Four Canadian venture partnerships awarded $50 mln in VCAP commitments

The federal Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty announced that four Canadian venture capital funds have been awarded a total of $50 million from the $400 million Venture Capital Action Plan (VCAP). The funds are: Summerhill Ventures II, managed by Toronto-based Summerhill Venture Partners, which received $15 million; CTI Life Sciences Fund II, managed by Montréal-based CTI Life Sciences Fund, which received $15 million; Real Ventures Fund III, managed by Montréal-based Real Ventures, which received $10 million; and Lumira Capital II, managed by Toronto-based Lumira Capital Corp, which received $10 million. Among the provisions of VCAP, which was introduced in January 2013, was to commit capital to “high-performing” funds with a substantial Canadian market presence.

PRESS RELEASE

Toronto, September 20, 2013

Harper Government Helps Create Jobs and Growth in Canada by Supporting Innovative Canadian Businesses and Entrepreneurs

The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today reaffirmed a $50-million investment to help innovative businesses access the capital they need to grow and succeed. This investment is the next step in implementing the Harper Government’s Venture Capital Action Plan (VCAP) to help create a vibrant private sector-led venture capital system in Canada.

The VCAP includes a commitment by the Government to invest in a few key high-performing venture capital funds with a substantial presence in Canada. In May, Minister Flaherty announced the establishment of a private sector Venture Capital Expert Panel to provide advice and recommendations on the VCAP, including the selection of the high-performing venture capital funds to receive direct investment from the Government.

Through a fair and competitive selection process that included a comprehensive evaluation, the Expert Panel has now selected four high-performing venture capital funds that have demonstrated strong investment performance and are aligned with the objectives of the VCAP. The Government will be investing in these funds on the basis of the recommendations made by the Expert Panel. These investments are:

a $15-million investment in Summerhill Ventures II, a fund focused on investment opportunities in the information and communication technologies sector;

a $15-million investment in CTI Life Sciences Fund II, a fund focused on investment opportunities in the life sciences sector;

a $10-million investment in Real Ventures Fund III, a fund focused on investment opportunities in the information and communication technologies sector; and,

a $10-million investment in Lumira Capital II, a fund focused on investment opportunities in the life sciences sector.

“Canada’s long-term economic success in an increasingly competitive, knowledge-based economy will depend, in large measure, on the ability of our dynamic innovative firms to grow into global leaders that invest and create high-quality jobs,” said Minister Flaherty. “Today’s investment will help ensure that Canada’s promising start-up businesses have the resources they need to grow, innovate and create jobs for Canadians.”

The Business Development Bank of Canada will provide support and advice to the Government as it implements the VCAP, by providing independent expertise, undertaking due diligence, supporting negotiations with funds and other investors, and assisting in the deployment of VCAP investments.

The Government’s investment in the four high-performing venture capital funds is contingent on satisfactory negotiations with the selected fund managers. It is the latest step in the VCAP, a $400-million strategy launched in January to help increase private sector venture capital investments in order to create jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. The Government is continuing to advance other key components of the VCAP, including establishing four private sector-led large scale national funds of funds.

For further information, media may contact:
Marie Prentice
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Finance
613-996-7861

Jack Aubry
Media Relations
Department of Finance
613-996-8080

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.