*October 15, 2009 - Please note that Connect '09 has reached capacity and is sold out. We have had a great response so far and we look forward to October 19th!

However, if you are still interested in attending the event, we will be compiling a waitlist. Please email your contact information and choice of panel session to iphan@bcic.ca or if you have any further questions.

CONNECT '09
BC Innovation Council's Premier Event for Technology Start-ups and Innovators

Join the CONNECT '09 social network and use it to find and connect with people at the event! http://connect09.crowdvine.com

CONNECT '09 HIGHLIGHTS:

FEATURED SPEAKER: LEONARD BRODY
Be inspired by this internationally recognized Canadian technology entrepreneur, venture capitalist, best-selling author and business visionary. Learn more about Leonard Brody here.

UNIQUE STRUCTURED NETWORKING
Learn directly from prominent BC technology leaders invited for the vital purpose of sharing their experience with technology start-ups and innovators.

EXPERT PANELS
Learn the techniques and strategies from industry experts and entrepreneurial case studies that directly impact a start-up’s success.

Panel Topics:

• Get Fundable: Access to capital in the current economic climate
  

  Need money? Local legends from the angel and VC investment community, along with the CEO of one of Canada’s hottest start-ups will deliver an update on the current status of early stage fundraising including some tips and tricks of the trade.  It’s all about connecting you with leaders in your community so bring your questions and your notepad too. Get yourself fundable!

• Friends in High Places: Leveraging partnerships to accelerate growth
  

  Launching a start-up?  You don’t have to do it alone. Technology business accelerators are a growing phenomenon worldwide and they’re right here in BC. Learn about their services and business models. Find out first hand from recent accelerator graduate companies how these programs helped them go from concept to company, faster than they would have on their own.

• The Accelerator Factor: Case studies on the benefits and value of accelerators
  

  Need customers?  Accelerate your growth by leveraging the market presence of larger companies among your target market. Find out how to partner with companies with firmly established sales channels. Select this session to learn firsthand how some exciting Vancouver-based, early-stage companies are getting the job done with thriving global partnerships. Don’t just take their word for it. Hear how one of Canada’s most successful technology giants is actually on the street searching for exciting partnership opportunities with emerging technology companies just like yours.   

• The Design Imperative: Optimizing commercialization through product design
  

  Need viral customer adoption?  Whether you’re building software or hardware, digital bits and bytes or metal boxes, the way your customer interacts with your product can make or break your success in the market. Join some of BC’s and Canada’s brightest industry experts in industrial design and user interface design and learn how to emphasize the user experience early in the product design process. Build a product your customers love using right out of the gate and will tell their friends about!

TECHNOLOGY EXPO
Discover emerging innovations from academic institutions in BC.

AWARDS
Awards will be presented for exceptional achievement in, or potential for, commercialization of technology.

AGENDA
4:30 pm - Registration
5:00 pm - Expert Panels
6:00 pm - Structured Networking & Stand-up Dinner Buffet
8:00 pm - Leonard Brody, Featured Speaker & Awards
9:00 pm - Networking

Visit bcic.ca/connect for more details or follow BCIC on Twitter for the most recent Connect '09 updates.