September 16, 2025 – Vancouver, Canada
The 2025 US CAN STARTUP Demo Day was successfully held in Vancouver, co-hosted by US CAN STARTUP and Peking University Alumni Foundation. The event brought together investors, entrepreneurs, and researchers from across three countries to highlight the potential of cross-border innovation and to provide a platform for startups to connect with global alumni resources, industrial capital, and North American partners.
Strong Support from the Ecosystem
The event received backing from leading organizations in Canada’s innovation network, including the National Angel Capital Organization (NACO), VANTEC Angel Network, WUTIF Capital, Launch Academy, Innovation Factory, and Entrepreneurship@UBC. This support underscores the growing role of international collaboration in Canada’s startup ecosystem.
Opening Remarks
The day opened with remarks from Ma Shun, CEO of US CAN STARTUP and Managing Partner of Leading Capital, and Zeng Haishan, Distinguished Scientist and Professor at UBC, representing the Peking University Canadian Alumni Foundation. Both highlighted the importance of cross-border cooperation in advancing technological innovation and encouraged global alumni to play an active role in entrepreneurship.
Guest Speakers
Several well-known figures from academia, investment, and industry shared their perspectives via video messages, including:
- Prof. Michael Snyder, Stanford University
- Tung Chan, Director of the Canadian Foundation for Economic Education & former Deputy Mayor of Vancouver
- Liu Meizhan, entrepreneur and investor
Their messages emphasized the strong opportunities for China, the US, and Canada to collaborate in advancing science and technology.
Startup Pitches Rounds
The highlight of the event was a Startup Pitches Rounds of seven high-potential startups spanning AI, health tech, and emerging platforms:
- AllScale – Stablecoin operating system (CEO Shawn Pang)
- Yotta Labs – Planet-scale AI-native OS (CEO Dr. Daniel Lee)
- OptHealth – Ophthalmic AI diagnosis (Founder Yuhui Sun)
- HealthByte – Preventive health management AI platform (CEO Sirena You)
- Xlens Tech – Intelligent live event video platform (CEO Laura You)
- SheepSleep Tech – Sleep health management app and hardware (CEO Kathleen Liu)
- Blucap – Lightweight smart cycling glasses (CEO Ning Zhu)
Mentors & Advisors Panel Discussion
A panel of esteemed mentors and advisors, including Chang Han (UBC Innovation Center), Aaron Stuart (CEO of VANTEC/WUTIF), Jean Yoon (Launch Academy), Douglas Qi (entrepreneur & mentor), and Marco Daoura (Strategist & Health Regulations Advisor), provided constructive feedback. Their insights offered valuable guidance on business models, scalability, and market positioning.
Looking Ahead
The successful event showcased the strength of the partnership between the Peking University Alumni Foundation and US CAN STARTUP, and the vital role that global alumni networks can play in fostering entrepreneurship. Building on this momentum, we remain committed to strengthening cross-border partnerships, creating opportunities for collaboration between innovators, and amplifying the impact of startups in international markets. Our shared mission is to help shape a truly global innovation ecosystem — one that empowers entrepreneurs everywhere to move faster, build stronger, and thrive across borders.