The new $205-million Ontario Venture Capital Fund is open for business.
The fund will strengthen the ability of the province’s venture capital sector to support innovative, high-growth companies in Ontario by making it easier for them to find the investment, expertise and support they need.
The fund is a limited partnership between the Ontario government and leading institutional investors to invest primarily in Ontario-focused venture capital and growth funds. It has been established to address the lack of investment funding in Ontario for innovative, high-potential companies. Without access to long term investment capital and support, these companies cannot grow and create jobs in Ontario. Early stage venture capital — funding to emerging Ontario companies looking to grow — declined from $1.5 billion in 2000 to $236 million in 2007.
The partners have unanimously selected TD Capital Private Equity Investors, Canada’s leading private equity fund of funds manager, to manage the Ontario fund. Investments decisions will be market-based and returns focused, with the aim of supporting the most promising opportunities in Ontario. The partners will also seek additional investors to grow the fund and anticipate holding a second closing later in 2008.
The leading institutional partners in the fund are:
To learn more, see: