The third annual First Look Angel Investor Meeting, hosted in partnership with the City of Mississauga, Research Innovation Commercialization (RIC) Centre, and Angel One Investor Network, acted as a catalyst for high potential technology startups and angel investors.

“We are proud that First Look has cemented its reputation as a popular, trusted and professional networking event where ideas and innovation flourish – and where entrepreneurs and industry professionals come together to launch the next big idea directly into the marketplace,” Mayor Crombie said. “Now in its third year, First Look is producing real results for investors and start-up companies, who want to build on their success, reach higher and lead the competition,” Mayor Crombie added.

Becoming the next successful entrepreneur can be challenging, but with the right kind of help, entrepreneurs may accelerate their journey to success. The future of a community is dependent on the innovative minds of its entrepreneurs who constantly redefine industries with their disruptive technologies. Thus, guiding these brilliant minds by pairing them up with experts may allow them to not only develop their products but also allow them to develop the community in which they reside.

The City of Mississauga, Research Innovation Commercialization (RIC) Centre, and Angel One Investor Network launched the event three years ago to provide a networking opportunity for startups, investors, and members in the community to collaborate. This event was created in hopes to foster partnerships, growth, and development.

“Providing investors an early introduction to startup companies gives them the chance to get to know the founders, perhaps provide some introductions or guidance to help the company grow before they decide to invest. Events like First Look provides that first introduction and are crucial to growing a robust, innovative ecosystem,” states Karen Grant, executive director of Angel One Investor Network.

“Being invited and participating at this year’s First Look Angel Investors event, was exciting and memorable. Not only did we connect with Angel Investors interested in our platform but we have built relationships with other entrepreneurs, which we believe have a potential in becoming future partnerships. It is definitely an event we recommend others to attend in the future,” says Nilay Lad, Founder of JustCompare.ca, a featured Altitude Accelerator client at First Look.

The event has shown massive success in the past with participating startups. Particularly, Advanced Opto-Mechanical Systems and Technologies (AOMS), a Altitude Accelerator client present during Wednesday’s event.

“This event provides a more effective reach between the companies and investors.  It is important to be part of a broader community to accelerate business growth and the success of last year’s participants has validated the importance of this.  I would like to offer my congratulations to AOMS, Pitstop, and Mariner Endosurgery for closing their first seed investments,” expressed Sunil Selby, Chair of the Altitude Accelerator.

With an attendance of over 140 investors, partners and entrepreneurs, 19 startups from regional innovation centres including Haltech, Innovate Niagara, Innovation Factory, Innovation Guelph, and Altitude Accelerator, as well as representatives from the angel groups, Niagara Angel Network, GTAN, York Angels, Maple Leaf Angels, Angel One Investor Network, the networking opportunities were significant! The event was sponsored by BDO Canada, Pallett Valo, Bereskin and Parr and supporting community partners such as Ontario Centres of Excellence, ICUBE, Humber Centre of Entrepreneurship, FedDev Ontario, Mississauga Economic Development.

First Look is giving members of the community specialized business mentorship and access to capital in order to become successful. By providing investors the opportunity to learn and invest in different innovative ideas, strong relationships can be built where all parties benefit.

More details at AngelFirstLook.com.