In partnership with the Okanagan Science & Technology Council, New Ventures BC is hitting the road and Tanner Philp will deliver a crash course in everything you need to know to approach Angel and Venture Capital investors to fund your early stage venture.

Philp, CFO and Partner of the BC Advantage Fund will cover where to find investors, how to approach investors to maximize success, what investors are looking for, terms and valuations, and generally how to navigate the financing minefield. Practical advice will be augmented by candid, real world examples.

This free seminar is at the Coast Capri Hotel (1171 Harvey Avenue) in Kelowna on June 30th from 2:00pm to 4:30pm.  Register online or contact OSTEC by phone at 250-712-3340 or by email if you have any questions.

Who’s eligible?
Those NVBC participants who have successfully made it to Round Three of the competition, and whose business base is located outside of Metro Vancouver.

How do I get my reimbursement?
Eligible applicants must submit their expense form, along with original receipts, no later than August 17th, 2009. For budgetary reasons, submissions received after this date will not be accepted.

Important notes:
1.    NVBC reserves the right, providing reasonable notice to participants, to cancel the program. In that event, expenses incurred by participants will be reimbursed to participants as provided for above.
2.    NVBC expects that further funding will be made available, of a similar nature, for later aspects of the NVBC program. Announcements regarding the availability of such funds will be made in due course.

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With so many experienced, capable people getting cut loose by corporate employers, there has never been a larger pool of potential entrepreneurs. But with the implosion of so many banks and the continuing credit crunch, there has also never been a tougher time to find financing for a startup. So those looking to launch a small business have to be creative when looking for funding.

Nawrocki outlines all the usual suspects - grants, micro-loans, local incubator/accelerator groups - but also singles out business plan competitions like New Ventures BC as a great funding source.

Keep in mind that often more important than the prize money is the opportunity to get your creative ideas in front of venture capitalists, angel investors and other potential financing sources.

Sierra Wireless was named Company of the Year and recognized for a phenomenal year that included developing the world’s first data devices for the HSPA+ standard, further penetrating the M2M market with the acquisition of Wavecom S.A., increasing their BC-based employees to 250 and, for the first time in company history, surpassing half a billion dollars in annual revenues.

The highlight for fans and followers of New Ventures BC was when 2006 finalist Energy Aware Technology picked up the award for Most Promising Start-up.  Co-founders Janice Cheam and Lauren Kulokas accepted the award and acknowledged the New Ventures BC competition in their speech.

All three finalists in the Most Promising Start-up category had a New Ventures BC connection. Finalist Pulse Energy is a subsidiary of Small Energy Group, a finalist in the 2008 NVBC competition and Strangeloop Networks is headed by NVBC presenter Jonathan Bixby.

Energy Aware Technology helps improve demand-management energy conservation using an In Home Display (IHD) that communicates with the utility’s smart meter to continually monitor and notify residents of their power usage and associated costs.

New Ventures BC is hosting a networking event on Thursday, June 25th at SFU Harbour Centre from 5:30pm - 7:30pm. The top 30 companies will have the opportunity to meet their mentor match-ups and everyone from the New Ventures BC community (competitors, volunteers, etc.)  is invited to attend and enjoy some wine, canapés, and networking.

Be sure to register to confirm your attendance at this event.

The Round 3 companies will receive  team mentors, specialized workshops, and two chances to present in front of a mentor panel of experts. The top 30 companies in alphabetical order are:

• Aquavive
• Bet Smart Media
• Bluekey Energy
• Bosko Water Technologies
• Convertix
• Dark Matter Labs
• EasyPlug
• Enginelock
• EnviroSpeak.tv
• Etalim Inc.
• G.R. Green Building Products Inc.
• Gym Technik
• Indel Therapeutics Inc.
• iProgen
• Kickspike
• LightIntegra Technology Inc.
• Lungpacer Medical
• Mobify
• Modopost
• MUG Solutions
• NewCo
• Pacific Research Group: Adverse Environments Sleep Systems
• PDFTron
• Projjex Software Corporation
• Rainforest Automation
• REV - Rapid Electric Vehicles
• Veridae Systems
• Vineyard Networks
• Vossworks
• Woodscan Industries

Congrats to the Top 30!

If you missed the first three parts of this seriesm you can check them out here - part I, part II, and part III.

Stay tuned for part IV.

Stay tuned for parts III and IV.