N
orthern Ontario may be known for its rich natural resources, but it’s also rapidly gaining a reputation as a major player in Canada’s burgeoning innovation ecosystem.
At the heart of this growth are organizations like Northern Ontario Angels and NORCAT Innovation, two powerhouses that have joined forces to champion the region’s future. They have come together to create Venture North PITCH 2025, a platform where entrepreneurs and innovators can showcase their high-growth tech ventures and meet investors to ignite economic opportunities.
Venture North PITCH 2025 is being held on Thursday, October 2nd at College Boréal in Sudbury. More than 300 people are expected at the event.
For tickets visit the Norcat site or Northern Ontario Angels site.
Meet the Powerhouses Behind Innovation
For two decades, Northern Ontario Angels (NOA) has been a trusted bridge between bright ideas and the capital needed to bring them to life. As the Northern region’s premier angel investment group, NOA’s Executive Director Ian Lane says, “Our mission is to connect entrepreneurs with accredited investors who can fuel their growth. Our reach is vast, covering Parry Sound and Muskoka to Kenora. By collaborating with various partners, including four Regional Innovation Centres, we ensure no community is left behind in the innovation economy.”
As Sudbury’s Regional Innovation Centre, NORCAT Innovation supports early-stage tech startups and their founders by providing access to essential resources.
“At NORCAT Innovation, we are committed to helping startups access the resources, mentorship, and connections they need to thrive,” said Brendan Skiffington, Manager of NORCAT Innovation and Sudbury Catalyst Fund. “Venture North Pitch offers a platform for these innovators to showcase their ideas to potential investors, accelerating their business goals. Past winners’ success underscores our region’s immense talent and potential.”
Discover Venture North PITCH 2025
Last year for the first time, Northern Ontario Angels and NORCAT Innovation bound their services, which are mutually beneficial, to help their clients connect with investors by creating the Venture North PITCH event in Sudbury. Venture North PITCH 2025 is a catalyst for connection and growth in Northern Ontario’s innovation ecosystem. The evening begins with a presentation by the Ontario Securities Commission on the initiatives they are taking to encourage early-risk investment in the province.
The keynote speaker is Craig McLellan, Founder and CEO of Think On Inc, a Canadian data security company. McLellan will be sharing his insights about “Finding Sovereignty and Why it Matters,” focusing on the importance of why data sovereignty is crucial for Canadian companies.
Then, the networking opportunities begins with….
Presentations on the PITCH Stage
The innovators’ presentation on the PITCH Stage is a Dragon’s Den style pitch. The four companies making their pitch are technology companies that went through a competitive, open call process before being selected. Lane says, “NORCAT Innovation and their mentorship board along with NOA, selected companies that they felt were as close to being investor-ready as possible and those companies went through an investment boot camp to ensure they were prepared to make their pitches.”
The four finalists include,
- Korr AI – Developed TRAIL, an AI-powered co-worker for industrial monitoring and site operations, to help mines and infrastructure sites make better decisions to real-time data
- Myomar Molecular – A health diagnostics venture based in Halifax and relocating to Sudbury that has created Canada’s first urine-based test to track and manage muscle degeneration
- Triple Point Biologics – A biotech company producing consistent, ethical recombinant antibodies without the need for live animals in R&D
- E.X.I.T. Life Ready – A digital planning solution that offers Canadians peace of mind through a secure vault for end-of-life and estate planning
“The NORCAT Innovation Team has been working closely with each of the four finalists, pairing them with mentors to help sharpen their pitch and prepare for the stage this October. We’ve been impressed with their progress every step of the way,” explains Skiffington.
“This year’s overwhelming response showcased a remarkable range of talent that we are excited to share with you, reaffirming why Venture North PITCH remains a launchpad for regional innovation and bold new ventures.”
Following the presentations on the PITCH Stage, investors can meet the innovators in person. Ian Lane says, “There is a record of companies that have raised money on the spot from interested investors through this event. We provide the space for people to network. It’s an efficient way to help these companies get access to capital. They’re connecting to deploy capital very quickly.”
Celebrating success
Venture North PITCH 2025 is an open invitation to see the energy, creativity, and potential thriving in the North. It’s also a celebration of the remarkable success stories of Northern companies that are shaping industry and inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs. Ian Lane stresses, “It’s an exciting time for the region. It showcases the strength of Northern Ontario’s innovation economy and its limitless possibilities.”
Join Northern Ontario’s leading innovators and entrepreneurs in what promises to be an exciting evening that showcases Sudbury and Northern Ontario’s success stories.
For more information and tickets visit Northern Ontario Angels online or Norcat online here.