Nothing brings people together like supporting one another.
Our ability to rally for one another is a true testament to the strength of our community. Being a non-profit organization, we wouldn’t be successful without the support of our incredible partners and sponsors. Investment activities like the OKGN Angel Summit create an economic flywheel effect, supporting the growth of companies and communities.
This past March, we hosted the second annual OKGN Angel Summit, a program designed to bridge the gap between companies looking for growth capital and investors looking for investable companies. The 6 finalists pitched to an audience of community members and after almost an hour of deliberation, a winner was announced. Jason Richards, founder of the education-focused social platform Minga, took home the $155,000 investment.
In the end, we are all winners. Cliche, yes – but hear us out! In 2019, the inaugural Summit had a $130K investment for the winner, but it was also the catalyst for over $4M committed investments in participating companies. This year, 35 investors participated in the OKGN Angel Summit, creating a $155K investment fund. We have no doubt that this year’s summit will also have a significant impact on the OKGNtech community for years to come.
“We knew this Summit would be an amazing opportunity to connect local investors with local startups but we are blown away by the resounding impact of this project and overwhelmed by the amount of community support we have been able to attract” says Programs Manager, Jenna Stasuk.
“The big win is the companies and community coming together and to develop the Angel network here.” Jason, Minga.
It’s not only during flagship events that we realize the importance of community and collaboration. As a non-profit organization, partnerships play a significant role in our day-to-day operations.
We want to give a BIG Canadian thank you to BMO, Lawson Lundell, Maven Capital, Grant Thornton, Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission, City of Kelowna, BDC, Deloitte, Canadian Securities Exchange, and BDO.
These all-stars are investing in the future of #OKGNtech. Do you want in on the action? Connect with Alex.
Want to relive the excitement? Check out our photo album.
