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Startup Investment Prizes
This year we're doubling down on startup and investor value with 2 exclusive opportunities to earn investment prizes LIVE at the UP23 conference!
How to Get Involved
Questions? Email us at hello@unitingtheprairies.com
STARTUPS
Opt-In to Pitch
Purchase a ticket to UP23
(& opt-in to receive the dealbook application)
Double-check your eligibility
Submit the dealbook application*
(& opt-in to participate in one or both investment prizes)
*Before May 12th
INVESTORS
Apply to Co-Invest
Purchase a ticket to UP23
Minimum cheque sizes:
$10K (The Firehood) & $1K (UP Angel Syndicate)
Submit your application*
(must be an accredited investor to apply)
*Before May 24th
About Each Investment Prize
OVERVIEW
The Firehood is descending on Uniting the Prairies with a mission to increase the participation, leadership, and prosperity of women in tech. In partnership with UP, they’re bringing together an incredible network of angel investors who will select one woman-led startup to receive investment!
Since 2021, The Firehood has invested over $1.5M of angel capital in tech startups across Canada.
Eligibility
Open to any woman-led startup attending UP23. For the purposes of this investment prize, we define a woman-led startup as a startup with a founder or co-founder who identifies as a woman and holds at least equal equity to any other co-founders on the cap table.
Additional requirements:
- Must have a ticket to UP23
- Must submit the dealbook application & opt-in to pitch (before May 12th)
- Must meet the definition for woman-led startup
Process
Prior to the conference: Eligible startups who have opted-in to pitch will be contacted by The Firehood for further due diligence, if necessary. Otherwise, simply show up to the conference and prepare to wow The Firehood Angels!
Day 1 - May 24
Accepted startups will pitch LIVE during the UP23 conference to a private room of Firehood Angels. Each startup will have 1 minute to pitch and up to 3 minutes for follow-up questions.
There are no scheduled pitch slots. Pitches will occur on a rolling basis throughout Day 1 in The Firehood Angel Suite (follow signs in the main foyer). After registering, startups can pitch anytime between 3:30pm (after doors open) and 9:00pm (before Day 1 ends).
Day 2 - May 25
The Firehood Angels will select finalists from Day 1 to perform a second private pitch, followed by an in-depth Q&A session. From there, the Top 3 startups will have 3 minutes (with an optional deck) to pitch live on the Main Stage at 3:30pm in front of the whole conference! At 4:45pm, after the final keynote wraps up, winners of the UP x Firehood Women in Tech and UP Angel Syndicate investment prizes will be announced back on the Main Stage!
Prize Details
The UP x Firehood Women in Tech investment prize is an investment from up to 10 angel investors. Default terms are based on an industry-standard convertible note. The winning startup will sign the convertible note with each of the investors individually. The investors are willing to create a voting trust, if and when the convertible note converts to equity.
OVERVIEW
The UP Angel Syndicate, powered by Startup TNT, is a unique opportunity to put real investment dollars into the hands of at least one startup attending UP23. Participating founders will learn how to better prepare a data room, work through due diligence, and (hopefully) emerge with a cheque!
Startup TNT has invested over $9M since their launch three years ago, making them one of the most active angel syndicates in the Prairies.
Eligibility
The investment is open to any startup founder attending UP23. Based on the conditions for cheque size and deal terms, preference will be given to startups raising their first investment round.
Additional requirements:
- Must have a ticket to UP23
- Must submit dealbook application & opt-in to pitch (before May 12th)
Process
Prior to the conference: Eligible startups who have successfully opted-in to pitch will be contacted by the UP Angel Syndicate for further due diligence. The UP Angel Syndicate follows a structured approach, requiring availability for the following key dates:
- May 17th: Virtual info session
- May 17th - 22nd: Due diligence calls
Day 1 - May 24
The Top 10 accepted startups will be announced during the conference.
Day 2 - May 25
In the morning, each of the Top 10 startups will have the opportunity to attend legal office hours on-site, with McKercher & Osler. From there, the UP Angel Syndicate will select and announce the Top 3 startups in the afternoon. Afterwards, finalists will have 3 minutes (with an optional deck) to pitch live on the Main Stage at 3:00pm in front of the whole conference! At 4:45pm, after the final keynote wraps up, winners of the UP Angel Syndicate and UP x Firehood Women in Tech investment prizes will be announced back on the Main Stage!
Prize Details
Cheque size is a minimum of $25K, with potential to increase based on total investor participation. Investors will work the winning founders to finalize a SAFE with a post-money valuation cap at or below $4M and a discount of 20%, or invest on deal terms from most recent round. The UP Angel Syndicate will not invest above a valuation of $4M post-money.