Angel Investors Ontario attends opening of 17th Ontario Regional Innovation Centre

It was great to be in Barrie's Sandbox Centre, representing Angel Investors Ontario at the official launch of Ontario's first new Regional Innovation Centre launch in 15 years. Now there are 17 RICs. Fabulous turnout from local startup ecosystem including Michael Badham from Georgian Angels. Kudos to a year of hard work with Medjct by Dina Tzirakos-Hawker and Jesse Kerr . I had a great chat with local Minister Doug Downey , MPP Brian Saunderson , Minister Andrea Khanjin , and Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall . I gave them all a copy of our AIO Funded Magazine which so well illustrates how much the 1800 plus Angel Investors in our 18 not for profit groups help to finance and mentor so many of the great startups and entrepreneurs that graduate out of RICs such as Sandbox. All around Ontario our investors take on the task of helping to de-risk many of the startups to the point where Venture Capital Funds can invest to scale up the innovation sector entrepreneurs. This community support reminds me of the strong support AIO had in the setting up of a new angel network with help from the likes of MPP lorne coe . AIO was also a supporter of the very successful Sandbox reIGNITE Conference held last fall in Huntsville with participation from the whole startup ecosystem in Ontario.