August 6, 2025 (Hamilton, ON) – The Coordinated Accessible National (CAN) Health Network and Innovation Factory are proud to announce a new strategic collaboration through the HEALTHI (Health Ecosystem to Accelerate and Leverage Trials of Healthcare Innovation) program, aimed at accelerating the adoption of Canadian technology within the health care and life sciences ecosystems.
This partnership brings together two of Canada’s leading innovation enablers, combining CAN Health Network’s national integrated marketplace of leading health care operators with the success of Innovation Factory’s HEALTHI program to support commercialization-ready health tech startups. Together, these organizations will strengthen the pathway for Canadian companies to validate, scale, and integrate their technologies into health care environments across the country.
The HEALTHI program supports high-potential ventures with commercialization programming, knowledge mobilization activities, and access to clinical validation partners. Through this collaboration, companies participating in the HEALTHI program will have the opportunity to access CAN Health Network’s national network of health care organizations, known as Edges, where they can accelerate the co-development and implementation of their solutions in real-world settings.
“By integrating our proven program with CAN Health’s national reach, we’re creating a pathway for Canadian health tech companies to not only validate their solutions but to also scale them across the country’s healthcare system,” said David Carter, CEO of Innovation Factory. “This partnership demonstrates a commitment to advancing innovations through critical commercialization milestones and promotes improved patient care and economic growth.”
“At CAN Health, we are committed to breaking down barriers that prevent Canadian technology from thriving in our own health care system,” said Dr. Dante Morra, Founder & Chair, CAN Health Network. “Our partnership with Innovation Factory marks another powerful step forward in creating a truly integrated marketplace – one where Canadian companies can scale, and health care providers can access the best homegrown solutions to deliver the highest quality care.”
The HEALTHI program is backed by national partners and supported in part by funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP). Since its launch in 2021, HEALTHI has supported 67 companies to complete projects with leading research institutes, which has resulted in 17 companies securing approximately $6.9 million in follow-on funding for product development and clinical trials. An additional 14 companies are expected to generate approximately $1.1 million in collaborative projects with hospital and research partners.
The CAN Health Network is a federally-funded organization, supported by Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada. CHN brings the country together to create an integrated marketplace, that breaks down procurement barriers and de-risks technology adoption, resulting in more jobs, improved care and better economic growth and prosperity for all Canadians. Since its launch in 2019, CAN Health has built a Network of 50 of the country’s leading health care operators, supported 100 companies, ran over 127 commercialization projects, and generated $698 million in revenue.
The partnership is designed to speed up the adoption of Canadian health tech innovators, and help drive economic growth, improve patient care, and strengthen Canada’s domestic health innovation landscape.
Applications for the HEALTHI program are open until March 2026. Interested health technology companies can apply online or contact Innovation Factory.
About the CAN Health Network
The CAN Health Network is a federally funded, national organization working to introduce more Canadian innovation into Canada’s health system. The Network works with leading Canadian health care providers – referred to as Edges – to scale Canadian technology companies across Canada and beyond. By partnering Canadian companies directly with health care operators, CAN Health enables these companies and their solutions to be rapidly validated, procured and scaled across the Network.
About Innovation Factory
Innovation Factory is a not-for-profit business accelerator, serving as the catalyst for technology innovation in the greater Hamilton area since 2010. Innovation Factory provides business services, training, mentorship, and strategic connections to drive market adoption, leverage intellectual property, and increase revenues, investment, and jobs. Innovators can also access sector-specific resources including exclusive smart transportation test environments and data; and a formal life science and health innovation ecosystem.
About HEALTHI
Innovation Factory’s HEALTHI (Health Ecosystem to Accelerate and Leverage Trials of Healthcare Innovation) program connects life science entrepreneurs with research administration groups to create the protocols and documents required to undertake a commercialization project or clinical trial. HEALTHI is delivered in partnership with the Synapse Life Science Consortium and supported in part by funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP).
Media Contacts
CAN Health Network
Jennifer Coulman
Manager, Communications & Marketing
[email protected]
905-467-6193
Innovation Factory
Jennifer Gauvreau
Director, Marketing
[email protected]
905-802-7308
