamilton-Halton ecosystem.

May 9, 2024 | 4:00pm – 8:00pm | Hamilton, Ontario
A 6-week training & mentorship program that offers startups and growing businesses opportunities to build strategic connections, and prepare to secure investment capital.

Ready to accelerate your business growth?

Founders Fast Track is 6 week mentorship program that provides your startup with access to industry expertise, resources, networking opportunities, and skills to help you secure investment capital.

Applications are open until April 14, 2024