Venture Capital Firms in Toronto

Cycle Capital is a prominent ClimateTech venture capital platform dedicated to scaling impactful and sustainable innovation. The firm invests in growing companies across North America, Europe, and Asia, focusing on technologies that address major ecological challenges and contribute to a net-zero transition. Their investment strategy targets companies with high growth potential, innovative intellectual property, and cutting-edge technology that optimize resource use, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve industrial processes.Founded in 2009 by Andrée-Lise Méthot, who serves as Founder and Managing Partner, Cycle Capital has grown to manage a platform of seven funds. The firm is recognized as a pioneer in Canadian cleantech venture capital fund management and is an impact investor. Cycle Capital is also the founder of Cycle Momentum, an accelerator and open innovation platform for clean technologies, and a co-founder of the Beyond the Billion initiative, which aims to mobilize investors to support female entrepreneurs.Cycle Capital's portfolio spans various critical sectors, including clean energy, sustainable mobility, green chemistry, smart cities, sustainable agriculture, and water technologies. Notable investment areas include DeepTech (microelectronics, photonics, digitalization), circular innovation, and advanced manufacturing. The firm actively supports its portfolio companies through strategic and operational expertise, aiming to propel them to global success while delivering both attractive financial returns and significant environmental benefits.The team at Cycle Capital comprises seasoned investment professionals and strategic advisors with deep sector knowledge. Key members include Managing Partner Claude Vachet, Senior Partners Amit Srivastava, Shirley Speakman, and Christian Bourque, and Partners Daniel Pinault, Natalya Novikov (former CFO), Ariane Cloutier (CFO), Pascal Drouin, and Catherine Bérubé. The firm emphasizes diversity and inclusion, integrating ESG and impact assessment methodologies throughout its investment workflow from pre-investment to exit.

DCARBON is a Canadian family office that operates as an investment firm, focusing on extraordinary founders who are dedicated to decarbonizing the world. The firm primarily invests in pre-seed to Series A climate tech start-ups globally. Their investment strategy is distinguished by over 50 years of experience in infrastructure investing, which provides a unique perspective when collaborating with founders to navigate the path to commercialization and secure institutional capital.Founded by Albert Lin, DCARBON leverages a deep understanding of strategic finance to support its portfolio companies. Prior to establishing DCARBON, Albert Lin held the position of Senior Vice President, Investments, with Brookfield Asset Management, bringing significant expertise in large-scale investments to the firm.DCARBON's diverse portfolio showcases its commitment to climate innovation across various sectors. Notable investments include SpaceX, which is advancing telecommunication and satellite monitoring; Group 14, a leader in advanced silicon battery technology; ZayZoon, a fintech platform for earned wage access; Peak Power, offering battery, EV, and building-to-grid optimization; CalWave, developing autonomous wave energy converters; Erthos, creating bio-plastic resins from plant waste; Clean Fiber, manufacturing sustainable insulation; Harvest Thermal, enabling homes to act as thermal batteries; and Ascend Elements, focused on recovering critical minerals from EV batteries.The firm's team, led by Albert Lin, is described as well-rounded with deep expertise in strategic finance, aiming to foster a greener, brighter future through their investments. They actively partner with founders, providing not just capital but also strategic guidance to help scale transformative technologies.

Forum Ventures is a leading early-stage venture capital firm, accelerator, and AI-focused venture studio dedicated to supporting B2B SaaS startups from concept through scaling. Founded in 2014 (originally as Acceleprise), the firm provides a unique blend of pre-seed funding, accelerator programming, and venture studio services, working closely with founders as an extension of their teams to build successful software companies.The company offers a 15-week intensive pre-seed program called Forum for Founders, which includes $100K funding, mentorship, go-to-market strategy, and fundraising guidance. Their accelerator program acts as a fractional co-founder, helping startups achieve early customer traction and prepare for their first major funding rounds. Forum Ventures also operates an AI-first venture studio that partners with entrepreneurs at the idea stage to ideate, validate, and launch new ventures collaboratively.With a founder-first philosophy, Forum Ventures emphasizes empathy, community, and hands-on support. They have built one of the largest B2B SaaS founder communities with over 900 founders and have helped portfolio companies raise over $1 billion in follow-on funding from top-tier investors. Their team consists of experienced ex-founders and operators who provide personalized guidance, customer discovery assistance, and emotional support throughout the startup journey.

Gastauer Family Office (GFO) is a single-client private asset management firm dedicated to managing the substantial asset structure and the financial and personal affairs of the Gastauer Family. With over US$11.4 billion in assets under management, GFO employs global hedge strategies and maintains a broad mandate to trade and invest across various global markets and financial instruments. The firm's investment approach is driven purely by the needs and preferences of the Gastauer Family.The firm was established in 2008 by its Chairman and Founder, Michael Gastauer, a German billionaire entrepreneur and investor. Gastauer's career began at the age of 24 when he founded his first company, an asset management firm in Zurich, which quickly reached a significant valuation and was later sold to a Swiss investment firm. In the early 2000s, he pioneered an online payment system for eCommerce, achieving a US$480 million valuation before its sale in 2008. Seven years later, Gastauer became an investor and founder of a digital banking group, Black Banx, which rapidly grew to a US$9.8 billion valuation by 2018, becoming one of the fastest-growing FinTech companies in Asia.Gastauer Family Office has a dedicated venture capital arm that actively invests in FinTech companies, reflecting Michael Gastauer's extensive background and success in the financial technology sector. Beyond its core investment activities, GFO demonstrates a strong commitment to philanthropy through the Gastauer Nature Fund. Established in January 2024 with an allocation of $1.5 billion from the family's fortune, this fund aims to combat mass extinction, protect vital ecosystems, and safeguard at least 30% of land and ocean areas by 2030, aligning with global conservation goals. The fund supports local partners in securing land ownership in protected areas and strengthening their management.The firm's investment activities span a global reach, with a particular focus on financial services, technology, and impact investing. Its venture capital arm targets various stages of FinTech companies, from seed to growth rounds. Michael Gastauer, as the sole identified key decision-maker for the family office, brings a wealth of entrepreneurial experience and a proven track record in building and scaling successful financial technology ventures.

History: Founded in 2008 by three former software entrepreneurs.Focus: Growth equity in B2B software companies focused on data, trust and AI.AUM & Activity: Manages US$5.6 billion as of 31 Dec 2023 with 72 investments and 29 exits.Team & Culture: 51‑200 employees; headquartered in Toronto; contact info@georgian.io and phone (416) 868‑9696.

Globalive Capital is a Canadian investment firm and build studio that partners with and invests in driven entrepreneurs committed to innovation. The firm operates at the intersection of company creation, strategic investment, and long-term execution, backing ventures where its extensive operational experience can make a significant difference. Globalive Capital is not structured as a traditional fund or studio but rather as a platform built by experienced operators who seek long-term partnerships with founders, providing capital, product, and operational expertise to a focused set of ventures.The platform was launched in 1998 by Anthony Lacavera, a serial entrepreneur and venture investor, just one year after he graduated from the University of Toronto. Over the past 25 years, Globalive has co-founded 12 telecom companies and invested in over 150 ventures across various sectors. Anthony Lacavera's entrepreneurial journey includes building WIND Mobile into Canada's fourth-largest wireless carrier, which was later acquired by Shaw Communications for $1.6 billion. This hands-on experience in building businesses from the ground up deeply influences Globalive Capital's investment philosophy.Globalive Capital has a diverse investment portfolio spanning technology, media, telecommunications, health, and finance. Notable past ventures include WIND Mobile, Yak Communications, and OneConnect. The firm actively seeks opportunities in areas such as HR tech, realtech, fintech, healthtech, biotech, drone technology, AI, blockchain, space tech, social gaming, restaurant tech, martech, wellness SaaS, and quantum computing. They are multi-stage investors, typically engaging from the seed stage and continuing to support founders throughout their growth journey.The core team at Globalive Capital, led by Anthony Lacavera, Brice Scheschuk, and Simon Lockie, has worked together for over 25 years, bringing a wealth of operational and investment experience. Brice Scheschuk, for instance, was a co-founder and CFO of WIND Mobile. The team's collective background in founding, scaling, and divesting companies across various industries, including telecom, media, health, and finance, enables them to provide deep category insight and strategic depth to their portfolio companies.

