Top 50 Biotechnology Startup Investors in Canada in December 2024

Innovacorp is an early-stage venture capital firm that helps knowledge-based startups commercialize their technologies in the global marketplace. It invests in early stage Nova Scotia entrepreneurs, combining venture capital with business mentoring and incubation facilities. Innovacorp was established in 1995 and based in Halifax, Canada.

BDC Venture Capital is a major venture capital investor in Canada, active at every stage of the company's development cycle, from seed through expansion, with a focus on technology-based businesses that have high growth potential and that are positioned to become dominant players in their markets. The company helps create and develop strongCanadian businesses through financing, consulting services and securitization, with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises.BDC Venture Capital has been involved in venture capital since 1975 and has to date invested in more than 400 companies involved in the areas of Life Sciences, Telecommunications, Information Technology and Advanced Technologies.

Value-added investors for innovative entrepreneurs.

MaRS Innovation (MI) is a commercialization engine that integrates, centralizes and accelerates time to market of the discovery and intellectual property assets from its 15 world-class research institutions. MI’s discovery and innovation pipeline is derived from $1 billion in annual R&D funding. Created as a not-for-profit organizationthrough the Government of Canada’s Center of Excellence for Commercialization and Research program (CECR), MI has raised $50 million from federal and provincial governments, member institutions and industry partners. MI’s vision is to transform the Toronto-based research enterprise into one of world’s most successful commercialization clusters.Through detailed, market facing due diligence, MI identifies opportunities from Canada’s largest academic cluster for further development and commercialization through project management, intellectual property management, investment and technology development. By crossing the innovation gap, MI transforms these opportunities into successful high-value licensing transactions and financeable start-up companies.

SOSV is a global, deep tech venture capital firm that operates the HAX and IndieBio startup development programs focused on human and planetary health. SOSV invests $500,000 in startups at their inception as they onboard either HAX or IndieBio for a 4-6 month period designed to accelerate the raise of their next institutional round. SOSV joins thelater rounds of HAX and IndieBio graduates. HAX, based in a 35,000 sq ft facility in Newark, NJ, is equipped with machine tools, 3D printers, chemical, electrical and mechanical engineering labs, as well as on-staff engineering and design experts. SOSV's IndieBio has locations in NYC and San Francisco, both of which offer extensive services and facilities to founders including on-site BSL-2 labs, well equipped lab benches and hoods, and advanced lab equipment, such as chromatography equipment.

Lumira Ventures, a later stage VC, partners & invests in best-in-class innovative biotherapeutic & medtech entrepreneurs building transformative companies.

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency works to create opportunities for economic growth in Atlantic Canada by helping businesses become more competitive, innovative and productive, by working with diverse communities to develop and diversify local economies, and by championing the strengths of Atlantic Canada. Together, with Atlantic Canadians,we are building a stronger economy.

Working with Ontario talent to develop World Class Companies Learn More

We transform the most promising oncology innovations into highly competitive opportunities that benefit patients, researchers, investors, and Ontario's economy.

We stand proudly on a foundation of deep experience and a demonstrable body of success creating, building, and growing break-out companies.

