Tuesday, October 13, 2009 5:30-7:30pm
Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP 160 Elgin Street, Suite 2600
Starting your Start-Up: Words from the Wise
Gowlings is very pleased to host “Starting Your Start-Up”, The Ottawa Network monthly event stream that combines a quality networking opportunity with practical advice and insights from industry leaders and subject matter experts. Starting Your Start-Up focuses on the business basics including financing, team formation, product development, and sales and marketing, that are the foundation for launching and building a successful start-up in these promising and challenging times.
Thomas Prowse, a Partner in the Gowlings Kanata Technology Law Office, will moderate an informal session with two veteran entrepreneurs who will share their stories including their top “do’s” and top “don’ts” for starting a start-up.
Come hear our distinguished speakers
John Shannon
John Shannon is one of Ottawa’s quintessential entrepreneurs. Early in his career he worked in Canada and Europe developing low-level software, systems and mobile networks with Bell Northern Research and then Nortel. In 2000 he left Nortel to be CTO and co-founder of the company that became Bill Me Later, ultimately acquired by eBay in 2008. John has also been a co-founder and early contributor to at least half a dozen other Ottawa startups and one of Ottawa’s active Angel investors. Besides helping raise significant venture capital for several companies, he’s orchestrated millions of dollars of angel investment and government programs. In addition to his experience applying technology to business opportunities, John is an expert at early stage financing and business development.
Michael Wakim – Founder & CEO, Fidus Systems Inc.
Michael Wakim is the founder and CEO of Fidus Systems, an electronic product development company with design groups in Ottawa, Toronto, Santa Clara, California, and Beirut Lebanon. Mike has over 20 years of proven leadership with experience in engineering and electronic design services. He is known for cultivating strong employee loyalty and long-term customer relationships. Prior to founding Fidus Systems, Michael launched two other successful technology companies: Wann Connection Devices, an electronic product company, and Westport Engineering, a design services firm. After selling both businesses, Michael was appointed Director of Operations for the Ottawa design branch of Cadence Design Systems. Michael has invested in a number of start-up companies and serves as a mentor and advisor for several technology entrepreneurs.
Register for free here.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
5:30-7:30pm
Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP
160 Elgin Street, Suite 2600
While Starting Your Start-Up is a free event we ask that you register here
