BDC Capital Inc. is the private equity and venture capital division of the Business Development Bank of Canada, focusing on direct investments and fund of funds strategies. The firm specializes in providing risk capital to small and medium-sized enterprises, including subordinate financing, recapitalizations, and mezzanine investments. BDC Capital's venture capital activities encompass a wide range of stages from seed funding to pre-IPO financing, with a particular emphasis on technology-based companies in sectors such as healthcare, information technology, and clean technology. It aims to support women-led businesses and typically invests between CAD 3 million and CAD 35 million, taking minority stakes in its portfolio companies. BDC Capital seeks to exit investments within three to five years through various strategies, including initial public offerings or strategic sales. Established in 1975 and headquartered in Montreal, the firm has a presence in key Canadian provinces, actively participating in syndicates and maintaining a focus on high-growth potential companies.

Export Development Canada is an export credit agency established in 1944 and headquartered in Ottawa, Canada. Its primary mission is to assist Canadian companies, both large and small, in expanding their operations internationally. The agency provides a range of credit services, which include loans and financial support, to facilitate global trade. The majority of its investment portfolio comprises loans receivable, along with significant holdings in cash and marketable securities. Through these services, Export Development Canada plays a vital role in enhancing the competitiveness of Canadian businesses in the global marketplace.

Investissement Québec is a financial institution established in 1998, dedicated to supporting economic growth in the province of Québec. It serves as both a consulting and financing partner for businesses seeking to expand or establish operations in the region. The organization offers a range of financial assistance and solutions tailored to the needs of corporations, facilitating their investment projects and helping to foster a favorable business environment. By combining the roles of a financial institution and an economic development agency, Investissement Québec aims to promote sustainable economic development and drive innovation within the province.

Fonds de solidarité FTQ is a private equity and venture capital firm based in Montreal, Canada, focusing on investments in small and medium-sized businesses primarily in Quebec. The firm specializes in various financial activities including start-ups, early ventures, mergers, acquisitions, and business successions. It invests in diverse sectors such as aerospace, agri-food, natural resources, and life sciences, while avoiding retail, real estate, and biotechnology. Fonds de solidarité FTQ typically seeks projects requiring investments of $3 million or more and offers loans up to $2 million. It targets companies with specific financial criteria, such as minimum capitalization and revenue thresholds, and can take both minority and majority stakes in its portfolio. The firm aims to foster economic development by supporting companies that positively impact the Quebec economy and holds investments for five to ten years, extending to over ten years in cases of business succession. With a strategic focus on regional growth, Fonds de solidarité FTQ operates across various regions of Quebec, reinforcing its commitment to local development and innovation.

Techstars Central LLC, founded in 2006 and based in Boulder, Colorado, operates as a startup accelerator and venture capital firm focused on supporting early-stage technology-oriented companies. It specializes in a mentorship-driven accelerator program, selecting ten startups each summer to participate in a three-month incubation period, offering funding of $120,000 in exchange for equity. Techstars invests primarily in sectors such as fintech, artificial intelligence, blockchain, augmented reality, and IoT, while avoiding investments in medical devices, healthcare technology, and local service-oriented businesses. In addition to its primary accelerator, Techstars has various specialized programs, including those focused on music, retail, mobility, and social impact, with global reach extending to regions such as Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The firm prefers taking minority stakes, typically between six and ten percent, without seeking board representation or investor rights. Techstars has built a robust network of entrepreneurs, mentors, and corporate partners to foster innovation and growth within its portfolio, which includes over 1,000 companies with a significant collective market capitalization.

Y Combinator is a startup accelerator based in Mountain View, California, founded in 2005. It has pioneered a new funding model for early-stage startups by investing a modest amount of capital, typically around $150,000, in a large number of companies twice a year. Over a three-month program, Y Combinator collaborates closely with these startups to prepare them for investor pitches and enhance their business strategies. Each funding cycle concludes with Demo Day, where startups present to an exclusive audience of investors. Y Combinator focuses on various sectors, including business software, education, healthcare, and financial technology, among others. In addition to initial funding, it offers ongoing support through its extensive alumni network. Since its inception, Y Combinator has funded over 630 startups, contributing significantly to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Silicon Valley and beyond.

Real Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Montreal, Canada, with an additional office in Toronto. Founded in 2007, it specializes in making direct and fund of fund investments, focusing primarily on early-stage companies, including seed stage and growth capital investments. The firm emphasizes investing in a diverse range of sectors, such as internet software, telecommunication services, agtech, fintech, and entertainment, among others. Real Ventures aims to invest approximately 80% of its capital in Quebec-based companies while also targeting opportunities across Canada, particularly in the Toronto-Waterloo corridor. Typical investments range from $0.25 million to $1.15 million, with the firm seeking a minimum 5% stake in its portfolio companies. In addition to financial backing, Real Ventures is committed to supporting entrepreneurs and fostering the development of robust tech ecosystems throughout Canada.

Ontario Centres of Excellence, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization based in Toronto, Canada, dedicated to enhancing the Ontario economy through the commercialization of innovative research. Established in 1987, it focuses on accelerating industry research and development by investing in collaborative projects between academia and industry. The organization provides early-stage seed financing to startups, supports the commercialization of academic research through licensing and spin-off companies, and promotes skills development for a skilled workforce. Its investment arm specializes in seed, startup, and early-stage investments primarily in sectors such as energy and environment, advanced manufacturing, advanced health technologies, and information and communications technologies. Ontario Centres of Excellence aims to drive economic growth by fostering innovation and supporting the success of emerging companies in Ontario.

SOSV is a global venture capital firm founded in 1995 and headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey. Specializing in seed-to-growth stage investments, SOSV operates multiple accelerator programs worldwide, including HAX for hardware, IndieBio and RebelBio for life sciences, Chinaccelerator and MOX for cross-border internet ventures, Food-X for innovative food solutions, and dlab for blockchain technology. The firm focuses on investments in revolutionary deep technologies aimed at improving human and planetary health, as well as cross-border markets, particularly in Asia. SOSV invests in approximately 150 startups annually, providing support through its resources to accelerate product development and scaling. Over its two-decade history, SOSV has established a strong reputation, consistently ranking among the top venture capital firms globally.

Fondaction is a Montreal-based investment firm established in 1996, specializing in both direct and fund of fund investments, primarily in small and medium-sized enterprises across various sectors, with a strong emphasis on clean energy and agri-food. The firm engages in private equity and venture capital investments, targeting companies at various stages, including seed, startup, and later-stage transactions, primarily within Quebec. Fondaction's direct investments range from CAD 0.5 million to CAD 10 million, while fund investments typically fall between CAD 0.5 million and CAD 75 million per transaction. With a commitment to socially responsible finance, Fondaction integrates sustainable development principles into its investment strategy, supporting over 1,050 SMEs and contributing to job creation in the region. The organization manages assets exceeding one billion dollars, derived from retirement savings of more than 131,000 shareholders. Fondaction is recognized for its transparency in sustainable development practices and compliance with international reporting standards.