English Bay Morning and Evening Splendor
False Creek and Nature's Beacon
Boating in Howe Sound at sunset - at its best!
Small Businesses and WUTIF
Former Minister Iain Black (center below and now President of the Vancouver Board of Trade) and Minister Murray Coell (standing) consulted with Small Business Roundtable members at a recent meeting. Throughout Small Business Month in October Minister Black will exchange ideas with small business entrepreneurs with a goal of strengthening the sector which makes up 98 per cent of all businesses in BC.
WUTIF Capital (VCC) Inc. is a novel "angel" fund that co-invests with angel investors in promising new technology ventures in British Columbia. WUTIF (Western Universities Technology Innovation Fund) was formed in mid-2003 and made its first investments in late 2004. In addition to offering above-average investment returns potential, offers substantial tax incentives available only to residents of BC. WUTIF gives investors an opportunity to invest in, as well as contribute to, the BC economy and optionally contribute to their favorite charity for additional tax benefits.
WUTIF, unlike other professionally managed funds, has a very low operating cost. Management is compensated primarily on performance!
WUTIF's Differentiating Features:
WUTIF, unlike other professionally managed funds, has a very low operating cost. Management is compensated primarily on performance!
WUTIF's Differentiating Features:
- early stage only - i.e. tech startups when valuations are in the low (typically <$2M)
- an "angel" fund - that has mainly angel investors and that only co-invests with angels
- $25K-$200K typical investment range
- no management loads (mainly performance fees)
- maximum 5% on all expenses, fees, commissions (cumulative total during first 3 years, not annual)
- all directors of WUTIF are also investors
- warrants provide an attractive charitable donation aspect (e.g. donate shares but keep warrants)
(allows one to get back >70% in tax credits) - RRSP eligible (combined tax saving >70%)
- directors all have technology/management/investing expertise, good track records
- shareholders invited to angel meetings
- regular shareholder updates to investors on confidential website
- Get 100% of your capital back in 5+ years by re-investing for an additional 5 years
BIV article week of October 20 - 26, 2009
We Care About Our Community
Associations, Newsletters and Groups
- BCTIA (British Columbia Technology Association): The BC Technology Industry Association is British Columbia’s leading member-based industry association that represents start-ups to established technology companies across the province. As the voice of the technology industry, the BCTIA is committed to the ongoing growth, sustainability and prosperity of the technology industry and the transformation of British Columbia to a knowledge-based economy. BCTIA delivers a broad range of programs and services that provide members with opportunities to connect learn and promote their businesses in BC.
LinkedIn Group for BCTIA members: LinkedIn members can join the BCTIA Group to share common interests and exchange ideas.
Machine Vision Group: LinkedIn group established to discuss topical machine vision issues between interested LinkedIn members.
BCIC (British Columbia Innovation Council): The British Columbia Innovation Council (BCIC) is the lead organization charged with driving the commercialization of innovation in British Columbia. BCIC is focused on accelerating the growth of our science and technology communities and competitively positioning British Columbia in the global science and technology economy in order to provide significant employment opportunities and a high standard of living for British Columbians. BCIC is a Crown agency of the Province of British Columbia. BCIC recently hosted CONNECT 09 (see News on our Home Page).
ACETECH: ACETECH is a CEO mentoring organization where member can access the brainpower of their peers, get advise, and find solutions to problems they are facing today. ACETECH leverages the expertise of experienced CEOs and industry experts to deliver programs with best practices, experience based learning, and ongoing mentoring exclusively for CEOs and past-CEOs of technology and life sciences companies from start-up to grown-up.
Discovery Parks: Discovery Parks designs and builds commercialization and research facilities for the benefit of British Columbia. Their tenants are leading edge technology companies in the business of improving the world we live in, most of which have originated from post-secondary academic research. Discovery Parks’ facilities are the link between academic research and the marketplace – catering especially to small start-up and post-secondary spin-off companies. Discovery Parks Trust actively re-invests in additional developments and distributes a portion of its profits to BC's post-secondary institutions – thereby promoting further research and development within our economy.
Alzheimer Society of BC - Behind every person with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, there are hundreds of people dedicated to helping. The Alzheimer Society is the leading not-for-profit health organization working nationwide to improve the quality of life for Canadians affected by Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and advance the search for the cause and cure. They are located in every province across Canada and in over 140 local communities. See Vancouver Sun article below which congratulates the two Ascent for Alzheimer's teams who raised in excess of $250,000 for Alzheimer's research by successfully climbing Mount Kilimanjaro...more pictures
WIN BC (Wireless Innovation Network British Columbia): With over 250 companies as members spanning the wireless spectrum and providing unparalleled opportunity, WINBC remains focused on the cultivation of business and social networks, providing an opportunity to meet customers, investors, analysts and connect with others in the wireless cluster. As reported in "News", the board and members of New Media BC (www.newmediabc.com) and the Wireless Innovation Network of BC (www.winbc.org) recently voted unanimously at their AGM to merge their two associations, and to form a new association entitled DigiBC.
Vancouver Sun news article
2 teams for the 2009 Ascent for Alzheimer's pictured at the summit...more pictures
2 teams for the 2009 Ascent for Alzheimer's pictured at the summit...more pictures