But what really goes on at the Venture Summit? Read on to find out what went down at this year's event.
The local pitches
Protecode (est. 2007)
Product: Automated licensing and copyright software.
Use of funds: Moving the company from
R&D-centric to sales and marketing-centric.
The ask: $2 million to $4 million
eSight (est. 2006)
Product: Wearable, Class 1 medical devices.
Use of funds: Support completion of product development and initial production.
The ask: $2 million
YOUiLabs (est. 2008)
Product: Next generation mobile software.
Use of funds: Customer engagement, support engineering and marketing.
The ask: $1 million to $2 million
PatientWay (est. 2009)
Product: Touch-screen check-in for hospitals.
Use of funds: Expand sales and marketing in Canada and U.S.
The ask: $1 million
Gazaro Inc. (est. 2009)
Product: E-commerce.
Use of funds: Marketing, business development, product extension, working capital.
The ask: $1 million
Zeebu Mobile Inc. (est. 2009)
Product: Mobile devices for children.
Use of funds: Hire staff, marketing
development, generate awareness.
The ask: $400,000
Out-of-town firms
Kitchener-Waterloo companies
Dejero Labs Inc. ($5 million)
Cine Flow ($2 million)
Client Outlook Inc. ($2 million)
Karos Health Inc. ($1 million)
Energent Inc. ($1.5-$2 million)
DossierView Inc. ($1 million)
Miovision Technologies Inc. ($2 million)
Other
SPARQ Systems Inc. (Kingston) ($2 million to $5 million)
Chinook MHD Corp. (Smiths Falls) ($1.5 million)
Segasist Technologies (Toronto) ($600,000)
Overheard at the OVS...
“This is a Darwinian business. And if you're not best in class, you won't attract our attention.”
“Understand the firm you're talking to and what sectors it invests in. Second, bring something that's highly differentiated. Finally, we respond to warm introductions – when you're plugged in to the right network, the you've got a chance.” — Kevin Talbot, BlackBerry Partners Fund
“A lot of people are looking for VC money, and we need to tell them to back up a bit. No one is going to give you a million dollars just for an idea.”
“Do your homework. Too often companies have come in for funding after doing a quick web search, and that's it.” — Kevin Carroll, Ontario Centres of Excellence
“You have to know who you're pitching to, and what they need. The management calibre of a company is extremely important to a strategic investor, and we look at those people as potential senior people within RIM.” — Phil Kurtz, Research In Motion
“Having a senior executive from a well-known technology company on your board is a great way to attract a VC's attention.”
— Michael Greeley, Flybridge Capital Partners
