New Health Impact Investor Challenge dangles $100,000 prize for Canadian entrepreneurs

The challenge, a joint effort between Spring Activator and Telus, will also educate investors on impact investing

For one innovative Canadian company, helping people improve their health will soon yield a healthy investment.

Spring Activator, a Vancouver-headquartered business incubator, accelerator and advisory firm, just launched the first Health Impact Investor Challenge. Running from March through May 2022, this program for investors and entrepreneurs is a collaboration with the $100-million Telus Pollinator Fund for Good.

“Spring is thrilled to work with the Telus Pollinator Fund for Good to support the growing investor community in the country,” said Graham Day, impact investing program director at Spring Activator. “Our hopes are that the challenge will provide a stepping stone toward funding innovative businesses as key contributors to the local economy.”

The Health Impact Investor Challenge, managed by Spring Activator, aims to help early-stage startups drive innovation that creates better health outcomes, while also delivering a financial return for investors. It will bring together potential investors for an 11-week program that educates them on impact investing. Meanwhile, applications are open to any early-stage socially or environmentally driven health-care venture based in Canada that wants to raise capital and scale its impact.

READ MORE: It’s a Good Thing: Telus aims for a healthy bottom line

Now here’s the fun part. After the top 20 venture applicants pitch their companies to an investor cohort, 10 semifinalists will get a chance to make the top five. At the Grand Finale pitch event next spring, that select group will compete for a $100,000 investment.

You can register as an entrepreneur or an investor here.