Fonds de solidarité FTQ is a private equity and venture capital firm specializing in investments in start-ups, early venture, mergers, business acquisitions, management buyouts, market development project or a buyout, financing for new programs, organic growth and cash flow, growth and expansion financings, development capital, business succession,financial restructuring, business transition financing, family and non-family buyout, consolidations, turnaround, and leveraged management buyouts. It also invests in new markets, product and business line developments, market diversification, interim financings, new product marketing, additional working capital, purchase of tangible and intangible assets, equipment modernization, equipment purchases or upgrades, and integrator projects. The firm has regional funds that do not invest in retail, real estate, farming, biotechnology, and financial services. Fonds de solidarité FTQ invests in small and medium-sized businesses. It typically invests in export projects, forest products, productivity improvement, natural resources, aerospace, agri-food, wood, pulp and paper, chemicals, construction and construction materials, printing, transportation equipment and automobiles, transportation services, furniture and fixtures, combinatorial chemistry and other lead generating technologies, mining and exploration, social economy, textiles, plastics, life sciences, business services, telecommunications, distribution and consumer goods, environment, equipment and machinery, financial services, information and communication technology, metal products, recreational tourism, and culture sectors. Within the culture sector, Fonds de solidarité FTQ seeks to invest in pre-production and creative projects, production projects, infrastructures and services, post-production projects, distribution, and broadcasting and multiplatform broadcasting. Within the environment sector, it invests in waste management and energy conversion for residual waste; air treatment and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; processes to reduce industrial energy and water consumption; water treatment; and soil rehabilitation and decontamination (metals and organic compounds). Within the life sciences sector, Fonds de solidarité FTQ focuses on services for the biopharmaceutical industry; nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals; diagnostics and medical supplies and equipment; biopharmaceuticals and generic drugs; biotechnology, and animal health. Within the tourism sector, it focuses on urban tourism, nature tourism, resort type tourism, and local tourism for Quebecers, and in the textiles sector it invests in companies engaged in development and production of specialty textiles as well as development of industrial applications for the construction, transportation, health and safety, and work apparel industries. Fonds de solidarité FTQ prefers to invest in Quebec and in companies impacting the Québec economy. It focuses on investing in the following regions- Abitibi –Témiscamingue, Bas Saint Laurent, Chaudière-Appalaches, Côte-Nord, Estrie, Gaspésie Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Lanaudière, Laurentides, Laval, Mauricie - Centre-du-Québec, Montérégie, Nord-du-Québec, Outaouais, and Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean. Fonds de solidarité FTQ seeks to invest in projects of $3 million or more and also provides loans of up to $ 2 million. It invests in companies in business succession sector having minimum capitalization of $500,000 and EBITDA of over $35.5 million in case of majority interest; equipment and machinery sector with average investment in excess of $3 million; environment sector with funding needs of more than $500000; financial services sector having net assets between $20 million and $50 million in equity; metal products sector having annual sales of over $5 million and financing needs of at least $2 million; and printing sector having investment needs of over $1 million. In the information technology sector, Fonds de solidarité FTQ seeks to invest $2 million as initial investments while total investments can be more than $10 million. It invests in the form of equity financing (common or preferred shares) and unsecured debt requiring no collateral (debenture). Fonds de solidarité FTQ can take both a minority interest including an equity stake of up to 49 percent as well a majority interest in its portfolio companies in case of business succession financing. It seeks a minority stake for the portfolio companies in the equipment and machinery sector. It typically holds its investments for a period of five to ten years in case of equity financing and for more than ten years in case of business succession financing. Fonds de solidarité FTQ began operation on June 23, 1983. It has its headquarters in Montreal in Canada with additional offices in the same city and Quebec in the same country.

Real Ventures is an early-stage venture firm focused on serving daring entrepreneurs with the ambition to create successful, global companies. Since 2007, Real Ventures has dedicated itself to building the Canadian startup ecosystem on the belief that people, not money, build game-changing companies. Real Ventures provides stage-specific guidance,mentorship, and access to networks and resources to fast-track founders’ personal and company growth. Real Ventures manages $325 million across five funds and its active portfolio of 100+ companies is currently valued at $10 billion. www.realventures.com

The E-Fund (VANTEC Entrepreneurs Fund VCC Inc.) was established in 2011 to invest in promising new ventures in British Columbia in a wide range of industry sectors. They are focused on co-investing with other angel investors and early-stage venture capital firms in seed-stage companies with high growth opportunities.The E-Fund involvesspecific investors in the investment due diligence process depending on their industry experience and knowledge and their particular technical expertise. It is their goal to become the ‘Go-to Braintrust’ for active and in-depth angel investing.

WUTIF Capital (VCC) Inc. is a novel angel fund that co-invests with angel investors in promising new technology ventures in British Columbia. WUTIF was formed in mid-2003 and made its first investments in late 2004.

BoxOne Ventures is a privately held investment firm that focuses on early-stage companies across the most impactful, interesting and fast-changing sectors.

