Medventions Expands to NL, Fueling Atlantic Canada's Medtech Sector

ST. JOHN'S, NL – January 13, 2026 – A major initiative aimed at cultivating homegrown medical technology is expanding to Atlantic Canada, launching a pilot program in Newfoundland and Labrador designed to embed entrepreneurs directly into clinical settings to solve real-world healthcare problems. Medventions, Canada’s leading medtech innovation fellowship, has partnered with Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services’ Living Lab and the Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub to establish its third national site.

The new program, Medventions Atlantic–NL, will immerse its first cohort of fellows in Carbonear and St. John’s, focusing specifically on identifying and addressing technological gaps within the demanding field of anesthesiology. This expansion represents a significant step in building a pan-Canadian innovation network, aiming to translate scientific breakthroughs into commercially viable products that can improve patient care and bolster the national economy.

“Canada’s medtech sector is at a defining moment — one shaped by rapid advances in artificial intelligence,” said Dr. Ahmed Nasef, Co-Founder and Co-Director of Medventions. “To translate these breakthroughs from bench to bedside, Canada must invest not only in technology but in the people who will commercialize it. That’s why the expansion of Medventions to a third site in Canada marks a pivotal step in building a pan-Canadian innovation workforce.”

A Proven Model Comes to Atlantic Canada

Founded in 2016 at Toronto’s Sunnybrook Research Institute (SRI), Medventions operates on a unique and proven model inspired by Stanford University's renowned Biodesign program. The fellowship program takes aspiring entrepreneurs—often with backgrounds in engineering, business, and science—and places them directly inside hospitals. There, they shadow clinicians, observe procedures, and engage with frontline staff to identify unmet clinical needs.

This “bench-to-bedside” approach has already yielded tangible results at its other sites. In Toronto, the program has mentored over 150 innovators, leading to the creation of multiple startups and the filing of several patents. One notable success, RescuBeat, is developing a novel mechanical CPR device specifically for use in catheterization labs, a direct result of needs identified within a clinical setting.

The model's effectiveness was further demonstrated with the launch of Medventions Atlantic in Nova Scotia in 2023. In a short time, that program has supported three cohorts of 20 fellows, who have worked with over 75 mentors. One innovation to emerge is “Aluma,” a headset developed by fellows to reduce patient stress during cardiac procedures, showcasing the program's ability to quickly generate practical solutions.

“This program has been incredibly successful here in Nova Scotia, in large part because of the strong collaboration across teams and jurisdictions,” said Margaret Palmeter, Senior Director of Innovation at the Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub. The hub is now leveraging that success to support the program's further growth into Newfoundland and Labrador.

Targeting a Critical Need: Innovation in Anesthesiology

The decision to focus the inaugural NL cohort on anesthesiology is a strategic one, aimed at a specialty facing immense pressure. Anesthesiologists operate in a high-stakes environment, managing potent drugs and making life-or-death decisions for increasingly complex patients—many of whom are older and have multiple comorbidities. This clinical complexity is compounded by significant systemic challenges.

The field is grappling with a projected workforce shortage, with studies indicating nearly 30% of anesthesiologists may leave the practice by 2033, driven in part by high rates of burnout. According to a 2024 survey, over half of anesthesiologists reported feeling burnt out, citing long hours and administrative burdens. Persistent supply chain disruptions have also led to shortages of essential drugs, forcing clinicians to find and manage substitutes, adding another layer of complexity and risk to patient care.

By embedding innovators directly within this environment, the Medventions Atlantic–NL program aims to develop technological solutions that can alleviate these pressures. Potential innovations could range from AI-powered monitoring systems that predict adverse events, to improved drug delivery devices, to new tools that streamline workflow and reduce administrative tasks. The program provides a direct pathway for turning the everyday challenges faced by anesthesiologists into opportunities for impactful innovation.

Building a Pan-Canadian Innovation Ecosystem

The expansion into Newfoundland and Labrador is part of a broader national strategy to create a self-sustaining medtech ecosystem. This effort is backed by INOVAIT, Canada’s image-guided therapy and artificial intelligence network, which is itself funded by the Government of Canada’s Strategic Response Fund. The fund is designed to support large-scale, transformative projects that build economic resilience and strengthen key industrial sectors.

“The expansion of the Medventions program into Newfoundland and Labrador will foster homegrown innovation in health care across Canada,” stated the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry. “By expanding the pan-Canadian ecosystem, INOVAIT is empowering talented Canadians to turn clinical needs into commercial solutions in the medtech sector, which will improve patient outcomes, create jobs and generate economic growth in communities across Atlantic Canada.”

This national vision emphasizes not just the creation of new technologies, but the development of a skilled workforce capable of leading their commercialization. By fostering this entrepreneurial capacity, the program aims to ensure that Canadian ideas are built by Canadian innovators, anchoring economic growth and creating high-value jobs within the country rather than seeing intellectual property and talent move elsewhere.

A Collaborative Atlantic Powerhouse

The success of the Medventions Atlantic–NL pilot hinges on the strength of its local partners. NL Health Services, the province's sole health authority, is a key collaborator through its Living Lab initiative. The Living Lab functions as a real-world testbed, providing an integrated environment where innovators can develop, test, and validate their technologies in partnership with the health system.

“NL Health Services is pleased with Medventions’ expansion to Newfoundland and Labrador and looks forward to continued collaboration with partners and innovators across the province,” said Ron Johnson, Vice President of Digital Health, Innovation and Research for NL Health Services. “As a health authority, we have been nurturing health-care innovators, and through this fellowship pilot program, we can offer direct, hands-on experience with mentors to guide advancements that will enhance the health and well-being of people throughout the province.”

This collaborative spirit is echoed by the Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub, which brings its recent experience in launching Medventions Atlantic to the partnership. The Hub acts as a central point of contact for innovation, connecting researchers, clinicians, and industry to accelerate the adoption of new solutions. This cross-provincial collaboration between Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia is seen as a force multiplier for the entire region.

As Margaret Palmeter of the Nova Scotia hub noted, “Working closely with our colleagues at Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services and Bounce has shown us the value of learning together, and it’s a natural next step to expand the program with them. Alongside the outstanding team at Sunnybrook Research Institute, this collaboration will continue to strengthen the next generation of innovators and problem solvers—something healthcare needs not only across Canada, but around the world.”