Latest news with #NACOSummit
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
$190M Raised: Canada's Top 20 Moonshot Ventures™ of 2025 Unveiled After Closed-Door NACO Showcase
Canada's most promising early-stage companies officially unveiled today following a closed-door showcase at the NACO Summit, with ventures spanning AI, cleantech, healthtech, and space. OTTAWA, Ontario, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) today unveiled Canada's Top 20 Moonshot Ventures™ of 2025—emerging companies led by bold entrepreneurs building transformative solutions across sectors. These ventures were selected through a rigorous, member-driven process. NACO invited its 100 member organizations—Canada's leading angel groups, incubators, accelerators and early-stage venture capital funds—to each nominate one high-potential company. From this curated pool, 23 ventures were selected by NACO's investment committee to take the Moonshots Stage™ at a closed-door NACO showcase held at the National Arts Centre during NACO Summit 2025. The audience featured top-tier angel investors, venture capitalists, and senior corporate leaders. 'Ontario's future depends on entrepreneurs, risk takers, and the investors who believe in them' said Premier Doug Ford, 'That's what makes events like this so important. As we face global economic uncertainty, Ontario's innovators are leading the way, building new companies and creating jobs.' Collectively, the selected Moonshots companies have raised over $190 million to date. They represent the future of Canadian innovation—driving breakthroughs in AI, cleantech, healthtech, space, deeptech, consumer products, and more. Founders hailed from across the country, with companies based in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia. The 2025 Moonshots cohort includes founders from diverse backgrounds, sectors, and regions—reflecting the inclusive strength and geographic breadth of Canada's innovation economy. 'These founders represent the bold ideas, entrepreneurial drive, and global ambition within Canada's innovation economy,' said Claudio Rojas, CEO of NACO. 'The Moonshots Venture Showcase is designed to elevate the country's most promising ventures by connecting them with the capital and networks they need to scale. We are proud to spotlight these exceptional companies as they take bold steps toward transformative growth and impact.'Photo available for download with caption (Julie Angus, Founder and CEO, Open Ocean Robotics on Moonshots Stage at NACO Summit): Top 20 Moonshots Stage™ Ventures of 2025 Organized by sector and listed alphabetically AI & Next Gen Computing Dreamwell AI — Co-Founder and CEO Kazzy Khazaal (Nominated by Panache Ventures) Inner Logic — Co-Founder and CEO Bryce Tully (Nominated by Maple Leaf Angels) AI & Bioelectronics Panaxium — Founder and CEO Brad Schmidt (Nominated by Brampton Angels / Altitude Accelerator) Cleantech BluWave-ai — Founder and CEO Devashish Paul (Nominated by Capital Angel Network) Evercloak — Co-Founder and CEO Evelyn Allen (Nominated by Capital Angel Network) Cleantech & Trade PemPem — Founder and CEO Joann de Zegher (Nominated by Anges Quebec) Consumer Packaged Goods & Retail The Little Cacao Co. — Founder and CEO Suzie Yorke (Nominated by Maple Leaf Angels) Enterprise, Software, & Deeptech Cinareo — Co-Founder and CEO Karen Elliott (Nominated by SheBoot) Depix AI — Founder and CEO Philip Lunn (Nominated by TandemLaunch) H2 Analytics — Founder and CEO Hugo Hodgett (Nominated by Invest Ottawa) Healthtech & Biotech Arbutus Medical — Founder and CEO Lawrence Buchan (Nominated by ThresholdImpact) Hyivy Health — Founder and CEO Rachel Bartholomew (Nominated by Women's Equity Lab) JVP Labs — Founder and CEO Paul Weber (Nominated by Golden Triangle Angel Network) mDetect — Founder and CDO Dr. Irsa Wiginton (Nominated by KNDL, Kingston Economic Development Corporation) MedInclude — Founder and CEO Seun Adetunji (Nominated by Communitech) Sparrow Bio — Founder and VP Rachel Collier (Nominated by The Firehood) Zilia — Founder and CEO Dr. Patrick Sauvageau (Nominated by Anges Quebec) Insurtech, Femtech, & AI Flora Fertility — Co-Founder and CEO Laura McDonald (Nominated by Highline Beta) Robotics, IoT, and Hardware Solace Power — Founder, COO and CFO Colin Ryan Space, Mining, and Oceans Mission Control Space Services — Founder and CEO Ewan Reid (Nominated by GreenSky President's Club) Open Ocean Robotics — Founder and CEO Julie Angus (Nominated by Spring Activator) Supply Chain / Inventory Management Moselle — Founder and CEO Lakhveer Jajj (Nominated by Highline Beta, Angel One Investor Network) Travel & Media The Hotel Communication Network — Founder and CEO Kevin Bidner (Nominated by Keiretsu Forum Canada) About the Nominating Organizations Canada's Top 20 Moonshots Ventures™ of 2025 are shaped by the insight and leadership of NACO's national member network. These organizations—spanning angel groups, accelerators, incubators, and innovation hubs—play a vital role in identifying Canada's most promising early-stage ventures. Each year, members are invited to nominate one high-potential Seed or Series A company they believe is ready for scale. This peer-driven process creates a national filter rooted in trust, experience, and proximity to innovation on the ground. The result is a curated group of ventures with strong traction, compelling leadership, and global ambition—brought together to engage with the country's most sophisticated investors at the Moonshots Venture Showcase. Photos of Top 20 Moonshots Ventures of 2025 available for download (captions in file name): About the Moonshots Stage™ Launched in 2022, the Moonshots Stage™ is Canada's premier platform for investment-ready Seed and Series A ventures. Unlike traditional pitch events, this showcase puts storytelling front and center—each founder delivers a personal, TED-style presentation designed to spark connection and catalyze opportunity with one of the most curated investor audiences in the country. Selected companies join the Moonshots Alumni Network™, a national peer community of ventures recognized for innovation, ambition, and global potential. It is a key pillar of NACO Summit, Canada's most exclusive gathering of early-stage investors and innovation leaders. Learn more at Media Contact: media@ / About National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) Established in 2002, NACO is Canada's professional association representing over 4,000 angel investors, serving as the national umbrella for more than 100 member organizations—including angel groups, venture funds, incubators, and accelerators. Collectively, NACO members have invested more than CAD $1.8 billion into over 2,000 Canadian ventures. Angel investors are individuals and funds deploying capital at the earliest stages of growth. They include limited partners (LPs) investing in venture funds, family offices backing pre-seed and seed-stage ventures, and individuals investing directly or through angel groups. High-growth companies backed by angel investment that went on to achieve significant global scale include Slack (British Columbia), Verafin (Newfoundland and Labrador), Wealthsimple (Ontario), Hopper (Québec), and Jobber and Neo Financial (Alberta). Recent standouts include CoLab (NL) and 7shifts (Saskatchewan). These successes illustrate how angel investment drives Canada's pipeline of innovative ventures, fueling future global success stories. Learn more at For media inquiries, contact: Claudio Rojas, CEO, National Angel Capital OrganizationEmail: media@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
$190M Raised: Canada's Top 20 Moonshot Ventures™ of 2025 Unveiled After Closed-Door NACO Showcase
Canada's most promising early-stage companies officially unveiled today following a closed-door showcase at the NACO Summit, with ventures spanning AI, cleantech, healthtech, and space. OTTAWA, Ontario, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) today unveiled Canada's Top 20 Moonshot Ventures™ of 2025—emerging companies led by bold entrepreneurs building transformative solutions across sectors. These ventures were selected through a rigorous, member-driven process. NACO invited its 100 member organizations—Canada's leading angel groups, incubators, accelerators and early-stage venture capital funds—to each nominate one high-potential company. From this curated pool, 23 ventures were selected by NACO's investment committee to take the Moonshots Stage™ at a closed-door NACO showcase held at the National Arts Centre during NACO Summit 2025. The audience featured top-tier angel investors, venture capitalists, and senior corporate leaders. 'Ontario's future depends on entrepreneurs, risk takers, and the investors who believe in them' said Premier Doug Ford, 'That's what makes events like this so important. As we face global economic uncertainty, Ontario's innovators are leading the way, building new companies and creating jobs.' Collectively, the selected Moonshots companies have raised over $190 million to date. They represent the future of Canadian innovation—driving breakthroughs in AI, cleantech, healthtech, space, deeptech, consumer products, and more. Founders hailed from across the country, with companies based in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia. The 2025 Moonshots cohort includes founders from diverse backgrounds, sectors, and regions—reflecting the inclusive strength and geographic breadth of Canada's innovation economy. 'These founders represent the bold ideas, entrepreneurial drive, and global ambition within Canada's innovation economy,' said Claudio Rojas, CEO of NACO. 'The Moonshots Venture Showcase is designed to elevate the country's most promising ventures by connecting them with the capital and networks they need to scale. We are proud to spotlight these exceptional companies as they take bold steps toward transformative growth and impact.'Photo available for download with caption (Julie Angus, Founder and CEO, Open Ocean Robotics on Moonshots Stage at NACO Summit): Top 20 Moonshots Stage™ Ventures of 2025 Organized by sector and listed alphabetically AI & Next Gen Computing Dreamwell AI — Co-Founder and CEO Kazzy Khazaal (Nominated by Panache Ventures) Inner Logic — Co-Founder and CEO Bryce Tully (Nominated by Maple Leaf Angels) AI & Bioelectronics Panaxium — Founder and CEO Brad Schmidt (Nominated by Brampton Angels / Altitude Accelerator) Cleantech BluWave-ai — Founder and CEO Devashish Paul (Nominated by Capital Angel Network) Evercloak — Co-Founder and CEO Evelyn Allen (Nominated by Capital Angel Network) Cleantech & Trade PemPem — Founder and CEO Joann de Zegher (Nominated by Anges Quebec) Consumer Packaged Goods & Retail The Little Cacao Co. — Founder and CEO Suzie Yorke (Nominated by Maple Leaf Angels) Enterprise, Software, & Deeptech Cinareo — Co-Founder and CEO Karen Elliott (Nominated by SheBoot) Depix AI — Founder and CEO Philip Lunn (Nominated by TandemLaunch) H2 Analytics — Founder and CEO Hugo Hodgett (Nominated by Invest Ottawa) Healthtech & Biotech Arbutus Medical — Founder and CEO Lawrence Buchan (Nominated by ThresholdImpact) Hyivy Health — Founder and CEO Rachel Bartholomew (Nominated by Women's Equity Lab) JVP Labs — Founder and CEO Paul Weber (Nominated by Golden Triangle Angel Network) mDetect — Founder and CDO Dr. Irsa Wiginton (Nominated by KNDL, Kingston Economic Development Corporation) MedInclude — Founder and CEO Seun Adetunji (Nominated by Communitech) Sparrow Bio — Founder and VP Rachel Collier (Nominated by The Firehood) Zilia — Founder and CEO Dr. Patrick Sauvageau (Nominated by Anges Quebec) Insurtech, Femtech, & AI Flora Fertility — Co-Founder and CEO Laura McDonald (Nominated by Highline Beta) Robotics, IoT, and Hardware Solace Power — Founder, COO and CFO Colin Ryan Space, Mining, and Oceans Mission Control Space Services — Founder and CEO Ewan Reid (Nominated by GreenSky President's Club) Open Ocean Robotics — Founder and CEO Julie Angus (Nominated by Spring Activator) Supply Chain / Inventory Management Moselle — Founder and CEO Lakhveer Jajj (Nominated by Highline Beta, Angel One Investor Network) Travel & Media The Hotel Communication Network — Founder and CEO Kevin Bidner (Nominated by Keiretsu Forum Canada) About the Nominating Organizations Canada's Top 20 Moonshots Ventures™ of 2025 are shaped by the insight and leadership of NACO's national member network. These organizations—spanning angel groups, accelerators, incubators, and innovation hubs—play a vital role in identifying Canada's most promising early-stage ventures. Each year, members are invited to nominate one high-potential Seed or Series A company they believe is ready for scale. This peer-driven process creates a national filter rooted in trust, experience, and proximity to innovation on the ground. The result is a curated group of ventures with strong traction, compelling leadership, and global ambition—brought together to engage with the country's most sophisticated investors at the Moonshots Venture Showcase. Photos of Top 20 Moonshots Ventures of 2025 available for download (captions in file name): About the Moonshots Stage™ Launched in 2022, the Moonshots Stage™ is Canada's premier platform for investment-ready Seed and Series A ventures. Unlike traditional pitch events, this showcase puts storytelling front and center—each founder delivers a personal, TED-style presentation designed to spark connection and catalyze opportunity with one of the most curated investor audiences in the country. Selected companies join the Moonshots Alumni Network™, a national peer community of ventures recognized for innovation, ambition, and global potential. It is a key pillar of NACO Summit, Canada's most exclusive gathering of early-stage investors and innovation leaders. Learn more at Media Contact: media@ / About National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) Established in 2002, NACO is Canada's professional association representing over 4,000 angel investors, serving as the national umbrella for more than 100 member organizations—including angel groups, venture funds, incubators, and accelerators. Collectively, NACO members have invested more than CAD $1.8 billion into over 2,000 Canadian ventures. Angel investors are individuals and funds deploying capital at the earliest stages of growth. They include limited partners (LPs) investing in venture funds, family offices backing pre-seed and seed-stage ventures, and individuals investing directly or through angel groups. High-growth companies backed by angel investment that went on to achieve significant global scale include Slack (British Columbia), Verafin (Newfoundland and Labrador), Wealthsimple (Ontario), Hopper (Québec), and Jobber and Neo Financial (Alberta). Recent standouts include CoLab (NL) and 7shifts (Saskatchewan). These successes illustrate how angel investment drives Canada's pipeline of innovative ventures, fueling future global success stories. Learn more at For media inquiries, contact: Claudio Rojas, CEO, National Angel Capital OrganizationEmail: media@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Day After Canada Votes, 500 Innovation Leaders Gather to Chart the Country's Economic Future
NACO Summit 2025 | April 29–30 | National Arts Centre, Ottawa, ON NACO Summit backdrop of Nation's Capital OTTAWA, Ontario, April 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On April 29, the morning after Canada's federal election, over 500 entrepreneurs, investors, job creators, and innovation leaders from across Canada will convene directly across from Parliament Hill for the NACO Summit 2025 at Ottawa's iconic National Arts Centre. This is the first major national gathering of Canada's entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem immediately following the federal election, marking a pivotal moment for reflection and opportunity. What: NACO Summit 2025 is a two-day national conference featuring Canada's most influential voices in innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development. When & Where: April 29–30, 2025 National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON Media check-in opens at 8:00 AM, April 29 (Media access: 8:00–11:00 AM) Why It Matters: With a new federal government starting its mandate, the summit will highlight bold ideas and collaborative strategies to shape Canada's economic future. Timely discussion immediately after the federal election Venue strategically located opposite Parliament Hill Policy roundtables, fireside chats with prominent national leaders, and showcases of angel-backed ventures Moonshots showcase featuring 20 high-growth Canadian companies collectively raising over $160M Media Opportunities: A dedicated backdrop and designated area will be available for media. Media access limited to 8:00–11:00 AM on April 29. Please note, due to logistical constraints, interviews with speakers or attendees cannot be guaranteed. Visual and multimedia opportunities capturing Canada's innovation community within a landmark venue. Event Agenda: Full agenda available at: To Attend: Request media accreditation: Media Inquiries: media@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Morning After Federal Election, Canada's Top Innovation Leaders Converge at NACO Summit in Ottawa
National Angel Capital Organization's landmark NACO Summit unites 500 of Canada's leading innovators—just one day after Canadians elect their next Prime Minister OTTAWA, Ontario, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) will host its flagship NACO Summit 2025 on April 29–30 at Ottawa's iconic National Arts Centre, directly across from Parliament Hill. This sold-out event gathers 500 of Canada's leading investors, entrepreneurs, and senior innovation leaders at a pivotal moment—as the country welcomes a newly elected federal government. Kicking off the morning immediately after the federal election, this symbolic setting underscores the Summit's role in shaping a bold vision for Canada's economic future. The event convenes leaders representing the full spectrum of the country's innovation economy—from globally scaled entrepreneurs to founders of high-growth companies in strategic sectors. 'At this moment of national reflection, a new economic story is being written—one shaped by Canada's builders, innovators, and investors,' said Claudio Rojas, CEO of NACO. 'These bold leaders and job creators are gathering to chart the path toward a resilient, self-reliant, and globally competitive Canadian economy.' 'The Summit serves as a premier forum for innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders to convene, exchange ideas, and share insights,' said Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of Ottawa. 