Enjoy your first beverage on Barriston Law during happy hour. GXF helps founders get their business “angel-ready” with an investment. GXF has made 3 investments, and each founder will give a short presentation about their entrepreneurial journey and what steps they completed to obtain GXF funding. After the presentations, we will invite entrepreneurs to join a table with an angel investor for networking opportunities and to share your business ideas with an angel investor! Together, you will be tasked with working through a collaborative exercise to set your business goals, ambitions and growth opportunities. As a group, we will reflect on your findings and confirm the next best step to help achieve this growth.
Invest Barrie is the summit sponsor for Xcelerate Summit this year. Join Pierre Cléroux, Vice President, Research and Chief Economist of BDC, the bank for Canadian entrepreneurs, for an overview of the economic situation here and abroad. From inflation to labour shortages, supply chain issues and the rise of interest rates, find out how our business environment has changed and how the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine continue to impact our economy. Also discover how Canadian entrepreneurs can build the way forward in this new context.
Mitch Joel is one of Canada’s foremost experts on digital marketing and a renowned podcaster, speaker and author. As the digital economy takes full control, changing how people live their lives, businesses need to prepare themselves for even more convulsive change ahead, according to Mitch Joel. Just when most traditional companies are getting used to the idea of doing business digitally, a new wave of technology is coming that will put even more pressure on them to adapt as quickly as they can: what’s been called the 4th Industrial Revolution. Sponsored by HBEC & Georgian Angel Network Sponsored by HBEC & Georgian Angel Network Attendees will learn about angel investing in practice, how the Georgian Angel Network works and how we look for strategic investments. The session will explore the best outcomes of participating over many years in order to build a balanced portfolio of start up and growth company investments. This workshop will be an introduction to the angel investing process from initial consideration to final exit. During the workshop will you learn:
Participants will work through a short case study, reviewing an investment thesis to consider the critical deal structuring and due diligence steps required.
XcelerateNOW is a new program dedicated to connecting Newcomers, Refugees, Immigrant entrepreneurs and, startups to existing resources, events, activities, mentorship, networking and funding opportunities. Come celebrate with us on October 25th at the XcelerateNOW free launch fiesta at The Mexican House Restaurant in downtown Barrie, from 3-5 PM. Learn from Keynote Speaker Zahra Al-Harazi, Award Winning Entrepreneur and Purpose-Driven leadership expert. Hear from an Immigrant-based business owner’s success story as they share their entrepreneurial journey in Canada. Enjoy delicious food, music and much more! Register: https://xceleratenowlaunch.eventbrite.ca This event is funded and done in partnership with the County of Simcoe, thank you for your support.
You are invited to join the October Investor Meeting of Georgian Angel Network starting at 4 pm on October 25th. You will see two very interesting “angel ready” opportunities presented. During this meeting, you will observe the professionalism of two start-up founders each pitching their investment opportunity to the GAN members. Their 20-minute presentations are followed by 20-minutes of questions from the audience and a 20-minute in-camera (private) discussion. GAN members who express an interest in an opportunity to will then convene in a follow-up meeting to begin the due diligence process and dive deeper into the situation. After the formal presentations, there is an opportunity to network with members of GAN.
The Official Open of Xcelerate Summit. Join Speaker Trainer, former On-camera host and tv broadcaster, Jan Bailey, for a fun, dynamic and occasionally silly, 30-minute session that will help you set the stage to get the most from Xcelerate.
