🏔 Here's to an unforgettable 25th Annual Venture Capital Association of Alberta (VCAA) Ski Conference at The Lake Louise Ski Resort and Summer Gondola and Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise! ⛷🏂
For 3️⃣ days, we gathered in the heart of the Rockies for deep discussions, meaningful connections, and a few surprise moments, including skating on the lake, a surprise line dancing lesson, and a perfect bluebird day on the slopes. ☀❄
This milestone year celebrated 25 years of impact, growth, and collaboration within #Alberta’s #venturecapital and #investment ecosystem. 🎉
Here's just some of the conference highlights:
🔥 Fireside Chat: Extraordinary Families, Funds, and Founders: Building the Future of Logistics Together – with Jeff McCaig, Chairman, Trimac Transportation Group & Trevor Adey, Founder & GP, McVestCo VC
🧭 Navigating the New Economic Reality – featuring Tom Birch, Managing Director, Venture Capital Advisor, Kim Furlong, CEO, Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (CVCA), and moderated by Kristina Williams, CEO, Alberta Enterprise Corporation (AEC)
🌎 Economic Shifts That Matter – featuring Stefane Marion, Chief Economist and Strategist, National Bank of Canada
💰 Fundraising Insights Across Borders – led by Ashley (Howard) Neville, Director of Insights, Carta
📈 What We’ve Learned from the Last Decade – featuring John Rikhtegar, Director Capital, RBCx, Lauren Harris, Managing Director, Northleaf Capital Partners, Senia Rapisarda, LL.M, CIM, Managing Director, HarbourVest Partners, and moderated by Hugues Lalancette, Partner, Inovia Capital
🏛 Government Address – with the Hon. Nate Glubish, Ministry of Technology & Innovation, Government of Alberta
📘 Breaking Boring: The Science of Storytelling – with Mia Silverio, Head of Research, Prof G Media
💼 Interactive Case Study: "When 💩 Hits the Fan" – moderated by
Omi Velasco, Executive Director, #VCAA
📊 What’s Next for Tech M&A? – featuring Andrew Fedele, Director, Transaction Advisory Services, RSM, Brent Franks, Founder, mindworks, and moderated by Mariya Honcharova, CPA, CA, Partner, RSM
🎤 Closing Remarks delivered by Alan Campbell, VCAA Chair
Here’s a few key takeaways from the conference, feel free to share yours in the comments below: 👇
💡 Success breeds more success
💡 The word for 2025 is "Growth"
💡 Keeping manufacturing in #Canada is critical for #innovation
💡 More exits lead to more founders starting again
💡 Consistent capital allocation is key
💡 We need more investment into Canadian companies and talent
💡 Experience is the thing you get right after you needed it
A huge thank you to Omi, Alan, and the entire #VCAA team for putting together such a stellar event. 👏
Thank you to all the sponsors who made this conference possible, see comments below. 🎉
Looking forward to welcoming you all to next year’s #VCAASkiConference and another 25 years of impact! 💪📈
📸 Photographer James Hay, Aspen Films
