Sun Life Financial is joining the MaRS Discovery District. The insurer plans to connect with the startup community as part of the MaRS fintech and health clusters.

MaRS is a not-for-profit that encourages public-private partnerships and helps entrepreneurs launch and expand innovative companies; it offers access to advice, funding, and office space. The group's name comes from the fact it originally focused on medical and related sciences, but the MaRS offices and laboratories on College Street in Toronto are now home to a wide variety of technology firms.

Digital solutions

"At Sun Life, we're proud of our leadership role in helping to transform our industry through digital and other solutions that respond to our clients' needs and changing expectations," says Sun Life Canada's president Kevin Dougherty. "Our partnership with MaRS will provide unique opportunities to share ideas and collaborate with start-ups on cutting-edge solutions designed to help our clients when it comes to their finances, health and well-being."