Join us for an engaging panel discussion with local business owners who’ve grown their business by strategically partnering with others in a similar or complementary industry. Learn how retailers and smaller vendors collaborate, how to structure a deal that benefits both parties, and how those in professional services develop their referral network. Hosted by Stephanie Gourlie this session will provide invaluable insight into how small business can expand their customer base through creating strategic partnerships. Sponsored by the Town of Collingwood
Strategic management has been frozen in time for 20 years as the pace of change has reached warp speed. Strategy as a field of expertise and knowledge has not adapted to the digitized world in which barriers to entry have changed; capital is abundant, and information, knowledge, code and audiences are the inputs that are the scarcest supply. The use of outdated tools helps explain why there is so much disappointment with the strategy process. Throw in a multi-year global pandemic, war (and threatened nuclear war), inflation, supply change breakdowns and labour challenges, and disruptive business models, the upcoming recession, and how are you supposed to build a plan to grow your business? I am delighted to present StrategyTools.io. At the end of this session, you will have discovered new tools to help you make strategic choices, linking decisions to outcomes. This modern toolkit helps you quickly bring a critical mass of people to grasp what needs to be done to grow your business in 2023. Sponsored by HBEC
Join us for an engaging panel discussion in which you will hear from business leaders who have scaled their operation and helped others to scale through the integration of new technologies. Learn how when confronted with problems or opportunities, that making smart tech choices can reduce your dependency on hiring more people to grow, can measure positive ROI, can be done securely and can set you up for continued success. Tim Newton of the South Georgian Bay Small business Enterprise Centre, will host Jilaine Parkes of the SaaS based business SpriggHR (also a key team member behind the launch of Canadian success story Lavalife and who has been a leader in global HR based tech solutions) Jerome Horowitz of Brotech Precision CNC (who has scaled his company from 12 to 40 employees and 6X revenue whilst upgrading technology and automation) and Kit Redding a digital consultant (who has managed the integration of technology based systems for countless organizations including Blue Mountain Resorts and the City of Calgary). Sponsored by the County of Simcoe EDO & SBEC
Grab a bite to eat with your new friends and practice the tips and tricks you learned from Jan Bailey earlier in the day. This workshop is meant to give an overview of how to create effective digital advertising campaigns. Whether you are purchasing ads from Google, Facebook, or a local media provider, there are many factors that will contribute to your success. You want to know how to create ads that will drive more business while tracking profits to ensure you are getting the best return on your investment. We will get you there by first giving an overview of digital marketing best practices. Then we will eliminate the guesswork by using data from your own website and keyword research to plan a digital marketing campaign. Key topics covered will include: The content and structure of this workshop will be aimed at helping business owners (or the person responsible for marketing) of all experience levels, business types, models, and sizes. Whether you have: This workshop will give you the tools you need to develop targeted advertising campaigns with a focus on getting results. Specifically we will focus on launching a cost per click campaign in Facebook/Instagram and Google. Most importantly, you will set goals and know if, when, and how you’ve achieved them. Sponsored by the Town of Collingwood
What is innovation? What might the barriers to innovation be? What can we do about it? Innovation is as much about culture as it is about discovering possible futures. In this workshop, Dave Shorey will explore how innovation is framed in organizations, the potential risks and aversions to innovation in our work, and the conditions necessary to foster a culture of innovation. Tools will be shared to illustrate that innovation is as much a science as it is an art, and that everyone has a role to play in developing new solutions and new ideas. Sponsored by HBEC
Having global connections is critical to creating more international orders and signing new contracts. If you don’t have those connections, or know how to create them, you may want to look to partner with those who do! Export Development Canada (EDC) helps you confidently enter new markets, reduce financial risk, and grow your business. That’s the export impact. Whether you’re new to exporting or want to expand your reach, EDC is here to help your company grow globally. Discover what the export impact can do for you from both EDC and a local business they’ve worked with to create these outcomes. Sponsored by the County of Simcoe EDO & SBEC
In an era where mental health is at the forefront of many conversations, let’s dive into the elements of life that hold us back. We think on average 60,000 thoughts a day and 80% of them are said to be self-deprecating. As entrepreneurs, let’s learn how to make our minds work for us, not against us. We will dive into the nature of the mind, how to become more aware, learn about our inner dialogue and how to lean into neuroplasticity to switch it up, let go of what we can’t control, shift the lens through which we view life and step into our authentic self.
