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 26th
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 take place every Friday from 9:00 AM PT to 10:30 AM PT.
The 2-days of in-person programming dates vary with each cohort.
Fall 2024 Participating Companies
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![Beam Medical]()
Beam Medical
Beam Medical is a forward-thinking product development and commercialization team specializing in chronic back pain diagnostic and treatment.
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![MHCombiotic Inc.]()
MHCombiotic Inc.
MHCombiotic Inc. is dedicated to combating the global Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) crisis through the development of innovative antibacterial agents.
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![illumacell Inc.]()
illumacell Inc.
illumacell is an early clinical stage medical device company developing non-invasive photodynamic therapy (PDT) for cancer patients.
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![Simmunome Inc.]()
Simmunome Inc.
Simmunome is a techbio company enhancing the predictability of clinical drug development to prevent late-stage failures.
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![20/20 OptimEyes Technologies]()
20/20 OptimEyes Technologies
20/20 OptimEyes Technologies is a drug delivery company with a mucoadhesive nanoparticle platform that enables improved bioavailability of APIs and extended release.
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![MedReddie]()
MedReddie
MedReddie uses AI to streamline medical procurement and medtech marketing, empowering healthcare providers to make informed decisions and optimize their supply chains.
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![Maman Biomedical]()
Maman Biomedical
Solving the invasive nature of fertility treatment with our proprietary slow-release gels and patches which eliminate the burden of daily injections.
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![sanoLiving]()
sanoLiving
sanoLiving revolutionizes menopause care by providing AI-powered virtual healthcare, offering women personalized support, timely treatments, and clinicians evidence-backed insights to confidently deliver effective care plans.
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![Histone Therapeutics]()
Histone Therapeutics
Histone Therapeutics is developing genetic medicines to reprogram disease states using the world's first AI-designed epigenome-modifying proteins.
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![Yama Sciences]()
Yama Sciences
Yama's AI automates content creation, streamlines compliance, and personalizes messages for maximum HCP impact
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
Program Timeline & Workshops
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- Program Kick-off
- Founders Journey
- Best Practices When Raising Capital from U.S. Investors
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- Human Capital - how to elevate key executive roles, advisors and outsourcing or fractional roles
- Corporate Strategy: How to build value in your company on a shoestring budget
- How to incorporate AI into your executive toolbox
- IP and Patent Consideration with US Expansion
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- Setting up a business in the US
- Understanding Cross Border Taxes
- How to Effectively Manage Your Board
- In-market 2-days of programming
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- Corporate Structure & U.S. Considerations
- Growing Your Executive Presence
- Wrap Up & Graduation
Past Participating Program Speakers, Mentors & Investors
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Michael Leung
Co-founder & COO
Spect Inc.
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Ritish Patnaik
CEO and Co-Founder
Curve Biosciences
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Angele Maki
Chief Business Officer
Hummingbird BioScience
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![Alex Mok]()
Alex Mok
Founder/CEO
Mantra Bio
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![Rami Hannoush]()
Rami Hannoush
Partner
Versant Ventures
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Scott St. Germain
Vice President and Flu Business General Manager
Genentech
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![Ali Samiaan]()
Ali Samiaan
Founder
Poplar Access Advisors
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Qing Zhang
Partner
LDV Partners
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Hicham Alaoui
Chief Scientific Officer
Glycomine Inc.
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Corey Zankowski
Founder & CEO
Amplifai Oncology
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Mark Arundine
Business Development Head
Genentech
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JC Simbana
Managing Director
Customers Bank
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Michael Maszy
Chair
The Band of Angels
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Shiva Amiri
Partner, VP - Head of Data and AI
Pivotal Life Sciences
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Dongxue Wang
Corporate venture investor/clinical researcher
GUDU MEDICAL PTE.LTD/UCSF
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Arnold Lee
General Partner
Sugati Ventures
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Gilly Regev
Co-Founder, Director
SaNOtize
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![Richard McDerby]()
Richard McDerby
Partner
Manatt Ventures
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Michel Narganes
Partner
Manatt Ventures
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Hamid Farzaneh
Partner
Bridge 2
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Bassam El-Fahmawi
President & Chief Technical Officer
Mawi DNA Technologies
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Cedric Bisson
Partner
Teralys Capital
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Qing Zhang
Partner
LDV Partners
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Seiya Takahashi
Venture Partner
Hike Ventures
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Marlene Grenon
Venture Partner
IA Seed Ventures
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David Schuster
Managing Partner
UpScalerVC
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Charline Kempter
Trade Attaché
Quebec Trade Office in Silicon Valley
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Tom Vogelsong
Startup Scout
K2X Technology and Life Science
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![Alicia Chung]()
Alicia Chung
Venture Advisor
Magnet Ventures
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![Mike Henry]()
Mike Henry
Chief Business Officer
Aldatu Biosciences
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![Nicolas Saint-Arnaud]()
Nicolas Saint-Arnaud
Co-founder, Engineering Lead
SURUDO
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![Soyoung Park]()
Soyoung Park
General Partner
1004 Venture Partners
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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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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
Senior Director, R&D Finance
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
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“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
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“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
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"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
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“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
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“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
