At AcceleratorYYC, we realize co-working isn’t for everyone. So, to save time, money and effort, we put together a quick quiz to help you determine whether you’re business needs and your personality would thrive in a co-working environment.
Read our “Quirks of Co-working” blog post in the Calgary Herald and Edmonton Journal this month to learn more about co-working and how it may benefit you.
Note: The BEST way to find out if co-working is right for you, would be to sign up for a 10 Visit Punch Pass at our office. For more info, email us!
Take a look at a larger image on our Facebook page here.
There’s a New Face at AcceleratorYYC
We are excited to introduce Jana Boyko as our new Communications Assistant!
“Being an eager and enthusiastic marketing student, I was thrilled to learn that I had been selected as the new Communications Assistant at AcceleratorYYC. I am currently working towards completing a Bachelor of Commerce as well as a Bachelor of Psychology at the University of Calgary, and have become incredibly interested in the link between human behaviour and advertising/marketing. I am an avid Starbucks drinker who enjoys playing the piano and participating in outdoor activities during the summer months. I am very excited to be working with AcceleratorYYC, and look forward to planning events, developing social media strategies, and assisting with the creation of newsletters and blog posts.”
With summer events like Social Media Day, a new Startup Food initiative, and the Pre-Party for AccelerateAB during Tech Week, we’re very excited to have Jana join the team. Stop by AcceleratorYYC to say hello and welcome Jana to the startup community!
Dine with an Angel Investor - Register for BaseCamp May 31 to June 3
When you are just starting your company, you may look for capital from sources such as friends, parents, grandparents, Uncle Bob, or that ‘rich-looking’ neighbor next door. You may also try to take out a bank loan… but unfortunately get denied! Then you think to yourself, “Wouldn’t it be great if an individual would invest in my company and mentor me through the journey of my startup?” Luckily, there is such an individual out there; this individual is commonly known as an angel investor.
An angel investor is someone who uses their own personal wealth to invest in startups that they believe have the potential to be successful. They also offer valuable insights pertaining to the industry that you are focused on. Years of experience coupled with a large network of contacts make angel investors highly attractive for many early stage entrepreneurs. But how do you get an angel investor to descend from the heavens and bless you and your startup?
According to an article from www.entrepreneur.com, angel investors are looking for startups that:
- exhibit high-growth prospects, have a synergy with their own business or compete in an industry in which they have succeeded.
- need additional funding to execute a marketing program.
- have increasing product or service sales and need additional capital to bridge the gap between the sale and the receipt of funds from the customer.
According to an article in The Wall Street Journal Online, banks and venture capital firms have been investing in less-risky, later-staged companies. Therefore, angel investors are the one of the few options left to support early-stage, fast-growing startups. The article also states that, ” [angels are] less sensitive to ups and downs in the economy and tend to invest in a “much wider range of innovation” than [venture capital] investment firms…” Also, “angels are more prone to support entrepreneurs in their own backyards…” Which brings us to our Western Canadian angel investment partner, VA Angels.
VA Angels is one of Canada’s leading angel investment groups. The group has done 57 deals worth $28.5 million with members located in Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna and Winnipeg. 65% of the investments were in technology companies. VA Angels states that, “presenting entrepreneurs have a 1 in 4 chance of raising capital.”
If you want a chance to meet with, learn from and pitch to a VA Angel, then register for our BaseCamp investment bootcamp. This 3.5 day workshop will teach entrepreneurs about investments by getting them to “think like the investor.” With guest speakers, peer feedback and in-depth exercises, BaseCamp will improve your knowledge on investments. After attending the workshop, you will be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to pitch in front of a live-audience of angel investors!
The next BaseCamp will be held May 31 to June 3 at our AcceleratorYYC co-work space. AcceleratorYYC members receive 50% off, and virtual community members receive $50 off. Don’t miss out on your chance to learn more about investments and meet a few VA Angels (and other angel investors)!
