Join influential leaders at the intersection of innovation, capital and entrepreneurship.

Here’s what you missed.

Authentic Experiences

Private events bring together special guests in an atmosphere of community and connection—from ambassadorial residences to intimate receptions and dinners with iconic leaders.

Consequential Moments

Magic happens when 500 leaders across industries and sectors gather with a shared purpose—from multibillion dollar exited founders, angels, C-suite executives, VCs, and angel-backed entrepreneurs.

Meaningful Conversations

Together, we’re architecting the future. Focused dialogues led to actionable insights—from policy levers to capital flows—because Canada must become a nation of builders. And this is where it starts.

2025 AWARD RECIPIENTS

  • ANGEL OF THE YEAR & LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

    ANGEL OF THE YEAR

    Celebrating an outstanding angel investor who has made a meaningful and lasting impact on Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

    Congratulations to Joe Canavan, Canada’s 2025 Angel of the Year.

    LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

    For long standing dedication to fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.

    Congratulations to Professor Colin Mason, 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

    Learn more

  • NATION BUILDERS AWARD

    Honouring visionary leaders who are shaping Canada’s future across business, policy, and culture.

    Arlene Dickinson, District Ventures Capital

    Daniel Debow, Build Canada

    Vicki Saunders, Coralus

    Kevin Carmichael, The Logic

    Tabatha Bull, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB)

    Senator Paulette Senior, Fmr. Canadian Women’s Foundation

    Goldy Hyder, Business Council of Canada

    Senator Colin Deacon, Senate of Canada

    LEARN MORE

  • MOONSHOTS SHOWCASE

    Canada’s fastest growing angel-backed companies.

    Arbutus Medical
    BluWave AI
    Cinareo
    Depix
    Evercloak
    Dreamwell
    Flora
    H2 Analytics
    Hyivy Health
    Innerlogic
    JVP Labs
    mDETECT
    MedInclude
    Mission Control
    Moselle
    Open Ocean Robotics
    PemPem
    Panaxium
    Solace Power
    Sparrow
    Hotel Communication Network
    The Little Cacao Co.
    Zilia Health

    LEARN MORE

National Arts Centre
1 Elgin Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5W1
Canada

Welcome letter from Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of Ottawa

Located in the heart of Ottawa, the summit is hosted inside a magnificent glass atrium with unparalleled views of our nation's capital – contributing to an unforgettable experience.

NACO Summit 2026 is a three-day, invitation-only gathering of 500 investors, founders, executives, and policymakers—designed for meaningful connection, practical insight, and candid conversation on the future of innovation and investment.

Meaningful Networking

Meet and engage with high-calibre peers from across Canada and beyond— including angel investors, family offices, unicorn founders turned backers, C-suite executives, and policymakers shaping the future of innovation.

Actionable Takeaways

Dive into interactive sessions that unpack real challenges and hard-won best practices in early-stage investing, family office engagement, and scaling high-growth ventures. Gain practical wisdom from those who’ve built, raised, and exited — including founders who now invest in the next generation.

Curated Deal Flow

This invitation-only event spotlights Canada’s most promising ventures on the path to Series A. Connect directly with high-growth founders, exited entrepreneurs turned angel investors, and the next generation of standout Canadian companies.

2025 Featured Speakers

Promotional graphic for the NAACO Summit, Ottawa, April 29-30, 2025, featuring a monochrome photo of a woman with text identifying her as a moderator and Chief Financial Correspondent for CTV News.
NACO Summit 2025 promotional image featuring a speaker from the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business.
Promotional image for the NACO Summit 2025 in Ottawa, featuring a smiling speaker, identified as Allen Lau, Operating Partner & Co-Founder of Two Small Fish. Image includes logos and event details, with a blue background.
Promotional image for the NACO Summit 2025 in Ottawa, April 29-30, featuring a speaker from Brightspark, with a blue background.
Announcement for NACO Summit 2025 in Ottawa featuring speaker "Shelley Kuipers", Co-Founder and CEO of The 51. Includes event date April 29-30.
"NACO Summit 2025 in Ottawa promotional graphic featuring a speaker from Canavan Capital."
Promotional poster for the NACO Summit in Ottawa on April 29-30, 2025 featuring a speaker from Staircase Ventures.
Promotional image for the NACO Summit 2025 in Ottawa featuring a speaker from Bluesky Equities Ltd.

Participating Organizations

Grid of various business and organization logos, including Accelerate Okanagan, The Accelerator Centre, Altitude Accelerator, Angel Capital Association, AngelONE, Anges Québec, AQC Capital, Archangel, bdc, Bell Media, Black Entrepreneurship Alliance, Bluesky Equities, Blue Vision Capital, Brampton Angels, Brightspark, Brio, Brilliant Phoenix, Build Canada, Business Council of Canada, Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, and CANSO.

Official Hospitality Partner

Black and white silhouette of a person with a long ponytail in various poses performing different yoga positions
Alt Hotel by Le Germain logo with colorful square design.

Travel Partners

VIA Rail Canada logo featuring a yellow stylized "VIA" and a red maple leaf symbol.
WestJet logo featuring the company name and stylized maple leaf design.

Security Services Partner

Allied Universal logo with French text "Services de Sécurité. Là pour vous."
Air Canada logo with red maple leaf and circle
Lord Elgin logo with stylized architectural design above the text