MEDIA RELEASE – June 30, 2022
Northern Ontario Angels and the City of Greater Sudbury
Announce the Inaugural Venture North Conference – September 22, 2022 Sudbury, ON
Featuring Keynote Presentation by Dragon’s Den Manjit Minhas, Sponsored by KPMG
Northern Ontario Angels (NOA) and the City of Greater Sudbury announced today that they will be co-hosting the inaugural full-day business conference “#Venture North 2022” that will be held on Thursday September 22, 2022, at the Vale Cavern, Science North in Sudbury for Entrepreneurs and Investors.
“We are focused and committed to promoting economic development initiatives to support existing businesses, attract new businesses and promote entrepreneurship,” said the Mayor of Greater Sudbury. “Greater Sudbury is a competitive place to establish and grow a business, and this event will help accelerate business ideas in our community.”
With the support of the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation, the event is one not to be missed for any local entrepreneur or investor.
“Greater Sudbury is a community that embraces diversity, innovation and entrepreneurship and we continue to foster a robust entrepreneurship ecosystem,” said Lisa Demmer, Board Chair of the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation. “As a playground for entrepreneurs, Venture North is an opportunity to come together and discuss sound business ideas to promote investor readiness. We are excited to partner with Northern Ontario Angels to create a tangible opportunity to support entrepreneurs and businesses looking to scale.”
The Conference will consist of expert-led seminars, fireside chats, leadership, and multi-faced networking opportunities around angel investing. In addition, the day will include a speed pitch session and conclude with a keynote presentation by Manjit Minhas, sponsored by KPMG.
Ian Lane, Executive Director with the Northern Ontario Angels is pleased to be co-hosting this event. “We are delighted to be hosting Venture North 2022 in Greater Sudbury to showcase our region’s impressive entrepreneurial ecosystem and leading investor network. This event will attract new audiences and cast a spotlight on the immense innovative talent in Northern Ontario.”
MANJIT MINHAS shares business lessons with equal parts force and finesse. A judge on CBC’s Dragons’ Den for the past eight years, Minhas also runs the 10th largest brewery in the world—earning an excess of 220 million dollars last year alone. Her unprecedented success in a male-dominated field demolished stereotypes, surprised competitors, and cleared a path for entrepreneurs of every age and gender. In talks, she distills the hands-on entrepreneurial lessons of her success, showing audiences how they can embrace change, defy expectations, and incentivize disruption.
“KPMG is proud to be joining the inaugural Venture North conference as the Keynote Partner,” said Emily Mantle, KPMG Enterprise Partner. “We look forward to celebrating the innovative spirit of Northern Ontario businesses by participating in this innovative and multi-faceted convention.”
“At KPMG, we understand that businesses don’t stand still – they evolve. We are excited to connect with entrepreneurs and venture capitalists at Venture North, to welcome Manjit Minhas from the Dragons’ Den, and to facilitate seminars that teach you how to seize opportunities and navigate challenges — no matter the size and stage of your business or investing goals.”
Venture North Agenda and Tickets are available on the NOA website at https://www.northernontarioangels.ca/venture-north. Tickets are $100 plus HST, which includes the full day conference with Breakfast, Lunch, and a Cash Bar during the Networking Session.
Hotel room blocks are available at the Travelway Inn and Hilton Garden Inn. Call the Inn with the code provided.
Travelway Inn – (Code-339639) 1-800-461-4883
Hilton Garden Inn – (Code – Angels) 1-705-586-3001
Thank you to the City of Greater Sudbury, KPMG, Bereskin & Parr LLP, BDC, NORCAT, and the Sudbury Catalyst Fund for your sponsorships. Additional Sponsorship Levels are available for this Conference. Contact Kimberley Wahamaa-Deschenes, Operations & Events Manager, Northern Ontario Angels [email protected] 705-207-2658
Welcome to Venture North Video Clip with Executive Director Ian Lane https://youtu.be/IfOTPZqxCvU
NOA Top Angel Organization in North America – Northern Ontario Angels
Northern Ontario Angels was recently awarded as being the Top Angel Organization in North America and #1 in Canada. Since inception in 2009, Northern Ontario Angels has closed 465 deals worth a total of $663,781,700. Specifically, NOA Investors contributed $206,725,000, Entrepreneurs invested $139,973,000 plus $90,698,700 in Government and other funding, an additional $180,690,000 from conventional sources, and $45,445,000 from other Angel Groups. NOA entrepreneurs have created and maintained over 5,000 full time jobs across Northern Ontario. The non-profit organization is funded by FedNor and NOHFC and made up of a volunteer Board of Directors from across Northern Ontario, chaired by Donna Smith in Thunder Bay. The operations of NOA are led by NOA Executive Director Ian Lane who is supported by part-time consultants covering Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay, Timmins, Parry Sound/Muskoka, Thunder Bay, Kenora and the Far North. The consultants also recruit accredited angel investors to NOA.
The GSDC is the economic development arm of the City of Greater Sudbury, consisting of an 18-member volunteer board of directors, including City Councillors and the Mayor, and supported by City staff.
Working with the Director of Economic Development, the GSDC acts as a catalyst for economic development initiatives and supports the attraction, development and retention of business in the community. Board members represent various private and public sectors including mining supply and services, small and medium-sized enterprises, hospitality and tourism, finance and insurance, professional services, retail trade, and public administration.
For more information about economic development initiatives in Greater Sudbury, visit www.investsudbury.ca.
KPMG has been serving businesses in Sudbury and the surrounding area for over 86 years. We provide Audit, Tax and Advisory services to many of the public and private businesses, not-for profit and public-sector organizations in the region.
Our diverse practice in Sudbury ranges from the highly personalized services required by entrepreneurs, to the complex needs of organizations. We combine a multi-disciplinary approach with deep, practical, industry knowledge to help clients meet challenges and respond to opportunities.
Our KPMG Private Enterprise team is dedicated to working with private businesses ranging from entrepreneurs and family businesses to fast-growing companies. Our advisors understand what it takes for you to be successful at each stage of your business, whether you are looking to grow, or expand internationally, strengthen, or to exit your business.
For more information, visit www.kpmg.ca.
We look forward to seeing you at #VentureNorth2022.
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NOA Organization
Ian Lane, Executive Director
705-349-2324
