Mapping the Canadian Digital Health Ecosystem
Last updated September 2024
Welcome to our interactive guide mapping the Canadian Digital Health ecosystem!
There are a number of resources across the country to support you in growing your Digital Health startup. This guide and interactive map includes resources related to talent, technical support, procurement and fundraising for your company.
The guide includes Canada-wide support and links out to province-specific resources in the following areas: British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.
Use the interactive map to hover over your target province and access relevant information like regional strengths and key cities/hubs. Each provincial section is segmented into capital, talent, technical and procurement, helping you navigate local requirements and opportunities.
Explore the map, gather the information you need and take steps towards accessing the resources your venture could benefit from.
We will be updating this guide periodically and expanding our resources to include more provinces and territories. If you have any feedback or information that could be useful to add to this guide please let us know by filling out this form.
Ecosystem Map
Hover over and click on select provinces for more information on each of their digital health ecosystem strengths and key cities.
British Columbia
STRENGTHS:
Through new mandates, there is a strong focus on enhancing data analytics and unlocking the power of data
KEY CITIES:
- Vancouver
- Victoria
Alberta
STRENGTHS:
Data enabled technologies. Currently have the first provincial program aimed at providing patients with their health data.
KEY CITIES:
- Calgary
- Edmonton
Ontario
STRENGTHS:
As the birthplace of AI, this ecosystem boasts resources and programs to advance AI technologies.
KEY CITIES:
- Kitchener
- Waterloo
- Hamilton
- London
- Kingston
- Ottawa
- Toronto
Quebec
STRENGTHS:
With an emphasis being placed on furthering research in AI, there is strong expertise here to support AI ventures.
KEY CITIES:
- Montréal
- Quebec City
Nova Scotia
STRENGTHS:
Data interoperability has been a focus, resulting in the implementation of an eHealth system to seamlessly share EMRs across providers
KEY CITIES:
- Halifax
Province-specific support
More provinces to come.
Canada-wide support
Tools
Organizations
- National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP): Provides support to SMEs in the form of advisory, financing, funding for student hires, grants for nonprofits, international collaboration and IP support.
- CAN Health Network: Connects health networks across Canada with companies to create innovative health solutions.
Capital
- NRC IRAP Funding: Provides successful candidates with a cost-sharing program for R&D activities.
- National Angel Capital Organization: Provides a network of angel investors and other capital partners.
Talent
- NRC IRAP – Youth Employment Program: Provides funding for young talent.
Technical
- CAN Health Network: Connects health networks across Canada with companies targeting identified pain points to support adoption of health innovations into health systems.
Procurement
- CanBuys: Federal procurement agency.
- CanHealth Network: Connects health networks across Canada with SMEs to support procurement.
- Procurement Assistance Canada: Committed to helping SMEs participate in federal procurement through workshops, webinars and 1-on-1 assistance.
Global expansion and development
- Canadian Technology Accelerator: Accelerates global business development in 12 countries.
- Council of Canadian Innovators: Help high-growth Canadian technology firms scale-up globally.