Venture Capital

Eligibility Criteria

• a distinct, sustainable and competitive advantage;
• a technological platform;
• a highly-skilled and committed management team with entrepreneurial flair;
• a clearly-defined and realistic business plan;
• a market opportunity to support fast and long-term growth;
• dominant leadership in the marketplace;
• a readily-perceivable, constructive exit strategy;
• a syndicate of venture capital investors.

Eligible Activities

Its focus is on technology-based businesses with high growth potential that are positioned to become dominant players in their markets.

Summary

Long-term Focus

• BDC gets involved right at the beginning of a business venture - the seed stage.
• BDC stays involved to later stage situations, such as pre-IPO mezzanine rounds.

Typical Venture Capital Investments

• The typical initial investments range from $500 000 to $3 000 000 as part of a financing round in the $1 000 000 to $10 000 000 range.
• BDC reinvests to maintain its pro-rata share of the investment along with other existing investors, if existing portfolio companies continue to develop and create value.
• BDC leads transactions and participates in syndicates led by other venture capital funds.
• As a rule, BDC seeks representation on the Board of Directors of its investee companies.
• BDC does not own more than 49% of a company's shares.

Ontario Contact(s):
See National Contact.