OTTAWA, CANADA – February 22, 2024 – Startup Canada is thrilled to announce that the National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) will be joining us as a Presenting Partner for our 2024 Startup Canada Tour. Incorporated in 2002, NACO is Canada’s professional association for 4000+ angel investors and the national umbrella for over 100 organizations, including angel groups, venture funds, family offices, incubators and accelerators. NACO members have invested $1.54 billion into more than 2,400 Canadian companies.
“Last year, on our inaugural Startup Canada Tour, we connected with entrepreneurs from across the country to come together, share ideas, and identify gaps and opportunities for change,” shares Kayla Isabelle, CEO of Startup Canada. “From Whitehorse to Halifax, entrepreneurs echoed the need for increased access and availability to funding resources and tools, especially women-identifying founders looking to start up and scale. We are excited to work with NACO to connect more early stage women-identifying entrepreneurs with angel investors, increase education around funding, as well as build spaces for founders to share their stories across this year’s national Tour stops.”
This year, Startup Canada Tour will touch down in four new Canadian cities – kicking off in Winnipeg on April 18, then stopping in Langley on May 15, Moncton on September 17, with a hybrid final stop in Kitchener-Waterloo on October 30. Attendees can expect inspiring keynotes, engaging panels, and actionable workshops on the Mainstage.
“Mobilizing angel capital so Canadian entrepreneurs have the resources they need to grow a successful and sustainable business is at the core of NACO’s mission. We are thrilled to be partnering with Startup Canada on their national Tour, amplifying our dedication to support and empower women entrepreneurs and investors at every stage of their journey,” states Claudio Rojas, NACO’s CEO. “Together, on the Startup Canada Tour, we’re helping to ignite the Canadian entrepreneurship ecosystem.”
Each stop will also feature expert advising through the Ask the Expert Lounge, connections with local and national support organizations, and curated networking and resource sharing. Entrepreneurs will also have the opportunity to participate in the Startup Global “Pop-up Pitch” Competition for the opportunity to win a cash prize of $3,000 and a spot in the Startup Global Pitch Competition Grand Finale in Kitchener-Waterloo, where they can compete for a $70,000 cash prize pool!
Early bird passes for Startup Canada Tour – are available now until March 28, 2024. Visit startupcanadatour.ca to learn more about Startup Canada Tour and purchase a pass for a stop near you!
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Media Contact
Jocelyn Courneya, Startup Canada
jocelyn.courneya@startupcan.ca
Startup Canada is the gateway to Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. We’re here to connect entrepreneurs with the support, community, and tools they need to build a successful business in Canada. Since our inception in 2012, Startup Canada has grown to support more than 130,000 entrepreneurs annually and has created an ever-growing grassroots community network from coast to coast to coast. Through our flagship and digital programs, we provide guidance, eliminate barriers, and champion the needs of each and every entrepreneur to private and public sector partners. Startup Canada supports entrepreneurs in starting up and scaling up to ultimately make Canada the best place to start and build a business. For more information, visit https://www.startupcan.ca/.