Connect with Western Investors
Are you a Western founder looking for investors or partners to take your business to the next level? Apply to take part in Western Angels' Demo Day and connect with investors from the Western Community.
Are you a Western founder looking for investors or partners to take your business to the next stage? Then apply to take part in our next Western Angels' Demo Day!
This investor event is a celebration of entrepreneurship that aims to bring together budding start-ups, experienced entrepreneurs, and our community of investors. Since the launch of our investor event, we have helped several Western entrepreneurs secure a combined total of over $6.3 million + in private investment. Don't miss out on your opportunity to pitch your story, win funding, and get connected to our investment community.
Angel Investment Opportunity:
During this event, startups can curate their investment asks based on their needs. Asks ranged from $50K to $3M. Teams have also pitched 'in-kind' asks, such as industry connections or mentorship.
Western Angels' Demo Day
Competition Breakdown (Three Rounds)
Round 1:
Written Applications Due
[Deadline] October 18, 2023
Ventures interested in participating in this exclusive opportunity must first apply and be vetted by our internal selection committee. The top ten applicants will move forward to 'Round 2'.
Be prepared. The following is a list of questions and material that you will need to submit for your written application:
- Total Equity Funding / Debt Funding / Grants Received
- Cumulative Funding, Investment and Revenue Generated to Date
- Number of Customers Served
- Average Price of your Product
- Executive Summary
- 2-Minute Investor Pitch Video and Marketing Pitch Video
- 10 Slide Investor Pitch Deck
- Team Picture
- Logo
Round 2:
Western Angels’ Demo Day (Semi-Final)
[Date] November 1, 2023
Our second qualifying step for Western Angels' Demo Day is to pitch in front of our internal selection committee. Each team will be allotted a 10-minute pitch, comprised of a 5-minute presentation followed by 5-minutes of questions from our internal selection committee. This round will be held privately and hybrid. Founders can choose to pitch virtually or in person at Western University.
The top five teams that showcase the most investment promise will receive $2,500 and the opportunity to pitch to our community of investors at Western Angels' Demo Day on November 29, 2023.
Round 3:
Western Angel's Demo Day (Final)
[Date] November 29, 2023
Our next (and final) round will focus on real-world investments. Western Angels' Demo Day is scheduled for November 29, 2023. This event aims to help founders looking for their 'Pre-Seed' or 'Series A' investment round.
The six selected teams will be invited to participate in person at Western Angels' Demo Day on November 29, 2023. The event will take place in person at the Design Exchange Toronto - 234 Bay St., Toronto, ON M5K 1B2.
Each team will be granted a 5-minute pitch to showcase their businesses to investors, followed by 5 minutes of questions from the audience. Following pitches, we have networking and will open private breakout rooms to encourage further conversations and demonstrations.
With a large group of accredited investors, this is your chance to make a home run. Asks typically range between $50,000 - $3 Million+
Important Dates
Oct 18
Round 1
Western Angels’ Demo Day (Written Application)
(Application Closed)
Nov 1
Round 2
Western Angels’ Demo Day (Semi-Final)
(Private, Hybrid Event)
Frequently Asked Questions
Western’s entrepreneurship community: At least one founder is a current full-time Western student, faculty, staff or alumni, from any faculty designation.
Ventures from any industry or sector can apply.
Founders from Western's affiliated university colleges (Huron, Brescia and Kings) can apply.
Important Event Dates:
- October 16, 2023: Written applications due.
Round 1 closes for Western Angels' Demo Day. - October-November, 2023: Written application review period.
- Mid-November, 2023: Qualifying interviews.
Top 10 ventures will pitch live in a private event to our internal selection committee. Pitch can be done 'in-person' or 'virtually'. The five teams with the highest 'investment potential' will be selected to move forward to Western Angels' Demo Day. The top five teams will also receive a $2,500 stipend.
- Mid-November, 2023: Preparation time.
The five teams selected to move forward to Western Angel's Demo Day will gain access to a personal investment mentor. Take advantage of pro-bono consulting from our industry experts and attend our workshops to perfect your investment pitch. - November 29, 2023: Western Angels' Demo Day
Our in-person investment connection event will take place in Toronto, Ontario. The top five teams will pitch at this exclusive event.
Applications for the next Western Angels' Demo Day (November 29, 2023), will close on October 16, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. (EST).
You must submit your application via Gust: gust.com/programs/western-angels-demo-day-winter-2023
Questions about our application process can be sent to entrepreneurship@uwo.ca.
Round 1: Written Application (October 16, 2023)
Submit your application virtually via Gust.
Round 2: Qualifying Interviews (October-November, 2023)
Hybrid. Participants can choose to pitch virtually or in person at Western University in London, Ontario. This round will be closed to the public.
Round 3: Western Angels' Demo Day (November 30, 2022)
In-Person. The event is open to the public (with capacity limits).
Participants must pitch live in Toronto, Ontario. The five teams pitching at Western Angels' Demo Day will receive a $2,500 stipend.
The top five teams moving forward to Western Angels' Demo Day will receive an award for $2500 CAD.
At Western Angels' Demo Day, the selection committee and investors will be looking for startups that are investment-ready at a pre-seed or early stage. The scoring will be a weighted average of:
- Problem Identification / Opportunity: A clearly articulated and compelling value proposition
- Viability: Clear knowledge of the market and evidence of demand for the solution Growth potential: Sustainable and scalable business model
- Innovation: Intellectual property and/or strong competitive differentiation
- Talent: A strong team Communication skills: An effective and persuasive overall pitch presentation
Companies that are not yet incorporated may apply, however, incorporation is required in order to receive angel investment or venture capital funding.
Our team can assist you with navigating incorporation.
Since each business varies with its need, progress and industry, one pitch deck solution will not fit all.
We encourage you to book a free coaching meeting with one of our Entrepreneurship Advisors to review your pitch deck or application. You can book your meeting here: https://entrepreneurship.uwo.ca/services/coaching/
Note: We also have a ton of video resources available for you to review to begin crafting your pitch deck:
- Pitch Deck Basics
- Raising funds for Your Business
- What VCs Want
- VC and Angel Investment
- Fundraising Fundamentals
Entrepreneurs, submit an application today.
Don't miss out on this investment opportunity.
Questions? Email us!
Get in Touch!