BVZ Launch
Solving Local Problems with a Global Reach
Are you a woman-identified founder or co-founder building a tech solution in the Health and Wellness industry?
Apply to 2025 BVZ Launch Program!
Launch is a 4-month, non-equity-based incubator program designed for MVP-ready health technology startups to launch in the market. We provide Canadian startups in the health and wellness sector access to Brampton and Peel-based industry partners for early market validation and opportunities to secure potential pilots.
Through this program, you will be eligible for a non-dilutive grant, go through venture development workshops, receive integrated mentorship, and access TMU’s Zone Learning resources, that support your goals.
Our hybrid program model also offers networking opportunities with fellow founders and alumni, fostering a strong community to support your journey.
2025 Launch Program Duration: February - May 2025
Pictured: 2023 BVZ Launch Cohort at the Brampton Venture Expo.
Application is open! Apply by November 17th, 2024.
Why BVZ Launch?
Early market validation from industry partners and executives within your customer profile
One-on-one mentorship from pre-vetted, best-in-class entrepreneurs in residence
Curated problems to solve for in your industry, validated by industry stakeholders
Personal brand building opportunities and access to exclusive perks across the BVZ network
Access $10K in non-dilutive funding and up to $5K in in-kind services with no strings attached - no equity or IP
Access to our exclusive growing alumni network and community
How to Apply:
To apply for the 2025 BVZ Launch program, create a profile to access the application form and provide the following information:
- Company Information: Pitch your company, and describe your ideal customer profile, competitors, and unique value proposition
- Technology: Share information on your technology stage and usage
- Funding Information: Provide monthly burn rate, current runway, and investors
- Team Details: Share about the founding team members
- Pitch Video: Upload a 1-2 minute video pitch or product demo link
What you get:
Program overview
Expected program outcomes
- Venture Development (Leadership to Operations)
- Market Development (Research to Go-to-market Strategy)
- Technical Development (Proof of concept to Market Ready)
- Customer Development (Sales and Marketing)
- Capital Development (Startup Finances and Fundraising Strategy)
- Industry Deep Dives on the sector of focus (Health and Wellness)
- Define organizational structure
- Develop your go to market strategy
- Create a pilot-launch plan
- Refine product roadmap
- Acquire your first customer or complete your first pilot
- Establish a fundraising strategy
This is a competitive cohort with a limited number of companies being admitted into the incubator program. This program is open to applicants from across Canada. Applicants must:
- Be 21+ yrs of age (and not a current student)
- Be a woman-identified founder or co-founder
- Have a legally incorporated business in Canada
- Have a working, demoable MVP (minimum-viable product)
- Have some form of market validation data (market research, user interviews, market feedback, POC/LOI/Pilot, customers, or investors)
- Be able to commit atleast 4 hours/week to the program
- Have min. 1 dedicated full time founder
- Have <$500K in private capital raised
- Have general commercial liability insurance
At BVZ, we regularly host 'Problem Labs', roundtable sessions where industry experts join us for mini-workshops. These sessions focus on identifying and soliciting key challenges for innovation by tech startups. Following a successful session earlier this year, we are actively seeking founders and startups addressing specific problem areas listed below for our upcoming cohort starting in February 2025.
Empowering Caregivers to Reduce Healthcare Staff Burden
Empowering caregivers through technologies such as AI could help improve or reduce the burden on the healthcare system. For example:
- Caregiver empowerment through Digital and AI tools.
- Reducing Administrative Burden with Digital Health.
Addressing Gaps in Women's Health
There are significant gaps in women's health and comprehensive solutions are required to cater to their unique needs. For example:
- Digital or hardware-based solutions specifically designed to improve women's health
Access to Care and Resource Optimization
Solving for wait times, infrastructure constraints, and optimizing existing resources through technology. For example:
- Matching Talent to Demand: Aligning healthcare workers and resources with areas of high clinical need.
- Workforce Challenges: Addressing recruitment and retention issues in healthcare, and exploring potential tech solutions for training, scheduling, and improving job satisfaction.
- Digital Health Solutions: People/HR solutions to support healthcare and clinical staff.
Supporting Aging in Place and Innovative Elder Care Models
Supporting aging in place and community-based elder care by developing alternative models or solutions. For example:
- Solutions for Caregivers: Solutions to support/assist caregivers, including professionals or home members, offering services to the elderly.
- Empowering Elders for Self-care: Developing turnkey infrastructure and systems that seamlessly connect home-bound seniors to resources, services, and assets in their communities.
Emphasizing Prevention Strategies and Social Determinants of Health
Solutions targeting food access, employment, social programs etc. are needed to reduce chronic conditions in the community. For example:
- Using Prevention Strategies: Addressing social determinants of health to reduce chronic conditions, such as diabetes, in communities like Brampton.
- Self-Management and Physical Fitness: Promoting self-management, physical fitness, and the use of tracking and monitoring tools to support health and prevent chronic conditions.
Bridging Gaps in Mental Health Care
Many individuals face barriers to effective mental health care, necessitating innovative solutions that bridge gaps in services, enhance accessibility, and use new methods to boost overall well-being and resilience. For example:
- Digital, AI-powered, or hardware-based solutions designed to improve mental health care and overall well-being.
Meet our EIR's (Entrepreneurs in Residence) here!
What our alumni have to say:
Check out more of our alumni companies here!
Our Impact
Learn about the impact and success of our program with the following highlights from the past five years:
