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CAN/U.S. Power Panel Program Overview

Building on the success of the Southwestern Ontario Power Panel Program, piloted from November – March 2021, the CAN/U.S. Canada Power Panel program aims to expand mentorship and strategic connection opportunities for women-owned technology and innovation companies in Southwestern Ontario. Participating companies will have the opportunity to accelerate their skills development and be able to leverage US high powered, influential mentors from outside of their usual networks. This is particularly important for women identifying how to capture growth opportunities in new or adjacent markets as the economy recovers post COVID.

The CAN/U.S. Power Panel program is supported by the U.S. Consuls General in Canada’s Building Back Better Program aimed at strengthening support for women entrepreneurs during COVID-19.

Why focus on business advisory & mentorship?

According to a recent Women’s Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub The Impact of COVID-19 on Women Entrepreneurs report, access to concierge, advisory, coaching and mentorship services were listed as top needs of women surveyed. This report sheds light on what’s working and what could be improved to meet the needs of diverse women entrepreneurs.

Throughout the duration of the program, WEtech and partners will connect 12 female entrepreneurs from across Southwestern Ontario to pitch to the CAN/US Power Panel, and connect over 100 female entrepreneurs and professionals with a unique cross-border networking opportunity.

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Virtual CAN/U.S. Networking Event

On March 22, 2022 during Tech Week YQG, WEtech Alliance will be offering a unique “CAN/US” Virtual Network Event”. The virtual networking event – hosted on Remo – will engage both women entrepreneurs and industry professionals from both side of the border – including past Power Panels Mentors and Companies – to build international networks and connections and create innovative partnerships, solutions, and continue moving forward together. The event will feature a fireside chat with a prominent Women in business from the U.S. and Canada.

Business Advisory & Mentorship with U.S. Advisors

The CAN/US Power Panels are made up of current and former US entrepreneurs and executives who understand what it takes to pivot and grow a business. Their extensive network of contacts and personal expertise will help participating women entrepreneurs find solutions to your biggest pain-points and/or help them take advantage of connections, government programs and services available, and strategic expertise amid COVID-19.

US Advisors will be selected based on key business growth areas including: capital and investment, leadership, digital transformation, sales, marketing, IP, growth coaching, scaling, going global, etc..

Past and future CAN/U.S Power Panel advisors include:

• Gabrielle Bonello, VP of Strategic Partners at Everly Health

• Lindsay Klee, Commercialization & Technology Transfer Leader at Wayne State University

• Stephanie Spector, Senior Manager, Center for Consumerism at AVIA

• Tricia Compas-Markman, Senior Program Officer at Venture Well Aspire Medtech

• Mary Buchzeiger, CEO at Lucerne International

• Shelley Martin, Retired CEO at Nestle Canada

• Sumedha Mandpe, Director of Consumer Engagement at Trinity Health

• Jennifer Young, CEO of Technology Councils of North America (TECNA)

• Zeel Shah, Former Senior Manager of Partnerships and Live at JioSaavn’

• Myra Tawfik, Faculty of Law, University of Windsor

• Surria Fadel, Co-Founder, Cedar Valley Selections

• Katelyn Davis, Co-Author of Women Driven Mobility

Interested?

The CAN/U.S. Power Panel aims to expand mentorship and strategic connection opportunities for women owned technology and innovation companies in Southwestern Ontario. Participating companies will have the opportunity to accelerate their skills development and be able to leverage high powered, influential US mentors from outside of their usual networks. This will be particularly important for women identifying how to capture growth opportunities in new or adjacent markets as the economy recovers post COVID.

The Power Panel is open to active clients of Haltech Regional Innovation Center, Innovation Guelph, Innovate Niagara, TechAlliance, Innovation Factory, and WEtech Alliance. Companies will be selected from each participating RIC and be in a late validation or efficiency/scale stage of their business.

APPLY NOW
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QUESTIONS?

Contact our Women’s Entrepreneurship Coordinator, Kate Tomen

Email: ktomen@wetech-alliance.com  |  Phone: 519 355-7365