CTA Mentor Meet-up Toronto 2018

The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (TCS), in collaboration with OneEleven, are giving Ontario companies a chance to hear from expert advisors about growing your company and seeking US-based venture capital funding. The US-based investors and corporate executives will share their insights on the challenges and opportunities available through U.S. expansion.

In addition, a limited number of companies will be selected for 30-minute private meetings with one of the three experienced CTA mentors. All advisors support the TCS’s Canadian Tech Accelerators (CTA) which provides high-potential companies with access to coaching, mentors, specialized workshops and events, and introductions to potential partners, clients and investors through market immersion programs in New York, Boston and Silicon Valley. Details about the mentors and how to apply for a 1-on-1 meeting are below. 

THE PROGRAM:

DAY 1 (November 6):

9:00 am - 17:00 – 1-on-1 Mentor Meetings with Selected Companies *The meeting location will be held at 180 Queen Street*

DAY 2 (November 7):

9:00 am - 16:00 – 1-on-1 Mentor Meetings with Selected Companies *The meeting location will be held at 180 Queen Street*

17:00 - 17:30 – Registration and Networking

17:30 - 18:00 – Panel Discussion with Stewart Guenther, Yolanda Wardowski, Robert Willms and Peter Suma, Chairman & CO-CEO of Applied Brain Research. Moderated by John Mavriyannakis, COO of One Eleven. 

18:30 - 19:30 – Networking

WHO THIS IS FOR:

This event is for scaling tech companies interested in learning about how to scale and expand in the U.S.

HOW TO SIGN UP FOR 1-on-1s: 

The registration page also includes application questions for companies seeking a 1-on-1 meeting. Getting to meet with a CTA Mentor is a competitive process. We are looking for innovative Canadian tech companies that already have market traction in Canada with a well-developed technology product or service. We will assess on the following:

• Management team experience

• Product market fit – how differentiated the company is from its competitors 

• Traction in the marketplace – how far along the company is. Has atleast an MVP, and quantifiable evidence for maturity in the form of investment, number of users or sales.

• Potential to scale – does the company have the logistics, finances and capability to scale at a high rate

Companies selected for a 1-on-1 meeting will also have a chance to speak with a Trade Commissioner about how our network can support your global growth.

What if I just want to attend the event without having a 1-on-1 with an advisor? Great! Select the "General Admission - NO 1-on-1 Meeting" option below. 

What happens if I don't get selected for a 1-on-1 meeting? Too bad! But come out for the event anyway. There will be great content and we'll have a chat with you about future opportunities for you to access global advisors through the Trade Commissioner Service.

How does scheduling for mentor meetings work? Once you submit your application, we'll review and get back to successful candidates as soon as possible. We'll also give you a few timeslots to choose from. 

Note that registration information provided on this page will be shared with the TCS, OneEleven, and Stewart Guenther, Yolanda Wardowski and Robert Willms. 

ABOUT THE CTA MENTORS

Stewart Guenther

Stewart Guenther is the venture partner of Viaduct Ventures, co-founder of The Venture Capital Roundtable, and founder of vc-pert an advisory services firm. Stewart specializes in bridging Silicon Valley with early stage entrepreneurs, investors, corporations, and centers of innovation.  With this focus, Stewart is a mentor for the Canadian Technology Accelerator program.

A serial entrepreneur by nature, Mr. Guenther brings a wealth of investor, corporate growth and international experience, working with firms ranging from multi-billion-dollar corporations to start-up companies. Stewart has successfully promoted products, services and technologies globally from concept through maturity and exit.

Stewart’s expertise includes: early stage ventures in global economies, seed/venture financing and structures, M&A and Exit strategies and execution, financial and expansion modeling, community/relationship development, product launch/marketing, and various other start-up related fields.  Stewart engages with select international start-ups and corporations on business planning, international expansion and capital sourcing.

Yolanda Wardowski

Yolanda Wardowski is a NYC Investment Banker, and an Angel Investor and Advisor to early stage tech companies and entrepreneurs.

Yolanda has been directly involved in the origination and execution of several billion dollars’ worth of domestic and cross-border financing and strategic M&A transactions across the Consumer and Technology sectors. Prior to her current position of Managing Director at Avalon Net Worth, Yolanda has held senior transaction execution positions at J.P. Morgan, 94th Street Capital and E&Y Capital Advisors. 

 Since 2000, Yolanda has been an active investor and advisor in the NYC tech eco-system. Currently a Lead Advisor with the Canadian Tech Accelerator (CTA) and Design Entrepreneurs NYC, and a Mentor/Consultant to entrepreneurs through Lazaridis Institute Scale Up Accelerator, Astia, Springboard Enterprises, NY Fashion Tech Lab, XRC Labs and ERA.

 Yolanda is a strategic board member for the Fashion Institute of Technology's Graduate Global Fashion Management School, the New York Advisory Board of ASTIA, and a Founding Board member of Design Entrepreneurs at FIT. Yolanda graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Canada.

Robert Willms

Robert has more than 20 years of experience in professional services and technologies focused on helping leading global brands improve the scale, profitability and duration of their customers and prospect relationships.  At Optaros, he is helping leading retailers accelerate growth through innovative e-Commerce business models, including private-sale sites, group buying, gamification, and community- and content-driven commerce. Robert has significant funding and IPO and M&A experience on both the buy and sell side.  Robert previously held senior positions at Digitas, Citibank Canada and Bain & Company. Alma Mater: University of Western Ontario, University of Guelph.

THE ORGANISERS

The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) will provide you with on-the-ground intelligence and practical advice on foreign markets to help you make better, more timely and cost-effective decisions in order to achieve your goals abroad.

OneEleven is home to a community of high-performing technology scaleups. Membership in OneEleven unlocks unparalleled access to a highly-curated peer network, investment capital, best-in-class partners, on-demand services, and strategic support designed specifically to help businesses successfully navigate periods of substantial growth.