Brenda Irwin, CEO and co-founder of Relentless Venture Fund, is at the forefront of a revolution in healthcare innovation. With years of experience in the healthcare investment space, Irwin has made it her mission to support early-stage companies that are creating game-changing solutions in health technology. From AI-driven diagnostics to personalized medicine, Brenda and her team at Relentless are not just providing capital—they’re providing the strategic mentorship that young companies need to succeed in an increasingly competitive global market.
Through Relentless, Irwin leverages her deep expertise in the healthcare sector to foster partnerships between startups and larger institutions, both in Canada and abroad. Her passion for supporting innovation while navigating the unique challenges of Canada’s healthcare system is helping to pave the way for the next generation of health tech leaders.
The Canadian healthcare system presents both challenges and opportunities, but I see it as the perfect ecosystem for testing scalable, high-impact innovations that can change patient outcomes on a global scale.
Brenda Irwin
CSA: “Brenda, thank you for joining us today. You’ve had an incredible career in the healthcare sector, especially with Relentless Venture Fund. Could you share what inspired you to focus on early-stage health innovation, particularly in Canada?”
Brenda: “Thank you, Janette. It’s great to be here. The inspiration behind Relentless came from my years of working in healthcare investment and seeing how early-stage innovation was struggling to scale. In Canada, we have a unique opportunity to foster health technology, not just through traditional medical devices, but also digital health, AI, and genomics. There’s a lot of groundbreaking work being done here, but often, early-stage companies lack the capital, mentorship, and resources to reach their full potential. I wanted to change that by creating a fund that doesn’t just invest money but also offers the strategic support these innovators need.”
CSA: “That’s fantastic. With healthcare being such a broad field, how do you decide which innovations to invest in at Relentless?”
Brenda: “It’s about finding that balance between high-impact solutions and long-term sustainability. We look for companies that have the potential to make a significant impact on healthcare outcomes—whether that’s through improving patient care, reducing costs, or advancing medical research. We’re particularly interested in solutions that focus on preventative care and chronic disease management, areas where innovation can really change the trajectory of healthcare. Of course, it’s also important that these companies have a solid business model and a team with the drive to execute on their vision.”
CSA: “Canada has a unique healthcare system compared to many other countries. How does that shape the way you evaluate potential investments?”
Brenda: “The Canadian healthcare system has its challenges, but it also offers a huge advantage for innovators. For example, our single-payer system allows for a level of data integration and collaboration that can be more difficult to achieve in markets like the U.S. We look at companies that can leverage that system to create scalable solutions that not only work in Canada but can also be adapted to other markets. The other important factor is regulatory. Canada has a reputation for rigorous healthcare standards, which means companies that succeed here are often well-positioned to expand internationally.”
CSA: “It sounds like you’re not just investing in technology but in the future of healthcare as a whole. How does Relentless support these companies beyond just providing capital?”
Brenda: “Absolutely. We offer much more than just financial investment. At Relentless, we believe that mentorship and strategic guidance are critical, especially for early-stage companies. Many of the founders we work with are brilliant scientists or engineers, but they may not have experience scaling a business or navigating complex healthcare regulations. We provide access to a network of experienced professionals—both in healthcare and in entrepreneurship—who can help them with everything from clinical trials to go-to-market strategies. We’re also focused on fostering partnerships between these innovators and larger healthcare organizations, both in Canada and internationally.
CSA: “You’ve touched on something really important—the importance of collaboration. How do you see partnerships between health tech innovators and larger organizations evolving over the next few years?”
Brenda: “Collaboration is essential, especially in healthcare. Larger organizations bring the resources and infrastructure that early-stage companies often lack, while startups offer the agility and innovative thinking that can drive real transformation. Over the next few years, I expect to see more collaboration not just between startups and large healthcare providers but also with academic institutions and government agencies. The key is to create ecosystems where these different players can work together seamlessly, accelerating the path to market for new technologies while ensuring they’re safe, effective, and accessible to everyone.”
CSA: “Looking forward, what excites you most about the future of health innovation in Canada?”
Brenda: “I’m really excited about the potential for Canada to become a global leader in health innovation. We have the talent, the research infrastructure, and a healthcare system that supports long-term patient care. What’s most exciting to me is the growth in areas like AI-driven diagnostics, genomics, and personalized medicine. These fields have the potential to revolutionize how we approach healthcare, making it more proactive and tailored to individual patients. I truly believe that the companies we’re supporting today will play a critical role in shaping the future of healthcare globally.”
CSA: “It sounds like an incredible journey. Thank you, Brenda, for sharing your insights today. It’s inspiring to see how Relentless Venture Fund is helping shape the future of healthcare.”
Brenda: “Thank you! It’s been a pleasure.”
