Valley Ready

Want to build a network in Silicon Valley? Looking to commercialize in the US?

Apply for the Valley Ready program today!

Next Cohort Begins September 20th

About CELS Valley Ready

The CELS Valley Ready (VR) program is designed to immerse Canadian Life Science companies into Silicon Valley to help them achieve their local business objectives. The program is designed for companies that have the US as their target market for commercialization or expansion. 

The comprehensive program includes a custom mentorship component, along with virtual sessions with experienced life science leaders as well as the opportunity to connect live in Silicon Valley and participate in our Showcase. Participants will build their knowledge from the content, workshops, and mentor sessions and build their network in order to successfully navigate the Bay Area start-up ecosystem.

Overview

Open to Canadian-based Life Science companies from Pre-Seed to Series A that are planning for U.S. funding or market entry.

Participants are coached and mentored through progressive activities with ongoing webinars and a curriculum based immersion program that culminates with our signature Canada in the Valley Showcase in San Francisco.  Graduates are featured and promoted in the curated CELS VR Deal Book and invited to our in-person CELS Canada in the Valley Showcase in San Francisco. 

Programming focuses on Coaching, Promotion and Connection:

  • 1 on 1 coaching with accomplished mentors matched to participants needs.

  • Virtual conversations with Bay Area and Canadian leaders on topics most relevant to the life science ecosystem.

    • Panel discussions and networking with investors, strategic/corporate partners and future customers.

    • Topics include message refinement, pitch development & presentation, path to commercialization, growth and scaling, talent and executive leadership, legal, tax and IP, regulatory, and market access & reimbursement.

  • Featured in the CELS VR Deal Book (digital) featuring vetted, quality Canadian life science startups. Circulated and promoted to the Bay Area Life Science investment community.

  • Exclusive curated pitch event and showcase for VR Deal Book companies.

  • The virtual workshops for the next cohort begin on September 20 2024 and will take place every Friday at 9:00 AM PT until November 29 2024.

    The in-person program will be held on November 13 and 14 2024.

Program Objectives

  • Adapt and refine your unique message and pitch to the Bay Area audience

  • Mentor participants to become “Valley Ready” (meet investor and customer expectations)

  • Enhance and expand our visibility within Silicon Valley by leveraging strategic networking opportunities

  • Form key relationships and build up the startup’s “Rolodex” (advisors, clinical institutions and partners)

  • Showcase CELS-VR “graduates” to the Bay Area Life Science investment community

Workshop Timeline

  • - Program Kick-off

    - Product Market Fit

    - How to Build an IP Strategy

    - US Investor Fundraising Strategies

  • - Building and Advisor & Board of Directors

    - Valuations, Inflection Points & Venture Economics

    - Peer Pitch Practice

    - Reimbursement & the Business Side of Healthcare

  • - Pitch Feedback Sessions

    - Non Dilutive Funding & Tax Planning

    - Medical Affairs

  • - Licensing and Joint Ventures

    - Working with Corporate Strategics

    - Graduation

Featured Program Speakers & Mentors

  • Ajit Singh

    Managing Director and General Partner

    Artiman Ventures

  • Alex Efron

    Healthcare & Life Sciences Investor

    Telegraph Hill Partners

  • Angele Maki

    Chief Business Officer

    Hummingbird BioScience

  • Bassam El-Fahmawi

    President & Chief Technical Officer

    Mawi DNA Technologies

  • Tom Vogelsong

    Angel Investor, Life Science & Tech Advisor

    K2X Capital

  • Scott St. Germain

    Vice President and Flu Business General Manager

    Genentech

  • Gloria Maceiko

    Managing Director and Founder

    Silicon Valley Advantage

  • Cheryl Reicin

    Partner

    Mintz

  • Humphrey Polanen

    CEO and Board Chair

    Deep Medicine Acquisition Corp

  • Mark Mitchell

    Senior Director, R&D Finance

    Alexion Pharmaceuticals

  • Oguzhan Atay

    Co-founder & CEO

    BillionToOne

  • Tarek El-Sawy

    Venture Capital Partner

    Raiven Capital

Testimonials

  • “I think the network that CELS brings to the Valley Ready program, and the caliber of the experts that lead the workshops, was incredible. Our companies received a lot of value from the program and I encourage all life science companies looking to scale beyond Canada to apply.”

    Sandra, UofA Health Hub

  • “I wasn't sure what to expect when we joined CELS, but I wasn't disappointed! The quality of companies in the cohort was excellent and the insight provided via the workshops outstanding. The program covers a lot of ground, as it accommodates startups across their journey.”

    John, StreamML

  • "The Showcase speakers were inspiring and the connections phenomenal. We’ve participated in several accelerators and the CELS Valley Ready program truly brings meaningful connections for companies looking to raise capital and scale in the U.S. "

    Mike, AmacaThera

  • “We made some fantastic connections and the Valley Ready program was excellent for companies like ours looking to expand our geographical scope to the U.S.”

    Chris, Inteligex

  • “The mentors are one of the best aspects of the Valley Ready program, as CELS connects you with the right person who understands your business and science.”

    Lina, Factually Health

Our Alumni