By Bryan Watson

The National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) is pleased to recognize the promotion of Paul Connor, its Communications Manager, to Executive Director of National Angel Organization – Ontario (NAO-Ontario).  Paul succeeds retiring President W. Daniel Mothersill, and his appointment initiates a process of renewal and preparation to realize the full potential of Angel investing in the Province of Ontario, while maintaining the experience and expertise that facilitated the deployment of more than $33 million in early-stage capital to Ontarian companies via Angel groups over the past four years.

Paul is a manager and corporate communications specialist who has had positions of escalating responsibility at the NACO over the past three years, becoming increasingly aware of the challenges and opportunities of organized Angel investing across Canada.  Bryan Watson,  Executive Director of the NACO, continues to serve as an advisor, having helped create NAO-Ontario’s Angel Network Program (ANP) in 2007.

“The Angel Network Program is a crucial link in the chain of capital and talent serving the early-stage enterprise development community across Canada.  In 2007, Ontario had almost no Angel groups and the lowest rate of Angel investment of any Canadian province.  That has changed for the better, and with Paul’s involvement I am confident Ontarian Angel capital will continue to grow,” said Bryan Watson.

NAO-Ontario Executive Director Paul Connor thanked the NACO for their support, stating, “The increasing attention of the news media and policymakers in Canada has clearly demonstrated that Angel capital’s time has come.  I am proud to help enable the continued growth and effectiveness of Angel investment, and I will stay focused on growing Ontario’s organized Angel groups, realizing their full potential to contribute to our future prosperity.”

Reposted from National Angel Capital Organization

Throughout his career, both in Canada and the UK, Bryan J. Watson has been a champion of entrepreneurship as a vector for the commercialization of advanced technologies. Upon his return to Canada in 2004, Bryan established his venture development consulting practice to help emerging-growth companies overcome the barriers to success they face in the Canadian commercialization ecosystem.  Visit Bryan’s blog and the National Angel Capital Organization.

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