Social finance innovators ACCESS, Ignite Capital, InsurEye, MEDA, My Oral Village, Rise Asset Development and more to be showcased at the micromarketplace on October 5

TORONTO, Oct. 1, 2013 /CNW/ - Toronto International Microfinance Summit announced today that its micromarketplace will be "the" place to find social finance innovators on October 5; this and more at its full-day forum on domestic and international microfinance.  Sponsored by Oikocredit, Alterna Savings and JVL Global Corp with The MasterCard Foundation providing financial assistance for 100 students to attend, the Summit brings together people with diverse backgrounds and views for dialogue and to foster critical thinking, innovation and action.

DATE: Saturday, October 5, 2013
TIME: 8:00 am Registration & The micromarketplace open, 9:00 am - 5:40 pm Program
PLACE: Allstream Centre, 105 Princes' Blvd (Exhibition Place), Toronto
TICKETS: $125 regular, $100 student; www.microfinanceconference.ca

Keynote speaker, Hon. Bob Rae, Advisor to the Matawa Tribal Council representing nine First Nations in the Ring of Fire starts the day with Why Microfinancing Matters to Canada's First Nations. At lunch, keynote Ian Smillie transports attendees overseas with The Lady Vanishes: Canada and the World of International Development. Tavia Grant, Economics Reporter at The Globe and Mail, moderates the closing panel discussion.

"Microfinance has become a crucial tool for the working poor by providing much-needed credit for personal and business needs," states Eugene Ellmen, Director, Oikocredit Canada.  "Now our task is to figure out how microfinance can play a larger role in international development. The Toronto International Microfinance Summit will contribute to this critical dialogue and Oikocredit Canada is pleased to be a sponsor of this important event."

There will be more than 30 speakers and moderators including: Jannalee Anderson, Opportunity International Canada; Stéphanie Émond, FINCA International; Dawn Madahbee, National Aboriginal Economic Development Board; Lorna Pitcher, Children of Hope Uganda;  Mark Simpson, Business in the Streets; and Michael Vasquez, Rebellium Digital Marketing.

"Small business start-ups and entrepreneurs are very important to the economic growth and development of our communities," adds Heather Simpson, Director Community Accounts at Alterna Savings. "One of the biggest barriers to success for start-up businesses is access to financial services. Throughout our history Alterna has seen the impact that access to inclusive financial services by an individual can have on the community at large."

Ignite Capital will be at the micromarketplace this year. Founded to help aspiring Canadian entrepreneurs who do not have access to capital through traditional means, it is providing an opportunity to compete for a start-up grant worth $20,000. Application deadline is October 14, 2013.

"There are many microfinance initiatives underway locally and internationally," says Heather Broughton, Co-Vice Chair, Toronto International Microfinance Summit; and President, My Oral Village.  "The Summit's micromarketplace will be abuzz, providing attendees many opportunities to connect with local and international organizations of all sizes and at all stages of growth.  Children of Hope Uganda and Guatemala Stove Project are just a few more you should stop by to meet. The Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment's Office for Social Enterprise will also be there."

Everyone is welcome.  Join microfinance, development and business leaders, social innovators, government officials, politicians, entrepreneurs, students, academics and the media. Explore how microfinance has brought and can accelerate change. Areas covered include water and sanitation, women's empowerment, local initiatives, Aboriginal Peoples and First Nations, scale and sustainability and technology.

Follow the Summit @microfinanceTO and Facebook.com/microfinanceTO. Join the conversation at #tims2013. Visit the micromarketplace. Watch the microwalk video and interact at the microbookclub blog launching with Freedom from Want at www.torontomicrofinancebookclub.com .  A half-day pre-Summit Microfinance 101 certificate course in collaboration with Coady International Institute will be held at OCAD University on October 4. Application is mandatory. Tickets sold separately.

For TICKETS: www.microfinanceconference.ca

Boilerplate
Toronto International Microfinance Summit is Canada's premier event focusing on domestic and international microfinance. Founded in 2009 and incorporated as a nonprofit in 2011, the organization was inspired by the Rotarian Action Group for Microfinance and Community Development (RAGM) and Rotary District 7070 Microfinance Committee. The Summit's signature Conference and Gala are run entirely by volunteers of diverse backgrounds and ages. Our vision is a world without poverty through microfinance. Our mission is: to educate our community on microfinance, a formidable poverty reduction tool; to create a forum for dialogue and action; and to raise profile and/or funds for organizations that make an impact through microfinance. In 2011, 40 speakers from 30 organizations on 5 continents presented at the Summit. The 2012 Toronto Microfinance Symposium was presented in collaboration with Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. In 2013, our 5th anniversary, we explore microfinance as a catalyst for social and economic change. www.microfinanceconference.ca

SOURCE: Toronto International Microfinance Summit

For press passes contact:

Wendy Bodnoff
Co-chair, Marketing, Media & Public Relations
905 334 3660 [email protected]