Robert Duffy

Managing Director,
Subordinate Financing BDC

Rob is the Managing Director of BDC's Subordinate Financing team in Toronto, a group of experienced investment professionals who specialize in subordinated debt, mezzanine, quasi-equity, and equity financing for small and medium-sized Canadian businesses. Founded in 1992, BDC's Subordinate Financing team is one of the most active investment groups in Canada, with a portfolio of $545 million and financings of more than $160 million over the past twelve months.

Prior to joining BDC in 2009, Rob spent two years at a Toronto-based Venture Debt Fund, Wellington Financial, and nine years in progressively senior roles at RBC Royal Bank. Rob has a Bachelor of Commerce from Queen's University.

Oscar Rombala

Partner, ITC Invoice to Cash

Oscar started his career in the Factoring and Financial Industry in 1998 and He is, currently, a partner at ITC Invoice to Cash, Inc. in Mississauga. Oscar extensive knowledge of the Factoring and Financial Industry places him as a leading consultant in the industry.

Prior to joining ITC Invoice to Cash, Inc. Corporation in 2005, Oscar was Director of Business Development for IPS, Invoice Payment System Corporation, Mississauga, Ontario. Between 1998 and 2000, he was Vice President and Director of Business Development with S.L.F., Sales Linked Finance Ltd. From the years 2000 to 2003, Oscar worked as a consultant for ICM International Capital Management as International Project Manager and his focus was in the Latin American Market.

Oscar Rombola is the President of the International Factoring Association – Canadian Chapter and has joined forces with his factoring colleagues in Toronto to help develop an educational and networking tool for the industry.

Oscar A. Rombola is a graduate of York University in Toronto, with post graduate studies at Laval University, Quebec City and Financial Advisor Designations from Ontario. He has developed and taught Business Development Courses for the United Way Canada and several other organizations. Mr. Rombola is an avid jogger, and outdoor enthusiast. He is fluent in English, Spanish and French.

Frank Erschen

Angel Investor. Advisor. Enabler.

Frank is an active angel investor, mentor and entrepreneur. After graduating from Wilfrid Laurier University' business school it took him only 25 years in the corporate world (IBM, BMO) before entrenching himself in the start-up ecosystem.

His corporate foundation prepared him for roles such as CEO/CIO of a start-up which raised $35 million and currently as chief strategist & board chair for Powernoodle, where is also lead investor, as well as for Katapult Business Solutions.

He is a Charter Member, Selection Committee Member, and 2011 Angel of the Year at the Golden Triangle AngelNet. In 2012 he was appointed to the board of Network of Angel Organizations Ontario and is a director and past-chair of the Canadian Hemochromatosis Society. Other past roles include director of Top Hat Monocle during 2010-2012, and member of the Wilfrid Laurier University Board of Governors from 2005-2011.

Frank is a frequent speaker at conferences and, through Communitech in Kitchener-Waterloo, helps entrepreneurs develop their pitches for the investor community.

Nick Cvetas

Director, Business Finance BMO

Nick J. Cvetas, Director, Business Finance at BMO Bank of Montreal, has 25 years of experience with BMO. During this time Nick has aligned his expertise with small to medium size enterprises, middle market businesses as well as public companies. Nick's strengths lie in senior debt, where he has lead hundreds of millions of dollars in transactions with various companies through start-up, growth, maintenance, and turnaround stages.

Nick's experience covers a variety of industries, including hospitality, transportation, manufacturing, mining, and professional services. His understanding encompasses domestic and international markets, which augments his specialty in event-based transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, management buyouts, recapitalizations, and other general events.

As an active member in his community, Nick dedicates his leadership abilities which include Ambassador, Junior Achievement of Central Ontario. He is also actively involved in grass-roots sports and dedicates much of his spare time to coaching minor hockey and basketball in Oakville.

Nick Holds a Masters of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University, and is currently working towards his CMA.

Richard (Rick) N. Burdeniuk

Manager, Special Advisory Services BDO

Rick leads BDO's GTA technology sector SR&ED team. Before joining BDO, Rick invested six years in entrepreneurial ventures. Each business grew and was exposed to new opportunities and financing challenges.

• A promising multi-national start-up that made it onto CNN by helping scientists solve big problems; but it made more money by monitoring websites for Hollywood studios.
• Image recognition software developed by the German and Swiss governments was intended for enforcement and medical data found a niche in the southern US's carpet industry!

With this first hand experience in growing small businesses through sales, bootstrap funding, debt, and venture capital he can provide a unique perspective on how to integrate government Incentives and tax credits.

Since 2006 he has focused on helping technology companies access these government incentive programs. Rick has lead national teams managing CRA relations, and assisted in over 100 reviews and audits with CRA offices all across Canada.

He has expertise in SR&ED and Digital Media Tax Credits, and has facilitated access to provincial grants, SMART, and NRC-IRAP programs.

Rick studied at a McMaster University; majoring in Business & Science, Technology, and Public Policy. He is an avid technology adopter, part time programmer, and a volunteer coach to local entrepreneurs.

 Type

 Amount

Member Ticket

$30

Non-Member Ticket

$45