links for 2008-08-31

• The Nova Scotia Business Journal: Daily Business Buzz | Events & Announcements
  2008 Angel Summit from October 16-17: The National Angel Organization (NAO) will be holding its 2008 Angel Investor Summit in Halifax from October 16-17.

  The 2008 Summit event will feature internationally distinguished guest speakers, each of whom will be addressing the most salient emerging trends in Angel investing.

  Co-chairing the 2008 Summit are Halifax natives Brian Lowe and Ross Finlay, founders of the First Angel Network Association. The 8th Annual Summit is poised to be another sold-out event!

  For further information about NAO’s 2008 Angel Investor Summit, please contact Bryan J. Watson, executive director, NAO, (416) 581-0009 or info@angelinvestor.ca

• Convertible Debt or Preferred Stock: Which one is better?
  The question of whether angel investments in early stage companies should be in the form of a loan that converts (usually at a discount) into the equity, and at the valuation, of the following (usually VC) investment round, or instead in the form of Convertible Preferred stock (typical of a venture capital investment round) is one which generates a lot of heat in entrepreneurial circles. It also frequently leads to disagreements and hard feelings between entrepreneurs seeking funding and the angels who may be in the best position to fund them. But in reality, the answer is very simple: "Smart Money" does NOT invest in convertible debt. Period.
  (tags: convertibledebt angelinvestor angelgroup termsheet)
• Startups – The Essential To Do List
  This post is dedicated to a team of promising young entrepreneurs who asked me recently if they could all just “put some money in a bank account” to launch their startup. I wanted to say 'yes' because I know how much other work they have to do to build a successful company. But instead I had to warn them that there were several essential elements of their corporate structure they had to get right now to maximize their probability of success. This question comes up frequently, so I started this list to help other entrepreneurs ensure they don't miss one of the essential structural components.
  (tags: startup business bootstrap)
• 2008 Co-investment Summit: Bridging the Funding Gap
  Join NAO for a complimentary full-day session that will present Ontario's, and Canada's, fastest-growing, high-potential, Angel-invested companies. All presenting companies are seeking follow-on financing and have received at least $200,000 in Angel investment already.

  Who Will Participate? Individual Angel Investors, Angel groups, and Angel-invested companies.

  (tags: coinvestment summit angel angelgroup ontario angelnetworkprogram)

Northern Ontario Enterprise Gateway tells their story

Our colleagues at Northern Ontario Enterprise Gateway recently issued a news release to regional media describing how they have achieved success in linking angel investors and northern entrepreneurs – companies they have worked with, agencies that have supported their work (including NAO-Ontario), and more.

We’re very pleased to be working with NOEG, and look forward to many more such narratives as Northern Ontario’s innovation economy develops further!

November Co-investment Summit Announced!

From 8 am to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 19th, 2008, the National Angel Organization is pleased to host the 2008 Co-investment Summit in Toronto, Canada, at the University of Toronto Faculty Club.

Members of the Angel community from every country and region are invited to join us for a complimentary full-day session that will present Ontario’s, and Canada’s, fastest-growing, high-potential, Angel-invested ompanies.  Follow-on financing is sought by all presenting companies, which Angels have invested in or finalized a term sheet for already.

Individual Angels, Angel groups, Private Equity firms, companies referred by Angels, and Angel community stakeholders can participate.

Angelsoft-using Angel groups may submit companies via Angelsoft; non-Angelsoft-using Angels can submit their opportunity via this link, indicating in their submission their referring Angel investor or group.

Angels may register online, or contact the National Angel Organization (416-581-0009, pconnor@angelinvestor.ca)

Finalist companies will be determined by NAO’s Co-investment Task Force.

Breakfast, lunch and refreshments will be served.

for further details please visit coinsummit.eventbrite.com, or view our invitation card online.

We look forward to seeing you there!

The 2008 National Angel Summit gets a plug!

Frank Peters, the podcasting host of The Frank Peters Show, today interviewed National Angel Organization director Cathy Favre, who is Executive Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Angel Network.  The topic was Fast Pitches, and a plug was included for our National Angel Summit, which they will both be participating in.  Thank you, Frank and Cathy!

the Frank Peters Show

ISCM MONEY CHASE 2008

ISCM SUMMER CAMP FOR ENTREPRENEURS AIMS TO PUT THE “FUN” INTO “FUNDRAISING”

The word “fun” isn’t usually associated with a company’s efforts to find cash to grow a business, but the Innovation Synergy Centre in Markham (ISCM) is out to change that experience with the unique ISCM Summer Training Camp for Entrepreneurs.

The camp fills a much-needed gap by helping companies to:

• Identify and find the best investors and partners for their business;
• Present effectively to potential investors;
• Prepare for investor meetings;
• Create realistic and actionable strategies for fast revenue and company growth.

This service is being offered free of charge to qualified companies up until mid-September. Register now to take full advantage of this opportunity.

The summer camp is a lead up to the ISCM Money Chase 2008: Investment Forum, which takes place October 23rd, 2008. The Investment Forum is a unique event in which 24 young businesses – selected from a pool of applicants – looking for growth funds will have the opportunity to present their case to a roomful of investors.

Details are available at www.iscm.ca/moneychase, or to start the application process, “Register as a Client” at www.iscm.ca. Indicate that you would like to participate in the Investment Forum or give us a call at (905) 248-2721.

Any other questions may be forwarded to the Investment Network.

The Money Chase Series is presented by the Investment Network of ISCM, a leader in helping small- and medium-sized companies deal with their growth opportunities.

NAO Director named one of the Forty Under 40

Michelle Scarborough

Michelle Scarborough, vice-president for investment and commercialization at the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation, and a director of the National Angel Organization, has just been named one of the Forty Under 40 for 2008 by the Ottawa Business Journal.

The Forty Under 40, according to the Journal, represent the region’s most dynamic, successful and community-minded businesspeople.  We’re proud to count her as one of the National Angel Organization’s directors and strong supporters!

Nominate an innovator, entrepreneur or company in Ontario for the Premier’s Catalyst Awards

Ontario Premier’s Catalyst Awards

Recognizing Excellence and Leadership in Innovation

Do you know of a leading-edge innovator, entrepreneur or company in Ontario that deserves recognition? Is there a person or company whose vision and goals symbolize the province’s growing culture of innovation and entrepreneurship?

If you know of such a person, group or company, the Ministry of Research and Innovation wants you to nominate them for the Premier’s Catalyst Awards.

Recognizing excellence and leadership, the Premier’s Catalyst Awards celebrate the leading-edge industries, ideas and people that will shape Ontario’s future and create the next generation of exciting new jobs and industry sectors.

The winner of each of the five Catalyst Awards will receive $200,000 to support the development of a commercially successful new, or significantly improved, product or service based on a breakthrough technology.

Nominations close October 9th, 2008.

For more information about the Premier’s Catalyst Awards, click here.