#18 Breaking Through: Getting Products Into the Health System. Shafiq Vallani.

Shafiq Vallani (Head of Canada at Redesign Health) is a seasoned venture capital investor, now supporting the next generation of healthcare ventures in Canada. He has built a reputation for identifying high-potential startups and driving them towards operational excellence and market leadership with his work at Redesign Health, a venture studio.In this episode, Shafiq shares a candid look at what it takes to build in Canadian healthcare. He discusses the differences between venture studios and traditional VC, the challenges of accessing healthcare data, navigating long procurement cycles, and working within fragmented provincial systems. He also offers practical advice for founders on breaking into hospitals, finding internal champions, and avoiding common early-stage missteps. Shafiq highlights why Canada is a strong testing ground for healthcare innovation while exploring what it takes to scale successfully.Recorded live at the 'Healthtech Social: Breaking In' event on March 10 in Toronto