​BRAMPTON, ON – 50 Brampton investors, mentors and leaders gathered Wednesday, July 18, for an event marking the launch of a new angel investor group for the city.

The CBA Catalysts of Brampton will be supported through an international angel network, Cross Border Angels & Experts (CBA). Through access to their global network, online portal and events, and in partnership with local business leaders and the City’s Economic Development and Culture office, the organization has a goal to spark community and economic development.

The launch event included networking, a panel discussion and a pitch component that saw six entrepreneurs pitch their businesses to the group in hopes of securing investment or mentorship.

“I’m proud that Brampton has passionate and dedicated business leaders as part of our large innovative entrepreneurial community,” said Brampton Mayor Linda Jeffrey. “Bringing these people together through networking and collaboration adds another catalyst for new opportunities and growth in our City.”

The event’s panel discussion focused on the opportunities provided to entrepreneurs through the Canadian Start-Up Visa Program. The program provides permanent residence and funding to start-up entrepreneurs who have the potential to build innovative companies in Canada that can create new jobs, spur economic growth, and compete on a global scale. Panel member and entrepreneur Amit Chauhan of JobAdX shared his experience with the program, and was joined in the discussion by CBA President Kaushal Chokshi, Yuri Navarro, CEO of the National Angel Capital Organization and other local leaders.

Brampton’s Ashwin Sanzgiri, Vice-President, Scaale Group and Cross Border Angels has been leading efforts to form the group, and will be the Chief Catalyst for the local chapter. “I would like to see Brampton on the global innovation map,” said Sanzgiri. “We already have an eclectic mix of Catalysts that actively participated during the launch in giving feedback to some high quality start-ups and local businesses from across the GTA, including Brampton.”

The start-ups at the launch event included:
• Amit Chauhan, CEO, JobAdX
• Mallory McKewen, CEO, BridesMade
• Conner Tidd, Co-Founder, Just Vertical
• Tracy Pepe, Founder and Adrian Pepe, Director, Nose Knows Design (The Scented L'air)
• Richard Burton-Williams, Team Member, Justwealth
• Adnan Zuberi, Founder and Azmat Zuberi, Founder, NoteTonic

The charter members of the CBA Catalyst of Brampton will be moving forward assigning roles within the group, and connecting with local start-up businesses and other stakeholders in the Brampton business community. Their next event is planned for late August.

 

​(From left) Kaushal Chokshi, President of CBA, Devin Ramphal, Sector Manager at the City of Brampton, Yuri Navarro, CEO of the National Angel Capital Organization, Ashwin Sanzgiri, Vice-President, Scaale Group and Cross Border, Suraj K. Gupta President & CEO of Rogue Insight Capital Ltd., Amit Chauhan, CEO at JobAdX

 

 

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​Brampton is thinking bigger. We are a future ready organization with a sharp focus. We know our community’s growth, youth and diversity set us apart. We sit at the centre of Canada’s innovation super corridor, encouraging investment and growing our global success. We are building vibrant urban centres that ignite opportunity and instill pride in the people who live and work here. We are moving Brampton forward to be a connected city that is innovative, inclusive and bold. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Learn more at www.brampton.ca.