On June 9, 2025, the Ontario government announced an investment of $6.5 million in 13 companies through the province’s Life Sciences Innovation Fund (LSIF), delivered by the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI). TechAlliance proudly celebrates this milestone as three member companies — Deep Breathe, Marlow, and Vessl Prosthetics — will each receive up to $500,000 to scale their ventures and drive opportunities for emerging tech talent across Southwestern Ontario.
The Life Sciences Innovation Fund (LSIF) supports Ontario-based companies in commercializing promising medical technologies and unlocking new opportunities in the sector. Through this revitalized fund, the provincial government aims to accelerate the development and launch of made-in-Ontario innovations, fuel job creation for over 74,000 STEM talent that graduate each year and solidify Ontario’s position as a global life sciences leader. The program’s earlier round of investments catalyzed more than $48 million in private-sector co-investments and this renewed commitment arrives at a pivotal moment, as Canadian businesses work to build a more resilient, self-sustaining innovation economy amid global uncertainty.
Among the funded ventures are three TechAlliance member companies at the forefront of life sciences innovation:
Deep Breathe has developed an AI-powered portable lung imaging software, revolutionizing lung health diagnostics.
Marlow creates lubricated tampon that addresses period pain and menstrual wellness through clinically backed innovation.
Vessl Prosthetics designs adaptable prosthetic socket systems that improve comfort, mobility, and quality of life for amputees.
“We are honoured to receive support from the Life Sciences Innovation Fund. This investment will speed our path to full-scale manufacturing of the Kinn system, the first prosthetic system that automatically adapts the socket to limb-volume changes, giving amputees uninterrupted comfort and mobility,” said Sydney Robinson, Co-Founder and CEO of Vessl Prosthetics. “By backing home-grown med-tech, the Ontario government, OCI, and TechAlliance are helping create skilled jobs in London and ensure life-changing innovation reaches patients sooner.”
This investment underscores the strength of London and Southwestern Ontario’s life sciences sector a space brimming with innovation, talent, and impact,” says Christina Fox, Chief Executive Officer of TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario. “We actively support Deep Breathe, Marlow, and Vessl Prosthetics as they made-in-Ontario solutions. We champion founders who are advancing health innovation while creating abundant opportunities for tech talent and driving economic growth across our region.”
About
TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario Headquartered in London, Ontario – one of the top ten emerging tech markets in North America, TechAlliance is the lead voice for the most promising startups and highest potential scaling companies in Southwestern Ontario. Home to a concentration of made-in-Canada unicorns, and supporting pathways to capital, customers, and talent, TechAlliance empowers world-class ventures and fuels growth in Canada’s innovation economy by supporting founders and ventures at every stage of the entrepreneurial journey.
As the place for dreamers, innovators, and world-changing ideas, TechAlliance fosters a vibrant tech community for founders, industry leaders, tech talent, and capacity builders, champions and coaches entrepreneurs, and amplifies and impacts businesses across the region. Funded in part by the Government of Ontario, Regional Innovation Centres help Ontario-based innovators and entrepreneurs clear commercialization hurdles — accelerating the growth of companies so that they can compete and succeed globally and create high quality jobs in our province.
