Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation

What Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation does

The Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI) is a Toronto-based non-profit innovation catalyst that accelerates the development and adoption of solutions addressing aging and brain health challenges. Established in 2015 with $124 million CAD from the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the Baycrest Foundation — the largest single investment in aging and brain health in Canadian history — CABHI operates as the innovation arm of Baycrest and a solution accelerator rather than a product company. Its core constituency spans researchers, early- and mid-stage startups, healthcare delivery organizations, students, and older persons and caregivers as end-users.

CABHI's offerings are structured as competitive funding programs layered with non-financial acceleration services. The Ignite program provides up to $150K CAD in non-dilutive funding for early-stage innovations; Fuel offers up to $500K CAD (dilutive for companies, non-dilutive for healthcare and community-based organizations) for mid-stage solutions; Discover + Adopt provides up to $150K CAD to healthcare organizations for innovation adoption; and the NextGen Support Package awards $2,500 CAD to student ventures. These programs are reinforced by Acceleration Services including the Leap end-user engagement platform connecting innovators with 198,000+ older persons and caregivers, a Coaches Community of 100+ subject matter experts, an Innovation Network of 100+ care delivery organizations, the CABHI Science Collaborative for researcher training, and AgeTech Insights market intelligence reports. Strategic communications are amplified through the Defy Dementia podcast.

CABHI's revenue model is grant-funded rather than commercial: it receives multi-year capital from the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Strategic Science Fund (jointly administered by ISED and Health Canada), the Government of Ontario, and the Baycrest Foundation, with additional philanthropic support from the Slaight Family Foundation. These inflows are redistributed outward as non-dilutive grants or dilutive investments. Cumulative impact includes $218M+ directed to projects, 586 projects launched, $1.03B in follow-on capital raised by portfolio companies, and $87M+ in jobs created and sustained. The organization is currently expanding internationally via Brain Bases innovation anchors in Canada and the US and a UK-Canada AgeTech Innovation Exchange.

Name

Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation

Legal name

Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation

Website

https://cabhi.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI) is a Toronto-based non-profit innovation catalyst that provides funding, acceleration services, and end-user engagement to researchers, startups, and healthcare organizations developing aging and brain health solutions across Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: CABHI operates as a non-profit innovation catalyst primarily funded through government sources. Established in 2015 with $124M CAD from the Government of Canada, Government of Ontario, and Baycrest Foundation. Received $39.2M renewed funding from the Strategic Science Fund in 2023.
2. Foundation Support: Baycrest Foundation committed $25M over five years through the Brain Health Foundations Program to advance promising aging and brain health discoveries connected to CABHI research.
3. Program Services: CABHI provides non-dilutive funding and acceleration services to researchers, innovators, and startups. Programs include Ignite (up to $150K CAD), Fuel (up to $500K CAD), and Discover + Adopt (up to $150K CAD per organization).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI) is a non-profit innovation catalyst that distributes non-dilutive and dilutive funding, provides acceleration services, and operates an ecosystem network to help researchers, innovators, startups, and healthcare organizations develop, validate, and adopt solutions in the aging and brain health sector. It funds programs such as Ignite (up to $150K CAD), Fuel (up to $500K CAD), and Discover + Adopt (up to $150K CAD), and supports these recipients with mentorship, end-user co-design, and market access through its Innovation Network.

