Angel investors and Venture capital managers from Ontario, Quebec and New England meet in Toronto to strengthen the innovation economy

TORONTO, Feb. 28, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Over 100 leading Canadian Angels and Venture capital investors are gathering at the newly opened Trump International Hotel & Tower for the Toronto Venture Forum (TVF), a first event co-organized with the Ontario, Quebec and New England communities.  The TVF celebrates entrepreneurial and financial success stories, builds collaborations with universities and accelerators to improve entrepreneurs' successes, and provides opportunities for co-investments in promising high-growth companies.

The Toronto Venture Forum is organized by Capital innovation in collaboration with NAO-Ontario and Maple Leaf Angels.  Among key guest speakers are Venture capital managers from Teralys Capital, Ontario Capital Growth Corporation, OMERS Ventures, iNovia Capital, North Leaf Capital Partners, TandemLaunch, BDC and the CVCA.  Speaking for Angel investors are the NAO Ontario, Maple Leaf Angels, Golden Triangle Angelnet, Capital Angel Network, the NACO and guests from Boston Harbor Angels.

Keynote speakers celebrating Ontario and Quebec successes are Mr. Frank Erschen presenting the Waterloo ecosystem and Mr. Michel Brûlé presenting Quebec-based successes since the early 2000s'.  The Director of Ryerson's Entrepreneurship Center and the CEO of Montreal's École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS) are promoting partnerships between innovation and investment leaders.

Mr. Sam Hamad, Quebec Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Exportation, said: "Entrepreneurship and innovation are at the heart of Quebec's priorities as these are major drivers of future economic development and job creation.  We are proud to support our entrepreneurs by opening up the network of international investors in collaboration with Capital Innovation partners."

"At a time when innovation is increasingly important to our prosperity, a healthy VC industry has never been more vital. We know that supporting innovators across the province means ensuring they have access to the capital and connections they need to turn great ideas into thriving companies. And that means new jobs and increased prosperity for all Ontarians," said Brad Duguid, Ontario Minister of Economic Development and Innovation.

Mr Matey Nedkov, Chair of the Toronto Venture Forum, Director of the NACO and President of ICE, says: "Success for Canadian entrepreneurs relies on a close collaboration of Angel investors and Venture capital managers. This support from the start-up to the international growth phase is essential in creating the next generation of leading Canadian businesses."

Ms. Patricia Lorenz, Chair of the Network of Angels Organization (NAO) in Ontario, adds: "Experience shows that Angel investors play a key role in the early stage of tech start-ups.  The renewed dynamism of angel groups in Ontario and Quebec in recent years promises to create a new generation of highly successful entrepreneurs."

Mr. Martin Duchaîne, President of Capital Innovation, adds: "Quebec and Ontario Angels and Venture capital managers are part of one of the world's best innovation ecosystem on the East Coast of North America.  Working together, we are ready to build world-class businesses and extend collaborations with Boston and New York-based investors and partners."

The Toronto Venture Forum 2012 is organized with the kind support of the Quebec and Ontario governments and partners such as Teralys Capital, NAO Ontario, the École de technologie supérieure, Fasken Martineau, Centech (ÉTS' accelerator center), Valeo, BDC, International Corporate Expension (ICE), Maple Leaf Angels, Burns & Levinson and FedDev.

About Capital Innovation and Toronto Venture Forum - www.torontoventureforum.com

Capital Innovation, the organizer of the Toronto, Montreal and Boston Venture Forums, grew for the past 4 years to become the largest series of technology investment programs and events in Quebec and among the most important investment networks for early stage companies in Canada. The Forums' main purpose is to create a « border free » investment pipeline between the east coasts of Canada (Quebec, Atlantic and Ontario), the United States (New England, New York) and Europe by networking investors to meet and build strong business relationships.

The Toronto Venture Forum 2012 is supported by the Quebec and Ontario governements and key partners such as Teralys Capital, Network of Angels Organization - Ontario, the École de technologie supérieure, Fasken Martineau, Centech (ÉTS' accelerator center), Valeo, BDC, International Corporate Expension (ICE), Maple Leaf Angels, Burns & Levinson and FedDev.

About NAO - Ontario - www.nao-ontario.ca

Network of Angel Organizations - Ontario (NAO - Ontario), a member of the Ontario Network of Excellence, is the Administrator of Ontario's Angel Network Program, on behalf of the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation and the Administrator of the Investing in Business Innovation Outreach Program for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. Since 2007 its mission has been to create and grow non-profit Angel investor groups for all the regions of Ontario. Building the membership and best practices of these groups builds a more potent combination of mentorship and capital for innovative start-up companies in the province.

About Maple Leaf Angels - www.mapleleafangels.com

Funding Ontario's most promising new companies, Maple Leaf Angels is an experienced group of private investors looking for great entrepreneurs, great products and great companies to support. By bringing together investment, experience and a large network of contacts, we help companies to become market leaders in their industry.

Contact :
Caroline De Guire
PIKANTE! Communications
[email protected]
514-756-8430

Sources :
Martin Duchaine
President, Capital innovation
[email protected]
514-699-7177