For Immediate Release | Check Against Delivery
May 3rd, 2017
Mayor Crombie Hosts Third Annual First Look – Angel Investing Networking Event
Tonight, the Mississauga Mayor’s Office, in partnership with Research Innovation Commercialization (RIC) Centre and Angel One Investor Network hosted the First Look – Angel Investor Networking Event to foster collaboration between the investor community and start-up companies in order to promote long-term partnerships that will benefit businesses, their industry, and the surrounding community. The following remarks can be attributed to Mayor Crombie:
“Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the First Look Angel Investor Meeting. I want to thank our community partners who worked to ensure this year’s First Look will be another success.
“Let me recognize the following individuals: Sunil Selby, Chair of the RIC Centre; Pam Banks, Executive Director of the RIC Centre; John Marshall, Assistant Deputy Minister for Commercialization & Scale-Ups, with the Ontario Government; Karen Grant, from Angel One; and Allan Thompson, Mayor of Caledon.
“Let me also recognize those members of Council and our team of professional staff from the City of Mississauga, who are also in attendance this evening.
“Our Economic Development Office Business Enterprise Centre has the resources and thought leadership to take your venture to the next level. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to learn more about EDO’s services by visiting www.mississauga.ca.
“First Look was a campaign commitment of mine, and tonight, we are once again seeing this commitment through.
“This opportunity is about bringing together new, emerging and established business ventures with accomplished investors looking for cutting-edge ideas, products and services to invest in.
“I want Mississauga to be a place where great ideas can become a reality and grow from concept to commercialization right in our City.
“We are proud that First Look has cemented its reputation as a popular, trusted and professional networking event where ideas and innovation flourish – and where entrepreneurs and industry professionals come together to launch the next big idea directly into the marketplace.
“Now in its third year, First Look is producing real results for investors and start-up companies, who want to build on their success, reach higher and lead the competition.
“One of our keynote speakers this evening is Amir Azhari, President of Advanced Opto-Mechanical Systems and Technologies.
“AOMS Technologies took part last year. And it was here at First Look – where experts from GreenSky Capital – got their first look at the promise and potential of A-O-M-S Technologies.
“First Look put A-O-M-S on the path to secure an investment valued at $925,000 in financing from GreenSky Capital! This funding is enabling the company to expand its sales and marketing efforts and improve product development.
“AOMS Technologies is solid proof First Look works.
“During our inaugural First Look event, we used the opportunity to launch the Mayor’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship Taskforce – a working group of public and private-sector leaders.
“Innovation is equally important to government, as it is to business. Like entrepreneurs, we need to think outside the box.
“We need to come up with innovative solutions to build a 21st century economy for Mississauga’s promising future.
“The central question this Taskforce has been charged with answering is: how can we turn Mississauga into a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship?
“Taskforce members identified the importance of strengthening connections. This includes connecting students, start-ups and thriving businesses with networking opportunities with academic and business thought leaders – along with potential inroads to secure capital investments to help bring innovative ideas, products and services into the marketplace.
“Earlier this year, the provincial Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science issued a call for public input to shape the role, responsibilities and mandate of Ontario’s first Chief Science Officer.
“The ideas shared by my Taskforce members were a catalyst for my office to provide a formal submission to the Ministry.
“We see the Chief Science Officer position as an opportunity to further align the research, innovation and economic development priorities and strategic plans of local governments, post-secondary institutions, business representatives and industry associations with the Province.
“Thank you again to everyone who has come together to organize and to participate in First Look. We all look forward to hearing the new success stories that will emerge from tonight’s first encounters.”
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