Product overview

The Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI) operates as a pan-Canadian catalyst for brain health innovation, offering a portfolio of funding programs, acceleration services, and intelligence platforms rather than a single unified product. The core programs include Ignite (early-stage funding up to $150K CAD), Fuel (mid-stage funding up to $500K CAD), Discover + Adopt (healthcare adoption support), and the CABHI Science Collaborative (researcher fellowship). Supporting infrastructure includes the Leap platform for end-user co-design, Acceleration Services providing mentorship and business consulting, the Lived Experience Council for consumer advisory, Brain Bases for international expansion, AgeTech Insights for market intelligence, and the Defy Dementia podcast for public education. Together, these offerings form an end-to-end innovation ecosystem supporting researchers, innovators, healthcare organizations, and investors across the aging and brain health lifecycle from concept to adoption.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ignite Early-stage innovation funding program offering up to $150,000 CAD in non-dilutive funding along with Acceleration Services for healthcare and research organizations and early-stage companies developing aging and brain health solutions.
• Fuel Mid-stage innovation program offering up to $500,000 CAD in dilutive investment for companies and non-dilutive funding for healthcare and community-based research organizations (HCROs), together with the full Acceleration Services suite for researchers and startups with mature aging and brain health solutions.
• Discover + Adopt (D+A) Adoption program providing up to $150,000 CAD in funding along with matchmaking, learning series, and coaching to help long-term care homes, hospitals, home healthcare, and community-based organizations introduce, implement, and sustain aging and brain health innovations.
• CABHI Science Collaborative (CSC) Fellowship and professional development program providing free opportunities for scientists, researchers, and trainees to expand their innovation skill set and engage with industry partners, including a fellowship with $5,000 CAD salary offset plus $10,000 CAD project costs over 6 months.
• NextGen Support Package Student venture support package providing $2,500 CAD upon completion, along with 1:1 mentor support, custom AgeTech curriculum, networking sessions, and user feedback from older persons through Leap for post-secondary students and recent graduates within the last two years.
• Acceleration Services Comprehensive suite of services bundled with funded programs, including the Coaches Community (100+ subject matter experts), Leap platform for end-user engagement, marketing and knowledge mobilization, applied research support, business consulting stipends, online Learning Series, scientific research consulting, talent recruitment subsidies, and perks packages from industry partners.
• Leap Community platform connecting innovators with older adults aged 50+ and caregivers through focus groups, surveys, and one-on-one interviews to co-design, validate, and refine aging and brain health solutions.
• Lived Experience Council Representative group of older persons and caregivers ensuring CABHI's work is informed by real lived experience; members participate in end-user engagement activities and help shape CABHI's priorities, programs, and community.
• Brain Bases Local innovation anchors in key ecosystems around the world (Canada and US initially, including CTS, Dal Innovates, and The Thrive Center) offering curated, innovation-focused concierge services to support entrepreneurs and promote cross-border collaboration in the aging and brain health sector.
• AgeTech Insights National and global think tank providing actionable market intelligence, industry news, expert commentary, and reports on aging and brain health technology trends for researchers, innovators, investors, and policymakers.
• Defy Dementia Podcast Empowering podcast produced by Baycrest and supported by CABHI dedicated to helping listeners reduce dementia risk; hosted by Jay Ingram and Dr. Allison Sekuler, featuring expert interviews and practical advice on dementia risk factors and healthy aging.

Quantifiable outcome

• 198,000+ Canadian older persons and caregivers engaged in CABHI projects
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered major, international and regional.

