• ENTREPRENEURS

    Support for Entrepreneurs

    Whether you are starting out or scaling up, we have resources, in-house experts, and accelerator programs for entrepreneurs who are ready to grow.

    APPLY NOW
    • Startup Basics

      Startup Basics is a self-led online program. Each module is designed to teach entrepreneurial fundamentals needed to transform an idea into a startup.

      GET STARTED
    • Venture Validation

      Venture Validation is a 3-month startup intensive. It is designed to teach rapid validation, iteration, and development to early-stage entrepreneurs.

      GET CONNECTED
    • Market Ready

      Market Ready is a 3-month intensive design to teach entrepreneurs go-to-market strategy, how to connect with potential customers, and effective product positioning.

      Learn to Launch
    • Fundable

      Fundable is an 8-week capital-focused program. It is designed for entrepreneurs who want to increase their understanding of capital-raising pathways and prepare to be investable.

      CAPITAL READY
    • Angel Summit

      The Okanagan Angel Summit is an 8-week pitch program designed to educate investors and startups on the investment process through participation. It culminates in a public finale where an investment of up to $200K is placed.

      Get Invested
    • ThreeSixty

      Customized engagement to prepare startups for raising a Seed to Series A investment round. ThreeSixty dives deep into growth and risk management, team development, and financial models.

      Prepare to Raise
    • AccelerateIP

      AccelerateIP is an integrated, three-stream, Intellectual Property capacity-building program. Focused on helping startups protect, manage, and leverage their intellectual property.

      PROTECT YOUR IP
  • Members

    Membership Means More

    Get plugged into the Okanagan tech community with Accelerate Okanagan’s membership. Membership is designed to provide resources and support for companies with perks for the founders and employees.

    Become A Member
    • Member Network

      Get to know the companies in the OKGNtech ecosystem. Our member network is made up of tech companies, innovative businesses, and support organizations.

      Explore the Network
    • Partners

      These organizations are investing their time and dollars into AO and OKGNtech. Meet our core funders, partners, and patrons who help us deliver on our mission to give entrepreneurs the mentorship, connections, and community they need to thrive.

      Meet Our Partners
    • Company Membership

      Company Membership is for all companies building a business, service, or product. Members can access the resume bank, job board, member library, perks, and discounts to Accelerate Okanagan events.

      Explore the Benefits
    • Supporter Membership

      Supporter Membership is for all organizations and institutions that are supporting entrepreneurs. Members can access the resume bank, job board, member library, perks, and discounts to Accelerate Okanagan events.

      Explore the Benefits
  • Jobs

    Employ Your Potential

    No matter what your business is focused on, people are at the heart of it. The OKGNtech Job Board and Resume Bank make it easy to access the best of the best.

    VIEW Job Board
    • VIEW JOBS

      Our Job Board showcases available open positions from businesses within the Okanagan tech community. Use it to find your next career or showcase your next opportunity.

      Open Positions
    • Post a Job

      Finding and recruiting the right talent is critical for any growing business. Have a job opening you need to fill? Share it with the community by posting it on our Job Board.

      Post a Job
    • Post a Resume

      Looking to share your resume? Upload it to our Resume Bank! All Accelerate Okanagan members have exclusive access to review your resume from there.

      Accelerate Your Career
  • Events

    Time Well Spent

    There is always something happening in the OKGNtech community. Keep an eye on the Accelerate Okanagan events calendar for the latest in workshops, networking events, and conferences.

    Events Calendar
  • Workspaces

    Working The Okanagan Way

    Building a strong community, meeting like-minded people, and access to free coffee are just a few of the benefits of choosing to use Accelerate Okanagan’s coworking spaces.

    Find A Workspace
    • Tenancy / Kelowna

      Rent a dedicated desk with OKGNworks, a shared workspace located on the second floor of the Kelowna Innovation Centre. This space is purposefully designed with an open floor plan to create collisions and connections for tenants.

      JOIN OKGNWORKS
    • Meeting Rooms / Kelowna

      Looking for a meeting space in downtown Kelowna? OKGNworks has a variety of rooms available for rent. Each meeting room comes with the resources and space needed to facilitate large and small groups and are available at flexible rates.

      BOOK A MEETING SPACE
    • Tenancy / Vernon

      The Vernon Innovation & Entrepreneur Workspace (The VIEW) is a home base for innovators and entrepreneurs in the North Okanagan. This shared workspace allows for flexible rentals of dedicated desks, private offices, and part-time options.

