Praxis SCI Incubate Program

An 18-week program geared towards pre-prototype projects with an innovation to transform the lives of people living with SCI. The program provides targeted consumer and research validation and mentorship, as well as access to our commercialization network.

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Commercialization  |  Praxis Incubate Program

Program Description

Praxis SCI Incubate is an 18-week program designed for early-stage innovation projects that address care- and cure-related treatments and quality of life for people with spinal cord injury (SCI).

The virtual program, based in Vancouver, Canada, is designed for pre-prototype ventures to scale their innovations rapidly. SCI Incubate builds targeted support into the design and prototyping process through weekly mentorship from our in-house consumer, research and commercialization experts. Through the 18-week program, running from October 2021 to February 2022, our world-class team will work closely with you to scale your technology to the next level. Praxis contributes $25K CAD in targeted funding to help assist you with key objectives set during the program.

SCI Incubate provides access to Praxis’ global network of SCI research, donor and investment organizations to help build your international market strategy across developing and developed markets.

The Praxis Spinal Cord Institute’s SCI Incubate program is made possible through support from the Government of Canada through Western Economic Diversification.

→ Meet the Praxis Commercialization Team

→ Download program one-pager

→ Meet the 2021/22 Cohort

→ Download the 2021/22 Cohort one-pager (pdf)

Program Highlights

  • Program runs from October 18, 2021 – February 25,  2022 (18 weeks)
  • Requires 1 day/week mandatory commitment
  • Virtual program, based in Vancouver, BC
  • $25K CAD per research project in non-dilutive funding
  • Cohort of maximum five research projects accepted for our pilot cohort in 2020
  • Early stage ventures with a clear medical application to SCI care- or cure-related treatments required

Key Dates

Application open: June 3, 2021
Deadline to apply: August 18, 2021 at midnight
Interviews: September 1 – September 21, 2021
Notice of decision: September 29, 2021
Program begins: October 18, 2021
Program ends: February 25, 2022

Submission Requirements

  • Presentation/pitch of product (5-10 slide overview of product and progress to date)
  • Video describing the product (2 min+), informal video of founder describing product is sufficient
  • Business Plan (5-10 page) submitted, including the following:
    • Intended impact on people with SCI (number of people with SCI served, type of impact, significance of impact)
    • Overall market of product
    • Description of product/service
    • Competitor analysis (what is unique about the product)
    • Brief description on financials/funding to date and plans to raise future funding
    • Next steps for project, including funding, product development and research goals
    • Company team (full-time and part-time members, advisors)

Click here to start your application

Application Process

All applications will need to be submitted via the SurveyMonkey link. All files (business plans and pitches) will need to be under 15MB and uploaded on the site. Video links (with secure YouTube links) should be provided. Should you have any concerns regarding the receipt of your application, please email SCI_Incubate@praxisinstitute.org. Should you have any issues uploading the correct files, you may attach your files and send directly to SCI_Incubate@praxisinstitute.org, as long as the files follow the size limits and are not provided as links (except for the video).

Application review and selection process:

Applications will be reviewed by an expert panel, which includes: an individual with lived experience of SCI, the Praxis Research team, and seasoned healthcare commercialization mentors.

Shortlisted applicants will take part in a one-hour interview with our panel of experts. Semi-finalist applicants will then move on a 2nd round of interviews.

The five selected finalists will be informed by September 29, 2021.

The Praxis Spinal Cord Institute’s SCI Incubate program is made possible through support from

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