Challenge
TO Health was created as a public–private cooperative to raise the profile of the Toronto region’s Health and Life Sciences (HHS) cluster. Funded by both government and private partners, the initiative aimed to position the region among the top five health clusters in the world. With a diverse set of stakeholders and shifting priorities, the work spanned strategy, events, product development, and cross-sector collaboration.
Objective
As TO Health’s long-term design and innovation partner, I helped lead the development of the brand, communications, and digital infrastructure—most notably Cluster Connect, a platform designed to map and connect the region’s health assets. We also co-developed key initiatives like Health Innovation Week, working across industry, academia, and government to bring global attention to Toronto’s health ecosystem.
Outcome
TO Health became a recognized convener in the sector, launching major events, securing international conference bids (e.g. MedTech 2020), and building tools to support FDI, research collaboration, and ecosystem visibility. Cluster Connect and Health Innovation Week became flagship assets, with the latter eventually absorbed and expanded by MaRS Discovery District.
Outcome
TO Health became a recognized convener in the sector, launching major events, securing international conference bids (e.g. MedTech 2020), and building tools to support FDI, research collaboration, and ecosystem visibility. Cluster Connect and Health Innovation Week became flagship assets, with the latter eventually absorbed and expanded by MaRS Discovery District.
Impact
While TO Health ultimately wound down due to funding and governance complexity, the foundation we helped build lives on in the form of ongoing events, partnerships, and tools now used across the region. The work demonstrated what’s possible when civic ambition is paired with user-centered strategy and design.
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