Impression Ventures is a Toronto-based early-stage venture capital firm founded in 2013, specializing in fintech startups that disrupt and democratize financial services across North America. The firm leads or co-leads Seed rounds, typically investing $1M-$2M (up to $3M in some cases) in rounds of $2M+, targeting companies with a built initial product (MVP or beta) and first customer acquired. Backed by Canadian financial institutions like BMO and CIBC, it has closed three funds prior to its fourth at $64M in 2022, with 84% of investments (excluding current fund) advancing to Series A or exit—5x the industry average.Investment focus spans innovative fintech solutions such as AI-enhanced underwriting, next-generation data analytics for credit assessment, robo-advising, advanced investment management, banking, payments, insurance, and consumer-empowering technologies that uplift traditional finance operations. Beyond capital, Impression Ventures provides hands-on partnership, leveraging entrepreneurial and financial expertise for network introductions, financial modeling, go-to-market strategies, hiring support, advertising copy, and industry insights via its Insight Series—prioritizing founder-friendly NVCA term sheets without burdensome conditions.Key team includes Founder & Managing Partner Christian Lassonde, Managing Partner Maor Amar, and Associate Quinn Murdock, all based in Toronto. The firm supports high-growth entrepreneurs, emphasizing conviction investing in 2-3 deals annually per fund, with a track record in sectors like healthcare and retail alongside core fintech.

Matchstick Ventures is an early-stage technology investment firm that focuses on supporting ambitious and diverse entrepreneurs in rapidly growing, yet underserved startup ecosystems, particularly those located "between the coasts" of the United States. The firm's mission is to act as a catalyst for its founders, partners, and startup communities by providing capital, camaraderie, connections, and community. They emphasize a "founder-first" approach, believing they work for the entrepreneurs they back, offering hands-on support and building trustworthy relationships. Matchstick Ventures typically invests between $500,000 and $1.5 million in pre-seed and seed-stage startups, with a willingness to invest from the idea stage through scaling.The firm was founded in 2015 by Ryan Broshar and Natty Zola, both of whom are serial entrepreneurs with experience in founding and scaling companies, as well as leading Techstars accelerator programs. Ryan Broshar, based in Minneapolis, has a background as a 3x founder and former Managing Director for Techstars in the Twin Cities. Natty Zola, based in Boulder, also started as a founder before running the Techstars Boulder program as Managing Director. Their combined experience as founders and accelerator leaders underpins Matchstick Ventures' deep understanding of early-stage challenges and its commitment to providing comprehensive support beyond just capital.Matchstick Ventures boasts a diverse portfolio of over 100 companies, reflecting its broad investment focus across various technology sectors. Notable investments include companies like Automate.Clinic (AI healthcare), Paperstack (fintech working capital), Locate.ai (AI real estate brokerage), Juno (guest travel and expense), Cast Finance (AI accounting), Pageport (AI-native CRM), and Reema Health (social-care navigation services). The firm's portfolio also spans areas such as enterprise & B2B software, e-commerce solutions, marketplaces, cybersecurity, and climate technology. Matchstick Ventures actively seeks out innovative solutions that address unique challenges in their target markets.The team at Matchstick Ventures extends beyond its founding partners to include Nicole Glaros, a Venture Partner known for her foundational role at Techstars, and Shannon Shroyer, Head of Network, who brings a unique background to venture capital. The firm leverages a robust network of over 400 entrepreneurs, operators, and corporate partners, as well as a community of fellow founders and subject matter experts, to provide mentorship, connections, and resources to its portfolio companies. This collaborative ecosystem is designed to help startups navigate their journey, access follow-on funding, and achieve significant growth.

