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:
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1 on 1 coaching with accomplished mentors matched to participants needs.
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Virtual conversations with Bay Area and Canadian leaders on topics most relevant to the life science ecosystem.
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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.
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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.
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Exclusive curated pitch event and showcase for VR Deal Book companies.
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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
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Adapt and refine your unique message and pitch to the Bay Area audience
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Mentor participants to become “Valley Ready” (meet investor and customer expectations)
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Enhance and expand our visibility within Silicon Valley by leveraging strategic networking opportunities
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Form key relationships and build up the startup’s “Rolodex” (advisors, clinical institutions and partners)
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Showcase CELS-VR “graduates” to the Bay Area Life Science investment community
Workshop Timeline
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- Program Kick-off
- Product Market Fit
- How to Build an IP Strategy
- US Investor Fundraising Strategies
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- Building and Advisor & Board of Directors
- Valuations, Inflection Points & Venture Economics
- Peer Pitch Practice
- Reimbursement & the Business Side of Healthcare
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- Pitch Feedback Sessions
- Non Dilutive Funding & Tax Planning
- Medical Affairs
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- Licensing and Joint Ventures
- Working with Corporate Strategics
- Graduation
Featured Program Speakers & Mentors
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Ajit Singh
Managing Director and General Partner
Artiman Ventures
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Alex Efron
Healthcare & Life Sciences Investor
Telegraph Hill Partners
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Angele Maki
Chief Business Officer
Hummingbird BioScience
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Bassam El-Fahmawi
President & Chief Technical Officer
Mawi DNA Technologies
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Tom Vogelsong
Angel Investor, Life Science & Tech Advisor
K2X Capital
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Scott St. Germain
Vice President and Flu Business General Manager
Genentech
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Gloria Maceiko
Managing Director and Founder
Silicon Valley Advantage
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Cheryl Reicin
Partner
Mintz
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Humphrey Polanen
CEO and Board Chair
Deep Medicine Acquisition Corp
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Mark Mitchell
Alexion Pharmaceuticals
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Oguzhan Atay
Co-founder & CEO
BillionToOne
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Tarek El-Sawy
Venture Capital Partner
Raiven Capital
Testimonials