Digital Health Sandbox

Building and testing digital health solutions inside real clinical environments can be one of the biggest hurdles for health tech companies. Alberta-based SMEs working at the intersection of healthcare and information technology can access meaningful support through the Digital Health Sandbox, an initiative from Alberta Innovates focused on accelerating the adoption of digital tools in clinical and operational settings. The program is designed to help companies move beyond prototypes by validating technologies that improve how health data, systems, and decision-making tools work together.

The Digital Health Sandbox is particularly relevant for businesses developing interoperable platforms, data-driven applications, or clinical decision support technologies that need real-world testing and collaboration with health system partners. Funding of up to a few hundred thousand dollars is available on a non-repayable basis to offset development and implementation costs over a defined project period. In addition to financial support, participants benefit from access to Alberta’s health innovation ecosystem, including expert guidance, commercialization resources, and connections that can help strengthen both technical readiness and market fit.

Because the program is competitive and focused on projects with clear patient and system impact, it’s best suited for companies with well-defined solutions and a strong implementation plan. For Alberta health tech founders looking to understand whether their innovation aligns with the Sandbox’s goals, exploring the full program details can clarify next steps and funding potential.