Invest Atlantic 2010

To be redirected to the new 2012 site please click here

Welcome to Atlantic Canada’s 2011 investment conference focused on the raising of equity capital by existing businesses looking for expansion, growth, and/or partnerships. Addressing one of the critical challenges for innovative early- to mid- and even-late stage businesses, INVEST ATLANTIC is an investor-friendly meeting place for investors, entrepreneurs, organizations providing services to the investment and financial sectors and individuals interested in becoming investors. Our industry experts will provide coaching techniques and address how to raise money from venture capital funds, angels, investment firms, government agencies and other investors.

The Opportunities

You will leave INVEST ATLANTIC understanding how to prepare your business for investment – everything from preparing a business plan to devising an exit strategy! What’s more INVEST ATLANTIC provides the region’s best opportunity for networking between entrepreneurs, investors, key financial players, institutions, government agencies, and intermediaries.

Conference Agenda

Please note times, topics and speakers are subject to change. Concurrent sessions will be held in separate rooms during the morning with delegates being able to choose between novice Track “A” or advanced Track “B” during the registration process.

Time	Session
6:00-8:00am	Exhibitor Setup (Investor's Café Area)
7:30 - 8:15am	Registration for Delegates
7:30 - 8:15am	Welcoming Refreshments (Investor's Café Area)
8:15 - 8:30am	Opening Remarks
8:30 - 9:30am	Sessions Track "A" Introduction to Investing and Entrepreneurship This panel of experts aims to educate novices in both entrepreneurship and investing. If you’re planning a business, we’ll help you understand how to develop your business and prepare to approach investors. If you have capital and want to back a rising star, we’ll teach you about angel investing.	Sessions Track "B" Protecting your IP If you have developed or licensed proprietary software, one question investors are sure to ask is what you’re doing to protect it. The obvious answer is to patent it, but it is difficult (and expensive) to defend your patent if a major corporation steals your idea. Our panel will discuss the various options for protecting your intellectual property.
9:30 - 10:30am	Writing a Business Plan Your business plan should serve two purposes: it should be a roadmap for you to follow as you develop your business; and it should allow potential financiers to understand why your enterprise will succeed. Our panel of specialists will help you understand the tricks of the trades in crafting a solid business plan.	Structuring your Startup Team What’s best for your company: a board of directors ora board of advisers? A full-time or part-time CFO? An in-house marketing staff or a freelance consultant? The correct answer is that it depends on the type of business you’re in. Our experts will discuss the pros and cons of the various options.
10:30 - 11:00am	Networking & Refreshment Break (Investor's Café Area)
11:00 - 12:00pm	Tapping Government for Expertise and Capital All levels of government offer a range of programs that can help entrepreneurs succeed. Some will help you attack export markets, while others offer mentorship and networking opportunities. Others offer various programs that can help to fund companies with potential. We will tell you about potential problems and help you choose programs that are best for your business.	Social Media for Entrepreneurs Ever worry that you’re missing out on the easiest way to market your product? You’re not alone. We’re all familiar with the concepts of social media but it takes knowledge, discipline and often a big commitment to really benefit from the new marketing technologies. We’re bringing in a panel of expert to help to demystify social media.
12:00 - 1:30pm	Keynote Luncheon Speaker "The outlook for Venture Capital in Atlantic Canada" Nova Scotia has proposed a regional venture capital fund that would be funded by government and the private sector. It would be large enough for follow-on funding and give successful companies a much needed shot in the arm. Our keynote speaker will envision how this would work.
1:30 - 2:30pm	Approaching Silicon Valley There’s only one Silicon Valley, and Canadian companies are beginning to make inroads into the Mecca of technology thanks to the creation of the C100 group. We’ll hear from a few Atlantic Canadians with inside knowledge of the best way to approach the Promised Land.
2:30 - 3:30pm	"Pitching" Den - Session V Four "Pitches" from capital-ready organizations from Atlantic Canada will be presented to an expert panel of investors in hopes of securing capital investment. Delegates will also be able to vote for their favorite "Pitch" with all results tabulated and announced during the reception.
3:30 - 3:45pm	Networking & Refreshment Break (Investor's Café Area)
3:45 - 4:25 pm	The Regional Venture Capital Fund Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have each committed $15 million to a new regional venture capital fund. It will be operated by the private sector and make investments in the region and beyond. We will take a look at the issues surrounding the fund, what investments it should make and how it should be managed.
4:25- 4:30pm	Closing Remarks Closing Remarks by Conference Chair
4:30 - 6:00pm	Networking Reception For all conference delegates.
6:00 - 7:30pm	Exhibit Takedown