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University of Manchester Innovation Factory

Synapse Life Science Competition

Awards cash and in-kind prizes to Ontario life-science innovators who pitch a plan.

The Synapse Life Science Competition, now in its 13th year, pairs each life-science innovator with an upper-year student, recent graduate, or Master's or PhD student who has business, engineering, science or commercialization experience, matching the innovator's technical idea with the student's strategic and business skills. After applications close and finalists are notified, teams go through a

Looking for early-stage life-science innovators, scientists or researchers based in Southern Ontario with a product, service or idea ready to commercialize. Companies must be incorporated in Canada (or complete incorporation by the deadline), and past top finishers at this competition or LiONS LAIR are excluded.

CycleiHow often this grant runs - e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Annual
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.-
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.-
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.-
Award typeiThe form of funding - grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Prize
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.-
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.-

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