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May 18, 2022
Dear member,
Last week, we launched the Health Innovators’ Meetup. Our inaugural event was a phenomenal success. There was representation from industry, academia, government, service providers, students, not-for-profits, post-secondary institutions and more. We had a great panel discussion on “Power of Community - and what it means for Health Innovation''. We heard how community events and informal networking sessions and the follow-up conversations build synergy and create impact, we discussed the importance of the network effect, and the need to have a toolkit of innovation resources to leverage the connections available to build a successful health economy, We munched on delicious food while we brainstormed on ways to bring indigenous health into innovation discussions, and why inclusivity is critical to break down barriers and move health innovation forward. Our next meetup is on June 9 at 4 PM. I look forward to seeing you in person at our space in Enterprise Square. Look out for more details in the next issue of the digest.
This week is Canadian Innovation Week. I am delighted and thrilled that several of our early-stage companies and student entrepreneurs have received innovation awards from the University of Alberta for their technologies and innovation. Further, one of our companies has recently received media accolades for their important work with accessibility. Please join me in congratulating all of them for their hard and dedicated work.
We are committed to building a community that supports each other. As Yang, this week’s Meet our Community member mentions, he joined the Health Innovation Hub for the “networking and funding opportunities, as well as learning resources to help startup companies to grow”. We will be attending the Edmonton Startup Community Awards on May 19 and representing you to the innovation and entrepreneurship community of Edmonton. Please reach out at healthub@ualberta.ca if you have any queries or requests.
Finally, thank you for taking the time to read our digest and giving us constructive feedback. Your feedback is extremely valuable to us. Please forward the digest to your network to support the momentum in health innovation across Alberta.
Paramita Chaudhuri Basu
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Manager
News from the Hub
Health Innovators' Meetup at the Health Innovation Hub on May 12
Our inaugural Health Innovators' Meetup last week was a success! We had rich discussions, met new people, indulged in the food, and absorbed the insights from our guest speakers. Join us every second Thursday of the month between 4 pm and 5 pm for our future events!
In Conversation: Innovation Canada Support and Resources on May 27
Join us on May 27 for our In Conversation series event with John Gerum, Senior Innovation Advisor with Innovation Canada. In this session, you will find info about grants, funding, wage subsidies, advisory, research & development, research and development, and more.
Ruth is giving away FREE samples of their pads on May 28
Ruth is celebrating Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28 by giving free samples of their pads in 3 cities, Toronto, Vancouver, and Edmonton. They've got giveaways, activities, chances to win exciting prizes, be a part of the conversation, have your voice heard, and more!
We have a new member in the community - Karma Life!
KarmaLife seeks to introduce people to the benefits of DNA Technology in fitness, training and general well-being. They use real science to provide a unique health and fitness plan with a supplement program, workout routine, and diet changes.
InstaSerum and Pulmvita received innovation awards from the University of Alberta
InstaSerum received the eHUB and ICE Program student awards and Pulmvita got the Spinoff and Patent Award during the UAlberta Innovation Workshops and Awards event on May 17.
Click&Push in the news!
Our member, Click&Push, which is mapping barriers for citizens navigating the city by foot, bike, or those that have mobility challenges, was featured in an article in Edmonton Journal on May 16. The team talked about their mobile app called The Atlas and more.
Our Companies are Hiring
Marketing Coordinator. As the Marketing Coordinator, you’ll be handling Ruth’s social media accounts and devising and executing Ruth’s marketing strategies. You’ll get involved with team meetings and show off your initiative.
Quality Control Summer Intern. Panthera Cryosolutions is seeking a dedicated and dynamic individual to join their quality control team in Ottawa, Ontario. The internship will last 16 weeks, starting in May 2022.
If you are a student looking for jobs and networking opportunities, join our Talent Hub here.
Meet our Community
Chief Science Officer at Become Health
1. What does health innovation/ innovation in health mean to you?
Innovation in health means we can help to improve the overall healthcare experience of patients as well as their treatment outcomes.
2. In your opinion, what is the state of the health innovation ecosystem in Alberta, Canada and globally?
I can say that Alberta certain has a lot of resources that are helpful for health innovators, however, I am not sure how it compares to other provinces and the globe.
3. What motivated you to join the Health Innovation Hub?
The networking and funding opportunities, as well as learning resources to help startup companies to grow.
4. How would you describe yourself in one sentence?
I am an interdisciplinary scientist with an entrepreneurial spirit, and expertise in behavioural science, mobile software usability, machine learning and computational psychiatry.
5. What is the one thing that you are most excited about right now?
I am excited to see my research-based product EarlyDetect is about to be applied in a real-world setting for further validation.
Funding & Wage Subsidies
Skilled Newcomer Internships for the Bio-economy
The Skilled Newcomer Internship for the Bio-economy program helps newcomers get a foot in the door. The program covers 75% of a participant’s salary up to a maximum of $20,000 for bio-economy employers to hire, accommodate and train IEPs for a three-to-nine-month work placement.
BLUE KNIGHT™ QuickFire Challenge
Innovators are invited to submit potentially ground-breaking ideas or technologies that aim to enhance preparedness for future known and unknown infectious disease threats. Get access to award funding from a total pool of up to $200,000.
Resources & Opportunities
Post-Secondary Institution (PSI) Program
Entrepreneurial students, faculty and staff at (most of) Edmonton’s post-secondaries can access the support and guidance of one of the Executives in Residence, and apply to receive up to 150 hours of free, hands-on expertise and advising from subject matter experts.
Canadian Technology Accelerator - Digital Health
Are you looking to scale your digital health business? Boston, New York, Philadelphia and San Francisco are home to world-leading digital health markets with growing activity, investment, and opportunities for Canadian companies. The application deadline is June 15.
Canada – Israel 2022-23 collaborative industrial R&D
The Canada–Israel 2022‑23 collaborative industrial research & development (R&D) call for proposals is live! If you have an R&D partner in Israel, you can both apply for a max total of $600,000 to cover up to 50% of your joint project costs.
Community News & Events
May Community Coffee - Third floor at Mercer
Wednesday, May 25 | 10:30 a.m. On the last Wednesday of the month, bring your favourite coffee mug, meet new people, catch up with old friends, and share projects! The event is open for an hour so you can join conversations for the full hour, or pop in for a few minutes just to say hi. Hope to see you there!
MaRS Impact Health
May 25-27, 2022 | The three-day conference, held in-person and virtually from May 25-27, features talks, demos, debates and bold ideas from some of the world’s greatest thinkers and business leaders in health sciences. Taking place at the MaRS Centre in downtown Toronto, the event will bring together over 100 global health experts.
Salary Vs Dividends - How to Pay Yourself as a Business Owner
Tuesday, May 31 | 10:30 a.m. Business owners make a multitude of decisions that may have significant implications on their taxes - especially when it comes to compensating from an incorporated business. One of these decisions is about whether business owners should pay themselves using a salary, dividends, or a combination of the two.
Level Up Series: Audience Identification
Thursday, June 2 | 1:00 p.m. In this webinar, you will learn how to target audience identification, map a series of 3 idea customer avatars, and discover how to incorporate clear and relevant keywords across your website and social platforms.
Articles
According to the traditional view, business is fundamentally about competition and the survival of the fittest. But recent years have shown the limitations of such thinking.
Thor Tronrud uncovers the potential of AI in medical devices and offers tips on how to avoid pitfalls in its implementation.
How do we ensure that our healthcare system can cope in the era of ever-present COVID?
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