Canada-Chicago Mentoring Program

Date: February 12 to September 10, 2025
Venue: Virtual and in person at MATTER Healthcare Incubator
Location: Chicago, United States of America
Target Audience: Canadian entrepreneurs and innovators with a product or technology in the life sciences/healthcare industry who are seeking to gain traction in the United States market and could benefit from mentoring and guidance to refine your go-to market strategy
Sector: Life sciences

Event description

The Trade Commissioner Service is partnering with MATTER, the leading life sciences/healthcare incubator in Chicago, to provide strategic guidance via team-based mentoring to five Canadian start-ups in the Canada-Chicago Mentoring Program (C2MP) cohort. If selected, you will participate in a 6-month mentoring program that includes:

• a virtual day of acceleration
• educational workshops
• monthly meetings with your dedicated mentoring team
• in-person pitch presentation at the end of the program

This program is hybrid, with virtual or in-person meetings anticipated from February to August 2025, and at least 1 visit to Chicago for the final pitch day in September 2025.

Register to attend

• If you are interested in participating in the program, please contact Julien Rosan (julien.rosan@international.gc.ca) to receive the application form.
• Applications are open from October 1, 2024 to October 18, 2024.
• Space is limited to 5 Canadian companies; all applicants will be qualified by a vetting committee.
• The Trade Commissioner Service supports equality and diversity, we strongly encourage companies led by Canadians of all backgrounds and orientations to apply.

Why your organization should participate

• Develop a first-hand understanding of the opportunities and challenges of doing business in foreign markets
• Gain insights and market intelligence
• Increase visibility of your product or service
• Meet key commercial entities, industry players, and potential buyers, investors and/or partners
• Participate in pre-organized business to business meetings
• Receive mentoring and coaching
• Receive on-the-ground assistance from the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service

Trade Commissioner(s) involvement

Activities organized by the Trade Commissioner Service

• Business-to-business meetings
• Networking event
• Product pitch to select audiences
• Seminar

The Trade Commissioner Julien Rosan (julien.rosan@international.gc.ca) specializes in the life sciences sector for the Chicago/Midwest (IL, WI, MO) market and can provide information on this event and other local events as well as advice on business development in the region. The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service offers services free of charge to Canadian exporters and companies that meet our client criteria.