C100 is taking nominations for its biannual 48 Hours in the Valley program, which takes 20 promising Canadian companies to Silicon Valley for two days of mentorship, networking opportunities, speaking engagements and investor meetings between June 22 to 23 this year.
Since the program began in 2010, there have been 200 alumni companies that have raised $3.3 billion USD collectively. The organization said that this year’s theme is Capital Matters: Human. Financial. Social.
The human capital track focuses on the importance of acquiring and retaining quality talent; the financial capital highlights specific ways founders can expect to engage with investors when raising capital and what to expect when raising in the Valley; and, through the social capital focus, founders will learn how to leverage social capital, introduction etiquette, and the advantages of building a network in the Valley.
“The 48 Hours in the Valley program has allowed C100 to connect high potential Canadian founders to the ecosystem in the Valley, introducing them to potential investors, and showing them the best practices that create world-class companies,” said Terry Doyle, co-chair of C100. “Through an open nomination process, in partnership with our sponsors and new C100 Ambassadors, we believe the program selection criteria will allow us to identify and help the next wave of successful Canadian entrepreneurs.”
To qualify, companies should have raised at least a $1 million seed round, at least 10 percent monthly growth in revenue or users, and have demonstrated market traction. The C100 48 hours selection committee also looks for an “exceptional” founding team with at least one Canadian co-founder that can clearly benefit from getting better connected to Silicon Valley.
Past companies that have participated include CrowdRiff, which recently raised a $2.6 million seed round, and Bridgit, which won Google Demo Day Women’s edition.
Nominations are open until April 15th, with participating startups being announced on May 9.
Related: C100 selects startups for December 48 Hours in the Valley cohort