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Facing venture capitalists without nasty dragon burns By Carlie OreskovichBack Porch in Burlington.entity in the area creating the glue earlier. structured for them to pitch proj-SPECIAL TO THE BEAVERIt was in the belief that hun-or the lubricant for all these compa-These companies exist hereects. The featured speaker, Philipdreds of high-tech companies exist nies. doing really interesting stuff, saidNeukom, is the managing directorEntrepreneurs can come face toand operate in virtual obscurity and So we challenged ourselves. Stomphorst. of Profit Analytics, a company thatface with their dragons next Tuesdayisolation in Halton, that two local Why don't we create something? They are planning to meet withadvises entrepreneurs about raisingwithout getting burned. entrepreneurs decided to establish During that meeting we were rat-local elected officials and develop-funds and provides interim execu-Silicon Halton, a recentlya network that would allow them to tling off all the high tech companies ment officers to develop workingtives for growing and restructuringformed organization that providesget together. Chris Herbert and that we were aware of in the area.relationships. At a meeting withcompanies. He has worked witha place for high-tech companiesRick Stomphorst, both of Oakville, They soon realized that there Oakville Mayor Rob Burton, he chal-venture-backed companies for 15and anyone interested in high techwere sitting in a coffee shop were a large number and speculated lenged Silicon Halton members toyears, as a consultant, start-up exec-to meet, exchange ideas and net-bemoaning the fact that there was that there were more that they just come up with applications that wouldutive, board member and venturework is holding a meeting withno high-tech association in Halton couldn't see. help the community, such as one thatcapital investor. three venture capitalists at Emma'ssaid Stomphorst. There was no The first meeting they held 19 would track transit schedules. The panel that follows includesmonths ago, confirmed the wide-The monthly meetings areShirley Speakman and Rogerspread interest with more than 20 designed to give members a chanceWilson. in attendance. Since then they have to get value from the topics pre-Speakman, is the director of grown steadily, now with more than sented at the events.investments for Mars Investment250 members and it is growing like But people, more importantly,Accelerator Fund, a $27.5M venturestink.are connecting and gaining valuecapital fund established by theTheir goal is to build a strong for themselves. With some peopleOntario government to invest inand engaged network to help all partnering up to work on otherseed and early stage technology ori-realize and promote the importance projects said Stomphorst, pointingented companies based in Ontario. and vibrancy of the high-tech com-out that in one case they set up aRoger Wilson, a director at BDCmunity in the Halton Region, said speed networking event with par-Venture Capital, has been in theStomphorst.ticipants spending three minutesventure capital business for moreMembership is open and there is explaining their business as theythan 16 years, assisting many tech-no cost, either for membership or moved tables around the room.nology growth companies over thethe meetings.The Tuesday, April 12 meetingyears, managing investments inHe said there have been a few will be a basic venture capital prim-software, IT services, electronicsnoteworthy discoveries such as er kicking off with a 30-minutemanufacturing and life sciences.Innovec, which received funding presentation followed by a panel.For further information, see thefrom the television venture capital Members will be able to ask ques-Silicon Halton website at www.sili-show, The Dragon's Den two months tions, but the meeting will not beconhalton.com. VOLUNTEERSGROWCOMMUNITYVolunteersaretheheartofRedCrossTheCanadianRedCrossisgratefulforNational thededicationandVolunteer contributionofallofWeekourvolunteers.April10-16, Thankyou.2011Oakvillebranch(905)845-5241www.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, April 8, 2011 12