The MaRs Centre, Toronto's internationally renowned not-for-profit innovation centre, launched its "Angel" program breakfast series last summer. The program, launched with Canaccord Genuity brings start-ups together with "angel investors". According to the
Globe & Mail the initiative has been a success so far "there have been five Angel events and about half of the program's 15 members have received some form of funding".
"The start-ups come from three areas: ICE (information technology, communications and entertainment), cleantech as well as life sciences and health care. Those accepted to the program are mentored by Jim Meenan, former president of AT&T (Canada) and Ron Close, former president of Bell New Ventures at BCE. These advisers teach the start-ups how to articulate effectively what they would do with seed money."
"Don Duval, MaRS' vice-president of business services, can't stress enough how imperative it is to make a solid pitch. "You gotta hit it out of the park," he said. To make sure the start-ups get it right, MaRS makes them run through a dress rehearsal because the organization's name is at risk. "We're telling the angel investment community that this company is worth 20 minutes of your time," Mr. Duval said."
"MaRS has seen some recent success. One of its clients, Sysomos, a social media start-up, was recently bought by media distribution manager Marketwire. Although Sysomos didn't pitch its business as part of the Angel program, it did prep work with the Angel team and even went on a MaRS roadshow."
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