Anthony Hourigan, of local company Cloudbreak Wealth, says his inaugural Small Caps event - designed to bring growing companies and potential investors together - has the potential to become an annual financial matchmaking event.

“These Small Cap companies have a struggle getting their stories out there, but by the same token there are plenty of motivated investors looking for somewhat undiscovered opportunities to invest their money,” says Mr Hourigan.

“There is no other event like this to bring them together.

“My big hope is it becomes an event where people go away from it having made some really valuable connections for their business, and that investors are keen to come again and again.”

The event will see twelve emerging growth companies (currently with small capitalisations, hence the name Small Caps) give presentations to an invitation-only audience of 70 cashed-up investors.

Amongst the investor group will be a mix of high net worth individuals and families, local business owners, investment advisers and fund managers.

The presenting companies are from the technology, renewables, retail, resources, e-commerce, medical technology and financial services sectors.

In the style of the popular TV show Shark Tank, three start-up companies will also be given the opportunity to make a pitch to the investors to take their ideas to the next level. Local returnable cup start-up, Green Caffeen, will be one of these.

Local start-up Green Caffeen now has its reusable cups in action all over Australia

A former Macquarie Bank institutional stockbroker, Mr Hourigan moved to Kiama 10 years ago, setting up Cloudbreak Wealth to use his research and high level contacts to recommend opportunities to local and other high net wealth individuals. These include providing seed or pre-listing capital, private equity and direct share investment.

Plenty of time for networking has been planned into the Small Caps event, including a corporate marquee at the Kiama Sevens on the Saturday.

“After the formal presentations, it’s really important to give the opportunity for companies and investors to mix in a very relaxed atmosphere, so they can ask questions they might not in a packed room and get to know the individuals better,” says Mr Hourigan.

Gerroa pro-surfer Dean Bowen, one of Cloudbreak Wealth’s clients, is to be the guest speaker at the event’s opening lunch.

“We see Small Caps as a way to not only showcase businesses to investors, but also to promote the region as a great place to visit, live and do business from,” says Mr Hourigan.

With that in mind, Destination Kiama has invested $1,000 in the inaugural event, which is being held at The Sebel Hotel. The event is also being supported by the Kiama & District Business Chamber, and one of its members Seed Space Venture Capital, which is associated with two of the start-ups.

“Everyone who is coming down is staying for at least one night, so it will be a real boom for the local economy,” says Anthony.

“We’ve also purposefully used local suppliers for everything from the signs to the catering.”