• FemTech CanadamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Collaboration on Supporting Brain Health During Menopause report. FemTech Canada contributes policy and advocacy expertise to ensure findings reach women, innovators, and decision-makers working to advance women's-centred health technologies.
• International Federation on Ageing (IFA)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Collaboration on second AgeTech Insights Report. IFA brings global policy leadership; CABHI brings end-user research expertise. Partnership aims to shape strategic priorities and support healthier aging worldwide through inclusive, impactful, and scalable technologies.
• Canadian Medical Association (CMA)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Strategic partnership to broaden D+A program's reach across Canada. CMA complements CABHI's funding to support innovation adoption, particularly in home healthcare and community-based settings.
• UK Canada AgeTech Innovation ExchangeinternationalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024International partnership announced to facilitate AgeTech innovation exchange between UK and Canada.
• Saskatchewan Health Research FoundationregionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership to provide scale-up funding for four Saskatchewan-based innovative solutions addressing aging and brain health challenges with focus on rural and Indigenous populations through CABHI's Spark+ program.
• Healthcare Excellence CanadamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership (previously Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement and Canadian Patient Safety Institute) worked to strengthen pandemic preparedness and response in LTC+ program, supporting Implementation Science Teams with 69 long-term care homes from coast to coast.
• Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership to strengthen pandemic preparedness and response in long-term care across Canada.
• Alberta InnovatesregionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partnership to accelerate evaluation and promote adoption of innovative products and services addressing needs of older adults with dementia.
• New Brunswick Health Research FoundationregionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partnership announced $1M available to support New Brunswick-based innovations in seniors' care.
• Einstein Lab of Cognitive Neuroscience, Gender, and Health (University of Toronto)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner contributing neuroscience, cognitive aging, and women's health research expertise to menopause brain health report.
• Galea Laboratory of Behavioural Neuroendocrinology (CAMH)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner contributing behavioral neuroendocrinology expertise to menopause brain health report.
• Rajah Laboratory for Brain Health Equity in Aging and Memory (Toronto Metropolitan University)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner contributing brain health equity expertise to menopause brain health report.
• Women's Age Lab (Women's College Hospital)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner contributing women's health expertise to menopause brain health report.
• Women's Brain Health InitiativemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic health and knowledge translation partner supporting development of accessible and evidence-based information for women across the lifespan.
• AgeWellmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner collaborating on aging and brain health innovation initiatives.
• Alzheimer SocietymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner collaborating on aging and brain health innovation initiatives.
• American Society on AgingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner collaborating on aging and brain health innovation initiatives.
• Brain CanadamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner collaborating on aging and brain health innovation initiatives.
• Brainwell InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner; Dr. Saskia Sivananthan, co-founder and CEO, is an AgeTech Insights Fellow.
• Business FinlandinternationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational network partner for cross-border innovation collaboration.
• Canadian Brain Research StrategymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner; Dr. Allison Sekuler is a founding Steering Committee member.
• CIHRmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner collaborating on aging and brain health research initiatives.
• HelpAge CanadamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner collaborating on aging and brain health innovation initiatives.
• NHCCmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner collaborating on aging and brain health innovation initiatives.
• OBIO (Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU announced to work together to open doors for Ontario innovators. OBIO is a not-for-profit organization advocating for the province's health bioscience sector.
• SOMPO Digital LabinternationalTechnology or IntegrationInternational network partner for cross-border innovation collaboration in aging and brain health technology.
• CTS (Brain Bases)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrain Bases partner in Canada - local innovation anchor offering curated, innovation-focused concierge services in key ecosystem.
• Dal Innovates (Brain Bases)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrain Bases partner - local innovation anchor at Dalhousie University supporting Atlantic Canada innovation ecosystem.
• The Thrive Center (Brain Bases)internationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrain Bases partner in US - local innovation anchor supporting entrepreneurs and promoting collaboration in aging and brain health sectors.
• Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence (Azrieli Foundation)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Unlocking the Economic Power of Caregiving in Canada report. CCCE advances knowledge of caregiver experiences while advocating for policy solutions and system-level changes.
• Kids Brain HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerValued partner providing evidence-based programs for children and youth living with neurodisabilities, including caregiver support programs like Acceptance and Commitment Training.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• AGE-WELL Networks of Centres of Excellence: Canada's federally-funded Networks of Centres of Excellence focused on aging and brain health technology. Directly comparable to CABHI as both are Canadian innovation catalysts with federal backing, sharing similar missions to accelerate agetech research and commercialization.
• Startup Health: Global health innovation accelerator and investor operating a multi-stage moonshot program for health startups. Comparable to CABHI as a health-focused innovation catalyst providing funding, mentorship, and network access to healthcare entrepreneurs.
• Redesign Health: Healthcare innovation company that builds, launches, and funds healthcare startups from scratch. Comparable to CABHI as a structured health innovation catalyst combining funding, acceleration services, and venture creation in the healthcare sector.
• Aging2.0: Global innovation platform and accelerator focused on aging and senior care technology. Directly comparable to CABHI's mission of connecting innovators with older adults and care providers, with a similar focus on aging-focused innovation ecosystems.
• American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR): US non-profit supporting aging research through grants to investigators and institutions. Comparable to CABHI as a non-profit funding and catalyzing aging research, sharing similar reliance on foundation and government grants to advance brain health and aging science.

Broad incumbents

• Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation: Large non-profit focused exclusively on accelerating discovery of drugs for Alzheimer's and related dementias. Comparable to CABHI as an aging and brain health funder, though more narrowly focused on drug discovery rather than broader innovation across the aging spectrum.
• MaRS Discovery District: Toronto-based innovation hub supporting science and technology ventures across multiple sectors including health. Comparable to CABHI as a Canadian innovation catalyst providing funding, acceleration, and network access, though with a much broader sector mandate.
• Creative Destruction Lab (CDL): Toronto-based seed-stage accelerator for massively scalable science-based startups, including a Neuro stream (where CABHI's President serves as Scientific Mentor). Comparable to CABHI as a Canadian accelerator, though CDL focuses on equity-style venture creation rather than non-dilutive grants.

Emerging players

• Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI): Atlantic Fellows program training leaders in brain health and dementia prevention across the Americas, Europe, and beyond. Comparable to CABHI in brain health focus and academic-clinical orientation, though primarily a training and fellowship program rather than an innovation funder.

Regional players

• OBIO (Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization): Ontario-focused not-for-profit advocating for and accelerating the province's health bioscience sector. Comparable to CABHI as an Ontario health innovation catalyst with an MOU partnership, though OBIO serves a broader health bioscience mandate beyond aging and brain health.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cabhi_innovates
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@CABHI
• Facebookfacebook.com/CABHI
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cabhi
• Instagraminstagram.com/cabhi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments3 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation