Vancouver Startup Week 2018

Secret Language of Bankers: Build rapport to get more money at lower cost with less risk.

Over $50 billion a year is lent to small businesses in Canada yet only half of the small businesses get financing from banks. Money is available for successful small business owners. You’re successful but are you getting your fair share? If not, maybe bankers don’t really understand what makes your business so successful. Learn how to speak their language and what they need to know to finance your business.

VSW VIP INVITATION: Would you like a no-risk, private session with an experienced banker to discuss the unique aspects of your business? Sign up to attend the complete 2-day VIP session (includes private meetings, lunches, networking reception, and more) for only $50 here (value $2,500). SPACE IS VERY LIMITED.

Be Your Own VC: How to increase cash flow and profitability to reduce dilution

Don’t want to give up control of your company? Create a business model that generates the cash you need to invest in your own growth.
In this session we’ll show you how to:

• 2X your cash flow and 10X your value! Find out why you don’t need to double your revenue to double your value.
• Build leverage levers: Get more from what you already have! In this session, we will give you framework and tools on how to leverage your money, time and resources.
• Stack profits: There are 5 profit drivers in your business, each at a different level of operations. Learn how to maximize profitability to accelerate your growth.

In this interactive 2 hour workshop In this workshop you will learn answers to:

• What is a SAFE?
• Why do US investors require Preferred Shares?
• Why do experienced Investors dislike Convertible Debt or a SAFE?
• What type of shares should Founders subscribe for?
• Why is Convertible Debt ineligible for BC's 30% investment refund program?
• Why a Valuation Cap on Convertible Debt, negates its whole purpose
• What Discount should early investors get on SAFE or Convertible debt?
• Will VC Funds honour a previously agreed Discount to early SAFE investors?

Exclusively for founders and investors - please register here to confirm your space at this event.
Venue location will be emailed to you by the event coodinator once you are confirmed.

Non-Dilutive Pitch Basics: Ditch the pitch and prepare a presentation that builds your credibility with lenders and grant providers.

If you pitch bankers the same way you pitch the Dragons, you probably won’t get the loan from the bankers. It’s not you, it’s them! Bankers are allergic to hype. They want certainty. They want to know you’ll succeed. If your business is a solid business, you need to learn how to convince them your business is a great financial bet. In this session, we share with you the only step-by-step system that helps you build a pitch that can demonstrate a solid case for how your business is financeable by banks. Once you know these 5 steps, you can build a long-term relationship with bankers that can support you and your business.

EXCLUSIVE to VSW VIPS: After the presentation, VIPs get to practice their pitch in front of an audience and get tailored feedback from our pitch coaches. We will not ask you to disclose any sensitive information in your pitch (we have private sessions arranged for that). If you want to practice your presentation in a safe environment and get real feedback (or to discuss your business with a banker in a one-on-one private session), sign up to attend the complete 2-day VIP session (includes private meetings, lunches, networking reception, and more) for only $50 here (value $2,500). SPACE IS VERY LIMITED.

Looking to raise seed capital but not sure where to start? Investors are saying they're interested but wont commit without a strong lead investor? A few investors on-board but struggling to get enough to wrap up the round? Join Spring for an in-depth workshop to help you prepare for navigating the complicated negotiations that come with raising capital for the first time.

This workshop is for:
-Founders of a post-launch business.
-Companies that have started raising a seed round or are planning to in the next 6 months

You will learn about:
-Handling the "who is your lead investor" conversation.
-How to ask someone to be your lead. -How to raise even without a lead investor.
-and many other tips to help you close your round more quickly.

Accounting and finance is not everyone’s cup of tea, Helina and Rafael will leverage their years of experience to help you get started and excited about finance!

Before living out of a suitcase and pitching investors, you should have the skill set to master your finances. Finance Hacking 101 will cover the financial well being of the startup and its founder(s). The pursuit of cultivating a scalable, repeatable business from your original startup idea is not for the faint at heart. This workshop will provide you with the tools to keep a roof over your head while building your business organically, without the pressure of diluting yourself out of business too early.

The Workshop will be followed by a networking session from 4-6pm  on the 3rd floor of Suite Genius.

Come learn how to build a proper cap table for your new business. 

LaBarge Weinstein LLP is hosting an event for startup founders and employees to walk through the process of building a cap table. We will review the proper structure of a cap table and how to model dilution from equity financings, convertible investments and stock options. Our team will be putting together tailored cap tables on demand for attendees, so feel free to stop by anytime during the event.