 "2018 is already the biggest year ever for #ICOs, with $6.3bn raised (& it's only April!)" is how Wojtek Gidzinski (director of cryptocurrency trading platform Coinsquare Wealth) started his lecture for Pycap's 'Financing an Early-stage Company' Course at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies.
Students were thrilled to have Wojtek's very informative and timely speech about how blockchain technology works, how early-stage companies can use Initial Coin Offerings to raise capital, as well as the related risks and opportunities associated with ICOs. The Pycap-UofT Course aims to arm entrepreneurs with 'everything they need to know' to raise capital for an early-stage company. The course includes how to create a financial roadmap to determine when and how much capital to raise, how to perform a valuation of a startup, how to structure term sheets and associated legal documents, and how to create a capital raising strategy to get financed from VCs, Angels, Crowdfunding, Government and Cryptocurrencies. Students can register here or, contact info@pycap.ca for more information.
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MaRS hosted its third RESI Conference, which brought together fundraising CEOs and early-stage investors from around the globe in Toronto. The conference was hosted in partnership with Life Science Nation (LSN) and JLABS, and includes 16 panels with investors from biotech, and device, diagnostic, and healthcare IT. Over 200 international investors came to Toronto to scout startups. Pycap's CEO Stuart Browne participated as a panelist on the Digital Health Investing Panel, and highlighted his insights regarding the future trends of the Digital Health industry and opportunities for investors and early stage companies.
 
 Over the years that Pycap has been involved with TieQuest, 1,600+ companies & 2,600+ entrepreneurs have participated. Over $1 Million in cash and in-kind prizes have been awarded.
Pycap Portfolio Companies that were featured at Cantech include an Artificial Intelligence Platform for Drones servicing the Agricultural Technology Industry as well as an Internet of Things, Wearable Device for Animals to read their Vital Signs servicing the Live Stock and Veterinarian Industries.   Small businesses play an integral role in Canada’s sustainability and growth as they account for 98% of employer businesses in Canada. Employing over 8.2 million people across 11 provinces, small businesses contribute more than 30% to Canada’s GDP and according to StatsCan employ “90.3% of the private sector workforce”. A boon for the economy, a CIBC report notes, “the next decade might see the strongest startup activity in the Canadian economy on record”. With new small business growth potentially surpassing the current rate of 104,000 businesses per year, entrepreneurs will need to be prepared to face increased competition.
Canada provides a welcome environment for startups, offering billions in funding through venture capital, angel investors, incubators, bank loans and government grants and subsidies, yet 43% of startups state that finding the right investor is the biggest funding challenge. Which begs the question, why are so many entrepreneurs struggling to secure funding? The answer may be simpler than expected and Stuart Browne, CEO of Pycap Venture Partners, has an explanation: “I hear hundreds of pitches per year, and time and time again, I meet entrepreneurs who aren’t prepared with the information needed, for an investor, to make a sound decision”. Browne goes on to comment that many new entrepreneurs lack the overall understanding, knowledge and skills needed to identify appropriate sources of capital, and position their offering effectively. This, in part, may be because entrepreneurs often have a tech background instead of business or finance. Browne notes, “The world of private equity is opaque; investors often seek different information than public companies. Entrepreneurs need to educate themselves on their funding options and how to approach different investors.” Browne aims to address entrepreneurs funding challenges through his new course Financing an Early Stage Company at the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies. “I wanted to offer this course through the School as they provide courses and programs to help entrepreneurs and startups at all stages”, says Browne. Browne’s course focuses on preparing entrepreneurs with the knowledge they need about financing. From valuation to funding options, entrepreneurs will learn strategies and insight on when and how to approach venture capital funds, angel investors, and the government; how to create a successful crowdfunding campaign and the mechanics of Initial Coin Offerings. The course will also draw upon Pycap’s network to provide students with guest speakers who are industry leaders within the various topics covered. Browne has been involved with the venture capital industry for seven years, is an Expert Reviewer for the Ontario Centres of Excellence, and has given lectures on startup financing at major conferences throughout Canada, China, Mexico, Slovenia, and Mongolia.  The Toronto Cryptocurrency Conference included experts revealing tactics to invest in cryptocurrency while addressing concerns that the asset class is in a bubble.
