GUIDELINES FOR ENTREPRENEURS
How to Apply?
To be considered for a presentation time-slot, you must have submitted your applications at least three weeks before the presentation date.
Sneak Previews (OPTIONAL) are great for first-time pitches for those who are just getting started and who need to find a mentor and/or angel sponsor. It’s great for professors, students, inventors, etc to make a start in meeting angel investors. After you find a sponsor, you can then apply for a full presentation.
Full Presentations give companies and their angel sponsors an opportunity to make angel investors aware of their company with a view to gaining interest and obtaining feedback (especially if there’s no interest!). Companies must have an angel sponsor lined up before they can present (although they can still apply and find one concurrently).
Updates are available ONLY to companies that have made full, sponsored presentations. It gives companies a chance to let potential investors know about any changes that have been made, funding progress, etc.
BEFORE you can be given a timeslot at an upcoming meeting, you must apply by entering your company information at:
To be considered for a presentation time-slot, you must have submitted your applications at least three weeks before the presentation date.
Sneak Previews (OPTIONAL) are great for first-time pitches for those who are just getting started and who need to find a mentor and/or angel sponsor. It’s great for professors, students, inventors, etc to make a start in meeting angel investors. After you find a sponsor, you can then apply for a full presentation.
Full Presentations give companies and their angel sponsors an opportunity to make angel investors aware of their company with a view to gaining interest and obtaining feedback (especially if there’s no interest!). Companies must have an angel sponsor lined up before they can present (although they can still apply and find one concurrently).
Updates are available ONLY to companies that have made full, sponsored presentations. It gives companies a chance to let potential investors know about any changes that have been made, funding progress, etc.
BEFORE you can be given a timeslot at an upcoming meeting, you must apply by entering your company information at:
Access to your information is restricted to VANTEC Members only and is regarded as CONFIDENTIAL.
This will give VANTEC members access to information about your company. Also, if you wish, you can then make this information available to other angel groups and funds throughout the world!
At the same time, you may apply to the WUTIF Angel Fund. You don’t need to re-enter everything. Just go to http://angelsoft.net/angel-group/wutif and follow the instructions.
Similarly, you may apply to Greenangel Energy Corp. You don’t need to re-enter everything. Just go to http://angelsoft.net/angel-group/greenangel and follow the instructions.
Fees & Conditions:
There are no application fees or up-front charges to entrepreneurs.
Presenting companies must agree to provide feedback (if asked by the organizers) on angel capital raised by them.
Making A Presentation
To make a full presentation, an angel investor must act as an informal “sponsor” for you. We can help you find one if you don’t have one.
When you get invited, you will be given a date and time for making a pitch.
You will have 10 minutes maximum to make a presentation. It is recommended that the presentation be kept to 5 minutes (this is plenty!) to allow for some questions and answers.
Stick to just a few key points. Don’t go into a lot of detail. Pretend that you are a reporter and you only have a few minutes to tell your story. Avoid jargon and buzzwords. Don’t be techno-centric.
An ideal presentation consists of no more than 5 to 6 slides allowing no more than 1 minute per slide. Just be sure to cover the main points. For example:
Elevator Pitch Suggestion: “We are [COMPANY NAME]. We make/provide/sell [COMPANY PRODUCTS/SERVICES] for [TARGET CUSTOMER] who need [SOLUTION] to solve [PROBLEM].
If you are making a brief, “sneak preview” (i.e. 90-second) presentation, limit your pitch to no more than 2 or 3 points to make your elevator pitch. Avoid technical and financial details. Make sure you mention WHAT you are looking for (mentor, advisor, investor, etc) from this audience to help you prepare for a full presentation.
Keep it SHORT and SIMPLE!!! You are only trying to get some initial interest from angels at this point after which you can have more in-depth meetings and discussions with interested parties.
Entrepreneurs are invited back after the last presentation has been made in order to network and mingle with the attendees.