Obelysk Inc. is a private equity investment firm and family office based in Toronto, Canada. The firm focuses on building and strengthening diversified businesses for long-term success by providing capital on an equity, debt, or subordinated debt basis. They actively seek new investments, primarily targeting lower middle market businesses in North America, with a strategic approach to growing cash flow through organic expansion, operational improvements, and mergers and acquisitions.The firm is led by Canadian businessman John Bitove, who serves as its Chief Executive Officer. While a specific founding date is not explicitly stated, the firm's website indicates its establishment and activity around 2020. Obelysk Inc. leverages a long history of experience in the North American market to identify and cultivate promising businesses.Obelysk Inc. has a diverse investment portfolio. Notable recent activities include an investment in Bird Canada in August 2021, an electric vehicle sharing platform. The firm also successfully exited its investment in Dave's Hot Chicken in May 2025, a venture that involved bringing the popular Los Angeles-based fried chicken chain to Canada, demonstrating their capability in consumer and retail sectors.The leadership team, particularly John Bitove, brings extensive experience in investment and business development. John Bitove holds several key positions, including Chairman at Bird Global, Inc., CEO at Lumen Asset Management, Inc., and Managing Partner at PointNorth Capital, Inc. His background also encompasses involvement in the expansion of international brands into the Canadian market, highlighting a strong understanding of growth strategies and operational enhancements across various industries.

Portage is a global investment platform specializing in fintech and financial services. Founded in 2016 by Adam Felesky and Paul Desmarais III, Portage partners with innovative companies across all stages, providing flexible capital alongside a global network of investors, commercial partners, advisors, and value creation experts. The firm is committed to supporting entrepreneurs reshaping financial services worldwide.With over $5.7 billion in assets under management and more than 115 portfolio partners across 13 countries, Portage combines deep industry knowledge with entrepreneurial experience. Their dedicated Value Creation team offers hands-on support in go-to-market strategies, technology and cybersecurity, business acceleration, mergers and acquisitions, and partnership origination to accelerate portfolio company growth.Portage operates as the venture capital arm of Sagard, a global multi-strategy alternative asset management firm with $32 billion under management. The firm maintains offices in Montreal, Toronto, New York, Paris, London, and Singapore, leveraging a thesis-driven investment approach focused on fintech verticals such as insurance technology, consumer and small business finance, wealth and asset management, and fintech infrastructure. Portage emphasizes long-term partnerships, rigorous analysis, and collaborative value creation to help portfolio companies scale globally.

Rosalind Advisors, Inc., often referred to as Rosalind Capital, is an investment firm specializing in life science and biotechnology. The firm operates as an event-driven equity hedge fund, strategically focusing on the life sciences sector to identify and capitalize on market inefficiencies and arbitrage opportunities. Their investment approach is rooted in a deep understanding of both scientific advancements and financial markets.The firm was established in December 2006 by co-founders Gil Aharon and Steven Salamon. Based in Toronto, Canada, Rosalind Advisors, Inc. has built its foundation on expertise at the intersection of science and finance, aiming to support innovative companies within the biotech landscape.Rosalind Capital manages several biotech-oriented funds, including Rosalind Capital Partners, Rosalind Master Fund, and Rosalind Offshore Fund. Their portfolio includes notable investments in companies such as Lev Pharmaceuticals, Soligenix, Biofrontera, Kiora Pharmaceuticals, Cellectar Biosciences, and NeurAxis. The firm typically engages in deals ranging from $10 million to $50 million, often investing in startups that are 2-3 years old, indicating a focus on later-stage venture rounds.The leadership team includes co-founders Gil Aharon, who also serves as a Portfolio Manager, and Steven Salamon. The firm's strategy is driven by their combined expertise in navigating the complexities of the life sciences industry and applying sophisticated financial strategies to generate returns.

