Top Venture Capital Firms in Toronto

Toronto, often dubbed the “Silicon Valley of the North” is a thriving hub of innovation and business, home to some of the best venture capital firms in North America.

These firms are instrumental in fueling the city's dynamic Canadian startup ecosystem, investing in a range of industries from artificial intelligence to fintech, biotech, and life sciences. 

In this article, we’ll explore a curated list of leading venture capital firms in Toronto, highlighting their portfolio, investment focus, and notable contributions to the venture capital scene in Canada.

1. OMERS Ventures

Launched in 2011, OMERS Ventures is the venture fund arm of OMERS, one of Canada’s largest pension plans. Headquartered in Toronto and with offices in London and Silicon Valley, it has become one of the most leading Canadian investors, deploying significant capital into technology and software companies.

OMERS Ventures has a track record of backing companies at every stage, from seed stage to late growth, with notable successes including their early investment in Shopify. Their portfolio spans tech startups, fintech companies, SaaS providers, and digital health companies. It reflects a commitment to investing in early stage startups as well as scaling established market leaders.

Beyond funding, they offer portfolio companies access to a global network of experts, institutional investors, and operational advisors, making them one of the leading venture capital firms in Canada.

2. Georgian

Founded in 2008, Georgian is a growth equity and venture capital investment firm focused on investing in B2B software. Their portfolio includes high-growth software companies that leverage data, machine learning, and AI to disrupt industries.

Georgian’s advisor network and its dedicated Impact Team help portfolio companies address complex scaling challenges, from security and trust to sales acceleration. They’ve invested in notable technology startups such as Top Hat and Workhuman, both of which have become leaders in their respective industries.

By combining strategic guidance with deep technical resources, Georgian stands out as one of the leading venture capital firms in the Canadian VC landscape.

3. Golden Ventures

Golden Ventures is one of Toronto’s most active seed-stage venture capital funds, dedicated to investing in early stage startups. Known for their founder-first philosophy, they support a range of industries including SaaS, fintech, and digital health companies.

With early wins like SkipTheDishes, Golden Ventures has become a trusted name for entrepreneurs seeking a venture capital firm investing in the earliest stages. They play a vital role in the Canadian VC ecosystem by supporting startups from the ground up.

4. Inovia Capital

Inovia Capital is an independent Canadian investment firm with a strong presence in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and other major cities. Since 2007, they’ve invested in technology startups, fintech companies, and high-growth software companies, with successes such as Sonder and Lightspeed Commerce.

Their model blends venture capital investment with operational involvement, often taking board seats and working alongside management teams. Inovia’s diverse portfolio reflects their ability to deploy both growth capital and seed stage funding, helping companies across multiple industries expand into global markets.

5. Radical Ventures

Radical Ventures is an early stage venture capital firm that has carved out a highly specialized niche in artificial intelligence. Founded in 2017, the firm’s mission is to identify and fund entrepreneurs who are applying deep AI research to address large-scale global challenges. 

By concentrating on AI and related technologies, Radical Ventures has positioned itself as a key player in one of the fastest-growing sectors in the venture capital scene. Toronto’s academic environment is home to leading institutions such as the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence. It provides Radical with unparalleled access to cutting-edge research and talent. 

This proximity allows them to partner early with technology startups that have the potential to scale into global leaders. Their investment strategy emphasizes investing in early stage startups with strong technical foundations, often before these companies have fully commercialized their products.

6. Real Ventures

Founded in 2007, Real Ventures is one of the longest-standing seed stage investors in Canada. Established in 2007, they have played a central role in building the Canadian VC ecosystem from the ground up. 

The firm has a reputation for backing companies that not only have the potential to succeed financially but also contribute positively to the communities they serve.Their investment portfolio spans a wide range of sectors, including technology and software, digital health companies, fintech companies, and high-growth software companies. 

Real Ventures was an early supporter of successful startups such as BenchSci, a biotechnology data company, and Vention, an automation platform. These investments underscore their ability to identify and nurture promising talent in its earliest stages.

7. iGan Partners

iGan Partners is an independent Canadian investment firm specializing in healthcare, digital health companies, and biotech. They focus on technology and innovation that can improve patient outcomes and enhance the efficiency of healthcare systems. By specializing in medical devices, health IT, and diagnostics, iGan has built a portfolio that is both impactful and commercially viable.

The firm takes a highly hands-on approach to venture capital investment. iGan Partners often enters early in product development, guiding clinical trials, regulatory approvals, and market entry. This close involvement sets them apart in the Canadian startup ecosystem, where healthcare regulations can be a significant barrier to growth.

8. Framework Venture Partners

Framework Venture Partners is a VC firm that specializes in backing B2B SaaS companies. The firm targets businesses that have achieved product-market fit and are ready to scale, providing both capital and a "framework" for accelerated growth. 

Their investment thesis centers on software that is reinventing major industries, especially fintech, AI applications, and digital health.

It focuses on growth capital for high-growth software companies in sectors such as fintech companies, AI applications, and digital health companies. Their investment thesis revolves around investing in B2B software that is transforming major industries.

Portfolio highlights include Daisy Intelligence, FlipGive, and Secoda. Framework provides venture capital firms investing with a scalable support model, helping portfolio companies accelerate their go-to-market plans.

9. Alate Partners

Alate Partners is a specialized venture capital firm dealing with intersection of real estate and technology, commonly known as PropTech. Alate was formed through a unique partnership between Relay Ventures and Dream, one of Canada's leading real estate companies. This structure gives Alate an unparalleled advantage in the industry, providing its portfolio companies with both capital and a direct pathway to market.

This strategic backing allows Alate to help its startups pilot, validate, and deploy their technologies across Dream's extensive portfolio of real estate assets. This hands-on approach de-risks growth and accelerates adoption. 

Key investments include Lane (acquired by VTS), Properly, and ParkWhiz, making Alate a central player in the modernization of the real estate industry.

10. Genesys Capital Management Inc.

Genesys Capital is one of Canada’s largest and most experienced venture capital firms investing in biotech, pharmaceuticals, and medical technology. With foundations in Toronto for over two decades, this independent Canadian investment firm has specialized in transforming groundbreaking scientific research into commercially successful companies. 

They partner closely with leading scientists, entrepreneurs, and management teams, offering not only capital but also strategic support in areas like regulatory strategy, intellectual property, and business development.

The firm’s portfolio includes numerous successful startups in life sciences, and they have been instrumental in delivering growth capital to companies across the healthcare spectrum. 

With a track record that includes IPOs and high-profile acquisitions, Genesys Capital plays a pivotal role in the Canadian VC market for technology and innovation in human health. Their focus on investing in early stage startups as well as scaling mature companies makes them a key name in any list of top life sciences investors in North America.

Let’s Recap

Toronto stands as a global hub for VC investors in Toronto. It blends seed-stage venture capital funds, early-stage venture specialists, and growth equity providers into one of the most active venture capital scenes in North America. 

From investing in B2B software and digital health companies to backing companies in fintech, biotech, and technology and software, the city’s investors support technology startups. They also back established enterprises.

For founders, identifying the right venture capital firm investing in your sector is critical. Platforms like Private Equity List offer a curated list of leading Canadian firms, making it easy to connect with independent Canadian investment firms, venture capital firms investing in your niche, and institutional investors interested in supporting startups. 

Sign up for free today at Private Equity List and find the perfect partner for your business!

Read More

• Venture Capital (VC) Valuation Methods For Startups
• Venture Capital: Advantages and Disadvantages Explored
• Venture Capital Fundraising Process
• Corporate Venture Capital vs Venture Capital: Key Differences

Frequently Asked Questions