WeUsThem Inc. Wins $100,000 At Health Challenge
HALIFAX—A Halifax agency will receive $100,000 and the chance to have its technology adopted by the Nova Scotia Health Authority after winning the latest round of the NSHA’s Health Challenge.
WeUsThem Inc. won the second Health Challenge pitch event on October 2 for its imTEEN app.
imTEEN helps teenagers monitor signs and symptoms of mental illness by monitoring their moods and feelings, keeping track of appointments, and setting reminders.
Users can take mental health assessments, communicate with family, and access self-help resources inside the app, helping young people track and take care of their mental health on a daily basis.
“imTEEN has been a labour of love, effort and hard work from a lot of partners across the country. We are overjoyed that we will be bringing a [Nova Scotia]-made [mental health] tool to Canada and the world,” the company tweeted shortly after the win.”
WeUsThem said its $100,000 prize is a “monumental investment” in a health innovation created “right here in the province.”
The Health Challenge is a series of events that invite startups to pitch their emerging medical technologies.
The competition is a collaboration between the NSHA and several local partners and it’s designed to foster collaboration and innovation in the health and medical technology industries.
Participants get 15 minutes to convince the panel their technology can help drive innovation in Nova Scotia health care. Winners receive $100,000 and the opportunity to have their technology adopted for use by the NSHA.
The challenge takes place over a series of five events, each focused on a different provincial health care priority.
In June, Halifax-based Adaptiiv Medical Technologies won the first pitch competition, which was focused on cancer-related innovations.
The latest challenge focused on mental health and wellbeing. It was held virtually and hosted by Volta.
“These pitch events have been instrumental in highlighting some of the impressive medtech companies in Atlantic Canada that are working on solutions to enhance patient care. We look forward to continuing this partnership and following the growth and development of WeUsThem Inc. as they collaborate with Nova Scotia Health,” Volta CEO Martha Casey said.
The next pitch event topic will be announced “in the coming weeks” and will focus on another health priority identified by Nova Scotia Health.
More information about the Health Challenge, including upcoming topics and how to enter, is available on the Health Challenge website.