'It provides unparalleled networking opportunities, connecting global investors directly with Canada's tech leaders and high-growth startups. Events like the NACO Summit significantly enhance Ottawa's—and Canada's—position as a leading innovation economy.' Honouring Canada's Builders, Entrepreneurs, and Risk-takers At the heart of the Summit is a celebration of those whose leadership and vision are shaping Canada's innovation landscape toward a more transformative and innovation-driven future. The 2025 NACO Awards recognize outstanding contributions in three categories: Canada's Angel of the Year – a national honour recognizing an outstanding angel investor who has made a meaningful and lasting impact on Canada's entrepreneurial ecosystem. NACO Nation Builder Award – honouring leaders whose extraordinary contributions have significantly advanced Canada's cultural, economic and innovation landscape. Lifetime Achievement Award – recognizing decades-long commitment to mobilizing angel capital and strengthening Canada's innovation infrastructure. Showcasing Canada's Fastest Growing Companies NACO Summit will unveil the highly anticipated 2025 Moonshots Showcase, highlighting more than 20 of Canada's most promising early-stage ventures, representing sectors that are essential to the economy of the future—including healthtech, artificial intelligence, cleantech, enterprise software, and frontier technologies. Collectively, these companies have raised over $122 million in early-stage funding with many actively pursuing Series A and B investment rounds. Interactive Roundtables with Canada's Innovators and Entrepreneurs With Canada at an economic inflection point, interactive roundtables will tackle the country's most urgent innovation challenges, including: Resilience Through Risk Capital: Leveraging early-stage investment to build adaptive, resilient ventures that thrive amid market shifts. Angel-to-VC Pipeline: Exploring how angel investment serves as a critical foundation for venture capital success and long-term innovation growth. Regional Capital Gaps and Opportunities: Revealing new data and strategies to address funding disparities across Canadian regions. Scaling Emerging Ecosystems: Actionable strategies for growing vibrant entrepreneurial communities beyond major urban centres. Fireside Interviews with Media Personalities and Thought Leaders Renowned media personalities Amanda Lang, Keshia Chanté, Takara Small, Douglas Soltys, Camila Gonzalez, Michael Curran, and others will moderate fireside chats and panel discussions, revealing bold ideas and fresh insights on innovation, economic resilience, and Canada's evolving global role. Notable speakers at NACO Summit include: Daniel Debow, angel investor, serial entrepreneur and founding member of Build Canada, an initiative committed to building a more prosperous nation. Mike Serbinis, CEO and Co-Founder of League, a leading healthcare technology platform, and a serial entrepreneur with over $1 billion in successful exits. Mark Miller, an angel investor and the Chief Operating Officer of Constellation Software, a TSX-listed company valued at CAD $96 billion. Senia Rapisarda, Managing Director at HarbourVest, a global private-markets investment firm with USD $140 billion in assets. Tabatha Bull, President and CEO of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business. Allen Lau, Operating Partner and Co-Founder of Two Small Fish Ventures, and Co-Founder of Wattpad, acquired in 2021 for USD $660 million. Christiane Germain, Co-President and Co-Founder of Germain Hôtels, Canada's pioneering boutique hotel company with 40 years of innovation leadership. Geneviève Bouthillier, Executive Vice President at BDC Capital, Canada's largest and most active venture investor, managing over CAD $6 billion. About National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) Established in 2002, NACO is Canada's professional association representing over 4,000 angel investors, serving as the national umbrella for more than 100 member organizations—including angel groups, venture funds, incubators, and accelerators. Collectively, NACO members have invested more than CAD $1.66 billion into over 2,000 Canadian ventures. Angel investors are individuals or funds deploying capital at the earliest stages of growth. They include limited partners (LPs) investing in venture funds, family offices backing pre-seed and seed-stage ventures, and individuals investing directly or through angel groups. High-growth companies backed by angel investment that went on to achieve significant global scale include Slack (British Columbia), Verafin (Newfoundland and Labrador), Wealthsimple (Ontario), Hopper (Québec), and Jobber and Neo Financial (Alberta). Recent standouts include CoLab (NL) and 7shifts (Saskatchewan). These successes illustrate how angel investment drives Canada's pipeline of innovative ventures, fueling future global success stories. Learn more at For media inquiries, contact: Claudio Rojas, CEO, National Angel Capital OrganizationEmail: media@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: A video accompanying this announcement is available at: in to access your portfolio