Golden Ventures is a leading seed-stage venture capital fund, based in Toronto and investing across North America. We back bold teams and their transformative ideas.

The Ontario Centres of Excellence invests in projects and people to accelerate industry R&D to impact the Ontario economy through the commercialization of leading edge research.OCE invests in- Industry-Academic collaborative research- Commercialization of academic research through licensing and spin off companies- Early stage seedfinancing of start-ups- Skills development for high quality personnelThe Ontario Centres of Excellence is a not-for-profit corporation founded in 1987. Core funding is provided by the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation

A voice in setting the standards, best practices and processes in health technologies ; a privileged access to 190+ members

VA Angels, one of Canada’s leading angel investment groups, has member locations in Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna and Winnipeg. Since 2003 they have done 57 deals worth $28.5 million and are one of the most active angel groups in Canada.

CTI Life Sciences, a Canadian venture firm makes venture capital investments in high quality emerging life sciences companies at the pre-clinical and clinical development stage in Canada and in the U.S. CTI Life Sciences currently manage $345 million of assets.

We are BDC, the bank for Canadian entrepreneurs. We support small and medium-sized businesses in all industries and at every stage of growth with money and advice. We are the Business Development Bank of Canada.

Cycle Capital is a pioneer in Canadian Cleantech venture capital fund management investing in companies at the development and commercialization stages in North America. Founded in 2009 by Andrée-Lise Méthot, Founder and Managing Partner, Cycle Capital’s Platform has become an important venture capital investor of the Cleantech industry with its 3funds totaling $230M Assets Under Management (AUM). Cycle Capital is looking to invests in promising ventures that are not capital intensive and/or that can benefit from the leverage brought by Cycle Capital extensive network of investors, strategic partners and advisors.In addition to its core investments, Cycle Capital targets companies with high growth potential – especially those with strong intellectual property, leading edge technologies and with exceptional management talent that would benefit from the firm’s network of strategic industrial partners and expert advisors. With its core investment and business expertise, Cycle Capital plays an active role adding meaningful and tangible value to its portfolio companies at all stages of their life.

Leading Global Healthcare Platform with Deep Proprietary Resources and Global Industry Coverage.

Accelerate Fund supports the growth of early-stage Alberta technology companies with a multi million dollar fund that combines co-investment from angel investors.

We angel invest in founders who will improve the lives of millions. Based in Toronto, Canada.

Genesys Capital invests in and builds companies in the high-growth sectors of life sciences. We have a proven track record of identifying emerging bioscience opportunities, and transforming them into commercially successful companies.

Whitecap Venture Partners is a Canadian-based Venture Capital fund investing in early stage technology companies. Whitecap is headquartered in Toronto and invests across Canada and the Northeastern US. Since Whitecap’s inception the early 1990s, Whitecap recognises the power of real collaboration between entrepreneurs and investors. This rapportenables them to provide significant value to companies along with strong returns across investment cycles.Whitecap specialises in Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) and Medical Technologies. Whitecap is continually searching for upcoming ventures to support as the next generation of exceptional enterprises.

At Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), they fund Canadian cleantech projects and coach the companies that lead them as they move their ground-breaking technologies to market.SDTC’s support of cleantech translates into jobs, growth, and export opportunities for Canadian companies, as well as economic, environmental and healthbenefits for all Canadians. They are independent but don’t work alone. A big part of their role is building and sustaining networks of partners and stakeholders from private industry, academia and governments, at home and abroad. They operate at arm’s length and receive funding from the Government of Canada.

Versant partners with exceptional entrepreneurs to build and fund breakthrough biotechnology companies around the globe.

The Golden Triangle Angelnet is a not-for-profit corporation operating under the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation's Angel Network Program. It is a members-only organization comprised of Angel investors seeking investment opportunities in promising, early-stage businesses. In addition to the financial support, as part of theirall-encompassing commitment to assist the companies they invest in, its Angels often provide valuable mentorship and access to strong relationship capital networks to their investee companies. It is this priceless assistance that aids in the facilitation of learning, networking, and growth.

Pallasite Ventures is an agile venture capital firm providing early-stage financing for high-growth companies across a variety of industries.

