MaRS and Innovate UK launch third cohort for AI-health startups

Eight U.K. ventures working in such areas as rapid pathogen detection, women’s health, sepsis care and mental health look to expand into the Canadian market.

TORONTO, September 10, 2025 – MaRS Discovery District and Innovate UK’s Global Incubator Programme today announced the third AI-health cohort. These eight U.K. companies are using artificial intelligence to tackle some of healthcare’s toughest challenges — everything from cancer detection to dementia care. This six-month program at the MaRS innovation hub in Toronto features tailored workshops, advisory support and networking opportunities to help these startups scale. By tapping into the MaRS ecosystem, the U.K. ventures gain valuable insights into Canada’s health market and a broader view of North America’s innovation landscape with a goal to unlock new opportunities.

“Innovation in healthcare matters not only to investors and policy-makers, but to every person,” says Hadeer Abdelhamid, manager of cohorts at MaRS. “That’s why we are pleased to connect these ventures to opportunities and help them gain traction in North America to scale their innovative solutions.”

“Canada is not simply a stepping stone for these promising ventures, it’s the destination. With strong public infrastructure, talent, and policy alignment in health and emerging tech, Canada offers a fantastic opportunity for global startups that are ready to grow in a mission-driven environment. We can’t wait to see what these innovative U.K. companies achieve during the program,” says Jon Hazell, partnership manager North America, Innovate UK.”

Scaling businesses globally demands insight into new markets, partnerships and networks. The MaRS-IUK collaboration provides vital connections to Canadian partners, investors and customers so that these innovators can explore opportunities to grow and scale.

Here are the members of the third MaRS-IUK health cohort:

Aisthesis Medical uses AI to predict sepsis, hypotension and multi-organ dysfunction.
Akrivia Health curates an in-depth neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative dataset to provide insights to researchers, clinicians and pharma.
Blüm Health provides high-quality healthtech software solutions.
C-Prio is an AI tool for cancer diagnosis and drug discovery.
Healthy.io transforms the smartphone camera into a medical device.
Anya provides on-demand virtual health support for women through its digital health platform.
Motics uses AI to automate healthcare administration.
Pictura Bio is a rapid pathogen detection company.
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About MaRS
MaRS Discovery District is a charitable organization and North America’s largest urban innovation hub, dedicated to helping Canadian technology companies succeed. With a focus on climate, health sciences and other emerging technologies, MaRS supports startups tackling some of the world’s most pressing issues. MaRS spans more than 1.5 million square feet of cutting-edge office, lab, meeting and event space in downtown Toronto across two locations — the MaRS Centre and MaRS Waterfront. Since 2010, MaRS has helped ventures generate $11.5 billion in cumulative revenue, raise $19 billion in funding, and create and maintain more than 33,000 jobs. The MaRS platform also includes MaRS IAF, one of Canada’s top seed-stage venture funds. Through its world-class facilities, strategic programs and partnerships, MaRS accelerates the adoption of groundbreaking Canadian technology and bolsters a globally competitive innovation ecosystem.

About Innovate UK
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is the United Kingdom’s innovation agency. It works to create a better future by inspiring, involving and investing in businesses developing life-changing innovations. Its mission is to help companies to grow through their development and commercialization of new products, processes and services, supported by an outstanding innovation ecosystem that is agile, inclusive and easy to navigate.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Tammy Thorne, Manager, Media Relations, MaRS Discovery District
tthorne@marsdd.com
416-822-7910