How CAMP Works

OCE will assist CCAA in identifying companies for potential investment through the CAMP initiative.

CAMP is a cohort-based program. For each cohort, OCE and CCAA will select early-stage companies that will obtain investment and mentorship opportunities from prominent Chinese angels. These entrepreneurs will then spend the next year building a relationship in both Ontario and China with the investors and mentors, learning how to adapt their business plans towards successfully entering the Chinese market. As part of this unique mentorship experience, the companies will travel to China to work with their investors overseas, giving them the unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves in the Chinese culture and market. 

Additional details on CAMP and CCAA can be found on the CAMP website.

Program Components

1. Capital investment between $100,000 and $500,000 by CCAA investors, with potential co-investment by OCE through its Market Readiness Program.  

• The CCAA investment will be subject to a final term sheet. For each investment, CCAA investors will take an equity position in the investee company. Sample CCAA investment term sheet. 
• OCE co-investment will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Any co-investment by OCE will be made through OCE’s Market Readiness Program and is subject to program eligibility and selection criteria.  For co-investments at the Market Readiness Customer Creation stage, OCE’s investment can be convertible debt.  For co-investments at the Market Readiness Company Building stage, the terms of OCE’s investment will be determined by the terms of the investing party that is matching OCE’s contribution in the round. Typically, OCE would participate ratably on those same terms.
• Potential investment in China JV will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

2. Mentorship program that matches and embeds Chinese investors and mentors who have a strong track record of growing companies in China with selected companies to develop Chinese market opportunities and prepare the company for successful entry into the Chinese marketplace.

• Ongoing mentorship from CAMP entrepreneurs-in-residence, CAMP mentors, and CCAA, subject to an agreement among the mentors, CCAA and the company. It is anticipated that mentors will receive a warrant to invest in the following one and a half to two years at the current valuation. 
• Two and a half-week cohort-based training and mentorship in China.
• Matching of company with Chinese-based business and channel partners.

Selection criteria

• CAMP focuses on early stage companies seeking to commercialize their technology in the Chinese market
• CAMP may consider companies from any sector, however preference is given to companies in the following areas: information and communications technology (ICT), healthcare IT, medical devices, clean technology, mobile, artificial intelligence and virtual reality
• The company’s core product or service must be technology/innovation based, and the applicants must demonstrate that they are free to use, develop and commercialize the IP without any third party rights
• Company must be willing and able to travel to China for two and a half weeks for CAMP cohort training to work with local investors and mentors
• Preference may be given to companies that demonstrate co-investment by arms-length, third-party accredited investor(s). In cases where third-party investors are establishing investment terms, CCAA will consider investing on the same market terms
• Company should have a minimum of two or three full-time employees
• Company must be investment ready and must have a fully developed prototype
• Company should have some pilot customers