Enjoy your first beverage on Barriston Law during happy hour. NEW to Xcelerate Summit for 2022! The crown jewel of day 2 is SpriggHR Experts In House networking event at Sandbox Centre! During the facilitated opening networking session, you’ll collectively dig into a hot topic before taking in a larger panel discussion around the use of tech in your business, with an interactive Q&A. You’ll also have the opportunity to book a 20 minute 1:1 session with the SpriggHR experts at the event. SpriggHR Experts In House creates thee space to get connected at #XSummit22. As an added bonus, someone will win a $250 Amazon GC as part of the SpriggHR Experts In House experience! Barriston Law has you covered! For the first 60 people through the door they’ll pick up the first drink at the cash bar. Barriston will also have an expert of their own on hand who you’ll have the opportunity to book one of the 20 minute 1:1 time slots with between 4-8pm. 4:00pm – 4:10pm – Welcome 4:10pm – 5:00pm – Hot Topic & Hot Pocket Facilitated Networking 5:00pm – 6:00pm – HR Tech Panel with Q&A (Topics include: HR Tech Stack, The Business Case, Digital Marketing, API’s Integration, Implementation Lies, Modern HR Reviews) 6:00pm – 7:00pm – HR Confidential | 20 minute 1:1 sessions with the SpriggHR tech team 6:00pm – 7:00pm – Open Networking 7:00pm – 7:15pm – HR Tech Recap Key Lessons & Learnings + Draw for a $250 amazon gift card (Complete a survey by QR Code to enter) 7:15pm – 8:00pm – Open Networking Sponsored by SpriggHR & Barriston Law Let’s play a little game of memory! During this calamity filled session, you can vie for the title of #XSummit2022 Networking Champion while creating organic connection in a light hearted and fun fashion. In this facilitated group networking activity we call ‘circle of friends’ you’ll be challenged to recall as many names as you can in this fast paced (and comical) winner take all game. This test of memory will create new connections as you get to know not only the names of those in the circle of friends but a little more about them as well. While we are keeping score, the only count that matters is the number of new connections you’ll have made at the end of the game!
The Entrepreneurship and start-up phases have evolved drastically over the last few years. As market spaces global and local face new factors such as digital transformation, the complexities of important environmental and social justice factors in economic and social well-being as well as transformative mindset shifts around what we value in our communities, businesses are being pushed to explore new tools to ensure the long-term sustainability of not just profit, but of people and planet. In this session we will be introducing the concept of ‘Flourishing’ and Flourishing Enterprises. It will be particularly focused on helping start-ups work with a science-backed, evidence-based, and human- centered approach to building a viable and future fit business model. The session will also include pathways to a new workshop series at Georgian where entrepreneurs can explore working with the Flourishing Business Model canvas with the support of coaches and experts to explore what a Flourishing Enterprise might look like for their company. Sponsored by the Town of Collingwood
Attendees will get firsthand talent recruitment and onboarding strategies from leading growth companies in Simcoe County. Panelists will describe techniques used in HR talent development from co-op programs, recent graduates and using social media and your corporate branding to recruit talent from the GTA. Sponsored by HBEC
You’re at or approaching an inflection point in your organizational trajectory; how do you choose which pathway to pursue? What are the critical success factors you need to consider to get to where you want to go? Do you have a realistic view of the market you’re in and where you reside within it? Do you understand the implications any type of movement or growth will have on your team, your clients and your overall success? With an infinite number of pathways in front of you, it all starts with your strategy. That strategy is informed by asking the hard questions. If you don’t know what questions to ask, how do you know where you want to go and why? Hear it first hand from 2 global execs that have scaled telecom, healthcare and prominent Palo Alto tech companies 10X over their careers. Sponsored by the County of Simcoe EDO & SBEC
Grab a bite to eat and explore the curated experiences in this year’s Xcelerate Summit Play Zone. Come Xperience the playzone at this year’s Xcelerate Summit. This isn’t your typical conference – no matter if you are in the Start, Grow, or Scale stream, everyone comes together in the playroom to align with their creative self. Step into the 360-camera booth where this camera will welcome you red carpet style – paparazzi’s and all. You’ll be left with an unreal video to include on your socials. Feeling like your headshot is outdated or looks like another version of yourself B.C. (Before Covid)? Don’t fear, Anneli Tapanila Photography will be behind the lens capturing the best version of yourself so you can update your Linked In, website and any other social channels and marketing material to reflect the real you. Don’t miss this opportunity to get a complimentary shot, thanks to the Xcelerate Summit sponsors. Lastly, but certainly not least – Come destress at the Evergreen Meditation Tent. Put on a quiet events headset and Candice will walk you through a guided meditation leaving you feeling grounded and relaxed. While you’re there, you’ll get a sample of the Mindfulness Massage – clearing your mind, body and soul and creating space for all the good things to come this summit! We hope you’ll join us in the Xperience Playzone. In a world that has so dramatically shifted online, audiences are, more than ever, craving connection. To have a powerful story is essential and to be able to share it in a clear, confident and compelling way is an extraordinary skill. Participants will understand: Join communication expert and public speaking trainer Jan Bailey for an engaging and insightful workshop filled with stories, laughter and helpful examples.
