After a successful inaugural year in 2014, Carleton University was pleased to welcome Axis Ottawa’s return this October, giving the local and surrounding startup community an opportunity to put their products in front of the world’s leading international strategic investors.

“We are very pleased with the calibre of startups that attended this year’s event,” said Ed Frank, CEO of Axis Innovation. “Ottawa’s startup ecosystem is definitely very strong and we look forward to bringing more Axis events to Canada’s capital city in the future.”

Two Carleton graduate students, Patrick Millward and Colin Pritchard, co-founders of Interactive Studios, pitched their company to international investors.

This year, more than 100 attendees took part in this important event. Eighteen startups pitched their products and business plans to international panels comprised of 16 venture capital firms and investment divisions of large corporations. The event promoted the creation of strong relationships between local entrepreneurs and possible future investors.

“We are thrilled at the attendance and engagement at this year’s event,” said Steve Tover, CEO of Stage 2 Partners. “We surpassed our expectations, fostering many promising connections between Canadian startups and international investors.”

The event hosted some of the biggest names in tech and investment, including executives from White Star Capital, Relay Ventures, Motorola Solutions, dRx Capital, Huawei, HVIC, Promus Ventures, Flint Capital, Mobility Ventures, i-Gan Partners – Rowanwood, Azure Capital Partners, Terracap Ventures, Real Ventures, SanDisk, Martal Capital and OMERS Ventures.

“We would like to thank all the organizations that contributed to the success of the Axis Ottawa event, particularly Deloitte, the Ontario Centres of Excellence, Ontario Brain Institute, Syntax Strategic, Thales, MBM, Waterbridge Creative Media, uOttawa, Algonquin, the Lord Elgin Hotel and Invest Ottawa,” said Tony Bailetti, director of Carleton’s Technology Innovation Management (TIM) program and founder of Lead To Win, a business ecosystem that supports the launch and growth of technology ventures in the region. “We welcome events and organizations that help local ventures grow globally.”

Speakers at the event included Ottawa’s Mayor Jim Watson, who spoke about what makes Ottawa a successful hub for startups and entrepreneurs; Jack Young, head of Qualcomm Life Fund and general partner at dRx Capital, discussed the latest trends in health technology and how they will change our lives; Duncan Stewart, director of technology, media and telecommunications research, explored common misconceptions about artificial intelligence and the future of technology; and Jeff Johnson with Deloitte Canada explained how international firms can support innovation and the importance of finding the right mentor.