The Ontario Brain Institute is a provincially‐funded, not‐for‐profit research centre seeking to maximize the impact of neuroscience and establish Ontario as a world leader in brain research, commercialization and care. Convergent partnerships are created between researchers, clinicians, industry, patients, and their advocates to foster discovery and deliver innovative products and services that improve the lives of those living with brain disorders.
OBI is hosting a program that will provide $50,000 in financial support in addition to training opportunities and mentorship to help early-stage entrepreneurs to build and grow neurotech companies.
Important Dates
| Friday, March 17, 2017 | Application deadline (11:59 PM EST) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, April 05, 2017 | Notifications sent for Pitch Session |
| Wednesday, May 03, 2017 | Pitch Session (Toronto) |
| Friday, May 12, 2017 | Letter of Acceptance for the 2017 ONtrepreneurs Program will be sent out |
| Thursday, May 18, 2017 | Confirmation of Acceptance Due |
| Wednesday June 07, 2017 | Welcome/Orientation Day (Toronto) |
*The dates are subject to change
Program Details
- The program will provide $50,000 (per individual) in financial support in addition to training opportunities and mentorship to help early-stage entrepreneurs to build and grow neurotech companies
- The program will award up to 10 early-stage entrepreneurs
- Preference given towards an applicant who recently graduated (Less than 5 years from the last post-graduate fellowship)
- The $50,000 cash award can be used for stipend and/or other project-related costs. Total budget is subject to approval by OBI and should reflect the project plans.
- The fund will be released to each entrepreneur via an Ontario-based academic/research institute affiliated with the entrepreneur and/or the company
- The successful applicants will develop milestones for the commercialization of the neurotechnology and sign a milestone-based agreement with OBI and the affiliated academic/research institute.
- The funding to the OBI ONtrepreneur during the one-year program will be released in 3 tranches and the release of the fund is contingent on achieving milestones outlined in the milestone-based agreement between the entrepreneur, the affiliated academic/research institute, and OBI
- Each OBI Entrepreneur will be assigned an industry-based mentor(s) and liaise with OBI through a dedicated point of contact
- It is mandatory for all entrepreneurs to attend training and support programs hosted by OBI while enrolled in the program.
- Entrepreneurs will also be invited to some of the programs and events run by OBI’s partners
Program Eligibility
- The ONtrepreneurs Program is aimed at supporting early-stage entrepreneurs based in Ontario
- The applicant must be able to commit to being a full-time entrepreneur during the course of the program
- The applicant must have an incorporated company or have a plan to incorporate a neurotech company based in Ontario
- The company is focused on developing/commercializing a technology based on scientific research and has a fundamental impact on how people understand, diagnose, improve or treat brain and brain-related disorders (neurological, neuropsychiatric, and/or sensory diseases). Note: Programs or services are not eligible.
- Funding must be used to commercialize a neurotechnology (e.g. devices, therapeutics, software/ICT). The use of the fund will be reviewed and approved by OBI.
