Northern Demand For Angel Investment

Addressing Northern BC’s Investment Gap

Access to early-stage capital is one of the biggest challenges facing entrepreneurs in Northern BC. Despite the region’s strong entrepreneurial spirit and growing innovation ecosystem, many promising ventures struggle to secure the funding needed to scale. Traditional funding sources are often concentrated in urban centers, leaving Northern startups at a disadvantage when it comes to attracting investment.

The Northern Angel Summit (NAS) was created to bridge this gap by fostering a thriving Angel Investor network in the North. Through a structured program, NAS provides both entrepreneurs and investors with hands-on training, mentorship, and access to investment opportunity. Startups receive expert guidance on investment readiness, while investors gain practical experience in evaluating deals, conducting due diligence, and making informed investment decisions.

By increasing the flow of private capital into the region, NAS helps retain and grow high-potential businesses, strengthens the local economy, and ensures that Northern innovators have the resources they need to compete on a national and global scale. This initiative isn’t just about funding a single company—it’s about building long-term capacity, developing investor confidence, and creating a sustainable investment ecosystem in Northern BC.

PITCH

Become a Founder

INVEST

Become an Angel

PARTNER

Become a Sponsor

How It Works

Fueling Northern BC’s Innovation Ecosystem

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Application & Reviews

Entrepreneurs, and Angels apply for the program. Entrepreneurs are given the opportunity to connect with an investor before submitting.

Kickoff & Training

Founders and investors attend expert-led workshops.

Quarter-Final Pitches

24 companies are selected to pitch.

Semi-Finals

12 semi-finalists deliver 3-minute pitches to investors.

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Finalists Selection

The top 6 companies are selected and undergo further due diligence.

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Due Diligence

Due Diligence training is held; Investors collaborate with finalists for a deep evaluation.

The Summit Finale

The top 6 pitch live, and investors decide on an investment of up to $100,000.

Key Elements

  • Pre-pitch training workshop series for Visionary Founders
  • Due diligence training and mentorship for new Angel Investors
  • A structured mentorship program focused on investment-readiness and pitch practice
  • A series of curated pitching events for Angel Investors to network with Visionary Founders.
  • The public Summit Finale where 6 finalists will pitch for the Angel investment*

    *Our Angel investment goal for this year is $100,000.

Endorsements From The North

Driven by our culture of problem-solving, and shaped by the region’s diverse industries, Northern founders have a proven track record of building innovative companies with high-growth potential. Despite their ingenuity and resilience, many highlight the challenges of securing early-stage investment and facing more hurdles than their counterparts in larger urban centres. While investment capital exists, accessing it remains a critical challenge due to limited regional investor networks and a lack of structured opportunities for engagement. In the following testimonials, Northern founders share their experiences navigating these challenges and the critical need for initiatives like the Northern Angel Summit to strengthen the region’s investment landscape.

Deadwood Innovations, based in Fort St. James, British Columbia, has developed a proprietary wood densification process that transforms low-value timber into high-quality lumber, promoting sustainable forestry practices.

“Deadwood Innovations is a capital-intensive industrial hard-tech startup with a long development cycle. Commercializing new technologies in Northern BC brings unique challenges with financing first-of-a-kind due to lack of awareness with local investors. Programs like the Northern Angel Summit are vital in bridging this gap, connecting pre-commercial companies with creative risk-tolerant investors who recognize the region’s potential. Hubspace has been a strong advocate for startups, fostering a supportive innovation ecosystem. Launching initiatives like the Northern Angel Summit would create more opportunities for companies to engage investors, secure early-stage funding, and move from ideation to market.”

– Owen Miller, CEO, Founder of Deadwood Innovations

Open Waters Solar, based in Prince George, British Columbia, develops ultra-lightweight and durable solar panels with advanced composite materials, enabling integration into marine vessels and transportation applications for enhanced energy efficiency.

“Raising capital for our cleantech startup in Northern BC was challenging due to the lack of a dedicated network connecting local investors with emerging ventures. While interest in sustainable solutions exists, limited opportunities to engage made securing investment difficult. Programs like the Northern Angel Summit bridge this gap, offering startups like ours the opportunity to present our ideas to investors who understand the unique opportunities in our region. Had such an initiative existed earlier, we could have progressed faster. The Summit will accelerate investment and equip future startups with the connections and insights needed for growth.”

– Simon Angus, CEO, Founder of Open Waters Solar

Design Time, based in Prince George, British Columbia, has developed Stackd, a subscription-based software solution tailored for structural engineers. With automation, templating, and collaboration tools, Stackd optimizes workflows, boosts efficiency, and enhances revenue—accessible anytime, anywhere for seamless project execution.

“Design time Solutions inc. has created an enterprise resource plan (ERP) software as a service (SaaS) product; we are actively seeking opportunities to engage with investors and strengthen our approach to raising capital. What makes the Northern Angel Summit particularly valuable is its focus on creating a regional platform for startups to present their ideas and receive critical investment and feedback in a structured environment. For ERP SaaS companies like ours, having a direct pathway to investor networks would significantly enhance our ability to secure funding and scale effectively. Northern BC offers startups a unique environment to thrive, with innovative ideas emerging across industries. Providing startups with the tools and connections they need to succeed will ultimately benefit the entire Northern BC region.”

-Bruce Johnston, CEO, Founder of DesignTime