CHEO Bears’ Den: Innovation Pitch Event

Dot Mind Unlocked pitching at the CHEO Bears' Den
People networking at the CHEO Bears' Den

The CHEO Bears’ Den is an innovation pitch event offering researchers, innovators and start-ups the opportunity to pitch their product ideas and innovations, which aim to support and improve children’s health care. 

In the fall of 2022, TECHi hosted the inaugural event in Ottawa. Four start-ups were given 10 minutes to pitch their innovations to a panel and address questions. Each presentation was scored by the panel and feedback was given to each start-up.

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.

Watch the 2022 CHEO Bears’ Den highlight video.

The 2022 CHEO Bears’ Den was a great success!

“The event is really important because we need to find a way to deliver health care more efficiently and more cost effectively.”
Chris Ritchie, Ontario Centre of Innovation

TECHi serves as the innovation and commercialization core of the CHEO Research Institute, which aims to support our researchers as they look to transform inspiration into high impact solutions, products and services that ultimately benefit patients and families. The Bears’ Den pitch event is a great example of how CHEO is challenging the status quo and looking at innovative ways to tackle health care challenges today and in the future.”
Jason Berman, CEO and Scientific Director at the CHEO Research Institute, and Vice-President of Research at CHEO

“The CHEO Bears’ Den is an innovative way to bring many people from different industries motivated by the common goal of providing the best life for every child and youth. I look forward to seeing these ideas come to life and become a staple in the future of pediatric health care.”
Alex Munter, President and Chief Executive Officer at CHEO

Read the 2022 CHEO Bears Den’ news release.

CHEO Bears' Den investor panel.

Planning is underway for the 2023 CHEO Bears’ Den

The CHEO Bears’ Den is an opportunity for innovators/start-ups and investors to:

  • pitch innovations that could support pediatric health care,
  • discuss opportunities to collaborate and partner, and 
  • network with like-minded individuals within the entrepreneurial, health care, and business sectors. 

Stay tuned for more details to come on the 2023 CHEO Bears’ Den! 

If you have questions or would like more information on future CHEO Bears’ Den pitch events, and other innovation events, please contact us at [email protected].