THE SIDEBAR: Northern Angel Summit; Evacuation Orders rescinded; Fundraising success
Contestants narrowed to 12 for Northern Angel Summit
With two nights of quarter-final pitches under their belts, twelve start-ups have been chosen to continue to a summer full of work with investor coaches to refine their pitches and investment materials in preparation for the semi-finals in September. Six companies will move on from the finals to compete one last time at the public Summit Finale on September 25.
The Northern Angel Summit is a 10-week investment readiness program which aims to bring promising British Columbia companies together with angel investors from across the North. Inspired by Dragon’s Den, the Northern Angel Summit is an investor-led experience which gives founders (entrepreneurs with unique ideas, inventions or businesses) a chance to pitch their businesses directly to the angel investors, who listen to the pitches, work with these founders and collaborate to decide which one will ultimately win the $100,000 of investment at the end of the summer.
Created by the Northern Innovation Network, the Northern Angel Summit is the first of its kind in Northern BC, geared to close the gap between early-stage capital while also strengthening the local innovation ecosystem. Through the 10-week training program, it equips both founders and investors with the tolls they need to confidently raise capital in high-growth ventures.
“These founders reflect the resilience and ingenuity powering innovation in Northern and rural communities of BC,” said Mary Mytting, executive director of the Northern Innovation Network in a press release announcing the 12 semi-finalists.
“This summit isn’t just about a single investment – it’s about building capacity and confidence on both sides of the table, with angel investors and entrepreneurs. We’re seeing angel investors step up and back the next generation of business leaders.”
The Top 12 start-ups are, in alphabetical order:
Design Time
Edison Motors Ltd.
Forefront Energy Ltd
Hope Innovations
North Pacific Kelp Wild Foods Inc.
Open Waters Design and Manufacturing Ltd.
ProDelta Projects
skiKrumb Trackers
Sporalis Biotech
Squiggly Things
Tree Track Intelligence Inc.
Trueleaf Petcare Inc.
For more information about the Northern Angel Summit, check out my previous article from last month or visit the Northern Innovation Network.
Radiothon raises funds for newborn cardiorespiratory monitors
The Fort St. John Hospital Foundation’s annual Have a Heart Radiothon raised over $40,000 last week to help finance the purchase of advanced cardiorespiratory monitors for newborns at the Fort St. John Birthing Centre.
The Hospital Foundation says that matching donors PETRONAS Canada and Shell Groundbirch, were instrumental in helping reach fundraising milestones, as well as the last-minute donation from Shelley and Doug Gallinger of $5,500.
The cardiorespiratory monitors will allow newborns to remain in birthing rooms with their parents, enhancing care, comfort and safety for Fort St. John tiniest patients.
Monitors are currently located in the nursery, meaning newborns who need extra support after birth are separated from their parents. Having these new monitors will allow more time for bonding and less stress for both babies and parents.
Access to up-to-date medical technology can be a challenge in northern, rural and remote communities like Fort St. John. But having that equipment in our hospital is also where it can make the biggest difference, Clinical Practice Lead at the FSJ Birthing Centre, Megan Edwards said in a statement from the Hospital Foundation.
“This equipment will help us keep families together during those first critical hours. It’s not just about monitoring – it’s about comfort, safety and giving every baby the best possible start.”
Evacuation orders rescinded for Pocket Knife and Kiskatinaw fires
The efforts of fire fighters, combined with the recent rains have done their job in the BC Peace, resulting in all evacuation orders being cancelled, and the Peace River Regional District beginning the process of returning evacuees to their homes.
On their website and Facebook page, the PRRD has posted instructions for residents of One Island Lake and Kelly Lake returning home. There are resources available at the Kelly Lake Community Centre including cleaning kits, food package and return-to-home information and support. Bins for disposing of spoiled food have also been set up in the area.
Although the evacuation orders for the Kiskatinaw River wildfire have been cancelled, some of the area is still under an alert:
Alert #9:
Starting 10.5 kms south of Kiskatinaw Pit Rd & Highway 52E Junction
14 kms east from Highway 52E to the Alberta Border
24 km north along the BC/AB Border
10 kms south of One Island Lake Rd & Highway 52E Junction
5.8 kms southwest of the Kiskatinaw River
9 kms south of the Kiskatinaw River to the junction of Ministike Creek
3.7 kms south by southwest until it intersects the Kiskatinaw Pit Road
10 km southeast to Highway 52E
Although all evacuation orders have been lifted, both the Kiskatinaw River wildfire and the Pocket Knife Creek wildfire areas are now under Area Restriction Orders while ongoing fire suppression efforts are continuing.
Also, because of the rains in recent days, Campfires are once again permitted in the Fort St. John and Dawson Creek Zones. Campfire bans remain in place in Fort Nelson.
