Fusing Digital Media Start-ups with Cash

New Media BC's digital media venture forum kicked off today with a State of the Nation Address by President Kenton Low and a Meet the Investors Panel.

Cleverly named Fusion as it aims to fuse the needs of digital media companies (money) with the needs of investment professional (start-ups worthy of money).

The Investors Panel was moderated by Mixpo's Ron Stevens and included local VCs Steven Hnatiuk of Yaletown Venture Partners, Michael Kubik of Telus Ventures, Tanner Philp of BC Advantage Funds, and Sam Znaimer of Ventures West as well as a couple from out of town: John Borchers of Crescendo Ventures (Palo Alto) and Jason Bross of Argon Venture Partners (Calgary). All six VCs described their interest in digital media although their investment experience was limited. Borchers reiterated that the digital media ecosystem is still young and investments will come in time.

Kubik's Telus Ventures is in a unique position as the strategic venture investment arm of telecommunications firm Telus. They partner with high potential, privately-held companies that offer unique technologies and innovative products that will accelerate growth initiatives within the "Telus Machine". Kubik specifically mentioned three companies in their portfolio that might be of interest to the largely Pacific Northwest audience: Seattle's Widevine Technologies and Ruckus Wireless as well as home grown Vision Critical (how do I get on the Telus customer panel???).