Skip to content

Venture Thunder Bay taking place May 11 in Thunder Bay

Northern Ontario Angels, Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre partnering on business pitch event
shannon_ferguson_fansaves
Shannon Ferguson, the cofounder of the tech startup FanSaves, will be the guest speaker at Venture Thunder Bay on May 11.

THUNDER BAY — April 26, 2023: Northern Ontario Angels and Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre are thrilled to announce the upcoming Venture Thunder Bay event. Taking place on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Thunder Bay, this entrepreneurial event promises to be an exciting evening filled with opportunities to network, learn and be inspired.

“We are thrilled to co-host this event that will foster innovation and empower entrepreneurs in our region. The evening will not only showcase local innovators pitching their businesses to investors, but also inspire attendees with a remarkable keynote speaker. We are committed to providing the innovative companies with the necessary support to secure the required funding needed for growth and success. Private angel investment can be a critical component to accelerating these companies,” says Judy Sander, interim executive director of the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre.

The keynote speaker for the event will be Shannon Ferguson, cofounder and CEO of the tech startup FanSaves and the co-host of the Living the Startup podcast. She says, “I am honoured to be the keynote speaker at Venture Thunder Bay and share my experience on the non-linear journey of entrepreneurship. Peaks and valleys are an inevitable part of the journey, and it's important to embrace them and use them to our advantage. I am also excited to share my experience in securing investment for FanSaves and offer insights on how to navigate the fundraising process. It's a crucial step in any startup's journey, and I hope to inspire and empower fellow entrepreneurs to pursue their fundraising goals with confidence.”

In addition to Shannon's keynote, the event will feature a lineup of entrepreneurial pitches, where selected companies will have the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to an enthusiastic audience. The event will also have a cash bar, appetizers, and opportunities for attendees to meet with investors and entrepreneurs, learn about their products and services, and network with like-minded individuals.

Ian Lane, executive director of the Northern Ontario Angels, shared his excitement about the event, saying, "Venture Thunder Bay is a great opportunity for investors, entrepreneurs, and partners in the innovation ecosystem to connect, learn, and gain valuable insights into the startup world. We are thrilled to be hosting this event with our partners at Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre and look forward to seeing the innovative ideas and businesses that will be showcased."

Registration information is available here.

About Northern Ontario Angels: Since inception in 2005 to March 2022, Northern Ontario Angels has closed 528 deals worth a total of $784,953,349. The non-profit organization is funded by FedNor and NOHFC and made up of a volunteer board of directors from across Northern Ontario.

About Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre: The Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre is a key player in boosting the region's capacity for innovation. We provide valuable assistance to innovative entrepreneurs, businesses, and community projects in Northwestern Ontario. Our mission is to ensure that innovation is thriving in Northwestern Ontario. Situated at Confederation College in Thunder Bay, the Innovation Centre team is committed to forging connections, empowering entrepreneurs, providing management support, delivering educational and training programs, facilitating market access, securing financing, and fostering success!