BC Business
OKGN Angel Summit
The OKGN Angel Summit sees six Western Canadian entrepreneurs pitch investors for a $150,000 prize.
A pitch to investors at the Finale of the 2020 OKGN Angel Summit
From a field of 24 startups, soon there will be just six contenders left to vie for the grand prize. That’s how they roll at the OKGN Angel Summit.
The annual gathering, organized by Accelerate Okanagan, aims to unlock capital for Western Canadian companies and expose Okanagan-based investors to angel investing. The summit consists of a 10-week program that gives participating entrepreneurs the chance to learn how to raise capital and build relationships with prospective investors. For their part, investors receive training on how to vet and perform due diligence on early-stage companies.
For the fourth edition, which is open to businesses as far east as Manitoba, the 32 investors contributing to the summit’s investment fund have chosen 24 quarter-finalists. “This year we have seen companies working on solutions for everything from reducing waste and improving urban transportation, to automations in the cannabis and retail industries,” Brea Lake, CEO of Accelerate Okanagan, said in a release.
Having already made a quick pitch to investors, the founders of those 24 companies must now try to reach the top 12. From that select group, six entrepreneurs will go on to the virtual finale on March 16, where they will compete for a $150,000 investment.
READ MORE: Q&A: Corie Griffiths sees plenty more upside for $2-billion Okanagan tech sector
Chief Clarence Louie of the Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB) will deliver a keynote speech at the finale. After the pitches, entrepreneurial power couple Renée Warren and Dan Martell will join the audience for a fireside chat.
The OKGN Angel Summit has contributed more than $4 million to B.C. startups since it launched in 2019, training about 140 entrepreneurs and engaging some 80 accredited investors.
For finale tickets and more info, click here.