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Nova Scotia Capital Markets 2026 is coming up later this month. In case you missed it in 2024, Nova Scotia Capital Markets is a bi-annual conference hosted and organized by the Nova Scotia Securities Commission that delivers insightful presentations and discussions on the latest trends, challenges, and developments within Nova Scotia capital markets. The panel discussions will be of interest to issuers, investors, market participants, academics, professionals, and regulators.
Our three featured panels this year include:
1. Public Capital, Private Returns: Aligning Government Programs with Market Outcomes
2. Disruption: Preventing Investor Harms
3. Venture Capital as a Catalyst for Regional Growth
Here is a brief description of each panel along with the panelists who will be joining us on April 23. We’ll provide details about the moderators of each of these panels next week.
1. Public Capital, Private Returns: Aligning Government Programs with Market Outcomes
The panelists will discuss “what are some of the key funding programs available to facilitate the growth of Nova Scotia enterprises?” They will also delve into “how engagement with indigenous communities can facilitate capital-raising.”
Nadine Bernard, President & CEO, Indigevisor
Nadine Bernard is a visionary Mi’kmaq entrepreneur from the We'koqma'q First Nation, where she lives with her husband. As the Founder and CEO of Indigevisor Ltd., she leads a nationally recognized consulting firm specializing in Indigenous engagement, communications, procurement, and Indigenous Benefit Plans for major infrastructure projects.
Nadine has held leadership roles across Indigenous NGOs and municipal and provincial governments, with a strong focus on Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti Racism. Her work is grounded in community, reconciliation, and advancing understanding of the diverse peoples of Turtle Island.
A dedicated volunteer, she serves on the Nova Scotia Heart and Stroke Foundation and its Health Reconciliation Sub Committee. Her past governance roles include Co-Chair of the Tribe Network Board, and positions with the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women, Feed Nova Scotia, and the NS Police Review Board.
Nadine studied Mi’kmaq Studies and Business at Cape Breton University and completed diplomas in Aboriginal Leadership and Indigenous Women in Community Leadership at the Coady Institute (St. FX). She is a recipient of Atlantic Business Magazine’s 2023 Most Powerful Women in Business and the 2024 RBC Women of Influence Micro Business Award.
Bob Pelley, Senior Corporate Advisor, Invest Nova Scotia
Bob Pelley is a Senior Corporate Advisor at Invest Nova Scotia, where he manages portfolio investments and develops partnerships for co-investing in innovation-based companies.
With over 25 years of experience spanning the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, Bob is a results-driven leader with expertise in business development, market research, strategic planning, project management, operations, and sales. A veteran of the market research and consulting industry, his ability to bring people together and facilitate meaningful collaborations is one of his greatest strengths.
Bob holds a Commerce degree from Dalhousie University, a certificate in Strategy and Innovation from MIT, and is a Certified Analytics and Insights Professional (CAIP). A dedicated advocate for economic growth and innovation, he has worked with start-ups at every stage—from initial concept to market entry and expansion.
A proud resident of Sydney, Cape Breton, Bob works across Nova Scotia to support investment initiatives and help businesses thrive. As a father of three university-aged children, he is passionate about making Nova Scotia a destination where people can build, grow, and stay.
Roxanne Turcotte, Senior Vice President, Inclusive Investments, BDC Capital
Roxanne Turcotte is Senior Vice President, Inclusive Investments at BDC Capital, where she leads the Thrive Platform for Women, the Black Entrepreneurs Fund and the fund that will be launched shortly for Indigenous entrepreneurs.
With more than 25 years of experience in investment, Roxanne brings deep expertise in venture capital, private equity, entrepreneurship, and impact finance. She is widely recognized for her inclusive leadership and her ability to mobilize diverse partners around shared economic and social outcomes.
Prior to joining BDC, Roxanne was a Partner at InvestEco Capital and held senior investment leadership roles as Portfolio Director at Fondaction and at Hydro‑Québec Capitech.
Roxanne holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from McGill University and an MBA from HEC Montréal. She is a member of the Mi’gmaq Nation of Gespeg.
2. Disruption: Preventing Investor Harms
At Nova Scotia Capital Markets 2024, we focused on the challenges in holding wrongdoers accountable and recovering investors’ funds.
This year the panelists will discuss “what are some of the approaches and tools that securities regulators and others are using to focus on preventing investor harm before it occurs?”
S/Sgt. Faiz Ahmed, IMET Team Lead
Staff Sergeant Ahmed has over fifteen years of experience working at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels of financial crime enforcement in the RCMP as an investigator, supervisor and manager. Currently he leads a project team at Toronto’s Integrated Market Enforcement Team, based out of Toronto.
Will Chase, Deputy Director, Investigation, Nova Scotia Securities Commission
Will Chase has over 15 years investigative experience with the Nova Scotia government. He joined the Nova Scotia Securities Commission in 2024 and is currently employed as the Deputy Director (Investigations) at the Commission. He participates on a number of national and international committees that focus on investigation improvements and online fraud disruptions.
