ACA Northwest Regional Meeting*

Networking Dinner (offsite)*

ACA Breakfast (RSVP)*

Location: The Edison

Inventure$ Registration**

Inventure$ Continental Breakfast**

ACA Education*

Inventure$ Opening Ceremony**

Location: Hall C/D

Inventure$ Programming**

NACO Content Stream

Location: Glenn Room

• As the World Gets Smaller, How do we Collaborate with Other Ecosystems ( 10:15 AM - 11 AM )

  We often don't think of how angel investors come to be, it's often resulting from founding and exiting a company. We'll discuss the journey from founder to funder and the lifecycle of investment.

  Speakers: Terry Rock, Platform Calgary; Joanne Fedeyko, Connection Silicon Valley;

• How to Build a Culture of Collaboration in our Ecosystem: Angels + Funds + Accelerators ( 11:15 AM - 12 PM )

  It is important to understand the various sources of capital available to entrepreneurs, including the difference between them and how to leverage them. Join us for a discussion around these different resources and how we can work to collaborate as funders in supporting entrepreneurs. 

  Speakers: Sean Sheppard, GrowthX; Tyl Van Toorn, Watershed Partners;

• Supporting Founders with More Than Just Capital (Investment Readiness, Growing Pains, Exits) ( 1:45 PM - 2:30 PM )

  We know capital is always on the top of mind, but when making an investment, there's a lot more support that is available from funders in terms of preparing for investments, advising on growth strategies, providing mentorship and support, and positioning for an exits - investments are more than just dollars, it's about the people.

  Speakers: David Gauthier, Natural Products Canada;  Steve Wandler, Metabridge;  Patrick Lor, Panache Ventures;

• Measuring Success: the Key Indicators to Follow As an Investor & Entrepreneur ( 2:45 PM - 3:30 PM )

  Everyone wants to be successful as an investor and entrepreneurs, but often the struggle is knowing how to assess and measure whether you're successful or not - how do you know? There are some key metrics and data that can and should be looked at to help gauge the current and future outlook of our ventures.

  Speakers: Kevin Brent, Bluesky Equities; Jasper J. Dikmans, FrontFundr;

• The Journey from Founder to Funder (Positive Circle of Entrepreneurship) ( 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM )

  We often don't think of how angel investors come to be, it's often resulting from founding and exiting a company. We'll discuss the journey from founder to funder and the lifecycle of investment.

  Speakers: Andrew Chau, Co-Founder Neo Financial, SkipTheDishes;

Inventure$ Lunch & Keynote

Location: Hall C/D

Leading Women of Angel Investment

Speakers: Rhiannon Davies; Shelley Kuiper, The 51;

NACO Investor/Entrepreneur Matchmaking (by invitation)

Startup of the Year Applicants

Location: Hall C/D

Welcome Reception Pre-Party sponsored by Valhalla

Location: Bank & Baron P.U.B.

NACO, ACA, and Valhalla guests are invited to join us for a VIP networking party after Day 1 of the World Angel Investment Summit, happening within Inventure$. This is a private welcome reception for WAIS attendees only. Help us kick-off the evening with crafted cocktails, appetizers, and networking before heading to the Inventure$ - Connect Alberta Factory Party!

Inventure$ - Connect Alberta Factory Party!

Summit Registration

Location: Macleod Hall Pre Function

Networking Buffet Breakfast

Location: Macleod Hall Pre Function/Macleod Hall C/D

Opening Remarks & Keynote

Location: Macleod Hall C/D

Speaker: Marcos Lopez, Solium

Concurrent Breakout Sessions:

1. INNOVATIVE FINANCING: How Do We Innovate the Way We Invest in Innovation? Sponsored by Lawcubator
   Speakers: Shelley Kuiper, The 51;  Ziad H. Moukheiber, Boston Harbor Angels;  Neeraj Gupta, Lawcubator;

2. INVESTING BEYOND CAPITAL: Managing the Success of Your Investments - Do You Have Influence?
   Speakers: Alex MacBeath, Island Capital Partners;

3. BUILDING RETURNS FOR THE NEXT DECADE: Global Landscapes - What's Happening Around the World?
   Speakers: Randy Thompson, Valhalla Private Capital; Charles Sidman, ECS Capital Partners;

Networking Break

Location: Macleod Hall Pre Function Space

Plenary: Collaborating Internationally & Building Networks for Investment

Location: Macleod Hall C/D

Speakers: Charles Sidman, ECS Capital Partners; Marianne Hudson, Angel Capital Association; Randy Thompson, Valhalla Private Capital;

Concurrent Breakout Sessions:

1. INNOVATIVE FINANCING: What Structures & Models Are Working? Not?
   Speakers: Kevin Brent, Bluesky Equities; Michael Palmer (FACILITATOR);

2. INVESTING BEYOND CAPITAL: How Can We Make Sure We're Getting Invited into the Best Deals & Not Just Getting Leftovers?
   Speakers: Patrick Lor, Panache Ventures; Gerry Pond;

3. BUILDING RETURNS FOR THE NEXT DECADE: The Investment Lifecycle - Understanding the Journey from Introduction to Exit
   Speakers: Jess Joss, York Angel Investors; Ian Bandeen; Peter Adams, Rockies Impact Fund;

