Southern Ontario Pharmaceutical and Health Innovation Ecosystem
A program designed to accelerate your innovation to market
Through the SOPHIE program, you can leverage up to $100,000 in matching funds to work directly with an academic or hospital partner in the Hamilton, Ontario ecosystem. Your business will also receive advisory services and testing capabilities from experts in the healthcare field to acquire clinical and research expertise, evidence, or data to develop and commercialize your life science products and solutions.
The SOPHIE program was established as a partnership between the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), Innovation Factory and the Synapse Life Science Consortium.
Who is eligible to apply to SOPHIE?
To be eligible to access funding, life science firms must:
- Be a Canadian incorporated company, with operations primarily based in Ontario
- Be developing an innovative technology at theTRL-6 level or above
- Provide a 1.25x match as cash and in-kind contributions
- Identify a principal investigator / clinical champion at the academic or clinical partner institution where the proposed project will take place
How does the SOPHIE application process work?
- Complete the SOPHIE application form. There is no cost to apply for the program.
- A member of the SOPHIE team at Innovation Factory will review your application within 1-2 weeks. If suitable, we will schedule an introductory meeting to discuss project fit, alignment with SOPHIE program goals, and next steps, including identifying a suitable principal investigator or clinical champion.
- Collaborate with the principal investigator/clinical champion and their institution to define the scope of the Commercialization Project.
- Sign the SOPHIE Commercialization Project contract with Innovation Factory and the institutional partner. This contract will detail the project scope, budget, key activities, milestones, and the anticipated business impact.
- Begin the Commercialization Project.
- Funding will be disbursed in stages, on a reimbursement basis.
If you have any questions throughout the application process, please don’t hesitate to contact the SOPHIE team at lifesciences@innovationfactory.ca
What funding is available?
Firms can access up to a maximum of $100,000 in non-dilutive funding from FedDev Ontario through the SOPHIE program. Firms must provide a matching contribution of 1.25x the FedDev amount. This combined funding can be used to support Commercialization Project activities. For firms leveraging the maximum FedDev contribution, this means up to $260,000 is available to spend on project activities.
What are the selection criteria for the SOPHIE Program?
Projects will be successful if they meet the following SOPHIE program outcomes:
- Demonstrate strong commercialization potential and generate new intellectual property.
- Show how the project will lead to job creation or retention.
- Articulate a compelling product value proposition that attracts new investment, generates revenue, and/or drives global exports.
What does a successful application include?
- A clear value proposition highlighting the innovative technology.
- A well-defined problem within the life sciences sector, with an explanation of how your solution is unique, innovative, commercially viable, and competitive.
- A clear presentation of the target market size for the technology.
- An explanation of the team’s qualifications, emphasizing relevant professional and educational experience.
- Evidence that the project will catalyze company growth.
- A feasible plan for achieving the project’s outcomes.
What is the timeline for the SOPHIE program?
Funding for the SOPHIE program is available from April 2024 – March 2028 with applications reviewed on a rolling basis.
Apply Now
We encourage you to verify your eligibility and start your application journey. We welcome submissions continuously, as applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Please note that the review process for project grants may take longer than usual.
Resources & FAQ
Want more information about SOPHIE? We answered some of your most common questions. If you have a question that has not been addressed, please send it to us through the Contact form or get in touch with our team.
Our Partners
The SOPHIE Program is an unparalleled collaboration between multiple public and private partners in Ontario, possessing the combined experience and expertise to ensure effective and seamless program delivery.
McMaster University
One of only four Canadian Universities consistently ranked in the world’s top 100, McMaster has a proud tradition of academic and research excellence. McMaster University collaborates across disciplines to solve some of the world’s toughest challenges, working together to improve people’s lives and contributing to their global knowledge base.
- Named Canada’s most research-intensive university for fourth straight year in 2020
- Ranked in the world’s top 70 by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings in 2021
- Home to over 70 research centres and institutes
- Named one of Hamilton-Niagara’s top employers for five consecutive years
Hamilton Health Sciences
Hamilton Health Sciences a community of 15,000 staff, physicians, researchers, and volunteers that proudly serves southwestern Ontario. It is the most comprehensive hospital network in Ontario, and the only hospital in the province that cares for all ages, from pre-birth to end-of-life. As the largest employer in Hamilton, Hamilton Health Sciences plays a vital role in training the next generation of health professionals.
- Ranked as the number four research hospital in Canada in 2020
- Largest employer in the city of Hamilton
- $5.7 million Canadian Institute of Health Research Grant awarded for
- Sepsis research
- Named to Forbes Canada’s best employers 2021
CREATE (CentRE for dAta science and digiTal hEalth) was founded to support research and innovation at Hamilton Health Sciences. The multidisciplinary team is made up of specialists in health systems, data engineering, data science, software engineering and interoperability. CREATE’s mission is to partner with scientists and innovators to invent the future of health care.
The Research Institute of St. Joe’s Hamilton
St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton is committed to making a difference in people’s lives and creating a lasting future for the community through integrated health services and internationally recognized programs. Their threefold mission is to provide dynamic research, revolutionary methods in health sciences education, and the highest standard of clinical care in a spirit of compassion, innovation, and commitment.
- Named one of the Hamilton-Niagara’s top employers
- 99% of patients would recommend to family and friends
Mohawk College
Mohawk College ranks among the top 20 colleges in Canada for applied research, with a focus on electronic and mobile health solutions, additive manufacturing, and energy distribution. Recognized as a leader in health and technology education, Mohawk College is also one of the largest trainers of apprentices in Ontario.
- Named one of Canada’s greenest employers for eight consecutive years
- Named one of Hamilton-Niagara’s top employers for eight consecutive years 86% of graduates are working within six months of graduating
- Ranked as the number four research college in Canada in 2020
Innovation Factory
Innovation Factory is a not-for-profit business accelerator, serving as the catalyst for technology innovation in the greater Hamilton area since 2011. From ideation to commercialization and scale-up; 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.
- Met with over 2,200 unique companies and clients since inception
- Ventures have received $425+ million in funding across all industrial sectors
Synapse Consortium
Synapse is the formal regional cluster organization for the life sciences ecosystem in the greater Hamilton region. An initiative of Innovation Factory and its community partners, Synapse supports efforts and projects that magnify the impact of collective action across the cluster ecosystem and accelerate the commercialization of life science innovation. Synapse strives to support all organizations that make up the Hamilton life science cluster, celebrating the strengths and successes of industry leaders and new start-ups, as well as promoting the region as an attractive place to live, work and invest.
Founded in 2016, the Consortium brings together leaders from across the region, including private- and public-sector organizations who saw opportunity for greater collaboration and coordination across the cluster. Synapse Consortium partners represent the bulk of life science research and economic activity in Hamilton.
Stats & Figures
SOPHIE by the numbers
SOPHIE Success Stories
SOPHIE Portfolio
SOPHIE grant recipients are developing a wide range of innovations within the life sciences sector. Learn more about the companies and technologies being supported by the SOPHIE Program.
Are you ready?
Apply Now
Confirm that you meet all eligibility requirements, then begin the application process. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Project grants for the SOPHIE program will continue to be accepted until the fall of 2023.
Need more information?
Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding SOPHIE, please get in touch with us through our Contact form.