Entrepreneurship for Cardiovascular Health Opportunities (ECHO) – Call for Applications & Info Session
Applications are now open for the 2024-25 ECHO Cohort!
Entrepreneurship for Cardiovascular Health Opportunities (ECHO) is a national entrepreneurship training and mentorship program designed to bridge the translational gap for cardiovascular innovations. ECHO is funded and organized by the Translational Biology & Engineering Program (TBEP), in partnership with H2i.
Applications are open until August 11th 2024 and all Canadian-based researchers, clinicians and/or entrepreneurs who are developing cardiovascular technologies and innovations are encouraged to apply. The ECHO program is fully virtual.
A virtual information session will take place on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 (2:00 – 3:00 PM EDT). Register in advance to join the session.
What ECHO Offers:
A 12-month online training program, involving five complementary modules delivered by veteran entrepreneurs and consultants across a variety of sectors:
Module 1 – Principles of Entrepreneurship: Nine workshops focused on fundamental entrepreneurship business principles. (Oct – Dec 2024)
Module 2 – Health Venture Rounds: 15 workshops focused on key subjects pivotal to the success of early stage start-ups in the health sector. (Jan – Jun 2025)
Module 3 – Lessons from Leaders: Six webinars involving successful entrepreneurs and business leaders sharing their experiences in commercializing technologies in the health sector. (Jan – Jun 2025)
Module 4 – Community of Mentors: Successfully ranked ventures will become clients of H2i, a campus-linked accelerator, and will have access to H2i’s extensive resources.
Module 5 – Ignite Start-up Funding: The program will culminate with pitch training, mentorship and ECHO PITCH 2025, a public pitch competition, where the ventures will have the opportunity to win up to $250,000. (Jul – Oct 2025)
How to Apply:
STEP ONE: Application: Complete the following two forms and submit before 11:59 pm EDT on Sunday, August 11, 2024.
- ECHO Application Form: submit to Soror Sharifpoor
- H2i Venture Application Form: submit online
STEP TWO: Interviews will commence September 2024 for select applicants. The program begins October 2024.
For full program information and enrolment instructions, please visit the ECHO program page or contact Soror Sharifpoor (Director, Strategy & Translation; TBEP)
Information Session:
A virtual information session will take place on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 (2:00 – 3:00 PM EDT) and will feature (i) an overview of the structure and content of the ECHO Program, (ii) guidance on the application process (iii) a panel of ECHO ventures reflecting on past experiences with the program, and (iv) general Q&A. Register in advance to join the session.