Phase I – READY?

READY? is a recruiting phase to discover Canada’s emerging companies with a unique technology and an interest in utilizing San Diego as a market “beach head”.  The companies involved in this stage of the program, will be selected by local partners in each city consisting of local Universities, Industry Associations, and other partners with knowledge of the respective regions industry strengths and capabilities.

The READY? Phase I is designed to identify Canadian companies who meet specific criteria based on regional strengths and capabilities. The initial pilot program for LEAP! Canada in Western Canada has been designed to discover ICT dual-usage companies. Further LEAP! Canada sessions in other regions across Canada will explore additional sector strengths and interests, identifying companies from Clean Technology, Defense & Security, Life Sciences, Maritime Technology and ICT.

1. 1. a.Science & Technology – The technology has a clear competitive advantage and is considered “best in class” by Canadian organizations and industry bodies.
      

   2. b.Market Potential – The entrepreneur and product represents strong market potential in San Diego and broader US markets.
      

   3. c.Management – The entrepreneur and/or management team demonstrates the required commitment, interest and dedication to the San Diego market.
      

2. 
   

The READY? Phase I initial pilot program will review 100 companies from Western Canada, 20 from each city stop (Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Calgary, Vancouver & Victoria).

The Canada-San Diego Commercialization Advisory Group (The Advisory Group) will work together to select 20 companies from Western Canada to advance to Phase II (NEXT!) of the pilot program. The Advisory Group, using pre-determined selection criteria, will select those companies that will advance to Phase II (NEXT!). While it is believed Phase I could serve as a strong recruitment tool, participation in this stage may not be considered a pre-requisite to advance to Phase II. Some local Canadian partners may have other means of recruitment and selection suitable for consideration by The Advisory Group.

Phase I – READY? – Recruitment Phase

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Winnipeg, Manitoba – SMART Park at The University of Manitoba

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Innovation Place at The University of Saskatchewan

Friday, September 11, 2009

Calgary, Alberta – University of Calgary

Monday, September 14, 2009

Vancouver, British Columbia – Simon Fraser University Harbour Center

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Victoria, British Columbia – Vancouver Island Technology Park

Program at a Glance:

7:30         Registration & Continental Breakfast

8:15         Welcoming Remarks

8:30         Funding Pitch Preparation – What are San Diego partners and other US based partners looking for? How to make an effective pitch?

Topics will include:

1. -What are California strategic partners looking for?
   

2. -Is your business fundable?
   

3. -How to effectively present the problem, the opportunity and the solution.
   

4. -Presenting your go to market strategy and your business model.
   

5. -Presenting who’s on your team, establishing credibility etc.
   

6. -How to present your evaluation of the competition.
   

7. -How to present your financial projections.
   

10:30         Break

11:00     Presentation Fine Tuning – Your opportunity to incorporate California mentor suggestions into your pitch

12:00         Networking Lunch

1:30         Pitching Session to a Review Board

1. -10-minute company pitch to local and California mentors
   

2. -Instant pitch feedback by the Board
   

3:00        Break

3:15         Pitching Session to a Review Board (Cont….)

1. -10-minute company pitch to local and California mentors
   

2. -Instant pitch feedback by the Board
   

4:45         Wrap – Up

5:00         Networking Reception