Mike Cegelski Wins Angel of the Year, Presented by BDC Capital

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Oct. 7, 2015) -

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.

NACO's Canadian Angel of the Year Award, presented by BDC Capital, has been awarded to Mike Cegelski. Awarded at NACO's National Angel Summit, it is presented to an investor who has made a significant contribution to Canada's Angel ecosystem.

"I'm honoured, privileged and humbled," said Mike Cegelski to a crowd of over 350 National Angel Summit attendees.

He says he will be focusing on more collaboration between Québec and the rest of Canada.

"I want to see Québec represented better. Bring us closer to what happens elsewhere in Canada, share ideas, share knowledge and make it happen across Canada."

Mike Cegelski has over 25 years of experience in the Telecommunication and Information Technology industry. After years at the helm of companies he founded, Mike is now a full-time Angel and mentor who has invested in over 30 companies in the last 5 years, throughout Canada and the US.

The Angel of the Year Award is presented to the Angel investor who has most contributed to the growth and development of Angel investing in Canada. This is accomplished through a combination of investment, mentorship, and leadership within their local ecosystem.

"As Angel investing grows, it is important to recognize the leaders in the community. It is with great pride that we are teaming up with BDC Capital to acknowledge an Angel for their significant contribution to the betterment of the entrepreneurial ecosystem," commented Yuri Navarro, NACO's Executive Director.

"BDC Capital is honoured to present the NACO's Angel of the Year Award, to recognize Angel investors for their contribution to the success of Canadian startups, and for the important role they play in the ecosystem. Angel investors understand what it means to mentor and help Canada's future business leaders. At BDC, we have had the delight to invest in some of the most promising Canadian companies alongside Angels and we hope to continue and expand our collaboration," said Dion Madsen, Senior Managing Partner of BDC Capital's Healthcare Fund.

Cegelski is an Angel investor with Anges Québec, Québec's Angel investment association, and is currently on its Board of Directors.

"Mike has been involved with our association since its inception. From 2010 to 2012, he served as Chairman of the Board of Anges Québec where he remains active as a Director of the Board today," says Francois Gilbert, Anges Québec's President and CEO. "His passion for our profession and his involvement in the investment community makes him an incredible Angel. This award is well deserved."

Self-described as a serial entrepreneur, Mike founded Beltron Technologies, a telecom test engineering consulting firm with over 130 employees where he acted as CEO from 1984 to 2000, and which he led to a successful exit in 2000. Since then, Mike has added three other exits to his portfolio: LumenPulse, PasswordBox and iBave Solutions.

Cegelski is the second recipient of this award.

NACO also acknowledged and congratulated three other outstanding nominees for their achievement and remarkable contribution to Angel investing in Canada. They included:

• Gerard Buckley - An experienced corporate, advisory board and not-for-profit director of Jaguar Capital.

• Manny Padda - Manny is an entrepreneur, educator, Angel investor, and philanthropist based in Vancouver, B.C. He is the founder of New Avenue Capital.

• Robert Brouillette - Robert is a lawyer, a civil engineer and a patent and trademark agent.

• Rudy Joss - Rudy had a 15-year career in IBM, but left to found CMS Manufacturing Systems and was CEO up to the merger with XKO Software in 2007.

About the National Angel Capital Organization

The National Angel Capital Organization accelerates a thriving, early-stage investing ecosystem in Canada by connecting individuals, groups, and other partners that support Angel-stage investing. NACO provides intelligence, tools and resources for its members; facilitates key connections across networks, borders and industries; and helps to inform policy affecting the Angel asset-class. For more information please visit www.nacocanada.com or follow them on Twitter @AngelCapCanada.

About BDC Capital

A subsidiary of the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), BDC Capital offers a full spectrum of specialized financing and investment solutions to help Canadian entrepreneurs achieve their full growth potential. With more than $1.5 billion under management, BDC Capital takes a strategic, patient approach to nurture companies' development over the long term.

From venture capital and equity, to growth and transition capital, our team of over 100 experienced, local professional partners with entrepreneurs to identify and meet their needs on flexible terms. Some of the sectors in which we specialize include IT, industrial/clean/energy technology, and healthcare. For more information, please visit www.bdccapital.ca or follow them on Twitter at @BDC_Capital.

About Mike Cegelski

Mike Cegelski - From successful entrepreneur to Angel investor and mentor, it's all about Passion! Mike gets involved where it counts and where he can bring value. As an entrepreneur: Beltron from 1984 to 2000 and iBwave from 2003 to 2015. As an investor and mentor: over 30 companies in the past 10 years. Mike is visibly involved in the Angel investing community through Anges Québec and many other initiatives. Nurturing entrepreneurship is his gift!

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