A roaring success, with the winning pitch securing $25,000 towards their health-tech solution.
The Bears’ Den is an opportunity for innovators and start-ups to:
- pitch their health care innovations to an audience of industry leaders, investors, and ecosystem collaborators,
- discuss opportunities to collaborate and partner, and
- network with like-minded individuals within the entrepreneurial, healthcare, and business sectors.
2025 Bears’ Den Winner:
Hyivy
The judges selected Hyivy, a smart pelvic health rehabilitation system, as the winner of the 2025 CHEO Bears’ Den for its innovative solution that combines therapeutic hardware with connect software and biosensors to deliver thermal therapy, auto dilation, and real-time monitoring for pelvic pain and dysfunction. As the winner of the CHEO Bears’ Den, Hyivy secured a $25,000 investment.
“Winning the CHEO Bears’ Den is a great validation of the Hyivy health-tech product and will help us on our journey to get it to more women. The whole interconnected ecosystem the CHEO Research Institute has built through Core Innovation is incredible. Being in a room full of all different kinds of people invested in health innovation, and having real discussions on how we can advance the conversation around adoption and deployment of Canadian innovation and technology in health care is really special” – Rachel Bartholomew, CEO and Founder of Hyivy
2025 Participating Companies:
Neuralign
Neuroscience-based cognitive training programs
Designed to improve reading and learning skills, particularly for individuals with dyslexia. Their platform uses gamified, multi-sensory exercises grounded in neuroplasticity principles to strengthen neural pathways for reading and comprehension. Neuroscience-based cognitive training programs to improve reading and learning skills, especially for individuals with dyslexia.
Modulate
AI-driven, 3D-printed orthopedic devices, primarily custom scoliosis braces.
They use digital twin modeling, finite element simulations, and generative algorithms to design braces optimized for spinal correction, comfort, and growth modulation.
Paperplane Therapeutics
Their VR experiences are clinically validated and tailored for procedures like dental care, MRI preparation, and pediatric treatments, offering non-pharmacological cognitive-behavioral therapy through immersive environments.
Unlocking innovation’s potential to improve health and health care
“Health care is often seen as a risk-averse industry, which can make it challenging to bring innovative technologies to market. At the CHEO Research Institute, we are committed to changing that mindset and believe that by bringing the right people together, we can play a vital role in sparking health innovation that makes a real impact,” Dr. Jason Berman, CEO and Scientific Director, CHEO Research Institute, Vice-President Research, CHEO.
“Core Innovation brings together, health care, research and business to enable us to collaboratively build the future of Canadian health-tech and support high paying jobs and keep entrepreneurs in Canada,” said Dr. Matthew Bromwich, Director, Core Innovation
2024 Bears’ Den Winner:
Leynek Medical’s Renecare Platform
Selected by the judges, Leynek Medical ReneCare Platform was the winner of the 2024 CHEO Bears’ Den. ReneCare supports cancer patients, caregivers, and health care providers by integrating into clinical workflows and offering between-appointment care. Through a user-friendly app, patients can track symptoms, mood, and journal entries, with access to symptom-specific medical guidance. Hospitals benefit from enhanced patient monitoring, allowing for proactive care and improved patient engagement, ultimately fostering better outcomes in the cancer journey.
“Being part of the CHEO Bears’ Den event has been phenomenal,” said William Jones, Leynek Medical, CEO. “From being coached by industry leaders, connecting with investors, to winning $25,000 towards the acceleration of my company, I can now get the technology in front of those who need it the most.”
2024 Bears’ Den Fan Favourite:
AIhearu
Everyone attending the CHEO Bears’ Den, both in-person at the uOttawa Desmarais Hall and online, showed tremendous support for all four companies pitching, but only one was named the Fan Favourite. AIHearu won over the crowd with their voice recognition software tailored for individuals with speech impairments. The software learns users’ unique speech patterns, enabling clearer communication by reproducing their intended words. Initially created by two technologists for their sibling with cerebral palsy, AIHearu is now being expanded for broader accessibility.
2024 Participating Companies:
Dicerra Safety Reporting Platform
Dicerra’s safety reporting platform emphasizes anonymity, non-punitive measures, and de-siloed data. Drawing from aviation’s safe reporting culture, Dicerra is designed to engage clinicians conveniently and anonymously while aggregating data across hospitals. It provides insights into deficiencies, root causes, preventive actions, and system improvements, representing a forward thinking approach to safety reporting.
miRoncol
miRoncol offers a blood-based test that detects over 12 cancer types using PCR and miRNA technology. This non invasive test is designed for early cancer detection, providing high accuracy, sensitivity, and scalability at an affordable price. Utilizing miRNA biomarkers—a Nobel-recognized discovery—miRoncol presents a promising advancement in accessible cancer screening.
2022 Bears’ Den Pitch Companies:
The following companies participated in the 2022 CHEO Bears’ Den, pitching their innovations to a panel of industry leaders. HyliDx was the highest scoring start-up and received $10,000 of in-kind support from the CHEO Research Institute for research and product validation work.