Sand Hill North is an early-stage venture capital firm that focuses on pre-seed, seed, and Series A investments in innovative software startups. The firm is dedicated to backing visionary entrepreneurs who leverage technology to create positive change and disrupt their respective industries. With a values-driven approach, Sand Hill North prioritizes integrity, long-term growth, and purpose-driven businesses, aiming to be a valuable partner by offering honest insights, tactical advice, and access to a robust professional network.The firm was founded in 2021 and operates as the venture arm of a Canadian family office. Its investment philosophy is rooted in a deep commitment to building businesses guided by integrity and purpose, a principle championed by its President and CEO, Dave Brereton. Sand Hill North seeks high-potential founders with proven track records, deep domain knowledge, and well-rounded experience, evaluating startups for their capacity to measurably disrupt, innovate, and scale.Sand Hill North's portfolio includes a diverse range of technology companies. Notable investments feature SimCare AI, a provider of AI-powered clinical training simulations; Zeffy, which offers cloud-based suite solutions for nonprofit organizations; and Wisely, an AI-based productivity tool for fundraisers. Other portfolio companies include Enurgen, a platform for grid management solutions; QuoteMachine, a provider of business suite solutions; and eWebinar, a cloud-based platform for webinar marketing. The firm also has investments in companies like Autosana, DeepAware AI, Kirana AI, and Social.mom, reflecting its broad interest across various software and AI-driven sectors.The investment team at Sand Hill North comprises experienced founders and business operators. Dave Brereton, President and CEO, brings a long history of entrepreneurship, having founded Tecsys Inc., a supply chain software company. Dennis Clark, Partner and CFO, provides extensive financial clarity and insight from over 30 years of experience across non-profit and for-profit sectors. Ryan Henry, Partner, contributes over a decade of leadership in scaling high-growth engineering, product, and AI organizations, with a background in FinTech, SaaS, and machine learning products, and actively mentors numerous startups.

Seed Group is a Dubai-based conglomerate and venture capital firm operating under The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum. Established in 2004, the firm focuses on fostering strategic partnerships and investing in innovative, growing companies globally. They act as a business launchpad, facilitating market entry and expansion for businesses and startups into the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, leveraging Dubai's stable economy and supportive government policies. Seed Group provides comprehensive support, including market research, business development, government relations, and legal and financial counsel.Founded in 2004, Seed Group was established to realize the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai. The firm's mission, as part of The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, is to form prestigious partnerships and invest in leading global companies that align with the progressive vision of the UAE. CEO Hisham Al Gurg leads the firm, which has grown to manage investments worth over $1.06 billion.Seed Group has made numerous investments across diverse industries. Notable portfolio companies include Flutterwave and Current, both of which have achieved unicorn status. Other investments mentioned include Hello Heart, Synthego, JV (ONDA/ SEED Group), Joint Venture (Onda/Seed group), and Flybuy. The firm actively seeks out promising startups and ventures that can positively disrupt the business ecosystem with cutting-edge solutions and products.The Senior Management and Advisory Team at Seed Group possesses extensive expertise across various sectors, including technology, healthcare, tourism, hospitality, and real estate. The team is dedicated to mentoring companies from initial coaching to scaling up offerings, localizing products, and launching them in the region. Their focused execution team provides qualified support professionals equipped with the skills and knowledge to deliver excellent client service and cultivate long-term business connections for their partners.

The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, operating primarily through its company Seed Group, is a Dubai-based conglomerate established in 2004. The firm focuses on fostering strategic partnerships and investments with innovative, growing companies seeking to expand their presence, particularly within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Seed Group acts as a business launchpad, leveraging Dubai's stable economy, favorable policies, and burgeoning business ecosystem to help partners achieve prosperity and contribute to a global community.The firm's mission is to identify and fuel potential ideas and companies that promise rewarding returns and drive productive innovation. They engage in both revenue-sharing and investment agreements, offering support ranging from initial coaching to scaling up offerings, localizing products, and launching them in the region. Seed Group aligns its strategic goals with the UAE government's future programs, such as the ‘Dubai Economic Agenda (D33)’ and ‘UAE Centennial 2071’, aiming to double Dubai’s GDP and position the UAE as a premier nation.Seed Group invests across a diverse portfolio of industries, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, telecommunications, hospitality, real estate, healthcare, FinTech, and tourism. Their portfolio also extends to areas like construction procurement, cyber threat intelligence, retail intelligence, enterprise low-code development, AI legal solutions, AI education, and renewable energy integration. The firm has managed investments worth over $1.06 billion and boasts a network of over 3260 decision-makers in the UAE, facilitating numerous meetings for its partners.Under the leadership of CEO Hisham Al Gurg, Seed Group's senior management and advisory team brings expertise from various sectors. The firm prides itself on its "Royal" connections, which provide partners with access to top-tier decision-makers and invaluable local expertise. This approach helps companies navigate the complexities of the MENA market, offering guidance, training, and workshops to gain a competitive edge and achieve successful market entry and growth.