Northern Angel Summit crowns winner with $100K investment

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — A Prince George-based company received an investment of $100,000 as the winners of an inaugural entrepreneurial competition on Thursday evening.

The Northern Angel Summit, celebrated as a “landmark celebration of innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment in Northern British Columbia,” presented the cheque to Open Waters Solar, who were the victors in the first pitch competition on September 25th, according to a press release.

Open Waters Solar, based in Prince George, is a solar manufacturing company that presented an idea to encapsulate solar panels, thus providing the sturdiness needed for sailing yachts bound for the ocean.

Described as a “clear favourite” among voters, it beat out Fort St. John-based company Squiggly Greens, which develops systems for fresh vegetables and microgreens in the North, and DesignTime, a company that develops ‘all-in-one’ software for engineers also based out of Prince George

Other companies who made the finals included TreeTrack Intelligence, Trueleaf Petcare, and skiKrumb Trackers. Open Waters Solar also took home the competition’s People’s Choice Award.

The Northern Angel Summit, commissioned by the Northern Innovation Network, was described as a 10-week innovation-style pitch competition, similar to television shows like Dragons Den and Shark Tank. 

Presenters had to go through a series of rounds to get to the finals, with 24 companies from around the region being trimmed down to a mere six by September 25th.

Its aim was to fuel the growth of entrepreneurial businesses while stimulating innovation and economic capacity in Northern B.C.

Mary Mytting, executive director of Northern Innovation Network stated the competition will return in 2026. 

“If you are interested in angel investing or are looking for private equity funding for your new venture, talk with us now so we can help you prepare for the 2026 Northern Angel Summit.” said Mytting.

The 2025 Northern Angel Summit gala took place on Thursday, September 25th at the Prince George Conference and Civic Centre.

Moose Media, the parent company of Energeticcity.ca, is a sponsor of the Northern Angel Summit competition.

Further details about the Northern Angel Summit can be found on its webpage.