NATION BUILDER OF THE YEAR
Nation Builder Award
In celebration of NACO’s 20-year anniversary, we announced a new award category that celebrates the role of business leaders whose passion and commitment is driving positive change. Unveiled at NACO Global, this award is about recognizing extraordinary community service that is inspiring others to take action.
Angel of the Year Award
Congratulations to Arati Sharma, Canada’s 2021 Angel of the Year.
Doug Ford
Premier of Ontario
“Arati… on behalf of the people of Ontario, I want to thank you for everything you are doing to build a more inclusive economy and a better world for women and girls.”
John Tory
Mayor of Toronto
“Extending my warmest congratulations to Arati Sharma,
who has been named Canada's Angel Investor of the Year.
What an accomplishment!”
With commentary from
Amber Mac
TV Host and Author
George Rossolatos
CEO
Canadian Business Growth Fund
Sophie Forest
Managing Partner
Brightspark Ventures
Julie Angus
CEO
Open Ocean Robotics
Catherine Murray
Fmr. Anchor and Co-host
BNN Bloomberg
Claudio Rojas
CEO
National Angel Capital Organization
Janet Bannister
Managing Partner
Real Ventures
Mark Dobbin
President
Killick Capital
Randall Howard
General Partner
ArchAngel Network of Funds
Michelle Scarborough
Managing Partner, Women in Tech Fund, BDC
John Ruffolo
Founder and Managing Partner
Maverix Private Equity
Geneviève Tanguay
CEO
Anges Québec
Kim Furlong
CEO
Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association
Angel of the Year Award
Each year our nominations committee selects an angel investor who has meaningfully contributed to the development of Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. By the National Angel Capital Organization and supported by BDC Capital, this award calls attention to the tremendous potential of Canada’s entrepreneurs and recognizes the risk-takers, mentors, and champions who make the dreams of others possible.
This initiative was conceived as a way to recognize angel investors who were not just investing in early stage companies, but who were making an extraordinary impact in their communities by rolling up their sleeves to help entrepreneurs build companies and create jobs.
Now in its 8th year, this award has recognized outstanding leaders including Mark Dobbin, President of Killick Capital and early investor in U.S. $2.75 billion success story Verafin; and Sophie Forest, Managing Partner of Brightspark Ventures who played a pivotal role in the investment, growth and exit of Radian6, leading to a 23x multiple on capital invested — one of the most successful technology exits in Canadian history.
Past recipients include Mark Dobbin (Killick Capital), Derrick Hunter (BlueSky Equities), Sophie Forest (Brightspark Ventures), Randy Thompson (Valhalla), Manny Padda (New Avenue Capital), Mike Cegelski (Panache Ventures), Randall Howard (ArchAngel Network of Funds) and others.
Supported by
Community Partners
