Angel investor group industry association the National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) has just published its sixth annual Report on Canadian Angel Investing Activity, and the data collected within it paints a positive picture for entrepreneurs, portraying a vibrant angel market in Canada.
The report was compiled following a survey of 32 angel groups across the country, and shows that these groups made a total of 283 investments totalling more than $133 million in 2015 – a 48 per cent increase on the previous year. The average deal size was more than $1 million, with the largest being $22.7million.
Angel groups are becoming an established and integral part of Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, according to NACO CEO Yuri Navarro, with the collaboration among investors encouraging better access to capital.
“Canada has seen a boom in startups, which is made possible by the larger concentration of investors in major markets in central and western Canada, said Navarro. “We are excited to see this community continue to develop across the country as we further invest in growing and professionalizing the ecosystem of Canadian Angel investors.”
The NACO survey revealed that most of the participating angel groups tend to invest in their local area and that 67 per cent are based in central Canada, 28 per cent in western Canada and five per cent in eastern Canada. NCO believes angel groups are now an essential part of the Canadian economy, encouraging innovation and helping to create jobs.
Over the last three years, investment has continued to increase significantly, with the almost 50 per cent increase in the sum invested in 2015 primarily due to follow-on investments, which have more than doubled compared to the previous year.
“Small and medium-sized enterprises are key drivers of economic growth and are crucial to Canada’s long-term innovation goals,” said Minister of Small Business and Tourism Bardish Chagger. “The government of Canada is a proud partner and contributor to NACO’s report on the state of Canadian Angel investing activity, which provides insight into trends in investment in SMEs [small and medium-sized enterprises].
Angel groups across the country contribute to the building of prosperous businesses and are ultimately responsible for propelling ventures from being startups to global successes, Chagger added.
With so much support for startups now available in Canada, the chances of succeeding are better than ever. Aspiring entrepreneurs can boost their prospects even further by enrolling in the University Canada West (UCW) master of business administration (MBA) program. The UCW MBA program offers students business education and corporate training, preparing them for careers in Canada and beyond by boosting their employability as graduates.
Source:
