CELS Canada in the Valley Showcase
Save the Date
June 11th & 12th 2025
San Francisco
About Canada in the Valley Showcase
The CELS Canada in the Valley Showcase is the premier platform for connecting high-potential Canadian life science startups with top U.S. investors, industry leaders, and commercial partners. Hosted by Canadian Entrepreneurs in Life Science (CELS), a California-based non-profit, this annual event accelerates the growth of Canadian life science companies by providing direct access to funding, partnerships, and commercialization opportunities in the U.S. market. For startups, the Showcase is a gateway to critical resources and industry connections needed for companies to succeed in the competitive U.S. healthcare and biotech ecosystem. For investors and industry leaders, it presents an exclusive opportunity to discover cutting-edge innovations and gain early access to Canada’s most promising emerging companies in biotech, medical devices, diagnostics, and healthtech.
Highlights include:
2 days of programming and networking in Silicon Valley
80 alumni and other promising life science startups invited to join
Presentations from more than 30 of Canada’s most promising early-stage life sciences companies
Engaging Keynote Speakers
Executive roundtables , curated investor and strategic partner meetings
High value networking between promising Canadian Early-Stage Life Science Companies, Investors and Industry Executives and the CELS Community of Charter Members, Advisors, and Partners.
Testimonials
Event Objectives
Highlight high-quality deal flow from Canadian life science companies.
Provide a dynamic networking forum among Investors, Industry executives, and Early-stage Life Science entrepreneurs.
Feature disruptive healthcare and biotech innovations and timely topics from invited speakers and panelists
Establish the event as the ANNUAL “Must-Attend” Canadian Healthcare Showcase in the Bay Area and the USA
2025 Showcase Registration fees (in USD)
Investors
No Charge
Discounted Tickets: Until May 1st 2025
Regular Tickets: May 2nd - June 10th 2025
Alumni reach out for a special discount code
Participating Companies
Early Bird- $1,000
Regular - $1,250
Charter Member
No Charge
Program Agenda
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8:00 - 9:00 | Registration - Breakfast
9:00 - 9:15 | Welcome and Opening Remarks
9:15 - 9:45 | Keynote - New funding opportunities in a dynamic risk capital ecosystem
9:45 - 10:30 | AI and its applications in life science operations and workflows - Longevity and Precision Medicine
10:30 - 10:45 | Innovation in Women’s health - Challenges and Opportunities
11:00 - 12:00 | Tales from the Battleground - Founders success stories
12:00 - 2:00 | Networking Lunch
2:00 - 5:00 | Investors Meetings
6:00 - 8:30 | Charter Members Reception
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8:00 - 9:00 | Registration - Breakfast
9:00 - 9:15 | Debrief and Opening Remarks
9:15 - 9:45 | Keynote Speaker
9:45 - 10:30 | Macroeconomic & Health Industry Updates
10:30 10:45 | Coffee Break
10:45 - 12:00 | Investment Panel - Seed-Strapping in the current investment environment
12:00 - 2:00 | Networking Lunch
2:00 - 4:00 | Investors/Strategics Meetings
6:00 - 9:00 | Closing Networking Reception
Past Topics & Speakers
Trends in Life Science Investing and Dealmaking
with Chris Dokomajilar @ DealForma
AI in Health
with Kiersten Stead @ DCVC, Brad Genereaux @ Nvidia, Bruce Meadows @ Takeda Digital Ventures, Angele Maki @ Hummingbird Bioscience
Investment Strategy & Future Outlook
with Rami Hannoush @ Versant Ventures, Nate Chang @ Playground VC, Cedric Bisson @ Teralys Capital, Jennifer Friel Goldstein @ SVB
Strategic Dynamics in Biopharmaceuticals Today
with Michael Kingston @ Lazard
Policy Impact on Healthcare Market Access
with Darya Rose @ Gilead, Matt Wetzel @ Goodwin, Richard Ramco @ EY
Generative AI in Healthcare
with Gilmer Valdes @ UCSF
Past Participating Speakers & Mentors
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Brad Genereaux
Global Lead, Healthcare Alliances @ NVIDIA
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Nate Chang
Operating Partner @ Playground Global
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Kiersten Stead
Managing Partner @ DCVC Bio
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Rami Hannoush
Venture Partner @ Versant Ventures
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Veronica Cai
Board Member @ CELS
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Glenn Reicin
CFO @ Alladapt Immunotherapeutics
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Cedric Bisson
Partner @ Teralys Capital
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Mark Ginestro
Principal @ EY-Parthenon
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Angele Maki
Chief Business Officer @ Hummingbird Bioscience
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Matt Wetzel
Partner Life Sciences Regulatory & Compliance @ Goodwin
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Ali Samiian
VP regulatory affairs and reimbursement @ Stoparkinson
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Jennifer Friel Goldstein
Head of Startup Banking, Technology & Life Sciences @ Silicon Valley Bank
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Darya Rose
Director, Global Value & Access Strategy @ Gilead Sciences
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Richard Ramko
Partner, US Life Sciences Assurance Leader @ EY
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Scott St. Germain
Vice President, Oncology, Business General Manager @ Genentech
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Ron Weissman
Chair, Board of Directors @ Angel Capital Association
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Michael Kingston
Managing Director @ Lazard
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Gilmer Valdes
Associate Professor @ UCSF
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Neil Aubuchon
Chief Commercial Officer @ AbCellera
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Jessica Holmes
Founder @ Regency Market Access Consulting
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Partha Ray
Faculty @ Stanford Biodesign
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Don Vaughn
CEO @ Ampa
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Rachel Lane
Principal @ Versant Ventures
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Surbhi Sama
Partner @ Y Combinator
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Mike Regan
Chief Innovation Officer @ Fogarty Innovation
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Amr Salahieh
Co-Founder and CEO @ Shifamed
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Rui Jing Jiang
Founder and CEO @ Avisi Technologies
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Shiva Amiri
VP, Data and AI @ Pivotal Life Sciences
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Suresh Pai
Principal @ LamaMed Solutions
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Chris Dokomajilar
Founder & CEO @ DealForma
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Bruce Meadows
Managing Partner @ Takeda Digital Ventures
