Springboard Atlantic, the organization that supports the commercialization of research at the region's post-secondary institutions, will host a technology showcase in Halifax on Wednesday in association with the National Angel Summit, which opens that evening.

The Springboard Atlantic Technology Showcase is being held 9 am to 4 pm at the World Trade and Convention Centre in Halifax and will highlight the innovation produced by researchers and others at the 19 universities and colleges across the region. Admission is free, but entrants must sign up byTuesday.

"Atlantic Canada has seen significant growth in early stage industry academic partnerships, which is helping to create new products and services for our Atlantic companies,” said Chris Mathis, President and CEO of Springboard Atlantic. “We are also launching start-up companies on a regular basis that are worth taking a look at.”

Atlantic Canadian universities and colleges are working more closely with large corporations and startup entrepreneurs to convert laboratory research or new technology into commercial products. For example, Dalhousie University this year worked with York Bridge Capital of Toronto to finance the launch of a company tentatively called Scotia Motors, which will develop a pneumatic engine designed by engineering student Braden Murphy.

"As an angel investor, we are always looking for the next big thing,"said Ross Finlay, director and co-founder of the First Angel Network.. "We have a wonderful source for incredible innovations in our Atlantic Canadian educational institutions. This Technology Showcase is an opportunity to see the best and brightest emerging innovations."

Hosted by the Halifax-based First Angel Network, the NACO Summit, which will be held Oct. 24-26 at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront, is a meeting of about 200 angel investors from across the country to discuss best practices and trends in angel investing. The program includes a pitching session that will include one Maritime company -- which the organizers so far have declined to name. The panel sessions will include discussions of such issues as cross-border investment, crowdfunding, commercialization of intellectual property and government support for capital markets.

One session on the importance of mentoring will feature Boston-based investor and mentor Mike Grandinetti in discussion with two Cape Breton entrepreneurs he works with, Chad Munro of Halifax Biomedical and Darren Gallop of Marcato Digital Solutions.