Funding
Contents
Funding and Applications Completed
Ontario Together
Ady recommended applying at Ontario together so I asked Deb to look at it and see what type of questions they asked. Deb went thru answered the questions in my name "Michael Van Raay" and submitted the form.
From: Ontario.ca <do.not.reply@ontario.ca> Date: Fri, Mar 27, 2020 at 8:14 PM Subject: Your Ontario Together submission #2408085 has been received To: Deb Kirk
On April Thursday April 16th Deb received a call from "Robert" at Ontario Together saying they received over 14,000 applications and ours was being forwarded to the "review Committee". Deb told Robert about the mvrdesigns.ca/Mask website.
Innovation Cluster - Peterborough and the Kawarthas
Joanne Janzen applied on April 7 2020.
Subject: Thank you for applying Date: 2020-04-06 11:16 pm From: Innovation Cluster <no-reply@innovationcluster.ca> To: michael@looseletters.ca
Thank you for sending in your application to help change the world with your innovative company! Due to the high volume of awesome applications, please expect to receive a response in the next 1-2 weeks. Thanks! The Innovation Cluster Team
They replied on April 8 2020 with
Subject: Innovation Cluster Date: 2020-04-08 9:17 am From: Alana Dall <adall@innovationcluster.ca> To: michael@looseletters.ca Cc: John Gillis <jgillis@innovationcluster.ca>
Good Morning Michael, On behalf of the Innovation Cluster - Peterborough and the Kawarthas, I would like to thank you for applying to become a client. We evaluate every submission we receive carefully and enjoy seeing the passion for entrepreneurship in this region. Although we receive many high-potential business applications, as a not-for-profit we must focus on a strict guideline of our service area - Peterborough, and the Kawarthas. Based on reviewing your application, we are unable to accept you into our program at this time due to your location. We do however encourage you to use the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE), a platform for innovators to collaborate in this time of crisis. If you do have any questions in regards to getting connected to OCE or manufacturing please contact John Gillis jgillis@innovationcluster.ca Best, -- Alana Dall Operations & Events Manager Innovation Cluster - Peterborough and the Kawartha's
COVID-19 Collaboration Platform
On April 6th 2020 Joanne Janzen completed the application for:
Subject:COVID-19 Collaboration Platform Date:2020-04-06 11:15 pm From:"OCE Ontario" <noreply+d1c12a86fc84cc18@formstack.com> To:michael@looseletters.ca Reply-To:info@oce-ontario.org
Thank you for taking the time to participate in the Covid-19 Collaboration Platform. Members of the OCE team will be in contact with you as soon as possible to confirm the provided details and discuss opportunities to collaborate. Due to the high volume of requests, we appreciate your patience in awaiting a response. In the meantime, we encourage you to continue to move forward on your innovation and visit the OCE website for ongoing updates and new funding options related to this fast-changing situation. We appreciate your valuable role in Ontario's innovation ecosystem and look forward to working together in common effort.
Rhonda Barnet
Cora Whittington arranged a Zoom Call with Rhonda dn Don Barnet on April 13th 2020.
Rhonda sent referals to:
Kent Fitzhugh Eastern Region Ontario
Kent Fitzhugh Project Navigator/Senior Business Advisor Business Services / export readiness - Eastern Region Business capacity & readiness branch Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Kingston, ON Cell/Txt: (437) 232-4838 e: kent.fitzhugh@ontario.ca
Greetings Kent et al, Last night I talked with two brothers Michael and Don VanRaay who have invented a new made in Ontario mask. They live in southwestern Ontario. Are you able to connect them with one of your colleagues to support their efforts in testing and possible commercialization? Thanks in advance for your support. Kind Regards, RHONDA BARNET President & COO
Kent Replied on April 15th 2020 with:
Hello everyone, I’m just about to dive into several of calls that may not see me resurface until 3 pm. Once I’m clear of these calls I would be happy to see what I can provide. I did quickly find this: Class II, III and IV medical devices require Canadian device licences which are obtained by the manufacturer, see here https://health-products.canada.ca/mdall-limh/index-eng.jsp If they are not currently licenced you cannot apply to sell them under an Establishment licence. To find out more about products that need device licensing please contact the Medical Devices Directorate hc.meddevices-instrumentsmed.sc@canada.ca They are currently working under an Interim Order to fast track products that normally require device licensing see: APPLY FOR AN INTERIM ORDER AUTHORIZATION (IOA) issued by Health Canada’s Medical Devices Directorate Available for Class I, II, III or IV medical device IOA will allow you to import or sell COVID-19 medical device in Canada. See Guidance online Information you must submit submit to: hc.devicelicensing-homologationinstruments.sc@canada.ca Indicate the following in the subject line of your email: COVID-19 IO Submission [name of company] If the class III medical devices are already licenced in Canada please resubmit this application for an MDEL to hc.mdel.application.leim.sc@canada.ca The MDEL is the appropriate application to import and distribute Class I devices. If this is all you are authorized to do at this time please correct the application and resubmit hc.mdel.application.leim.sc@canada.ca I’ll be in touch, Kent
On Tuesday April 14, 2020 Don talked to Kent and Kent followed up with the following email: Hi Don, great connecting with you this afternoon.
