North Innovation Camp: North America Global Expansion Bootcamp – First China-Canada Acceleration Program

Published by North Innovation Camp – May 23, 2024

Background Overview

The Age of Exploration: Go Global or Get Left Behind

In this new "Age of Exploration" driven by globalization, going global is no longer a luxury reserved for large enterprises. With increasingly seamless global supply chains, integrated information systems, financial services, and a mobile global workforce, businesses must transcend national borders to pursue larger markets and development opportunities.

Expanding globally reduces dependence on a single market, mitigates risks from market fluctuations, increases brand recognition, and enhances international presence—all while unlocking more revenue and funding sources to support long-term growth and global competitiveness.

Pain Point: "Training Sailors in the Pool"

Learning without action is futile. Everyone talks about going global, and training programs abound—but real action remains rare. Why?

In this era of uncertainty—capital markets sluggish, demand shrinking, domestic competition intensifying—stepping into international markets may seem risky. Entering a completely new market across cultures and borders is indeed daunting.

It’s no wonder many remain on the sidelines, spectating from the “pool” rather than setting sail. But this means we’re still far from producing true captains ready to navigate the open seas.

"Action-Oriented" Global Capability Building for Tech Entrepreneurs

This bootcamp brings together seasoned entrepreneurs, experts, and mentors who have already expanded globally. It offers:

• A structured knowledge system for global expansion
• A one-on-one acceleration service model centered on selected teams
• Essential resource and toolkits for pre-expansion preparation
• Capital, talent, resources, and confidence to support internationalization
• A hands-on, interactive training model that provides a real-world environment to learn and grow

Through this unique model, entrepreneurs can minimize trial-and-error costs and quickly gain the competencies to thrive globally.

Program Overview

Peking University’s Entrepreneurship Camp and US CAN STARTUP (North American Startup Camp) have jointly launched the North Innovation Camp: First North American Expansion Bootcamp, focused on China-Canada acceleration.

Top-tier global mentors, CEOs of leading international firms, premier investors, and key market stakeholders will collaborate to:

• Refine the curriculum
• Provide 1-on-1 workshops
• Empower selected teams with global mobility and market entry strategies

Backed by Peking University’s global alumni network and UCS’s incubation, investment, and networking resources in North America, this program bridges Eastern and Western business ecosystems.

Organizers

Main Organizers:

• Peking University Entrepreneurship Camp – Yantai Digital Innovation Base
• US CAN STARTUP – North American Startup Camp

Strategic Support:

• Peking University Alumni Foundation of Canada
• Leading Impact Capital

Strategic Partners:

• VANTEC Angel Network
• Launch Academy
• Empowered Startups
• Plum Ventures, Eagle Fund, iMpact, Xiaguang Society

Target Audience & Eligibility

Target Participants:

• Entrepreneurs with a global vision
• Startups aiming for international markets
• Businesses planning overseas expansion
• Canadian startups or founders

Focus Industries:

• Healthcare and wellness
• Intelligent manufacturing
• Consumer tech

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be founder, shareholder, or core team member
• For unregistered projects: must be the creator or IP owner
• Priority given to VC-backed entrepreneurs
• Must commit to full program participation

Cohort Size: 50 participants
Start Date: Early June 2024 (Free of charge)
Location: Online + Offline (Beijing, Toronto, Vancouver, Yantai)

Application Process

1. Submit online application (Deadline: May 31, 2024)
2. Evaluation by mentors/investors (interview if needed)
3. Admission and course participation
4. Founders join Global Strategy Mastermind (bi-weekly for 3 months)
5. Team workshops (bi-weekly one-on-one sessions for 3 months)

Why Choose Canada?

1. Talent: Canada has a deep pool of globally capable talent with multicultural skills
2. Policy Support: Strong government backing for innovation with grants, tax breaks, and accelerators
3. Geography: Seamless access to the U.S. and broader North American market
4. Cultural Inclusiveness: A diverse, stable, and entrepreneur-friendly environment
5. Start-up Visa: Canada’s IRCC Startup Visa allows core teams to obtain work permits and permanent residency quickly

“Proximity to the U.S. without being in the fray”
In the face of diplomatic and trade friction with the U.S., Canada is emerging as the ideal springboard—or even primary base—for Chinese tech firms expanding into North America.

Program Features

Vision: Global Trends & Strategic Insight

A deep dive into:

• Globalization 3.0 and Chinese founders' global roadmap
• North American market trends, case studies, and sector insights
• Canada’s business environment, tax system, and immigration/talent policies

Captain: Founder Mastermind Group

Focused support in:

• Product, marketing, operations, and strategy
• Case study analysis
• Investment and public sector resource matchmaking

Team: Hands-on Workshops

1-on-1 acceleration for each selected team (2–5 people):

• Access to local VC networks, incubators, and alumni groups
• Matchmaking with industrial and technical resources
• Participation in top-tier tech expos and client demo days

Full Support Network:

• 50+ enterprise service partners
• 100+ VCs and angel investors
• 100+ expert mentors
• 10+ incubator resources

Previous Programs

• Peking University x Shenzhen Institute of Technology – First Cross-Border Expansion Class

Featured Mentors & Investors (Selected)

• Xin Yuecheng – Managing Director, CITIC Capital
• Wu Shichun – Founding Partner, Plum Ventures
• Liu Xiaoying – Founder, Eagle Fund
• Chang Han – Lead EIR at UBC
• Chris Pereira – CEO, iMpact
• Vivi He – Founder, Xiaguang Society
• Fang Zhenyu – Founder, PKU Alumni Foundation of Canada
• Lei Niu – VP, XNode
• Victor Tsao – Partner, Bennett Jones LLP
• Ray Walia – CEO, Launch Academy
• Paul Girodo – Executive Chairman, Empowered Startups
• Victor Gaochao – Co-founder, iMpact
• Patrick Luo – Partner, Pacific Hi-Tech Capital
• Shun Ma – Managing Partner, Leading Impact Capital

Core Mentors from Peking University (selected)

• Zhang Guoyou – Dean of Economics & Management, PKU
• Wang Xinchao – Professor, Guanghua School of Management
• Cai Jian – Professor, Guanghua School of Management
• Zhang Xinhua – Chairman, Shenhua Investment Group
• Hou Jun – Founder, Amap
• Yu Songling – Chairman, Oriental Cambridge Education Group
• And many others from Peking University’s entrepreneurial ecosystem

Partner Profile

US CAN STARTUP:
A leading tech incubator/accelerator founded by cross-border VC and startup experts in China, the U.S., and Canada.

Supported by Leading Impact Capital, it adopts a Y Combinator-style "admission = investment" model, with operations in Silicon Valley, Vancouver, and Toronto. It integrates resources across public services, markets, and academia to empower tech entrepreneurs with global reach.