Challenging times? Sure – but that hasn’t slowed down this program. The 12th annual Ottawa Venture and Technology Summit (OVTS) gets underway on Wednesday, October 8th at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Ottawa. This two-day event is an excellent platform for technology start-ups to present their business cases for early- and middle-stage financing to an audience of over 200 debt and equity investors including merchant bankers, angel investors and corporate investors, venture capitalist and private equity partners, analysts, entrepreneurs and government representatives from Canada, the U.S., and Israel. The event also provides an excellent opportunity for investor networking and connecting on deal flow and investment opportunities.

Timely keynote speakers include The Honourable Mr. Justice Michel Bastarache, Counsel, Heenan Blaikie and former Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada (Oct. 8 at 8:00 a.m.) who will speak about “Financial Markets Regulation – A Contrast of Nations” In light of the current U.S. financial markets turmoil, he’ll contrast risks and protections afforded by the regulatory and legal environments on either side of the border.  Stephen S. Poloz, Senior Vice-President, Financing, Export Development Canada (Oct. 9 at 12:00 noon) whose session entitled “The Impact of Global Economic and Financial Markets Upheaval on the Technology Sector” will trace out recent developments in global economic and financial markets and gauge their likely impact on the technology sector.

Insightful and interactive panel sessions include: Government led funds-of-funds programs; Crystal ball on Canadian venture capital; and Acquisitions and IPOs: Where will the next buck stop?

This is surely one of the best events of the year to mix and mingle investment with opportunity.  Could the timing be better? Absolutely – or maybe not.  In times like this, you can count on only the most serious players coming to the table.  

Best of luck to the presenting companies!