Jennifer Quaid, Executive Director, Canadian Cyber Threat Exchange (CCTX),
Jennifer is the Executive Director of the Canadian Cyber Threat Exchange (CCTX), Canada’s preeminent private sector organization for cross-sector collaboration, enabling cyber resilience and preparedness in its members. She is responsible for advancing the mission and purpose of the CCTX and delivering value to the membership. With extensive experience in the tech sector and with membership-based organizations, Jennifer excels at creating an environment that fosters customer focus and service delivery.
3. Venture Capital as a Catalyst for Regional Growth
The panelists will discuss, “what is the critical role that venture capital plays by investing in start-up and early-stage companies to create employment and growth in the local economy?”
They will also look at “How can enterprises best attract venture capital investment?”
Bill Adams – Mentor & Angel Investor
Bill Adams is an entrepreneur, investor, and board director with firsthand experience building and scaling a Nova Scotia company. He co-founded Halifax-based STI Technologies Limited, a healthcare technology company that developed patient support programs, reimbursement solutions, and data-driven services that helped improve access to medications for patients across Canada. After STI was acquired by QuintilesIMS, now IQVIA, in 2017, Bill retired from the business in 2018 following a range of leadership roles. He is an active angel investor, and an Associate with Creative Destruction Lab in Atlantic Canada and Montreal, where he supports early-stage companies in the AI and Prime streams. Bill holds a B.Sc. and MBA from Dalhousie University, the ICD.D designation, and serves on several boards. He brings a practical, grounded perspective on entrepreneurship, governance, and the realities of growing and funding companies in Nova Scotia.
Peter Hickey, Co-founder and Chairman, IR Scientific
Peter Hickey is a Canadian entrepreneur, investor, and technology executive with more than two decades of experience building and financing innovation-driven companies across life sciences, artificial intelligence, and capital markets. He has founded and led multiple ventures through clinical trials, regulatory clearance, and commercialization.
Currently, Peter is a co-founder and Chairman of IR Scientific, a biomaterials research company developing proprietary technology to treat tooth sensitivity and repair enamel. In addition, Peter is the co-founder and Chairman of Allumiqs, a biotech services platform serving the biopharmaceutical industry through advanced sample preparation, mass spectrometry, and data analytics.
Beyond life sciences, Peter is actively involved in advancing AI infrastructure for capital markets and private investment ecosystems, a result of his exit of SUMS an AI platform focused on Investor Relations, to Charli.AI.
Peter frequently works with founders, investors, and institutions to bridge the gap between emerging technology and real-world commercial adoption. Peter is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Melanie Nadeau, CEO, COVE
Ms. Nadeau is the Chief Executive Officer of COVE, a global technology partner specializing in commercialization, where she is responsible for leading the strategic direction and managing overall operations including assets, programs, and services to over 700 clients worldwide. She brings over 20 years of experience in business development initiatives that have driven strategic growth across defence, energy, and maritime industries.
During her career, Ms. Nadeau has been a global expert and thought leader for the International Energy Agency, the United Nations Environment Programme, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the International Electrotechnical Commission. She has earned multiple awards including Canada’s Clean16 Award for her outstanding contribution towards clean capitalism, has been named Atlantic Canada’s 25 most powerful women, was an invited speaker to TEDGlobal, and is a strong supporter for Canada’s tech ecosystem as a mentor for the Creative Destruction Lab.
Ms. Nadeau is a certified Board Candidate with ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors and serves on the Business Development Bank of Canada board. She is an accredited professional engineer graduating from the University of Waterloo.
Kevin Sullivan – CEO, 3DBioFibR Inc.
Kevin Sullivan is a seasoned executive with over two decades of experience driving innovation and growth in the life sciences sector. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Microbiology & Immunology from Dalhousie University, a Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology from McGill University, and an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario.
Currently serving as CEO of 3DBioFibR Inc., Sullivan has a distinguished track record of leadership across multiple biotechnology companies. He previously held CEO roles at Appili Therapeutics Inc. and DeNovaMed Inc. and served as Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Business Development at Viron Therapeutics Inc., a company backed by Amgen and Novartis Ventures.
Throughout his career, Sullivan has been instrumental in introducing cutting-edge therapeutic approaches into clinical settings. He has successfully raised more than $90 million in equity, debt, and non-dilutive financing for public and private companies, leveraging strong relationships with venture capital, government agencies, and strategic partners. His fundraising success includes $40M+ in equity and debt and $50M+ in non-dilutive funding from organizations such as the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), NIH, NIAID, DARPA, Industry Canada, ACOA, IRAP and Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGEN).
Sullivan specializes in commercializing life-science technologies, with expertise spanning novel biomaterials, protein-based therapeutics, small-molecule therapies, and vaccines. He has a proven track record in in-licensing and out-licensing transactions with global pharmaceutical companies and academia and was instrumental in leading a successful IPO on the TSX.
To register to attend Nova Scotia Capital Markets 2026, please visit our event website.