It’s not just the althletes participating in the 2019 Canada Winter Games who are looking forward to February.
A first-of-its-kind investment forum will bring people with ideas and those with the capital together on Feb. 20 at Westerner Park.
Peter McGee, a steering committee member with the Edge Investment Forum, said 16 entrepreneurs will make pitches aimed at attracting investments of anywhere from $100,000 to $11 million.
He said several of the entrepreneurs are from Red Deer, with others from central Alberta, Edmonton, Calgary and a few from outside the province.
“The specific ideas and the opportunities they’re providing are really blowing me away,” said McGee, who is also an economic development officer with the City of Red Deer.
“It’s going to be quite inspiring. Even if you’re not one of the presenters this time, you might be a presenter next time. Or you might even make that connection at the event, whether it’s a service provider or an investor, who helps spur that idea along. It can be life changing.”
The proposals are in the clean renewable energy industry, health technology, retail manufacturing, communications and technology, insurance and technology, manufacturing technology, transportation technology, and marketing.
McGee said some Chinese investors will not make it due to the current political climate, but there has been interest from investors from about half a dozen countries.
Holding the forum at the same time as the winter games, which runs Feb. 15 to March 3, gives international investors a chance to learn more about the Red Deer area, he said.
“They like to experience some of the culture of where they’re going to spend their money, so they understand where their money is going to go.”
Central Albertans interested in expanding their investment portfolio are also encouraged to attend.
“It’s an eye-opener for residents here who may not think they have the ability to invest. There’s opportunities out there on all sorts of different levels.”
He said investors don’t need to be “multimillion-dollar dragons” to support a company that wants to go global or is looking to revolutionize an industry with their invention or innovation.
The Edge Investment Forum will also bring investors to Red Deer each November during the Canadian Finals Rodeo.
“We always talk about diversifying our economy and strengthening our economy, and I really believe these types of events are how we do that. By investing in our local businesses … that’s how we move our economy forward.”
For ticket information on the one-day investment forum, or the evening reception, visit centralalbertaedge.ca.
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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