ventureLAB Unplugged
Unlocking Hidden Growth: The Power of Non-Dilutive Funding
Unlocking Hidden Growth: The Power of Non-Dilutive Funding
Join us for ventureLAB Unplugged: Unlocking Hidden Growth: The Power of Non-Dilutive Funding co-hosted with Zero to One Strategic and venue host, National Bank. This panel discussion moderated by Dejana Dua, ventureLAB advisor will offer a candid discussion between Ronen Benin, CEO of Zero to One Strategic, and Bronwyn Bridges, CEO of PragmaClin, a company leader who has successfully leveraged non-dilutive funding to fuel growth and innovation. The session will explore the challenges, wins, and strategic insights gained throughout the funding journey. Hearing two founders speak about their experiences, we hope to demystify non-dilutive financing and provide practical insights for founders, CFO’s and R&D leaders who are potentially leaving money on the table.
Join us for a networking reception following the panel discussion.
Join us for a networking reception following the panel discussion.
Location
National Bank Showbox - ground floor
The Exchange Tower
130 King St W., Toronto, ON M5X 1J9
The Exchange Tower
130 King St W., Toronto, ON M5X 1J9
Date & Time
April 8, 2025
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Speakers
Dejana Dua
Advisor, venturelab
Dejana is an early stage investor and advisor with a focus on deep tech startups across AI/ML, cybersecurity, biotech, clean tech, health/life sciences, Enterprise Software, and other sectors. With over 25 years of experience, Dejana partners with exceptional, passionate founders with extraordinary vision, set out to define and tackle the biggest challenges across industries.
As a Managing Partner at Anexa Capital, Dejana has played a pivotal role in securing capital for high-potential startups, helping them scale and achieve market success. She also serves as the Capital Investment Program Lead and Investment Readiness Advisor at ventureLAB, where she has guided numerous startups across different programs and lifecycles in raising funding, refining business strategies, and navigating the complex venture landscape both in Canada and the US.
As a Managing Partner at Anexa Capital, Dejana has played a pivotal role in securing capital for high-potential startups, helping them scale and achieve market success. She also serves as the Capital Investment Program Lead and Investment Readiness Advisor at ventureLAB, where she has guided numerous startups across different programs and lifecycles in raising funding, refining business strategies, and navigating the complex venture landscape both in Canada and the US.
Ronen Benin
CEO, zero to one strategic
Ronen Benin is a serial entrepreneur who has built, scaled and sold several companies in the last 12 years. In 2014, he and his Next 36 co-founders sold hyperlocal classifieds app Tradyo to Torstar. Later in 2014 he started another app called Avail, which found scale as a mental health app for the agriculture and mining industries. Avail was sold to Bridges Health in 2023. Ronen also built a hardware company, Glissner, in 2020, that today holds numerous patents, has customers across 5 continents, and has been profitable since 2021. Throughout his journey, Ronen's been the primary fundraiser and is now working to disrupt Canada's non-dilutive funding ecosystem with his company Zero to One Strategic.
Bronwyn Bridges
CEO & Co-founder, PragmaClin
As one of Atlantic Canada's 30 Under 30, Bronwyn Bridges is a rising star in
the Canadian tech and healthcare landscape. As the CEO and Co-Founder of
PragmaClin®, she is revolutionizing the assessment of neurological
conditions, particularly Parkinson's Disease, through innovative digital tools.
Her work has garnered significant recognition being named Canada's
Female Youth Entrepreneur of the Year as well as taking home titles from
around the globe, including the World Entrepreneurship Cup Championship.Under Bronwyn's leadership, PragmaClin® has secured over $2.5 million in
funding through government grants and pitch competitions.
the Canadian tech and healthcare landscape. As the CEO and Co-Founder of
PragmaClin®, she is revolutionizing the assessment of neurological
conditions, particularly Parkinson's Disease, through innovative digital tools.
Her work has garnered significant recognition being named Canada's
Female Youth Entrepreneur of the Year as well as taking home titles from
around the globe, including the World Entrepreneurship Cup Championship.Under Bronwyn's leadership, PragmaClin® has secured over $2.5 million in
funding through government grants and pitch competitions.