Sponsored by the Town of Collingwood
In this session David will help small business owners understand the value of Intellectual Property and a few tips and tracks to get the most value for your business. Who should you talk to about your IP, how important is IP in a small business operations, and how can you cost-effectively use IP to protect and promote your business.
Sponsored by HBEC
Business is simple, yet not easy. Researching, planning and implementing a winning strategy is the simple part, but what do you do when your favourite employee leaves, a lawsuit gets served, your relationship deteriorates, or you have a health scare? In this session we dive into how to become unshakable in times of stress, becoming the calm amongst any storm, mastering the “not-so-easy” parts of business with emotional intelligence for entrepreneurship. Sponsored by the County of Simcoe EDO & SBEC
Sponsored by Studio 204 Take a breath…reflect on all the amazing knowledge and contacts you’ve made over the past three days…and then get ready to join us at Donaleigh’s as we Xcelebrate and unwind with live music from the amazing Barstool Confession! Barstool Confession is a Canadian rock band and recording artists from Barrie, Ontario, Canada. The band consists of members Jeff (Biscuit) Hamilton on drums, Brian Fell on bass, Paul Sadlon Jr. on lead guitar and Buck Goodbrand on guitar and vocals. The band was formed in 2018 when four friends, with then bassist Brian Flindell, came together to start playing cover tunes in what is now our studio and rehearsal space, LOFT VEGAS. The band started as an outlet to play music and have a couple “beverages” together but quickly grew into playing a number of live shows at various venues in Central Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area!! Over the past three years the band had been very fortunate to start opening for larger rock acts including Lee Aaron, Big Sugar and Texas King. In the spring of 2021, the band released their debut EP “Own the Change” and single “HOLD YOUR GROUND” on global streaming platforms. They were amazed at the immediate traction “Hold Your Ground” received with immediate radio play on Central Ontario radio stations. In May 2022, the band released their most recent single “Place Our Own” and were pleased to have the single hit the radio waves in Central Ontario. The band are currently in the midst of composing new songs to hit the recording studio this fall and are looking forward to sharing new music in the near future. Sponsored by SpriggHR2022 Conference Schedule
Day 1: GAN Day & Preconference
GXF Investor Pavilion
Reconnecting Lunch
Xcelerate Summit Opening Remarks
BDC Economic Outlook
Keynote Disrupting Disruption Mitch Joel
Angel Investing 101
XcelerateNow
Georgian Angel Network – Investors Meeting (Open)
Day 2: Xcelerate Your Marketing & Sales
Light Breakfast & Networking
The Set Up to Level Up
Start Stream: Targeting Strategic Partnerships Panel
Grow Stream: A 2023 approach to making strategic growth choices
Scale Stream: Using Technology to Scale Your Operation
Networking Lunch
Start Stream: Digital Advertising Bootcamp: Creating Online Ads & Measuring ROI
Grow Stream: Fostering Innovation
Scale Stream: Global Growth | The Export Impact
Xpert Class: Entrepreneurship Empowerment Through Letting Sh$t Go
Sprigg HR Experts in House at the Sandbox Centre
Day 3: Level Up Your Leadership & Operations
Light Breakfast & Networking
Circle of Friends
Start Stream: Flourishing Business Model Canvas for Start-Ups
Grow Stream: Innovating your Talent Strategy Panel
Scale Stream: Pathways to Scaling
Networking Lunch & PlayZone
Start Stream: Telling Stories; why you need to and why it’s not as scary as you think
The Real Story
Workshop Objectives:
What to Expect
Grow Stream: Intellectual Property (IP) Advice for Small Business Owners
Scale Stream: EQ for Entrepreneurship
President’s Panel
Recharge/Break
Xcelerate Summit After Party with Musical Guest Barstool Confession
