Will Pate has a great write up about the 2 opportunities for startups at CIX. The combination of CIX and StartupCampToronto2 at the end of April continues to buid on successes in Toronto and Montreal of Founders & Funders, DemoCamp and Rick Segal’s VC Roundtable events. Co-ordinating events like CIX and StartupCampToronto offers a balance of attraction and attention to the different constituencies.
CIX is a forum for the money. They are looking for validated dealflow. They want qualified leads and entrepreneurs. Sure $495 may seem like a lot of money to students, to people not committed to running a growth business, and to people who just want to be associated with the scene. But it helps ensure that in collaboration with grassroots efforts like StartupCampToronto that entrepreneurs are aware, informed, educated and prepared to participate with the suits.
Will summaries the opportunity nicely:
To my colleagues from coast to coast in Canuck startups, I have a special invitation for you: submit your company to present at the Canada's Hottest Companies showcase before a panel of leading investors at the Canadian Innovation Exchange conference. They want to meet Canadian innovators in new media, web services, mobile, software and hardware.
On April 29 & 30th in Toronto leading investors, public & private executives and service providers are gathering to meet our country's most innovative entrepreneurs at CIX. The conference will feature keynotes, educational sessions, facilitated & informal networking, and the startup showcase. I'll be there to facilitate a workshop about using the web to its full potential.
There is no cost to submit and your company will be reviewed by a selection committee of over 20 leading investors. Their top rated companies will get 10 minutes to present on stage, and a guaranteed minimum of 3 meetings. It's a no-lose situation, and if you have a business plan it should be easy to copy and paste.
There is also going to be a StartupCamp Toronto 2 at CIX, apply there too to double your chances of presenting your startup to a room full of people that can help
I don’t disagree with Ali’s comments. I’m curious at the different pricing models between an events management company (Achilles Media) and a media company (TechCrunch). Tell me what you think. Because there are only 2 voices and we need more people with strong opinions.