As we discussed, I would recommend register with the Ontario Together site here: https://www.ontario.ca/form/submit-your- innovative-solutions-to-help-fight-the-impacts-of-coronavirus. If you have registered already, could you send me the registration # you have received? I'll also look to see that resources are out there with respect to approval processes and other potential requirements to get an innovative idea into production. Was a rough estimate of your production capacity with those masks 10-20K per day? As soon as I can identify who your Senior Business Advisor is I'll make that introduction. Thanks Kent
Kent sent another email asking:
Hi Don, Do you and/or your brother have a pre-existing business that would be potentially be producing these masks? If there is a business please let me know and I can pass that information on to the Business Advisor for that area. Thank you, Kent
On Wed April 15th 2020 Don replied with the following:
Kent Fitzhugh Thanks so much for your time and follow up emails. Here is some additional information: 1. Ontario Together Submission: - Michael has registered a submission from March 27, 2020 with the assistance of Deb Kirk - The registration number / confirmation is pasted below: - I am not familiar with the details of the submission - I will follow up and see whether this can be updated. From: Ontario.ca <do.not.reply@ontario.ca> Date: Fri, Mar 27, 2020 at 8:14 PM Subject: Your Ontario Together submission #2408085 has been received To: Deb Kirk
On April 15th 2020 Kent referred us to Stephen P. Smith Senior Business Adviser Stratford.
Hello Don, I have been able to find the Senior Business Advisor in your area, Steve Smith (who is copied on the email) will be your point of contact going forward with the Ministry. Steve, I have included the email correspondence between Don and I below, Don 's brother Micheal has registered through the Ontario Together Portal (# below). Going forward, any resources we can point to Don and Micheal that may assist in the development of their innovative mask would be a start. I'll leave to you both to take this forward. Thank you Steve! Kent
Celine V. Caira Federal Government
Celine V. Caira Policy Advisor | Conseillère en politique Office of the Minister | Cabinet du ministre Innovation, Science and Industry Canada | Innovation, Sciences et Industrie Canada celine.caira@canada.ca | Mobile: 343-548-4019 | 235 Queen Street, Ottawa
Rhonda sent a introduction:
Greetings Celine, Please allow me to e-introduce you to two brothers who each own manufacturing/industrial companies, and have come together to invent a new mask (very different approach). They would value some direction from your office as to how to step forward to get testing in place with Health Canada to see if they could then move to Federal procurement programs. The inventors are Don and Michael VanRaay from Southwestern Ontario.
Celine replied on Thursday April 16th 2020 with
Thanks Rhonda! Hi Michael and Don, Great to meet you. I would be happy to discuss next steps based on your product. Looks very interesting. Would you be available around 12:45pm tomorrow for a quick chat? I've sent a calendar invite as a placeholder with my cell #. You can also fill out our ISED portal if you haven't already, which will feed in directly to the ISED Department and someone should give you a call in the next few days: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/080.nsf/eng/00048.html As well, you can reach out to Health Canada to get the approvals process rolling - For any questions/requests/applications for medical devices, including test kits, please contact: hc.devicelicensing-homologationinstruments.sc@canada.ca Looking forward to connecting. Celine V. Caira
Don and Michael spoke with Celine on Friday April 17th 2020 at 12:45 pm Celine would forward the links and recommended completing the ISED Department Portal form and the Challenges for InNovative Solutions Canada. she will email the links.
Celine Responded with the following links
Hi Cora, Michael and Don, As discussed: Innovative Solutions Canada R&D Stream - https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/101.nsf/eng/home Innovative Solutions Canada Testing Stream - https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/101.nsf/eng/00101.html Keep me updated as things progress. Many thanks, Celine
NRC Link
Nothing done yet. 2020-4-17
https://nrc.canada.ca/en
Call us toll-free at 1-877-994-4727 to learn more about NRC IRAP.
The National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) provides advice, connections, and funding to help Canadian small and medium-sized businesses increase their innovation capacity and take ideas to market.
NRC IRAP advisory services
The National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program's (NRC IRAP) support for your innovation projects goes beyond financial assistance. When you work with us, you also get access to:
Industrial technology advisors (ITAs) who offer technical and business advice, referrals, and other services from concept to commercialization. An extensive network of regional, national, and international partners that can provide you with access to customized support (including business and technology advice and competitive intelligence), connect you with local sources of financing, expertise, and more.
Financial support for technology innovation through NRC IRAP
If you're a small or medium‑sized Canadian business pursuing technology‑driven innovation, you may be eligible for financial support from NRC IRAP. We provide this funding to eligible firms under our technology innovation projects and youth employment strategy programs.
Ontario Together program and funding
https://www.ontario.ca/page/how-your-organization-can-help-fight-coronavirus
Canada Buy and Sell
Are you a business that can supply products and services in support of Canada’s response to COVID-19? Canada wants to hear from you. Find out more here.
Find opportunities with Buyandsell.gc.ca/tenders Government of Canada Tenders on Buyandsell.gc.ca
Has specifications for selling N95 Masks to government.
Stephen P. Smith Ontario Together Stratford
Referred by Kent Fitzhugh on April 15th. Kent was referred by Rhonda Barnet
From: Smith, Stephen P. (MEDJCT) [1] Sent: April 17, 2020 8:08 AM To: Fitzhugh, Kent (MEDJCT); Don VanRaay Subject: RE: Senior Business Advisor for Stratford Thanks Kent.
Steve sent an email to Don on April 17, 2020.
Hi Don, nice to make your acquaintance. I'm booked up for the rest of the day, but are you available next Tuesday for a call. I'm good after 2:00. Thanks Steve Smith, MBA Senior Business Advisor Business Services Branch Business Partnerships and Programs Division Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade E:mail: Stephen.p.smith@ontario.ca Cell: (519) 670-7808
Don Replied on April 17th 2020 with
Steve Smith
Thanks for the follow up email.
Yes, I am generally readily available, so next Tuesday after 2:00 pm is fine.
We have a telephone meeting set up with Celine Caira today at 1:00 pm today
She is replying to our 'Ontario Together' submission
Please review our website if you have a chance.
http://mvrdesigns.ca/mask
This presents the design concept, manufacturing process, pictures of prototypes and an overall video
This is continually being updated.
Looking forward to discussions.
Don VanRaay
VR3 Engineering Ltd.
505 Wright Blvd, Stratford, Ontario N4Z 1H3 Canada
Steve replied on April 17th with:
Great. Next Tuesday at 2:00 it is. What number is best to get you at? Steve Smith, MBA Senior Business Advisor
Testing Standards and Requirements
ISO Digital Headform Sizes
The National Personal Protective Technology Labratory (NPPTL) has NIOSH Anthropometric Data and ISO Digital Headforms availble in .stl .ply and .igs format. The five nominal sizes are:
- Small
- Medium
- Large
- Long/Narrow
- Short/Wide
Contact with Skin
The standard ISO 10993-1:2018 Biological Evaluation Of Medical Devices - Part 1: Evaluation And Testing Within A Risk Management Process
This document applies to evaluation of materials and medical devices that are expected to have direct or indirect contact with:
— the patient's body during intended use;
— the user's body, if the medical device is intended for protection (e.g., surgical gloves, masks and others).
Filter Requirements
The buyandsell.gc.ca website has the technical requirements for the N95 masks I created a screen capture of the table at this link
| N95 Spec | Typical |
|---|---|
| Filter Performance | >=95% |
| Test Agent | NaCl |
| Flow Rate | 85 l/min |
| Inward leakage | <=8% |
| Inhalation Resistance | <=343 Pa |
| Flow Rate | 85 l/min |
| Exhalation Resistance | <=245 Pa |
=ISC Technology Readiness Level Scale
ISC is Innovative Solutions Canada They have a chart that defines the stages of development. Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) describe the different stages of pre-commercial development. Find TRL 1 to 9 definitions, descriptions and examples.
Currently 2020-4-17 at between levels 5.TRL and 6.TRL . Funding is looking for projects in the 7.TRL to 9.TRL
Innovative Solutions Canada
Accelerate your journey to market
Innovative Solutions Canada helps Canadian innovators by funding R&D and testing prototypes in real-life settings. We have two streams with a combined funding of over $140 million dedicated to Canadian innovators who want to start, grow, and get to market.
Innovative Solutions Canada is a website that lists Open funding opportunties with closing dates for things like:
- COVID-19 Challenge: Made in Canada filtration material for the manufacture of N95 respirators and surgical masks
- Call for prototypes to help combat COVID-19 Closes April 21, 2020
Test in Cough Chamber
Found this article on web Scientists built 'cough chamber' to see how far droplets actually travel
What researchers at Western University, in collaboration with virologists from Toronto's Sunnybrook Hospital, found is that when someone coughs without covering their mouth, the germ-laden cloud of fine mist they release will not only travel two metres in three seconds, it will continue to travel beyond and even float in the air within that two-metre area for up to three minutes after being released.
Need to find out if they can test our masks.
