Looking back at the 2023 Investor Showcase
Across the UBC landscape, we are seeing research and ideas brought to bear through entrepreneurial pathways, being propelled into the world creating positive economic, cultural and environmental impacts through venture creation.
Tuesday, May 2, 2023, marked our 3rd annual Investor Showcase at UBC Robson Square featuring Ready-to-Raise companies from HATCH Venture Builder and Venture Founder presenting to our investor community. This year, 16 ventures took to the stage, sharing their milestones and traction as they prepare to raise Seed to Series A rounds to further their venture building journeys.
An initiative led by entrepreneurship@UBC and the Institute for Computing, Information and Cognitive Systems (ICICS), our collaborators in HATCH Venture Builder, the Investor Showcase brings together our investor/funder community to connect directly with the next generation of entrepreneurs creating impact across climate, human health, social impact and more.
Furthering our mandate
The Investor Showcase speaks directly to our vision and north star of inspiring entrepreneurship amongst the UBC population and building transformational ventures that positively shape our economy and society; while helping them launch and grow a sustainable and impact-driven future through financing.
Showtime
The event began with networking and booth displays in the lobby of the Robson Square theater, generating excitement and build up in anticipation of the show’s start. Audience members were able to interact in real-time with the presenting teams, directly speaking with founders about their venture opportunity. At 5:00 pm, the show opened with entrepreneurship@UBC’s MCs Chang Han, Lead Entrepreneur in Residence and Michelle Sklar, Head of Venture Growth Strategy, setting the tone for the evening, noting the distinctive value UBC ventures bring to the world:
“UBC’s track record and commitment to global sustainability, community development and experiential learning provides the backdrop for UBC entrepreneurs and innovators to bring their most impactful solutions to the global population.” Michelle Sklar, Head Venture Growth Strategy, entrepreneurship@UBC
We heard remarks from entrepreneurship@UBC Interim Managing Director, Dr. Sean Lumb, as well as Director of ICICS, Professor Robert Rohling, who shared the importance of collaboration and ecosystem building, speaking to the nature of our partnership in HATCH as well as events like the Investor Showcase that bring the whole community together.
The 2023 Investor Showcase was proudly sponsored by Fasken, hearing from Firm Partner Geoff Pedlow who shared the importance of nurturing early-stage ventures from the outset to ensure the longevity of the innovation community as a whole.
Fuelling the early-stage innovation ecosystem
In recent years, global venture successes like that seen with UBC spinout ventures AbCellera, Aspect Biosystems, CarboNet and more have set the precedent for the incredible work and research coming from the University of British Columbia, and the vital importance for patient capital to fuel these opportunities which go on to create fundamental impact at the local and international levels.
In his remarks, Dr. Lumb spoke to this, noting that 2023 marks entrepreneurship@UBC’s 10 year anniversary which could not have been accomplished without our wider ecosystem’s support:
“It’s incredibly exciting to be in the trenches with UBC entrepreneurs... working with them to establish and build their ventures, achieve market traction, anchor them in their ecosystems and help them to realize success.” Dr. Sean Lumb, Interim Managing Director, entrepreneurship@UBC
Investor support is a fundamental driver for venture success, and events like the Investor Showcase help embed ventures within this community to create relationships that fuel their growth and sustainability as organizations creating impact.
Then, it was time to start the show: 16 ventures took the stage in 5 minute pitch slots sharing their stories, solutions, and asks for fundraising. Ventures were invited back on stage after their presentations for group fireside Q&A panels moderated by Entrepreneurs in Residence Tiffany Hamilton and Fraser Pogue who dove deeper on the viability of their solution, how they intend to deliver impact and their next key milestones to peak investor interest and highlight more of their individual stories.
Watch snippets of the venture's pitches
The Showcase ended with our audience voting in a People’s Choice Award, awarding OnDeck Fisheries AI the honor of the evening with 25% of the total vote.
Congratulations to all of the teams who presented, and thank you to our wider community for coming out!