The Pycap course at UofT '3428 - Financing an Early-Stage Company' was announced at this conference as it will provide entrepreneurs with the skill set needed to raise capital from cryptocurrency, initial coin offerings, and blockchain technology, in addition to venture capital funds, government agencies, crowdfunding, and angel investors.  On January 31, Cambridge House will host the Cantech Investment Conference, Canada’s Largest Technology Conference for Investors! #CantechConf
This one day event will be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, celebrating its 5th anniversary in the heart of Toronto. Pycap Venture Partners is excited to be a media partner and exhibitor at this event as it will bring together the ‘who’s who’ of the Canadian Tech and Investor scene. With 3,500 attendees expected, and over 100 industry leading Canadian Tech Companies, Pycap has identified Cantech as the ideal platform to not only highlight its portfolio companies, but also to get an overall sense of the Canadian technology landscape to predict future trends. Canada is on the cutting edge of technological development as can be seen by Geoffrey Hinton, a University of Toronto professor and leader in artificial intelligence (AI) at Google, who built a system that could analyze thousands of photos and teach itself to identify common objects, Vitalik Buterin, the Toronto-based founder of the revolutionary blockchain platform and cryptocurrency Ethereum, and Steve Mann, world renown grandfather of Augmented Reality (AR), to name a few. As can be seen by the Cantech agenda, topics such as “Is Canadian VR/AR World Class?”, “Blockchain: Hype or Hope?” and “Deploying AI in the Real World” will be covered in detail by an impressive group of speakers and panelists. Some of the companies of note that will be exhibiting include ProMIS Neurosciences, Kraken Robotics and Nano One Materials. Attendees can book meetings with these companies and more through the the Cantech Deal Room. Another alternative would be to meet exhibitors and other attendees at the afterparty located at Ripley’s Aquarium. Investors in Blockchain, Augmented Reality, Artificial Intelligence, and Robotics have become millionaires, yet these sectors are still in their infancy. As these sectors will be showcased at Cantech, Pycap is very much looking forward to be involved. Register for your ticket today at http://cambridgehouse.com/e/cantech-investment-conference-2018-72 use promo code PYCAP25 for 25% off! Startup Tech competitors were in the social media, shared economy, cosmetic, health and consumer products industries, with +300 audience attendees. Congratulations to the winner Hedgehog for their innovative, tech umbrella.   http://www.worldforum.ai/sponsor/pycap/   For the second year in a row Pycap Venture Partners will be a proud media partner and supporter of the Cambridge House’s Drone Conference, the “Big Drone Show” which will be Canada’s largest drone event.
In 2015 the drone market was valued at $5.93B, and is expected to grow to $22.15B by 2022. Its applications span from public safety, military, law enforcement, to medical services, search and rescue operations, as well as recreational use. Thus, Pycap felt it was important to get involved with this event. Moreover the Big Drone Show will be the ideal place to catch up on the latest trends, network with industry experts, and discover new investment opportunities. The event will host global exhibitors showcasing the most innovative hardware and software, top speakers from the industry, a hackathon, as well as new releases from industry leaders. BDS17, “Big Drone Show” will be running from September 27 through to the 28 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (222 Bremner Blvd, Toronto). Register for your ticket today at bigdroneshow.com, use promo code PYCAP25 for 25% off. "Blockchain - A Game Changer for Issuers?" ~ Techvibes Article by Stuart Browne, CEO of Pycap9/20/2017 http://extraordinaryfuture.com/e/extraordinary-future-2017-71  https://www.meetup.com/Startup-Toronto/events/242764601/
Pitch Competitions: Agri and Food Tech, Lifestyle, VR/AR, Women Entrepreneurs, Fintech, Cleantech + Semi Finals and Finals... Congratulations Braze Mobility!  |
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