CELS Showcase: Supporting Canadian Life Sciences Innovation

Canada has led the world with some amazing healthcare innovations. Insulin in 1922. The world’s first pacemaker in 1946. The electric wheelchair in 1953. And today, entrepreneurs from across the country are working at the forefront of solutions for intelligent and holistic pelvic rehabilitation for women, AI-driven monitoring applications connecting independent seniors with family members, and a screening tool to shorten the diagnostic path for endometriosis, to name just a few. 

Canadian Entrepreneurs in Life Science (CELS) is a California non-profit organization established in 2017 by a passionate group of expat and resident Canadians dedicated to empowering and supporting Canadian life science companies commercializing, scaling and raising capital in the US. 

To date, more than 60 companies have participated in CELS’ signature Valley Ready program, from medical devices to biotech to digital health and diagnostics. The CELS selection team looks for grounded science; a capable founding team, and a value proposition that is attractive to investors and the global market. 

CELS produces the premier, semi-annual investor event for Canadian life science companies in the Bay Area: Canada in the Valley Showcase. A few companies from our recent Showcase are featured in this article. Read on to learn what they’re up to in this exciting space. The full list of Showcase companies can be found on the CELS website.

“The CELS Valley Ready program and Canada in the Valley Showcase are fueled by the commitment and passion of US-based Life Science professionals sharing knowledge and networks with Canadian Life Science companies pursuing success in fundraising or entering the   US market,” says Richard Ayllon, CELS Director and Founding Board Member. 

The CELS Valley Ready program accepts applications on a rolling basis. The next Canada in the Valley Showcase welcomes Startups, Investors and Life Science executives on April 24 and 25 in Silicon Valley.