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Apply to Pitch

Investment-ready entrepreneurs can submit an application for consideration to CAN.  Members meet two or three companies at monthly member meetings nine times a year.

 

Submit an Application

CAN Programming - MASHUP & CANLABS

Fast track investor relationships

Founders getting ready for a pre-seed investment launch can get their round launch polished and ventures under the lenses of  investors by applying to the MASHUP Pitch Competition and the CANLABS Masterclass Digital Series cohort, each held annually.

 

CAN occasionally hosts OPEN OFFICE HOURS thoughout the year.

Applications for CANLABS25 running Jan through Feb are open.

 

buildings

 

See FAQs below.

CAN breaks for July, August & December. Key dates for upcoming meetings:

Application Deadline

New 25th day of the month (August - October & December - May )

Selection Meeting

Second Thursday each month

Member Presentation

Last Tuesday of the month

See link to CAN Calendar

Angel investing is a team sport

As founders move through the CAN selection process, they will receive emails via the Dealum platform with tips for a successful process.  If you have a champion investor from CAN, another angel group, or within the ecosystem, work with them to develop your social capital and expand your investor network via warm introductions. Be sure to mention your champion when applying for funding.  Don't be shy to ask the CAN ED and your investors for referrals to other groups and VCs to speed up your round.  

Next Opportunity to find your champion at CAN

Tips to succeed

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Build relationships

Finding champions

CAN provides opportunities to engage outside of formal member meetings. Members are active as mentors and advisors in local and national accelerators.

You can also meet CAN investors and Selection Committee members  at Invest Ottawa's Accelerate OTT, StartupFest Montreal, Elevate Festival Toronto, TiECon Canada and SaaS North Ottawa.

Meaningful engagement

Capital MASHUP

CAN hosts an annual one day mini-festival and pitch competition called Capital MASHUP. This is a great way to meet CAN members and partners in a fun and relaxed happy hour environment. MASHUP has grown each year, elevating the original pitch in a pub vibe to THE place to be with rooftop sundowners with an award winning DJ, and a day of meaningful exchanges and relationship building opportunities.

MASHUP sells out fast and some elements have limited capacity.

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image ID 9826a7b6 c771 4156 fad6 ba52ae058625 (1)

Meaningful engagement

CANLABS25 - investor ready

In January each year CAN investors and experts deliver a seven week investment ready digital masterclass series. CANLABS closes with an in person boutique investor founder summit with a founder to investor ratio of 2:1.

The program includes opportunities for 1:1  expert and investor sessions, and topic round tables. Content focuses on round strategies, unspoken tips for succeess and deal crushing red flags and missteps to avoid.

 

Meaningful engagement

IWM Women Angel Investor Breakfast

CAN and SheBoot, in partnership with Invest Ottawa (IO) and the National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) kick off International Women’s Month in Ottawa with a Women Angel Investor Breakfast. The  event attended by 200 guests (in person & online) is supported by Gowling and Angel Investors Ontario.   Known as a forum for interactive, thought-provoking discussion around the startup/investment ecosystem. Each year real-world stories from both sides of the investment table are shared.

In 2024, keynote speaker and private round table guest, Manjit Minhas, Co-founder & CEO at Minhas Breweries, Distilleries and Wineries. Manjit, recognized for her role as the straight-talking Dragon investor with flair on CBC’s Dragons’ Den, spoke to her experience as an entrepreneur and investor.

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Application

How can I apply for CAN investment?

 

CAN, like most Ontario Angel Groups, host their Dealrooms on the Dealum Platform. To be considered Founders can complete their profiles by the 25th of the month preceding the Member Meeting they're aiming to present at.  CAN Members meet to consider selected company investments monthly except for December, July and August.

Fit

Who should apply?

Capital Angel Network typically invests in tech / tech enabled businesses with a minimal viable product (MVP), and /or traction indicators with potential to become a $100M company at scale - or to deliver strong returns at an early exit. Traction indicators and market signals vary within industry verticals and this is taken into consideration.

 

 

 

Submit an Application

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Where does CAN invest?

CAN's investment geographical focus is along the Innovation Corridor - Montreal through to Waterloo. A majority of  CAN's investment dollars have been placed in the Gatineau, Ottawa and Kanata region. The group has portfolio companies coast to coast.

Most Member Investment Meetings are in person, and from time to time, a digital presentation is possible.

 

Read about Portfolio

Founders

CAN's track record

How much does CAN invest?

 

Capital Angel Network is one of Canada's most active angel groups.

Our members have invested $25M in the the past three years alone and

$82 M since the group was formed in 2010.

The average investment size is $200K, but historically has varied from $10,000 to $1M.

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What is CAN's diversity track record?

 

Well ahead of the National average, 42% of initial CAN investments were placed with startups founded / co-founded by women between 2021 & 2023.

Our membership includes over 60 angels, super angels, VCs, family offices and Corporate members with deep expertise. 35% of our members include at least one woman.

In 2020 CAN subscribed to the 30-50 Challenge. The initiative of  Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada working in conjunction with business and diversity organizations aims to give all Canadians a seat at the table. In 2023 CAN met the challenge goals.

30-50 Challenge Goals:

  • Gender Parity on Candian Boards and or in senior management

  • Significant representation (30%) on Candian Boards and or in senior management of other equity deserving groups