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.

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.

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.

MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund (IAF) is an early stage venture capital firm based in Toronto. Since 2008, we have partnered with over 150 companies built by extraordinary founders. For more information, please visit www.marsiaf.com

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.

Accelerator Centre is a venture capital firm and accelerator located in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, specializing in the incubation and investment of startups. Established in 2006, it offers a combination of in-house mentorship, educational programs, networking opportunities, and access to funding, all aimed at fostering the growth of successful companies. Its unique accountability model and comprehensive programming set it apart from other accelerators in the Canadian commercialization landscape. Accelerator Centre's programs typically last between 12 to 24 months, assisting entrepreneurs in transitioning from start-up to scale-up, accelerating their time to market, and enhancing their ability to attract customers, investment, and revenue.

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.

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.

Inovia Capital is a venture capital firm based in Montreal, Canada, founded in 2007 by Chris Arsenault. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage and growth-stage companies, targeting sectors such as mobile technology, consumer internet, software as a service, digital media, healthcare, and biotechnology, among others. With over $1 billion in assets under management, Inovia Capital seeks to support passionate tech founders with global ambitions by providing not only capital but also coaching and access to talent within key ecosystems in Canada, the United States, and Europe. The firm focuses on applied services and infrastructure platforms aimed at transforming complex legacy industries, including financial services and healthcare.

Golden Ventures is a prominent seed-stage venture capital fund based in Toronto, Ontario, established in 2011. The firm focuses on investing in early-stage companies across North America, particularly in sectors such as mobile and marketplaces. Golden Ventures is dedicated to supporting bold teams and their transformative ideas, providing the necessary resources to help founders succeed in their ventures.