HealthSpark

Work with Vector to supercharge your AI research and development efforts.

2025 Call for Project Proposals

Information and application guidelines for current and closed calls for project proposals.

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Accelerate your health care AI solution with Vector’s HealthSpark program. Collaborate with our machine learning experts and receive technical support over 4 months to build or enhance your innovation.

We’re seeking Southern Ontario startups and scaleups at a stable growth stage, whether you have an active product to enhance with AI or a well-defined plan for a new AI-driven solution. 

HealthSpark gives you access to:

  • Training – Workshops and training opportunities to build your capabilities
  • Mentorship – Team mentorship from experts in your sector
  • Networks – Value-add events and connections as part of our network

Want to join Vector’s HealthSpark program?

Should you have any questions that are not addressed on this site, please email us.

Apply now

Program details

  • The HealthSpark program is aimed at supporting startups and scaleups based in the Southern Ontario region of Canada 
  • Preference will be given to companies at a stable growth stage that have an active and functional product or service that they aim to enhance with AI, or a well-defined plan for developing a new AI-driven product or service
  • Proposal assessments will be conducted on a rolling basis
  • Successful companies will collaborate with Vector to establish clear milestones for the AI product development and will sign a milestone-based agreement to ensure alignment and accountability
  • Selected companies will be invited to participate in programs, networking opportunities, and events hosted by Vector and its partners
  • Each selected company will be paired with a dedicated AI engineering support team from Vector to provide hands-on support and technical expertise over a four-month intensive development period

2025 Topics/Priorities

Project themes

  • Advanced Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques: utilizing AI in image-guided therapy, oncology, and/or digital pathology
  • Primary Care: AI solutions enhancing patient engagement, monitoring, and overall primary care services/delivery
  • Health Platforms: technical solutions that enable open-source collaboration, digital twin solutions, digital front door solutions, etc.

Note: Vector is open to reviewing any proposal with a direct health focus, even if it does not fall within the specified themes.

AI/ML methods & techniques of interest

  • Multimodal AI
  • Model Evaluation & Safety
  • Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs)
  • Interpretability
  • RAG/Compound AI Systems
  • Bias & Fairness
  • Computer Vision
  • Small Foundation Models
  • Forecasting
  • Edge AI

Program eligibility

  • Must be an incorporated company in Canada and based in Southern Ontario
  • Must be active participants in Vector’s Fastlane Program or commit to joining the program upon proposal acceptance; Vector Bronze sponsor companies are eligible, as well
  • Must have at least 10 full-time employees and no more than 500 full-time equivalent employees
  • Must commit at least two (2) full-time technical employees for the duration of the development period of the program (four months)
  • The proposal must be focused on developing and commercializing a technology that utilizes AI/ML and that has a fundamental impact on the health sector
  • The proposed solution must demonstrate the ability to scale

Application guidelines

Round 1: Online Application

Part I: Applicant information 

This section requires basic information about the company, team, and mission.

Part II: Application questions

This section consists of questions about the project/product and technology. Please be clear and concise and adhere to the word limits. 

Project assessment: 

Technical feasibility (40%)

  • Clear articulation of AI/ML integration
  • Viable data access for model development
  • Some demonstrated internal expertise in AI/ML
  • Reasonable scope within program timelines

Strategic fit (25%)

  • Alignment with HealthSpark priorities (e.g., advanced diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, primary care, health platforms).
  • Clear product vision and/or solution readiness

Commercial opportunity (35%)

  • Defined market opportunity and customer segments.
  • Scalability potential of the solution.
  • Ecosystem benefit and impact (e.g., healthcare sector improvements).

Round 2: Solution deep dive and Q&A session

Selected applicants will move forward to the second round – the Solution Deep Dive and Q&A Session. During this session, applicants will have the opportunity to engage in a detailed discussion with the selection committee. The session will begin with a 10-minute overview of the proposed solution, followed by a 20-minute interactive Q&A where the committee will ask questions to explore the feasibility, impact, and scalability of the solution

Applicants may participate in person or virtually, and the session will be recorded. The recording may be used, in whole or in part, for Vector’s internal purposes only.

During the Solution Deep Dive and Q&A Session, applicants will be evaluated on the technical and commercial potential of their proposed solution, as well as the ability to articulate their vision and respond to questions effectively.

Selection Process

  • HealthSpark selection committee will review and score projects
  • Vector will support three (3) SMEs for the 2025-2026 fiscal year
  • Results are expected by mid to late April 2025

Key dates

  • March 10, 2025 – Call Launch (9:00 AM EST)
  • April 4, 2025 – Application Deadline (11:59 PM EST)
  • April 11, 2025 – Invitation to Solution Deep Dive and Q&A
  • Late April 2025 – Proposal Selection Notification
  • May 2025 – Welcome/Orientation

Dates are tentative and subject to change

Apply now