What We Look For

Compelling ideas … big markets

Our interest is primarily in engineers, scientists, or researchers who have developed technologies that solve difficult industry problems – problems that are substantial enough to compel customers to adopt the new technologies. We are also interested in disruptive technologies that have the potential to create entirely new markets.

We want to work with company founders who have set their sights high and we seek innovators who combine a bold technology vision with the drive and dedication needed to see a technology start-up through the challenges it will face in executing its plans.

We expect companies we invest in to have an impact. We look for companies that could end up with a value not in the tens of millions of dollars, but in the hundreds of millions – within three to five years.

Early-stage development; technological risks

We will almost always be the first institutional investor in a business. While we want to see evidence that the proposed technology is technically feasible, we expect to share the risk that goes with early-stage technology development.
At the same time, we are unlikely to invest in technologies that are more than a year or two away from commercialization. Venture funds have a limited lifespan and we need to deliver a return to our investors within the life of the fund.

Market focus

We’re looking for market focused companies – founders who have interacted with potential customers or partners to assess the market’s reaction to the technology. While you don’t have to have actual customers or revenues for us to invest, we do look for some market validation of the technology.

The nucleus of a strong technical team

We don’t expect – or even want – you to come in with a complete management team. Part of our job will be to help you put the right people in place. We do want to see the core of a solid technical team that we can build on.

Geographic proximity; hands-on involvement

We actively participate in the companies we invest in – especially during the company’s early stages. To be able to effectively support our portfolio companies, they must be based in Waterloo Region or within a short drive – roughly between London and Hamilton.

Fields outside our expertise and interest

While we have a broad technology focus, we limit our investments to companies in industries where our experience and contacts will be of most value. For this reason, we are unlikely to invest in biotechnology or medical devices. We are also not looking to invest in service firms or consumer products.

What We Offer

Money, hands-on assistance,
contacts and more

At Tech Capital, our mission is to help entrepreneurs build world-class technology companies.

While it is certainly true that a good venture capitalist provides much more than cash, we know that the primary reason you’re approaching us is to get the money you need to grow your business – or to create a business based on your technology.

We manage over $95 million in venture capital funds, and more than two-thirds of this money is available for future investments. Typically, we invest $500,000 to $2 million in a company’s seed round, and then continue to support the company through follow-on investments. We have the ability to invest up to $9 million in each of our portfolio companies.

The money is the simple part. We can cut a cheque very quickly when the right opportunity comes along.

But most of the value we bring to a company goes far beyond writing a cheque. When you work with Tech Capital, you benefit from our team’s experience and knowledge and our network of industry contacts worldwide.

Hands-on guidance and support

We take an active role in building your company. One of the key benefits of working with Tech Capital is that we’re always close by, ready to do our part.

Our team has experience leading successful high-tech startups and knowledge gained from having helped build many technology companies.

Whether it’s recruiting a management team, clarifying company strategy, financial planning, establishing business partnerships and alliances, working through management issues or just being a sounding board for your ideas, we’ll be with you every step of the way in working through the challenges start-ups inevitably face.

Our contacts are your contacts

The human resources we’ll bring to your company go beyond the immediate Tech Capital team and advisory board members. When you work with us, our contacts become your contacts.

We have a broad network of existing relationships with lawyers, recruiters, accountants, bankers, financial service firms and IT service providers.

Attracting additional capital

When your business has grown beyond its seed stage and you’re ready to attract additional rounds of capital, we work with you to identify potential venture partners. We’ve worked with some of the largest venture capital firms in Canada and the United States – as technology company management and as venture capitalists – and we’ll help you get the right deal with the right partners.