Digital Health Integration Readiness Platform (Pre-HaTCH) – Second Cohort Health City and Brightsquid are pleased to announce the second cohort of our Digital Health Integration Readiness Platform (Pre-HaTCH), an initiative aimed to better prepare small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to reach commercialization of their products and service. The platform increases entry and integration in the health system, allowing multiple companies to scale at once. The long-term goal of the Pre-HaTCH initiative is to better prepare SMEs for progression through the health commercialization life cycle and provide a feeder into the full HaTCH program, ultimately providing high quality digital health products and services to the Alberta and Canadian market. For testimonials and information from our first cohort, please visit our Pre-HaTCH page. For more information on the full HaTCH program, visit Brightsquid’s page. What do I need to know? The Digital Health Integration Readiness Platform (Pre-HaTCH) is a joint initiative between Health City and Brightsquid. The initiative has been developed to provide SMEs with the training and education required to address challenges related to privacy, security, regulatory, and integration activities. This platform aims to address existing gaps and provides SMEs with the fundamental understanding of technical readiness, preparing them with the ability to tackle the complex integration requirements that are critical to success. SMEs that complete the platform can expect to learn the following: Help early-stage companies understand the health information regulatory requirements for their product to commercialize Provide basic knowledge for software development practices to incorporate privacy and security principles to be successful in the health sector Provide a clear overview of Canada’s healthcare delivery and health tech ecosystems Provide resource options at the conclusion of the course to clarify the road to market and commercialization SMEs that participate in this platform will also be provided with a 1:1 review session to assess business readiness and be provided with resources and direction to address identified gaps. The registration fee for this platform is $5,000 per company and will grant access for up to three participants. If the $5,000 fee presents a barrier for your organization, please reach out to Health City to discuss available funding options. How to Apply Interested SMEs are encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) to Health City (admin@healthcities.ca) by no later than June 4, 2021 for consideration for the cohort that will begin on June 17, 2021. The EoI should be a maximum of 5 pages (excluding appendices) outlining the following: Company overview and history, including identification of key members of the management team, and team members (part- and full-time). Proposed value proposition for the technology compared to current standard of care or unmet clinical need. The target population expected to benefit from the technology, as well as the clinical care pathway, and key stakeholders should be identified. Technology technical overview, trials/usage of the technology to-date (if any), and current state of evidence for the technology’s safety, efficacy and effectiveness (if any). A summary of financial strategy/strength to commercialize a product (e.g., available internal resources, funding, investment or loan upon receipt of purchase order, etc.). Completion of the Health Innovation Client Journey Map ((“Health Innovation Cycle.” Alberta Innovates. Accessed January 26, 2021. [Word file]. Retrieved from: https://albertainnovates.smartsimple.ca/files/646815/f125423/AI_Health_Innovation_-_Intake_Checklist.docx)) (included as Appendix in EoI) Confirmation of availability to attend all sessions and names of up to 3 participants Important Dates May 10, 2021: Application opens June 4, 2021: Deadline for EoI submission June 8, 2021: Selection process and successful participants notified Week of June 17: Course starts for successful companies (schedule below) Session 1: Thursday, June 17, 9AM – 12PM Session 2: Thursday, June 24, 9AM – 12PM No meetings the week of July 1 Session 3: Thursday, July 8, 9AM – 12PM Session 4: Thursday, July 15, 9AM – 12PM *Business Readiness Session (1:1 review of business readiness assessment and guidance on resources and next steps) will be scheduled during the first week of the platform. Selection Criteria All Expressions of Interest from Alberta SMEs will be evaluated based on the following: Early stage, start-up or SMEs that are residents of Alberta. An experienced management team and financial resources to commercialize their product will be considered an asset. Companies that are seeking business opportunities in Alberta will also be considered. Technology that has high potential or is ready for commercialization and usage by health care professionals and patients. Technologies with initial market traction will be considered an asset. Technology with high potential for improved clinical and economic outcomes. Early stage, start-up or SMEs that are in active or have had recent discussions with one or more health system payers regarding procurement will be considered an asset. Note: Early stage and start-up companies with developing digital health solutions or companies pivoting into health technologies will also be considered for admission to the Platform. About the Partners: Health City is a Canadian not-for-profit corporation that works with clinicians, innovators, philanthropic organizations, and companies to develop new pathways of care that can drive better health outcomes and economic development in the health sector. Brightsquid Secure Communications Corp. is a Calgary-based health tech company which has helped establish ongoing privacy compliance at hundreds of healthcare organizations (including technology vendors) and has delivered accredited privacy training to thousands of healthcare professionals. Brightsquid’s applications are built on a privacy-compliant engine that maintains patient information safety to the letter of the law in the US, Canada, and EU.