StandUp Ventures

StandUp Ventures is a Toronto-based, seed-stage venture capital firm dedicated to championing breakthrough technology companies led by women. The firm invests in for-profit technology companies across Canada and the US that have at least one woman in a C-level leadership position with an equitable amount of ownership. Their investment philosophy is rooted in the belief that women-led companies demonstrate innovative thinking, attract top talent, and address larger market opportunities. StandUp Ventures focuses on supporting ambitious founders from the pre-seed to Series A stages, aiming to help them scale their businesses effectively.

Founded in 2017 by Michelle McBane, StandUp Ventures emerged from a recognition of the need to increase support for women-led businesses in the venture capital landscape. McBane, who serves as the Managing Director, launched the firm to foster collaboration and invest in diverse entrepreneurial talent. The firm has successfully raised two funds, with Fund I reaching $21 million and Fund II securing an initial close of $30 million, with expectations to reach $35 million overall. This commitment from institutional investors, including BDC Capital, Northleaf Venture Catalyst Fund II, Teralys Capital, Royal Bank of Canada, CIBC, EDC, and Vancity, underscores the growing recognition of the firm's investment thesis.

The firm's portfolio showcases a diverse range of innovative companies, including Tealbook, an AI platform for supplier intelligence; Supportbench, a customer support software provider; Bridgit, a construction workforce management solution; Arteria AI, specializing in AI-powered documentation for financial institutions; and Coconut Software, offering appointment scheduling and queue management. Other notable investments include Pluvo, Velix, Succession AI, Sampler, Emovi, Nudge Rewards, Jombone, Reusables, and GridBank. StandUp Ventures boasts an impressive track record, having funded 31 companies, with portfolio companies raising over 20 times their initial follow-on funding. A significant 90% of their seed investments convert to Series A, and 75% of their portfolio companies are led by women CEOs.

The StandUp Ventures team brings a wealth of experience to their investments. Michelle McBane leads as Managing Director, with Lucas Perlman serving as Principal, both based in Toronto. Katheleen Eva is a Senior Associate in Montreal, while Jessica Weisz and Meredith Powell act as Venture Partners in Kelowna and Vancouver, respectively. The team's diverse backgrounds, ranging from venture capital and early-stage company support to SaaS operations and social enterprise, enable them to provide comprehensive and tailored support to their portfolio companies. They are committed to building a strong community among their founders, fostering genuine and reciprocal relationships that contribute to building best-in-class businesses.