New partnership brings growth opportunities for startups

Friday, March 8, 2013

New partnership brings growth opportunities for startups

The Canadian National Stock Exchange (CNSX) announced today a new strategic partnership with Innovate Calgary and Alberta Deal Generator (ADG). Innovate Calgary and CNSX have forged a partnership agreement to enhance and support the technology and startup sector in Canada. Innovate Calgary is the first technology transfer office in Canada to develop a joint venture with CNSX.

Technology entrepreneurs and investors can now access the combined bench-strength of Innovate Calgary, ADG and CNSX. Innovate Calgary, a leading commercialization centre, ADG, a highly regarded Angel Network of investors and CNSX, increasingly the best market for venture tech companies to list as they go public, through this partnership, will provide more options for technology company investment and exit strategies.

“CNSX is an innovative stock exchange with a focus on technology companies and the capital markets that support them. This partnership marks the natural evolution for CNSX as each party is strategically aligned to improve the financial environment for technology and industrial innovation companies,” explains Richard Carleton, CEO of CNSX. Mark Francis, Western Canada Advisor for CNSX believes “This initiative will result in efficient application of this mandate and enhance growth capacity for technology companies.”

“This partnership launches a major initiative to magnify the Alberta technology capital market,” states Peter Garrett, President, Innovate Calgary. “We are pleased to unite with CNSX. We look forward to this next step in focusing on investors as a major client group for us.”

The vision of Innovate Calgary is, to accelerate, facilitate and support innovation in the technology sector. This joint venture maintains and enhances that mandate.

“In partnering with CNSX we assert our intention to bring on many more angel investors who want to add tech deals to their portfolio and who understand how CNSX can provide another road to liquidity,” explained Henry Kutarna, Executive Director, ADG. “We are now able to offer our investors another path to exit – something our tech entrepreneurs also appreciate.”

Innovate Calgary, ADG and CNSX are committed to providing the highest level of service for their clients while evolving with technology ecosystem demands. This alliance allows each partner to deepen their contribution to the technology space while contributing to the development of a leading innovation ecosystem in Canada.

About Innovate Calgary
Is a full service organization offering technology transfer and business incubator services to researchers, entrepreneurs and businesses within the advanced technology sector. We support commercialization by providing a variety of services and programs including: business and technical advice, workshops, screening of technologies for commercial potential, access to sector resources, licensing and intellectual property strategy, company creation/incubation programs and tenancy and business resources and facilities for technology companies.

About Alberta Deal Generator
Alberta Deal Generator is a province-wide initiative designed to facilitate investment in Alberta technology companies and is a joint venture between Innovate Calgary and TEC Edmonton. ADG is an initiative of Innovate Calgary’s Investment Development program.

It has established one of the largest networks of most active of accredited investors in Canada facilitating investment in technology companies.

About CNSX
CNSX is an innovative stock exchange for trading the securities of public companies. CNSX’s unique market model matches enhanced disclosure and streamlined issuer regulation with leading edge technology and comprehensive regulatory oversight to capital formation and efficient secondary market trading for entrepreneurs, public companies, investors and investment dealers.

Contacts:

Meghan Ockey
Advisor, Communications & Marketing
Cell: 403.837.3112
mockey@innovatecalgary.com  
www.innovatecalgary.com  

Mark Francis
Western Canada Representative – CNSX Markets Inc.
Phone: 403-993-1750
Mark.Francis@cnsx.ca  
www.CNSX.ca