From Startup to Sale: A Conversation & Networking Event about Transitions at Every Stage

From Startup to Sale: A Conversation & Networking Event about Transitions at Every Stage

Come join us at PETRICHOR SOCIAL cuisine & bar for an evening of insightful discussions and networking opportunities. Whether you're just starting out, rapidly growing your business, or looking to wind things down, this event is for you.

Business owners in all stages and industries are welcome. Service providers & investors are welcome, but spots will be limited.

About the Speakers:

Keith Gillard, CEO - UpperStage.Capital, co-founder and chair, Foresight Canada

Keith is an entrepreneur and investment professional with 20 years + focus on impact investing, and has provided leadership on the board of directors of dozens of companies, funds, and not-for-profit organizations. He is a proven fund-raiser, deal-maker, and business development matchmaker with an extensive international network, having close relationships with multinational organizations and leading investors across North America, Asia, and Europe.

• Foresight Canada is the country's largest cleantech accelerator with over 1,200 client companies to date.
• UpperStage.Capital Inc. is an impact-focused private equity firm boosting profitable companies to their next level of success.
• He is also a board committee member of the Canadian Venture Capital Association.
• He has served as chair of Vestaron Corporation, and director of Talius, Keela, Hazel Technologies, NewLeaf Symbiotics, Advanced BioNutrition, Sciona, SDCMaterials, and other companies. Advisory boards of ARCH Venture Partners, Chrysalix Venture Capital, and NGEN Partners. He served as advisor to the World Economic Forum on sustainability and collaborative innovation in chemicals and materials, speaking at Davos in 2020. He is the co-author of “Inside the Minds: Energy Venture Capital Best Practices.” Outside of work, he is a high-energy father of three, cyclist, and internationally-charting, twice-nominated Canadian Independent Music Award winner.

Bernie Florido, Founder & CEO, CocoFlo Innovations Inc.

Board member, Vancouver Women's Council

Salvation Army

After serving as a Police Officer for over a decade, Bernie pursued his passion for land development, becoming an entrepreneur as the founder of award winning Ember Development Group. With his diverse professional background and community commitment, Bernie now serves as the CEO of Cocoflo Innovations, an international tech company that uses digital innovation strategies to simplify user engagement and interactions between communities and government.
Bernie is committed to the community and serves on the Vancouver Women's Council, an organization that advocates for women and children. He is the first man to serve on the board since its establishment in 1894. Additionally, Bernie contributes to improving the lives of those in Vancouver's downtown eastside through his involvement with the Community Council for the Salvation Army Harbour Light.

Marius Adomnica, Partner, Segev LLP

Marius is a partner at Segev LLP, a full-service law firm based in Vancouver, Canada. Marius’s practice focuses on technology law, working with startups and high-growth technology companies, as well as corporate commercial law. Marius has extensive experience with M&A transactions and will be able to speak to the legal issues that come up in such situations

John Drake, VP Mid-Market M&A, RBC

John Drake is a Vice President in RBC’s Mid-Market Mergers & Acquisitions practice. He is responsible for the project management and day-to-day transaction execution commitments for clients whose businesses are primarily headquartered in British Columbia. He joined RBC’s growing Mid-Market M&A advisory business in 2021.

Prior to joining RBC, John worked for a global Mid-Market accounting firm where he was focused on providing M&A support to private company clients across various industries. Prior to this, he worked for a Big Four accounting firm in their transaction advisory practice with a focus on operational improvement and post-closing merger integration in both Toronto and Vancouver.

John obtained his Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) certification in 2016 and his Chartered Business Valuator (CBV) designation in 2022. While qualifying for his CBV, John achieved the George Ovens Award as the gold medalist on the 2021 Membership Qualification Examination.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

PETRICHOR SOCIAL cuisine & bar, 216 Abbott Street, Vancouver, Canada