What can we learn from… Canada?
This post explores the "Canadian Technology Accelerator" model for international expansion, sharing insights from a bilingual FemTech panel in Paris on how high-potential startups - like PCOS-focused mentee Élan Healthcare - can leverage diplomatic networks and local mentorship to navigate global regulatory compliance.
What am I doing sitting in a bilingual English-French panel at the Embassy of Canada | Ambassade du Canada in Paris??
Talking femtech regulatory compliance trends (in English) while listening (mostly in live-translated French) to the perspectives of brilliant entrepreneurs, investors, researchers and diplomats!
This would be for my series of "What can we learn from... Canada?"
The Canadian Trade Commission runs the Canadian Technology Accelerators | Accélerateurs technologiques canadiens, a programme to support Canadian startups to expand to other markets. By collaborating with global Canadian embassies they provide eligible startups with local mentorship, contacts and partnerships to boost their growth.
As part of this, I had the privilege to mentor Élan Healthcare Inc. run by Pari (Parvaneh) Saharkhiz, MD, MBA, a doctor turned founder and manufacturer of supplements especially designed to tackle the nutritional imbalances that are often root to PCOS and infertility. Around 10% of women are affected by PCOS, 70% go undiagnosed, and even those who have it diagnosed struggle to find treatment. Check them out: https://elanhealthcare.ca/
Grateful for the invitation to Trade Commissioner Frederic Chieux and Fiona Thwaites. A pleasure to sit on the panel with collaborator, friend and amazing host Erica Perrier, PhD, MS, CSCS as well as great copanelists Régine Brielle Juliette Mauro Andrea Guest Andréa Saragoussi Keshiv Kaushal - thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Greatest success to the impressively advanced startups in the mentee cohort Cogni Cosm Medical Emovi Juno Technologies™ Mino Care My Normative LoOoP SYNG Pharmaceuticals Inc, I look forward to staying in touch!