Apply to the Synapse Life Science Competition
Designed to help move your innovative life science products and services out of the lab and into the market, the Synapse Life Science Competition pairs innovators with business and entrepreneurship students and provides the training, mentorship, and resources to be successful.
Whether you are an innovator, scientist, or researcher, learn more about Ontario’s premier life science pitch competition.
Competition Roles
The Synapse Competition combines the ideas and research of life science innovators with the intellect and strategy of students. Which one are you?
Why participate?
- Develop your commercialization plan and pitch
- Participate in business training workshops to help you bring your idea to market
- Work with Masters/Ph.D. students with expertise in biomedical, business and engineering
- Establish valuable connections within the life science community
- PLUS! Compete for a chance to win BIG cash and in-kind prizes
Who should apply?
- Early-stage companies, innovators, scientists or researchers with a life science product, service or idea
- A driven, coachable and collaborative leadership founder/team
- Located in Southern Ontario
- Companies who are incorporated in Canada, or will have completed incorporation by December 31, 2025
- Has not placed in the top 10 at a previous LiONS LAIR, or placed in the top 5 at a previous Synapse Competition
Why participate?
- Gain business experience working with an innovative life science start-up company
- Work hands-on to create a commercialization plan, poster and prepare a pitch
- Attend business training workshops and grow your resume
- Establish valuable connections within the life science community
Who should apply?
- Upper-year college and university students
- Master’s-level or Ph.D. students
- Recent graduates
- Experience in business, engineering, science or commercialization
- Interest in partnering with an innovator to help commercialize their idea
Applications are open for the 2026 Synapse Pitch Competition
Innovator finalists receive training, mentorship and a chance to pitch and compete for BIG in cash and prizes.
Student finalists gain first-hand entrepreneurship experience.
Applications for the 2026 Synapse Pitch Competition are closed.
Thank you for your interest in the competition. Applications are now closed and will reopen in Fall 2026.
Competition Schedule
September 29, 2025: Applications Open
November 9, 2025: Applications Close
December 2025: Finalists Notified
January 7, 2026: Networking & Team Formation
January 15, 2026: Commercialization Plan Training
January 21, 2026: Regulatory Training
Jan – Feb 2026: Business Advisory Meetings
February 11, 2026: Commercialization Plan Due
February 18, 2026: Investor Pitch Training
March 5, 2026: Elevator Pitch & Poster Due
March 25, 2026: Synapse Pitch Competition Showcase
* Dates subject to change
Interested? Sign up for notifications
Stay tuned! Sign up to receive a notification for when applications open for the next competition!
Hear from past competitors
Watch past innovators and students speak about their experience at the Synapse Life Science Pitch Competition.
Previous Innovator & Student Testimonials
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