Brampton, ON – At sold-out Founders & Funders event held at Brampton City Hall, leaders in innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment gathered for an afternoon of bold announcements, breakthrough pitches, and the inaugural Patrick Brown Innovation Awards. The event was co-hosted by Brampton Angels and Altitude Accelerator, in partnership with the City of Brampton.
Mayor Patrick Brown, in his opening remarks, underscored Brampton’s emerging role as one of Canada’s most inclusive and dynamic innovation ecosystems:
“Your work is contributing to the amazing progress we’re witnessing here in Brampton’s Innovation District,” said Mayor Brown. “I commend the collaborative efforts of our angel investors, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem builders who are making Brampton a city of opportunity and innovation.”
Patrick Brown Innovation Awards: Honouring Champions of the Ecosystem
In a ceremony following the Mayor’s address, three awards were presented to leading figures in Brampton’s entrepreneurial landscape:
- Contributor of the Year – Andrew Opala
A founding force behind Brampton Angels and Chair of Altitude Accelerator, Opala has been a mentor, investor, and strategist for startups since the innovation ecosystem took root in Brampton in 2018. - Founder of the Year – Brad Schmidt, CEO of Panaxium
A Brampton native, Brad Schmidt is building Panaxium, a neurostimulation company developing AI-powered bioelectronic therapies to restore brain function following strokes. His journey from Brampton to leading-edge deep tech earned him the honour of the city’s most promising founder. - Funder of the Year – Paul Lishman
One of Brampton Angels’ earliest and most active investors, Lishman was recognised for backing multiple ventures and supporting founders with strategic and financial guidance.
“This is what the future of Canadian innovation looks like,” said Louis Sapi, Chair of Brampton Angels. “We’re building a community where mentorship, capital, and bold ideas converge—and where leaders like Mayor Brown play a critical role in supporting this transformation.”
New Investment Vehicle Announced
The event also featured the launch of the Friends & Family Pre-Seed SPV, a low-barrier investment vehicle designed to welcome first-time investors, mentors, and ecosystem allies into Brampton’s thriving startup scene. Managed by Altitude Accelerator, the SPV enables pooled investments into high-potential startups emerging from its pipeline.
Pitch Competitions & Deal Flow
In addition to awards and announcements, the afternoon featured pitch sessions by Panaxium, Flip & Floss, and Neuroptics—early-stage ventures selected from over 50 applicants for Brampton Angels’ investment pipeline.
Brampton Angels continues to build investor confidence and startup momentum across sectors, including health innovation, AI, space tech, and more.
