I’m thrilled to once again be involved in Invest Atlantic, the only pan-regional conference for investors and entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada. As was the case last year, I have the pleasure – and it really is a pleasure – of lining up the speakers.
 
The keynote address this year will be a panel discussion on the future of Venture Capital in Atlantic Canada, which will be moderated by British superangel Permjot Valia, a familiar face in Nova Scotia. We’re close to announcing the other participants in this session, and they are an impressive group.
 
Kicking off our plenary sessions will be a discussion on Approaching Silicon Valley, chaired by Nancy Mathis, Executive Director of the Wallace McCain Institute of Saint John, NB. We’re filling up the slots for this session, and we’re delighted that David Crow, editor of Startup North, will be one of the speakers.
 
We have a new feature at this year’s event. GrowthWorks Atlantic is assembling a panel to speak on the regional venture capital fund that Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have both committed $15 million to. Tom Hayes, the CEO of GrowthWorks Atlantic, will chair the event.
 
We were really pleased with the turnout for the inaugural Invest Atlantic last year and hope that this year’s event will be as or more successful.
 
-- Peter Moreira