Please join us on Thursday March 15, 2018 at 6pm in the Sanctuary Lounge at i-on-CONNECT for MetroTech’s Connect Inaugural MeetUp to learn more about business financing for tech start-ups.

WHO:
Attendees: Anyone interested in being part of a network of collaborative, innovative, tech start-up focused humans!

Presenters:

  • Jaap Siekman MSc, PEng, PMP

Jaap is the Regional Manager for NorthBridge Consultants. He educates start-ups and growing companies on Government Funding programs that support R&D and Innovation in Canada. Jaap has 28 years of managerial experience in New Product Development, Engineering and Manufacturing in a variety of industries. Founded 25 years ago, and with ~20 professionals in offices in BC, ON, and QC, NorthBridge is an expert consultancy firm assisting businesses throughout Canada with Government Funding that supports R&D, Innovation and Growth.

Jaap will discuss a variety of Government Funding programs that support Product Development, commercialization and company growth, such as:

  • SR&ED
  • IRAP
  • Selling to the government: BCIP, ISC, CANSOFCOM, IDEaS
  • Clean tech: SDTC and ICE Fund
  • Agri-Food: Growing Forward, Agri-Innovation
  • Working with universities: Engage, CRD, Mitacs
  • Export marketing: CanExport, Going Global Innovation, Soft Landing
  • Hiring & Training Grants

Gary Bizzo – Strategist/Global Influencer
Gary has mentored over 1000 business leaders, investors and entrepreneurs and is a global social media influencer and author. Forbes, in May 2017, said Bizzo was one of the Top 25 Small Business Accounts on Twitter. London-based Richtopia said Bizzo was one of the Top 200 Social Influencers in the World for 2017. Entrepreneur Magazine, in 2014, said Bizzo was one of “17 Masters of Marketing & PR Entrepreneurs Can Learn From.” He is an Elite Weekly writer for Equities.com (the largest platform for emerging growth companies). He is the author of “How to Start a Successful Business – the First Time” and “Social Media RockStar – Social Media Marketing for Entrepreneurs and Business” both on Amazon. He also contributes to Stockhouse.com. Gary is a Partner at Equifaira – Liquidity Event Planners, specialists in strategy & execution, corporate finance, capital formation & investor relations. & TBA

WHAT: All things finance! Not only how to get money but how to spend and ways save it!

WHERE: The stylish, state of the art Sanctuary Lounge at i-on-CONNECT at One Innovation Place in North Burnaby. A short walk or bus ride from Production/University Skytrain Station and minutes from SFU, BCIT, Hwy#1 & Hwy#7

WHEN: We plan on having our Connection MeetUps on the third Thursday of most months – Thursday is, after all, the new Friday!!

HOW:
1) Register
2) Show up.
3) Network, eat pizza, have a beer, share experiences at a roundtable facilitated by one of our speakers.
4) Sit back and listen to the featured presentations.
5) Participate in a vote on your content…what do you want out of this MeetUp…this is all about you!
5) Head home smarter and more confident than when you arrived, buzzed on knowledge

HOW MUCH: $15 – same for everyone – through paypal/credit card online!

RUNDOWN:
6:00 pm: Network, food and bev, roundtables facilitated by our presenters
7:00 pm: MTC announcements & intros
7:10 pm: Presentations begin – Q & A to follow each
8:10 pm: Wrap up and topic proposals/voting