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 - Southern Ontario Pharmaceutical & Health Innovation Ecosystem logo

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

14th Annual LiONS LAIR Pitch Competition and in-person Gala on September 26, 2024 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. Tickets available on lionslair.ca

Attend the 14th annual LiONS LAIR pitch competition

Since 2011, Innovation Factory’s LiONS LAIR has helped more than 150 startups launch and scale their businesses. This fall, join over 350 entrepreneurs, investors and thought leaders to network over dinner and drinks, celebrate innovation, and watch finalists pitch live to a panel of judges to win cash and in-kind prizes.

When: September 26, 2024 | 5:00pm – 9:00pm 

Where: LiUNA Station – 360 James St. N, Hamilton, Ontario L8L 1H5

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