HealthTech Challenge

HealthTech Challenge


Expand your Industry Expertise	Work with a Diverse Network	Receive Resume-Building Experience and Funding
Learn from experts about the health sciences, innovation, and technology	Learn from and work with students and mentors from cutting-edge disciplines and backgrounds to develop your innovation solution	Gain meaningful work experience and make money in the process

The first of its kind at Mount Royal, the HealthTech Challenge empowers you and a team of four to solve a problem in the health sciences. Learn from award-winning MRU research experts and community, and leverage the Maker Studio and other resources to develop a hardware innovation that helps impacted communities.

The HealthTech Challenge would not be possible without the support provided by Alberta Innovates.

Experience HealthTech Challenge

1	Take part in the exciting experience of building a physical innovation designed to address a complex problem in the health tech space.
2	Gain experience working with and learning from students outside of your program
3	Learn about your topic of focus from industry experts and student mentors on your team

Session Dates

The HealthTech Challenge applications are closed for 2024. Please check back later.

Program Requirements

HealthTech Challenge participants can expect to spend 6 - 8 hours per week during the program.
Participants must complete the 16-week program to receive the funding
Participants must attend all in-person and mentoring sessions to receive the funding.

HealthTech Challenge 2024 applications are currently closed and will reopen on November 1st, 2024 and will close on November, 30th.

Please use the link below to join the application waitlist and get notified as soon as the application opens.

Application Waitlist

In the meantime, you can still explore the application below to learn more about the process.

Program Application

Students HealthTech Challenge Experience

Learn more about the 2023 Challenge here.

“My favourite moment was trying to reverse engineer a $40 speaker: slowly taking it apart and rewiring it made me feel like a sorcerer, and eventually I could write to it using Hertz. It was so cool. You had to be there! I broke it an hour later when trying to disassemble the other side to read from it. If it was my money, I would stress about that for weeks but because of the Challenge’s generous fund, I see it as one of the most valuable learning experiences I have ever had. I look back at that moment in the Maker’s Space with pride in my ability to quickly learn how to safely dismantle, accurately solder, and intuitively program an object I have seldom experimented with before. “

Jaunie Williams, Hardware Lead for Team Aging

"COVID-19 ended my high school pre-engineering classes, crushing my Mark Rober-inspired DIY gadget creation dreams, or so I thought. Through the experiment-proof budget, community of mentors, and motivating stipend, this university program was transformative in providing the resources needed to direct my passion and skills toward tackling the larger issues society faces today. I’m excited to continue to build my innovation skills by spending part of my stipend on a 3D printer, something I wouldn’t have been able to afford before the challenge.”

Triumph Aramunde, Software Lead for Team Aging

How Do I Apply?

Applications for the 2024 HealthTech Challenge are now closed. Apply to the 2025 HealthTech Challenge program by clicking selecting the button on the program page above that matches your program. Please note that there are two different applications - one for BCIS/CS students and one for all other programs.

Complete the application form with the necessary details and confirm your availability for all mandatory sessions. Attendance in all sessions is required to receive the funding. If you have any questions about the application, reach out to Erin Creegan-Dougherty at ecreegandougherty@mtroyal.ca

Program Manager

Erin Creegan-Dougherty, a Métis entrepreneur and Entreprenurship Development Officer at The Institute, was raised in Calgary, Alberta, surrounded by the breathtaking Canadian Rockies. Her deep love for both nature and cooking fueled her ambition to launch a backcountry food venture. Inspired by family and friends who were successful entrepreneurs, she embraced her Métis heritage and founded Maskwa Backcountry Foods. With a mission to share Métis culture through food, Erin remains dedicated to her passions for the wilderness, her cultural heritage, and cooking, while eagerly pursuing business opportunities on a national and international scale.

Want help applying to the HealthTech Challenge or have questions about the program?

Book a Meeting with Erin

FAQ

How do I apply?

Apply to HealthTech Challenge by clicking the “Apply to HealthTech Challenge” button on the program page. For quick access, click here to apply. If you require any support with filling out your application, email (program manager contact) for assistance.

Please note, there are 2 application forms; one for BCIS students and one for non-BCIS students. Please make sure to select the correct application form when applying.

Why should I apply?

Take this opportunity to gain valuable experience building an innovative hardware solution while simultaneously working with students and mentors from various backgrounds to build your product. After building your product, you will have the opportunity to present your product to an audience of fellow students, faculty, and members of the LaunchPad community!

How big are the teams?

Your teams will have 5 students, each with a specific focus. In addition to the students on your team, each group will have a senior student mentor and a faculty mentor who will provide guidance and mentorship to your team as you build your product.

What is the final deliverable?

Each team will deliver a technology innovation designed to address a complex problem in the health tech space while also helping affected communities.

Is this an internship?

This is not an internship; rather, it's a hands-on experience that will give you the opportunity to work closely with a team of students and mentors from various disciplines to create an innovative physical solution aimed at addressing a complex problem in the healthtech space. At the end of this experience, you’ll have gained 16 weeks of transformative experience that can be added to your resume and portfolio, positioning you strongly for future internships or post-graduation positions.

What program do I need to be in to take part in the HealthTech Challenge?

Whether you are pursuing any degree program across campus, the HealthTech Challenge welcomes you. Our inclusive approach values diverse perspectives and knowledge, making it the perfect fit for students with varying degrees of knowledge in the healthtech space. Rest assured, your background and expertise will be highly appreciated and contribute significantly to your team's success.

If I have previously participated in the HealthTech Challenge, can I apply again?

We are excited that you enjoyed it so much you’d like to reapply. We want to ensure students get ample opportunity to take part so we encourage you to apply to our other programs we offer. You can check out our program page to learn more or reach out to our team to chat about the opportunities we can offer you.