Networking Buffet Lunch

Location: Macleod Hall Pre Function/Macleod Hall C/D

Keynote

Location: Macleod Hall C/D

Speaker: Rachel Mielke, Hillberg & Berk

Concurrent Breakout Sessions:

1. INNOVATIVE FINANCING: Investing Beyond Borders - Movement of Capital & Mitigating Your Risks
   Speakers: Fraser Lusty, Equity Gap; Hernan Fernandez, Angel Ventures Mexico; Peter Adams, Rockies Impact Fund;

2. INVESTING BEYOND CAPITAL: Investor Profile - What's Your Investor Personality & How Can You Add Meaningful Value to Your Companies?
   Speakers: Sean Sheppard, GrowthX;

3. BUILDING RETURNS FOR THE NEXT DECADE: Reality of Returns - What are the Stats & Who's Making Money (or Not)?
   Speakers: Kristina Milke, Valhalla Private Capital; Michael Palmer;

Networking Break

Location: Macleod Hall Pre Function Space

Plenary: Unicorns of 2025 - What Do They Look Like?

Location: Macleod Hall C/D

Concurrent Breakout Sessions:

1. INNOVATIVE FINANCING: Assessing Innovations for Returns - Due Diligence
   Speakers: Peter Adams, Rockies Impact Fund;

2. INVESTING BEYOND CAPITAL: Investing from Afar - How to Support & Manage Your Portfolio Companies Globally, Sponsored by OKR Financial
   Speakers: Luke Krueger, Valhalla Private Capital; Wes Mills, OKR Financial;

3. BUILDING RETURNS FOR THE NEXT DECADE: Changing Investment Landscapes & How Investors Keep Up
   Speakers: Ed Alfke, Climate Smart Group;

Pre Gala & Awards Cocktail Reception

Location: Macleod Hall Pre-Function Space

Gala Awards Dinner, Sponsored by Alberta Innovates

Location: Macleod Hall C/D

Keynote: Bruce Croxon, Round13, The Disruptors

Celebrating the Startup of the Year, Exit of the Year, and Angel Investor of the Year

Entertainment & Networking

Location: Macleod Hall C/D

Summit Registration

Location: Macleod Hall Pre Function

Networking Buffet Breakfast

Location: Macleod Hall Pre Function/Macleod Hall C/D

Keynote: Investing with a Strategy and Building Portfolio Returns

Location: Macleod Hall C/D

Speaker: Colin Mason, Adam Smith School, University of Glasgow, Scotland

Concurrent Breakout Sessions:

1. ANGEL INVESTMENT BASICS:

   • Reality of Returns: Making the Most of Your Success

   • Learning from Failure

     Speakers: Ziad H. Moukheiber, Boston Harbor Angels;

   • Investing in Technology Startups

     Speakers: Karen Grant, Angel One Investor Network; Pierre Chadi, Anges Quebec;

2. ANGEL FUNDS:

   • Assessing Various Funds - Where Do I Invest?

     Speakers: Patrick Lor, Panache Ventures;

   • Using Angel Funds to Build Networks

     Speakers: Alex MacBeath, Island Capital Partners; Rhiannon Davies;

   • Best Practices

     Speakers: Joe Canavan, NEXT Canada;

3. SUPER ANGELS:

   • Selecting / Managing Portfolios – Varying Thesis’

   • Engineering Exits

     Speakers: Randy Thompson, Valhalla Private Capital;

   • Building High Value Networks of Peers

     Speakers: Yuri Navarro, Panache International;

4. ACCELERATORS & INCUBATORS:

   • Supporting Investor Readiness vs Pitching

   • Valuations & Other Metrics

   • Best Practices

Networking Break

Location: Macleod Hall Pre Function Space

NACO Feedback & Engagement Session with Claudio Rojas, CEO NACO

Keynote

Location: Macleod Hall C/D

Speaker: Hans Knapp, Yaletown Partners

Summit Close & Thank You

Location: Macleod Hall C/D

Networking Buffet Lunch

Location: Macleod Hall Pre Function/Macleod Hall C/D

NACO Academy - 2 Options (Additional Registration Required)

Option One: NACO Academy: How to Launch an Angel Fund sponsored by Clark Wilson

There is an increasing trend to pool angel investment money into funds that address the need to diversify Angel investor portfolios and to enable a lower threshold for smaller and/or newer Angel investors into the market. In response to this trend this module was developed to cover the components and considerations when setting up an Angel Fund, the operations of a fund and potential issues or challenges.

Instructor: Pieter Dorsman

Option Two: NACO Academy: Adding Value Through Due Diligence

Effective due diligence (DD) is one of the most important parts of angel investing. This module introduces students to the key investigations that will uncover major risk factors and potential deal-breakers. The module emphasizes how to identify the most critical information, the risks of not knowing it, and the methods and costs of getting it. Students will learn what it takes to mitigate the risk of investment by validating a market opportunity, a management team, and a plan. They will be introduced to a disciplined investigation approach that systematically examines sources of risk, and establishes the basis for a productive and trusting relationship with the entrepreneur.

Instructor: Kirk Hamilton