Beyond the Pages: The Making of Funded

Today is the day! Funded by Angel Investors Ontario, our newest magazine, is out in the world.

You can read the issue online now! If you ordered a print copy, they are in the mail on the way to you (Future us: did the Canada post strike end? Present day us: No, they have not reached a settlement 😢)

At Angel Investors Ontario, we’re dedicated to fostering innovation and connecting angel investors with promising startups. But how do you encapsulate the energy, creativity, and growth of Ontario’s startup ecosystem in a single publication? That’s the challenge we set out to tackle with Funded magazine.

The Idea

The concept for Funded emerged from a simple but powerful insight: stories inspire action. Entrepreneurs want to see themselves in the successes of others, and angel investors crave insights into the people and ideas that will shape the future. We envisioned a magazine that would bridge the gap between these two worlds, offering both inspiration and practical value.

The Creation Process

Storytelling with Purpose: We started by sourcing stories from Ontario startups that had successfully secured angel funding- and their angel investors! Their journeys—from bold ideas to thriving businesses—formed the heart of the magazine. These narratives aren’t just about funding; they highlight the resilience, creativity, and grit required to succeed.

Expert Voices: We again partnered with Lisa, our meticulous and reliable editor-in-chief, who talked to experienced angels, industry leaders, and business mentors to shape the magazine’s stories. Topics like failure, being a lead angel, securing that first cheque, and navigating the challenges of scaling were tailored to resonate with both founders and investors.

Designing Impact: A magazine is more than words; it’s a visual experience. Our team collaborated with Patrick and his team at Kleurvision to create a layout that is clean, modern, and inviting. Vibrant imagery, clear infographics, and user-friendly navigation ensure every page engages readers.

Balancing Depth and Accessibility: We wanted Funded to appeal to both seasoned investors and first-time entrepreneurs. Frank – a long-time angel investor, executive director at Angel Investors Durham, and our publisher- made sure we were striking the right balance between in-depth analysis and approachable content, which was a priority throughout the process.

The Launch

Seeing Funded come to life was a proud moment for our team. It’s more than just a magazine—it’s a celebration of the dynamic partnerships driving innovation in Ontario. It’s a resource to inform and empower, and it’s a testament to the incredible work being done by our community.

We want to thank the Funded team, the contributors, expert sources, advertisers, and Ontario’s angel groups for helping make this magazine a reality. Funded is proudly printed in Ontario by Mi5 printing and distributed by our firends at Roltek.

We invite you to explore the latest issue of Funded! and join us in celebrating the entrepreneurs and investors building Ontario’s future.

Read Funded Now!

Here’s to fostering more connections, sharing more stories, and creating even greater impact together!

A heartfelt thank you from our team to the Ontario Securities Commission for providing funding to support investor education and financial literacy for Ontario angel investors. 

These materials have been prepared by AIO and have not been approved or endorsed by the OSC. The views, opinions, and content expressed are solely those of AIO and do not reflect the official position of the OSC. Find free investor education resources from the OSC at www.getsmartaboutmoney.ca.