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.

You wouldn't buy a house on your credit card, why would you use the wrong type of loan to finance your business?

Short answer? You probably didn’t realize that there are so many ways to borrow money. In this session, we invite a panel of lending and financial experts to discuss the types of loans and debt, how and why you need different types of loans for different needs, and how to build a long-term relationship with your bankers to ensure that you’re always getting the best financing for your stage of growth.

VSW VIP INVITATION: Every business is unique. If you want to have a no-risk, private conversation with an expert banker about your 3 keys to success borrowing specifically to 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.

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.

Which is cheaper …debt or equity? Come and enjoy this lively, informative and thought-provoking debate.

We call it an unwinnable debate because there is no right answer. Come and watch a fast pace and fun casual debate to find out why the answer lies in your business model and what makes this debate "unwinnable". We will follow the debate by an in-depth fireside chat on the benefits, risks, and costs of debt and equity. By the end, you’ll understand why debt is not necessarily always the expensive option.

PRIVATE CONVERSATION with the EXPERTS: If you want to talk to one of the experts in a one-on-one session to talk about the unique requirements 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.

Expert Panel - 3 Keys to Getting Grants, Tax Credits, and Contributions: Discover the most common mistakes business owners make and how the experts approach these funding sources.

We want to help you get the free money you deserve! In this session, our experts will discuss the different sources of free funding from government and other organizations, pointing out the common mistakes people make when trying to access this type of funding, and the biggest surprises people face when they apply for the funding for the first time.

PRIVATE CONVERSATION with the EXPERTS: If you want to talk to one of the experts in a one-on-one session to talk about the unique requirements 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.

Credit, Cashflow and Risk Expert Panel: How to get the money you need at a lower cost and with less dilution

How much information can one financial statement hold? More than you know! We invite a panel of bankers, accountants, and other experts to discuss the first 3 things they look at on a financial statement and why financial statements are important to them. A good banker not only can understand your business from your financial statement, they can also get insights into the management team as well. Join us to find out more about credit, cash flow, and the risk to your business. By the time you leave the session, you'll know how to leverage your financial statement to get more money faster and cheaper (hint: loans with the lowest interest rate aren't necessarily always your best option)!

Also, hear what our past participants have to say about our workshop and what they’ve learned and done differently after attending the Small Business Finance Forum (at 11:30 AM).

PRIVATE CONVERSATION with the EXPERTS: If you want to talk to one of the experts in a one-on-one session to talk about the unique requirements 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.

Ever curious how pitches are different when you ask for non-dilutive financing? What are the tips you can use to get bankers' attention? We'd like to invite you to watch our VIPs pitch for their non-dilutive financing.  They will receive feedback that could potentially be useful for your business.

If you would like to join them, we still have a few spots left. Register here.

In 2018, data drives decisions. Technology has afforded us the ability to monitor a company’s activity, sales and customer journey in real time. In order for you to have an accurate picture of your startups viability and profitability you must understand digital analytics and its direct impact on your bottom line. This unapologetic “Real Talk” panel discussion about the critical metrics and measurement required to ensure a successful pitch to potential investors and make sound business decisions will be the crucial conversation we all need to have in the startup community!

Ever curious how an idea becomes a startup and what it takes to build a company? What keeps these entrepreneurs up at night? What are their proudest and most challenging moments they've experienced so far? And how they are preparing for the future?

In this 90 minute interactive session, each panelist will begin the session with sharing their story through a panel discussion and then we will have fireside chats with each Founder, rotating World Cafe style.

Moderated by Jennifer Curleigh and Leah  Hennessey Rai, Culture Collaborators at SPARK Creations & Company, we will hear the Founder's journey from Aman Mann, Co-Founder and CEO of Procurify, Chris Jensen, Co-Founder of Left and RightMesh, Claire Booth, Founder and President of Lux Insights and Shawn Neumann, Founder and CEO of Domain7.

Gain unique insights from an Angel Investor, then meet awesome entrepreneurs tackling problems that matter.

A backstage pass into one Angel Investor's approach, with our Entrepreneur-In-Residence, Tom Urban. Tom will share how he creates and manages an investment portfolio, and offer insights into decisions around making investments, including key criteria, performance tracking, and decisions around follow-on investments. Next meet our entrepreneurs, who they are, what are they up to. Entrepreneurs to be announced soon!