Impact Investment Funds in Canada

BDC Capital, the investment arm of the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) is injecting $50 million into women-led technology firms as part of its efforts to support women entrepreneurs. Women-led firms are vital to Canada's prosperity and competitiveness, says Alison Nankivell, Vice President, Funds and Co-investment, BDC Capital. Recognizing the need for financial and non-financial support for female founders, we are proud to launch several new initiatives to encourage women tech founders who are starting new companies, growing existing ones, creating jobs and triggering innovation. $40 million will be used to create a new program for women-led tech firms. The program will include both venture and growth capital and will be open to new and existing BDC Capital clients as well as to graduates of partner accelerators. Initial deployment will start by the end of 2016 and the program will target high-potential and quickly growing female-led tech companies. BDC Capital will allocate an additional $10 million to support regional initiatives beginning with the MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund to form a new women's pre-seed and seed fund and increase depth of network and resources for women founders. With its anchor investment, BDC is seeking to raise additional capital from other interested investors.

• SDG 5 – Gender equality

• Energy and fuel efficiency
• Natural resources conservation
• Pollution prevention and waste management
• Sustainable energy
• Water resource management

• Women

• Canada