CAN Health Network: How to Get Healthcare Pilot & Demonstration Sites in Canada

By GrantHub Research Team · · Lire en français

CAN Health Network: How to Get Healthcare Pilot & Demonstration Sites in Canada

Getting your health technology into a hospital, clinic, or health system is one of the toughest steps to scale in Canada. Procurement rules are slow. Decision-makers are hard to reach. The CAN Health Network exists to remove those barriers by connecting qualified Canadian health innovators directly with healthcare delivery partners across the country.

This guide explains how the CAN Health Network works, who it’s for, and how your business can secure healthcare pilot and demonstration sites in Canada.


What Is the CAN Health Network?

The CAN Health Network is a national, non-government marketplace designed to help Canadian health innovation companies access healthcare systems faster. It is not a traditional grant program. Instead of direct funding, the main benefit is access to healthcare partners willing to pilot, validate, and adopt Canadian-made solutions.

Key facts:

  • Jurisdiction: National (pan-Canadian)
  • Program type: Market access and commercialization support
  • Status: Open
  • Funding: No direct cash funding provided

The main benefit is access to healthcare partners and pilot sites, not financial support.


Who Is Eligible to Work With the CAN Health Network?

The CAN Health Network focuses on companies that are past the idea stage and ready for real-world healthcare settings.

You may be a good fit if your business:

  • Is a mid-to-late stage Canadian company
  • Offers a healthcare technology solution, such as:
    • Digital health platforms
    • Medical devices
    • Diagnostics or clinical tools
    • Data, AI, or workflow solutions for healthcare
  • Has a working product that can be piloted or demonstrated
  • Is seeking hospital or health system validation to support scale-up

Early-stage startups without a tested product are usually not accepted.


How the CAN Health Network Helps You Secure Pilot & Demonstration Sites

The CAN Health Network makes it easier for Canadian health innovators to reach healthcare buyers. It offers curated matchmaking between companies and healthcare partners looking for solutions.

Here’s how it works:

  • CAN Health introduces your company to healthcare partners interested in your technology.
  • Partners can host demonstrations or pilot projects in real care settings.
  • The network helps bypass common early-stage procurement barriers.
  • Opportunities are available across Canada, not limited to one province or health authority.

This approach lets healthcare organizations test Canadian innovations before full procurement. Companies gain proof points and references.


Is the CAN Health Network a Grant Program?

No. The CAN Health Network does not provide direct funding, repayable loans, or wage subsidies.

Many companies use CAN Health alongside grants to strengthen their commercialization strategy. For example:

  • Grants may fund product development or regulatory work.
  • CAN Health provides real-world validation that funders want to see.

GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter grants that complement CAN Health participation by province and health focus in seconds.


Application and Engagement Process

The process usually includes several steps:

  1. Company assessment to confirm readiness and fit
  2. Solution profiling to understand your technology and use cases
  3. Introductions to healthcare partners with aligned needs
  4. Pilot or demonstration discussions led by the care organization

There is no fixed intake deadline. Readiness and relevance matter more than speed.


Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applying Too Early

If your product is still a concept or prototype, you are unlikely to qualify. CAN Health focuses on solutions that can operate in live healthcare environments.

Expecting Direct Funding

This is not a cash grant. Treat CAN Health as a commercialization and market access pathway, not a funding source.

Ignoring Clinical Workflow Fit

Healthcare partners care about integration, staff training, and patient safety. A strong technical product without workflow alignment struggles to secure pilots.

Skipping Grant Alignment

Many companies fail to pair CAN Health with grants that cover pilot costs, evaluations, or scaling activities.


Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the CAN Health Network?
The CAN Health Network is a national marketplace that connects Canadian health innovators with healthcare delivery organizations for pilots and demonstrations.

Q: Who can join the CAN Health Network?
Mid-to-late stage Canadian companies with healthcare technology solutions that are ready for real-world use are eligible.

Q: Is CAN Health funding available?
No. CAN Health does not provide direct funding. It offers access, partnerships, and commercialization support.

Q: What types of companies benefit most?
Digital health, medtech, diagnostics, AI, and clinical innovation companies see the most value due to long healthcare sales cycles.

Q: Is the CAN Health Network available across Canada?
Yes. The network works with healthcare partners nationwide, not limited to one province or region.


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Next Steps

The CAN Health Network gives Canadian health innovators access to healthcare pilot and demonstration sites that are often difficult to reach. When you pair that access with the right grants, it becomes easier to fund and scale your pilots. Sign up for GrantHub to find grants that align with your CAN Health Network participation and support your commercialization goals.

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