Innovative health technologies have the power to transform lives—but turning discoveries into scalable solutions requires guidance, mentorship, and funding. Enter ECHO PITCH 2026, an annual pitch competition co-hosted by the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and the Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, offering up to $100,000 in funding per stream to ventures ready to make a real-world impact. Scheduled for October 2026 in Toronto, this competition provides a unique platform for researchers, clinicians, scientists, and entrepreneurs to showcase their innovations and secure critical support for growth.

About ECHO PITCH

ECHO PITCH is the culmination of the ECHO program, a 12-month online training initiative designed to empower health innovators to commercialize their discoveries. The competition features two competitive funding streams, each offering non-dilutive startup funding of $100,000:

1. Cardiovascular Stream – exclusively for cardiovascular ventures enrolled in the ECHO program.

2. General Health Stream – exclusively for health ventures in non-cardiovascular fields enrolled in the ECHO program.

This dual-stream format ensures that both specialized cardiovascular technologies and broader health innovations receive tailored support and recognition, maximizing the impact of each venture.

Who Should Attend

ECHO PITCH is open to the public, and all are welcome to attend in-person to celebrate entrepreneurship in the health sciences. Attendees will experience an exciting showcase of health innovations, hear from the next generation of health entrepreneurs, and witness the awarding of significant non-dilutive funding to ventures poised for impact. Interested parties can stay tuned for registration details as the event approaches.

ECHO Program Overview

The ECHO program is a 12-month online accelerator designed for researchers, scientists, clinicians, trainees, and entrepreneurs seeking to bring their health innovations to market. Participants receive comprehensive support through mentorship, training, partnership opportunities, and funding. The program equips ventures with the tools to accelerate the translation of innovations from the bench to the bedside.

ECHO comprises five complementary modules:

1. Principles of Entrepreneurship – foundational training in building and managing a startup.

2. Health Venture Rounds – hands-on practice pitching and refining your venture.

3. Lessons from Leaders – insights from experienced health innovators and successful entrepreneurs.

4. Community of Mentors – one-on-one guidance from expert mentors across sectors.

5. Ignite Startup Funding – strategies and support for securing funding and investment opportunities.

The program begins in October 2025 and concludes with ECHO PITCH 2026, the live pitch competition in Toronto, offering selected ventures the chance to secure funding worth $100,000 per stream.

Program Requirements

To participate in ECHO PITCH, ventures must:

• Enroll in the ECHO program for the full 12-month cycle starting October 2025.

• Attend at least 80% of virtual workshops, webinars, and roundtable discussions.

• Become members of the Health Innovation Hub (H2i) and engage with H2i mentors.

• Compete in ECHO PITCH 2026 if selected, demonstrating progress and readiness to scale.

By completing these requirements, ventures are well-prepared to make the most of the competition, ensuring their innovations are presented at the highest standard.

Why Apply to ECHO PITCH 2026?

ECHO PITCH offers more than just funding—it’s a launchpad for health innovators. Participants gain access to:

• Non-Dilutive Funding: With $100,000 per stream available, ventures can accelerate development without giving up equity.

• Expert Mentorship: Guidance from leading researchers, clinicians, and entrepreneurs to refine strategy, technology, and commercialization pathways.

• Entrepreneurship Training: Comprehensive instruction in business planning, go-to-market strategies, and pitching.

• Partnership Opportunities: Connections with industry leaders, investors, and potential collaborators.

• Global Impact: Support to move innovations from discovery to real-world application, improving health outcomes.

ECHO’s emphasis on mentorship, training, and strategic funding creates an environment where health innovators can move from concept to implementation efficiently and effectively.

Eligibility

ECHO PITCH 2026 is open to ventures enrolled in the ECHO program, categorized into two streams:

• Cardiovascular Stream: For Canada-based researchers, scientists, clinicians, trainees, or entrepreneurs developing cardiovascular technologies.

• General Health Stream: For researchers, scientists, and trainees developing non-cardiovascular health technologies. Applicants must hold a primary appointment at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine or be supervised by a Temerty-affiliated faculty member. Future partnerships may expand eligibility to external institutions.

All applicants must complete two forms by the deadline:

1. ECHO Application Form – submit to Soror Sharifpoor at [email protected]

2. H2i Venture Application Form – submit online

Interviews for selected applicants will be conducted in September 2025, with the program officially starting in October 2025.

The Power of ECHO

ECHO has been transforming the way health innovations move from the lab to the market. Ventures participating in the program have access to high-level mentorship, actionable guidance, and the resources needed to scale quickly. For many participants, ECHO PITCH represents the culmination of months of preparation, learning, and mentorship, with the reward of significant non-dilutive funding and the opportunity to make a measurable difference in patient care.

Beyond funding, ECHO equips ventures with the tools to navigate regulatory pathways, design effective commercialization strategies, and engage with the broader health innovation ecosystem. The program fosters a community of innovators committed to transforming discoveries into solutions that improve lives globally.

ECHO PITCH 2026 is more than a competition—it is a gateway for health innovators to secure up to $100,000 in funding, gain mentorship, and accelerate their ventures from concept to impactful solutions. Whether you are developing cutting-edge cardiovascular technology or advancing broader health innovations, ECHO provides the platform, guidance, and resources necessary to succeed.

Apply now and take the next step to turn your discovery into a scalable, life-changing health solution. This is your opportunity to accelerate your innovation, gain mentorship, and compete for $100,000 in funding to bring your vision to reality.

For submission guidelines please visit https://rhse.temertymedicine.utoronto.ca/echo-application-eligibility-details 

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