National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program

1517 Fund is an early stage venture capital fund that supports teams led by dropouts, deep-tech scientists & founders working outside of tracked institutions.

GreenSky Ventures is a Toronto-based firm that makes investments in early-stage Canadian technology companies.GreenSky Ventures seeks early-stage B2B technology companies in Canada, emphasizing protectable IP and experienced management. It makes investments in early-stage technology companies through its affiliated venture capital funds, GreenSkyAccelerator Fund I, II and III. Their principals bring a unique combination of experience in technology, law, and finance to high-growth potential companies and dedicated entrepreneurs.GreenSky Capital was founded in Toronto, Ontario in 2010 by Geoff Simonett and Michael T. R. List.

Desjardins Capital makes it easy to grow your business with financial and strategic support. Investment capital and venture capital can help you meet your business goals.

Hedgewood is an investment firm active in venture capital, internet businesses, real estate, specialty finance, asset management, and private equity.

Built by founders, for founders. Garage Capital helps best-in-class companies jump from garage to growth.

iGan Partners is one of Canada's largest healthcare-focused venture capital firms, investing across North America. We provide capital and expertise to scale innovative healthcare solutions.

Radical Ventures invests in the future of how we live, work and play, partnering with founders who understand the transformational power of AI.

We are BDC, the bank for Canadian entrepreneurs. We support small and medium-sized businesses in all industries and at every stage of growth with money and advice. We are the Business Development Bank of Canada.

Natacor Inc. is a firm that provides financial and business advising as well as capital investments.

Investing in the deep science and technology that can propel humanity towards a radically better future.

Maple Leaf Angels are an experienced group of private investors looking for great entrepreneurs, great products and great companies. Bringing together investment, experience and knowledge, we help accelerate companies to become market leaders in their industry.We focus on four main investment areas as follows:- Information Technology- CleanTechnology- Advanced Manufacturing and Materials- Special Opportunities

INP Capital is a global private-market investor with international offices in Canada, Australia, China, UK and Germany. We back and invest in entrepreneurs looking to change the world. We are committed to building long-term relationships with our investors, investment partners and colleagues.

BDC Healthcare Venture is a venture capital firm specializes in healthcare investments. The firm prefers to invest in the innovative therapeutics, medical technology, health technology, prevention, diagnostics, personalized treatment, mobile technologies and services, robotics, automation and disease management sectors.

Groupe Roski is a private investment company that has been involved in venture capital since 2013 with companies that improve the quality of life and the environment for individuals.

Apjohn Ventures Fund is a new venture capital firm based in Kalamazoo, Michigan established to invest primarily in early stage life sciences companies across the Midwest. The goal of the Fund is to provide investors with superior financial returns by making equity investments in innovative life sciences companies with sustainable and outstandinggrowth potential.

Invest in our experienceGrowthWorks* offers you more: more accountability, more experience and more proven know-how to make the most of your investment.A principled approach to adding valueOver the last 20 years, we've built GrowthWorks into one of Canada's venture capital management companies. We've done that by managingfunds that rigorously follow core principles: structure strategic investments in growth-oriented companies, value portfolio assets conservatively, build vital industry connections and minimize risk through diversification. It's a simple formula that delivers powerful results.Regional know-how. National ReachAt GrowthWorks, we offer regionally based retail venture capital funds (RVCs) right across Canada.GrowthWorks specializes in the management of and growth of regionally based venture capital funds. The funds under management include the following RVCs: Working Opportunity Fund, GrowthWorks Commercialization Fund and GrowthWorks Atlantic Venture Fund.Partners in performanceWe have specialized teams in each of our core sectors to identify and structure investments in potential winners. These skilled teams also help create success by helping the companies that GrowthWorks managed funds invest in to grow with strategic management support and advice. This way, the companies get guidance from experienced leaders. In turn, the funds’ investors know that these companies receive direction to help them thrive.

Innovate Calgary is a central innovation hub at the University of Calgary. See our programs and fundings and learn more about our innovation hubs here.

Maximizing growth in naturally-derived products, technologies and services