Photo: Contributed
A Nelson health-care company won Accelerate Okanagan’s fifth annual OKGN Angel Summit on Thursday night in downtown Kelowna.
SMRT1 Technologies, which focuses on dispensing health-care products and medical supplies, captured the $225,000 investment fund from the group of 45 local investors who each ponied up $5,000 and then went through a 10-week process to pick the winner.
The competition’s six finalists made live pitches on Thursday night at Kelowna’s Innovation Centre, and the investors got together to select the winner. It’s the second straight year a company from Nelson has won the event, following CertiCraft last year.
“Five years ago we came here (to the OKGN Angel Summit) for some of the training sessions and meet all the wonderful people in the community along the way,” SMRT1 president and CEO Brad Pommen said in a press release. “That’s who’s invested in us, whether that was their time, attention or dollars. This ecosystem is so amazing to have.”
The event began as a competition for only Okanagan companies, but last year it expanded to include all of Western Canada. The competition has resulted in more than $800,000 of startup investment money.
The only local finalist, Kelowna’s Tonit, took home the people’s choice award. Toni, which was founded by Jason Lotoski, is a social platform that connects motorcycle riders and enthusiasts.
“I want to thank the amazing community we have here to support the Okanagan tech startups, especially Tonit. I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for Accelerate Okanagan and some of the mentors and investors.”
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