A new report by the Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship illustrates the impact and contribution of Canada’s impressive tech sector on the economy and workforce. Canada’s tech sector has no doubt become a major driver of innovation and a dependable source of economic growth for the foreseeable future. In fact, new research from the Brookfield Institute for
By Christian Lassonde and Claudia Hepburn, Impression Ventures With FinTech innovation moving at a rapid pace around the world, it’s important that Canadian regulators understand that creative disruption in the financial services sector is critical to the ongoing strength of this pillar of the Canadian economy. But not everyone seems to agree. This past June,
*Article originally published in May 2016 edition of Private Capital Magazine By Whitney Rockley Co-founder and Managing Partner, McRock Capital Disrupt or Be Disrupted. In the ever-accelerating world of technological advancement, this statement is not just a clever tweet, it’s a sober competitive reality. We live in a world where every company, industry, city and
Article originally published in May 2016 edition of Private Capital Magazine By Senia Rapisarda Principal, HarbourVest When I first arrived in Canada six years ago, the term venture capital was almost inevitably met with both a mix of scorn and sympathy. I was often presented with horror stories about the dismal returns for institutional investors (resulting
Article originally published in May 2016 edition of Private Capital Magazine By Kirk Simpson Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Wave Reflecting back on the early days of Wave in 2010, I’m amazed at how much has changed in the tech landscape — all within a short six years. Firstly, while raising capital is never easy,
Article Originally Published in May 2016 edition of Private Capital Magazine By Peter Misek Partner, BDC Capital IT Venture Fund Canada’s financial institutions have enjoyed an enviable track record, especially when you consider their record in the financial crisis of 2008. Even way back in 2002, we led the world in electronic banking, payments and
There’s no doubt that PE and VC firms are well aware of the various risk factors that come to light when making an investment in a company. Company founders and owners are constantly on the lookout for ways they can limit their risk in an investment while ensuring they receive proper growth capital needed to
Article originally published in May 2016 edition of Private Capital Magazine By Imran Ahmad Partner, Cybersecurity Practice, Miller Thomson LLP Imagine the following scenario: A Waterloo-based company is developing an innovative technology that integrates artificial intelligence into the aerospace manufacturing process. A private equity firm, seeing a great opportunity to invest in a technology that
Article originally published in May 2016 edition of Private Capital Magazine By Ben Gibbons Partner, Corporate Finance, Collins Barrow Toronto LLP While private equity and venture capital firms are always focused on identifying ways to de-risk their investment in a company, alternative financing structures can help a company minimize dilution and still ensure they receive
Article originally published in May 2016 edition of Private Capital Magazine. By Robyn Weber Vice-president, Private Equity Practice Leader, HUB International In the past few years, Representations & Warranties Insurance (RWI) has become one of the fastest-growing trends across the Canadian M&A landscape – and for good reason: It is a valuable tool to bridge