      Explore The VIEW
    • Meeting Rooms / Vernon

      Rent a meeting room in downtown Vernon at The VIEW. The Vernon Innovation & Entrepreneur Workspace (The VIEW) offers a diverse selection of spaces available to rent for large or small team meetings at hourly, half-day or full-day rates.

      BOOK A MEETING ROOM
  • ENTREPRENEURS

    Back

    Support for Entrepreneurs

    Whether you are starting out or scaling up, we have resources, in-house experts, and accelerator programs for entrepreneurs who are ready to grow.

    APPLY NOW
    • Startup Basics

      Startup Basics is a self-led online program. Each module is designed to teach entrepreneurial fundamentals needed to transform an idea into a startup.

      GET STARTED
    • Venture Validation

      Venture Validation is a 3-month startup intensive. It is designed to teach rapid validation, iteration, and development to early-stage entrepreneurs.

      GET CONNECTED
    • Market Ready

      Market Ready is a 3-month intensive design to teach entrepreneurs go-to-market strategy, how to connect with potential customers, and effective product positioning.

      Learn to Launch
    • Fundable

      Fundable is an 8-week capital-focused program. It is designed for entrepreneurs who want to increase their understanding of capital-raising pathways and prepare to be investable.

      CAPITAL READY
    • Angel Summit

      The Okanagan Angel Summit is an 8-week pitch program designed to educate investors and startups on the investment process through participation. It culminates in a public finale where an investment of up to $200K is placed.

      Get Invested
    • ThreeSixty

      Customized engagement to prepare startups for raising a Seed to Series A investment round. ThreeSixty dives deep into growth and risk management, team development, and financial models.

      Prepare to Raise
    • AccelerateIP

      AccelerateIP is an integrated, three-stream, Intellectual Property capacity-building program. Focused on helping startups protect, manage, and leverage their intellectual property.

      PROTECT YOUR IP
  • Members

    Back

    Membership Means More

    Get plugged into the Okanagan tech community with Accelerate Okanagan’s membership. Membership is designed to provide resources and support for companies with perks for the founders and employees.

    Become A Member
    • Member Network

      Get to know the companies in the OKGNtech ecosystem. Our member network is made up of tech companies, innovative businesses, and support organizations.

      Explore the Network
    • Partners

      These organizations are investing their time and dollars into AO and OKGNtech. Meet our core funders, partners, and patrons who help us deliver on our mission to give entrepreneurs the mentorship, connections, and community they need to thrive.

      Meet Our Partners
    • Company Membership

      Company Membership is for all companies building a business, service, or product. Members can access the resume bank, job board, member library, perks, and discounts to Accelerate Okanagan events.

      Explore the Benefits
    • Supporter Membership

      Supporter Membership is for all organizations and institutions that are supporting entrepreneurs. Members can access the resume bank, job board, member library, perks, and discounts to Accelerate Okanagan events.

      Explore the Benefits
  • Jobs

    Back

    Employ Your Potential

    No matter what your business is focused on, people are at the heart of it. The OKGNtech Job Board and Resume Bank make it easy to access the best of the best.

    VIEW Job Board
    • VIEW JOBS

      Our Job Board showcases available open positions from businesses within the Okanagan tech community. Use it to find your next career or showcase your next opportunity.

      Open Positions
    • Post a Job

      Finding and recruiting the right talent is critical for any growing business. Have a job opening you need to fill? Share it with the community by posting it on our Job Board.

      Post a Job
    • Post a Resume

      Looking to share your resume? Upload it to our Resume Bank! All Accelerate Okanagan members have exclusive access to review your resume from there.

      Accelerate Your Career
  • Events

    Back

    Time Well Spent

    There is always something happening in the OKGNtech community. Keep an eye on the Accelerate Okanagan events calendar for the latest in workshops, networking events, and conferences.

    Events Calendar
  • Workspaces

    Back

    Working The Okanagan Way

    Building a strong community, meeting like-minded people, and access to free coffee are just a few of the benefits of choosing to use Accelerate Okanagan’s coworking spaces.

    Find A Workspace
    • Tenancy / Kelowna

      Rent a dedicated desk with OKGNworks, a shared workspace located on the second floor of the Kelowna Innovation Centre. This space is purposefully designed with an open floor plan to create collisions and connections for tenants.

      JOIN OKGNWORKS
    • Meeting Rooms / Kelowna

      Looking for a meeting space in downtown Kelowna? OKGNworks has a variety of rooms available for rent. Each meeting room comes with the resources and space needed to facilitate large and small groups and are available at flexible rates.

      BOOK A MEETING SPACE
    • Tenancy / Vernon

      The Vernon Innovation & Entrepreneur Workspace (The VIEW) is a home base for innovators and entrepreneurs in the North Okanagan. This shared workspace allows for flexible rentals of dedicated desks, private offices, and part-time options.

      Explore The VIEW
    • Meeting Rooms / Vernon

      Rent a meeting room in downtown Vernon at The VIEW. The Vernon Innovation & Entrepreneur Workspace (The VIEW) offers a diverse selection of spaces available to rent for large or small team meetings at hourly, half-day or full-day rates.

      BOOK A MEETING ROOM

5 Reason Why You Shouldn’t Apply for the OKGN Angel Summit and Why You Should Do It Anyway

Blog January 1, 2019

Posted by CREW

5 Reason Why You Shouldn’t Apply for the OKGN Angel Summit and Why You Should Do It Anyway Featured Image

Are you thinking about or in the process of preparing to raise capital? Do you want to build relationships with local investors? We’ve got just the thing for you!

We get it and you are not alone. One of the biggest challenges facing entrepreneurs is money. Accessing growth capital, securing investments, and generating revenue are issues that plague startup and growth-stage businesses alike.

 What is the OKGN Angel Summit? Good questions. The OKGN Angel Summit is an investor-led program designed to expose accredited investors to the world of angel investing through a guided, hands-on process where a small venture capital fund is raised, deals are screened, and an actual investment in a startup is made at the end of the 11 week series. Companies can apply for a chance to participate.

The culmination is a public event (Thursday, April 11, 2019) where 6 finalists make their pitch to an audience of community members, and the winner is awarded an investment of up to $150K from the fund. That’s right, $150K. The deadline for companies to apply to participate in the summit is next Friday, January 18th.

Before you throw in the towel, give us a chance to debunk some of the reasons you may have for sitting this one out. Seriously, learn and win or learn, learn, learn – there is no downside to applying to the OKGN Angel Summit (did we mention the deadline is January 18th?).

1. I AM NOT READY

Oh yes you are! Part of the OKGN Angel Summit’s process is learning from the group about how to grow your company effectively and efficiently. Through the process you will get feedback, identify blind spots, learn how to refine your pitch, optimise your business model, and create a roadmap for how your company is going to scale.  You can be pre-revenue or post-revenue. What investors are looking for great ideas and scalable business models.

2. MY COMPANY IS NOT A TECH COMPANY

No problem! The OKGN Angel Summit is industry agnostic so all industry applicants are welcome. Like we said, what investors are looking for great ideas and scalable business models.

3. I DON’T WANT TO LOSE

Honestly, you can’t lose. Even if you don’t leave with the big cheque you are still winning. Over the 11 weeks leading up the the finale you will have expanded your network, gained valuable feedback, and built quality relationships with investors. There is so much value in just going through the process. Seriously, can you think of anywhere else you could get access to multiple active investors, all willing and wanting to learn how to invest into your company?

4. I’M NOT A PEOPLE PERSON

We get that but part of being an entrepreneur is taking risks and putting yourself out there and that means building relationships and expanding your network. The purpose of the summit is to create experienced investors in the Okanagan that are geographically close to the companies they are investing in. This builds stronger connections between the investors and founders and also increases your ability to receive mentorship and guidance. It sounds like a win-win-win because it is.  

5. FEEDBACK IS HARD

You’re right. It is also a critical part of scaling a business and accessing capital. Investors will conduct a broad and in-depth review of your application and business. They will offer a detailed analysis of strengths and weakness and how to de-risk your venture. Even if you don’t make it to the final 6 having feedback from 20+ business minds is a huge opportunity to move your business forward.

Still feeling unsure whether you’re a fit for the OKGN Angel Summit?

I will be available to answer questions and help you with the application during my open office hours all next week. Please stop by our office on the 2nd floor of the Innovation Centre or connect with me directly.

My Open Office Hours:
Monday the 14th at 3:00 pm – 4.30 pm
Tuesday 15th at 3:00 pm – 4.30 pm
Wednesday 16th at 3:00 pm – 4.30 pm
Friday 18th at 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

OKGN Angel Summit Company Application Form

More on the OKGN Angel Summit

>>> OKGN Angel Summit | Calling all Companies  

>>> OKGN Angel Summit | Calling all Investors

>>> John Sechrest – Sparking the Flame of Angel Investing in the Northwest   



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