Angel Investors Ontario (AIO) and Altitude Accelerator have launched a new angel group in Brampton to develop and support local tech startups.
The new angel group, named Brampton Angels, will seek investment opportunities in early-stage tech companies. Brampton Angels members are also expected to provide mentorship and access to risk capital networks, in addition to financial support.
AIO president Jeffrey Steiner said that organized angel groups are “the most effective” means to help entrepreneurs attract seed funding and mentorship. He added that having a local angel investor group is a “signal of a promising entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
AIO supports 17 non-profit angel groups and 14 investment clubs across Ontario.
AIO supports 17 non-profit angel groups and 14 investment clubs across Ontario. It provides support to angel groups by sharing information and education tools that are meant to transfer “best practices” across the network.
Among the regional angel groups that AIO supports include Northern Ontario Angels, Niagara Angel Network, Southeastern Ontario Angel Network, Windsor-Essex Capital Angel Network.
Brampton is home to an actively growing business ecosystem through startup accelerators like the Toronto Metropolitan University’s Brampton Venture Zone, Brampton Entrepreneur Centre, Sheridan Edge, and Altitude Accelerator, which is powered by the regional innovation centre for Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon.
In 2021, the City of Brampton also launched a new incubation program for international startups looking to break into the North American market called “BHive.” At that time, the municipality claimed it is home to more than 275 tech companies, including Medtronic.
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As part of Brampton Angels’ launch, AIO is hosting a free training program to educate Brampton startups on a variety of topics such as raising money in a downturn, product development, building a team, and building deal rooms, among others. Administrative support for Brampton Angels is provided by Altitude Accelerator.
York Angels executive director Frank Auddino and board chair Angelo Del Duca will conduct the in-person training sessions alongside Sobi Ragunathan, vice president of operations, strategy and partnerships at 4S Consulting Services. They will share insights on several topics related to angel investing and “smart capital,” as well as the investor landscape and how to access capital.
Featured image courtesy BHive.