PowerPoint presentations are recommended (except for the 90-second Previews). These should be uploaded to the Gust website at least a few days before the presentation date.
You are welcome to bring along other team members, directors and investors. You and your team are requested to be present ONLY for your presentation (unless otherwise invited). There’s an exhibit area while you wait your turn.
For additional help in making your business case, check: Business Basics for Entrepreneurs.
Questions?
Please send your questions by email. But, PLEASE – read this documentation thoroughly first!
Follow-Up:
After your presentation, contact your sponsor to obtain feedback, interest level from attendees, etc. Also, lean on your sponsor for help in getting properly prepared.
Contact:
Mike Volker at: mike@volker.org or call 604-644-1926.
For Life Sciences companies, please contact:
Thealzel Lee, email: tlee@rocketbuilders.com or call: 604-839-5388.
This will give VANTEC members access to information about your company. Also, if you wish, you can then make this information available to other angel groups and funds throughout the world!
At the same time, you may apply to the WUTIF Angel Fund. You don’t need to re-enter everything. Just go to http://angelsoft.net/angel-group/wutif and follow the instructions.
Similarly, you may apply to Greenangel Energy Corp. You don’t need to re-enter everything. Just go to http://angelsoft.net/angel-group/greenangel and follow the instructions.
Fees & Conditions:
There are no application fees or up-front charges to entrepreneurs.
Presenting companies must agree to provide feedback (if asked by the organizers) on angel capital raised by them.
Making A Presentation
To make a full presentation, an angel investor must act as an informal “sponsor” for you. We can help you find one if you don’t have one.
When you get invited, you will be given a date and time for making a pitch.
You will have 10 minutes maximum to make a presentation. It is recommended that the presentation be kept to 5 minutes (this is plenty!) to allow for some questions and answers.
Stick to just a few key points. Don’t go into a lot of detail. Pretend that you are a reporter and you only have a few minutes to tell your story. Avoid jargon and buzzwords. Don’t be techno-centric.
An ideal presentation consists of no more than 5 to 6 slides allowing no more than 1 minute per slide. Just be sure to cover the main points. For example:
- What’s The Opportunity?
- How will YOU make money?
- Why YOU (and your team)?
- What’s your competitive advantage?
- What’s your proposed “deal” (i.e. for angel investors)?
Elevator Pitch Suggestion: “We are [COMPANY NAME]. We make/provide/sell [COMPANY PRODUCTS/SERVICES] for [TARGET CUSTOMER] who need [SOLUTION] to solve [PROBLEM].
If you are making a brief, “sneak preview” (i.e. 90-second) presentation, limit your pitch to no more than 2 or 3 points to make your elevator pitch. Avoid technical and financial details. Make sure you mention WHAT you are looking for (mentor, advisor, investor, etc) from this audience to help you prepare for a full presentation.
Keep it SHORT and SIMPLE!!! You are only trying to get some initial interest from angels at this point after which you can have more in-depth meetings and discussions with interested parties.
Entrepreneurs are invited back after the last presentation has been made in order to network and mingle with the attendees.
PowerPoint presentations are recommended (except for the 90-second Previews). These should be uploaded to the Gust website at least a few days before the presentation date.
You are welcome to bring along other team members, directors and investors. You and your team are requested to be present ONLY for your presentation (unless otherwise invited). There’s an exhibit area while you wait your turn.
For additional help in making your business case, check: Business Basics for Entrepreneurs.
Questions?
Please send your questions by email. But, PLEASE – read this documentation thoroughly first!
Follow-Up:
After your presentation, contact your sponsor to obtain feedback, interest level from attendees, etc. Also, lean on your sponsor for help in getting properly prepared.
Contact:
Mike Volker at: mike@volker.org or call 604-644-1926.
For Life Sciences companies, please contact:
Thealzel Lee, email: tlee@rocketbuilders.com or call: 604-839-5388.
Updated: 2010-11-13
