Today's News |
Victoria Looking Set to Launch its First Formal Angel Fund ($20 to $30 Million Angel Fund)
Friday, June 10, 2016
Victoria, BC, June 10, 2016--(T-Net)--Victoria-based Tectoria Venture Partners has commissioned and released the findings of a detailed survey on the current state of Victoria's tech ecosystem.
The report, Victoria Angel / Micro-VC Fund Analysis, was the result of interviewing 41 key stakeholders in the tech community, with the purpose of gathering both the qualitative and quantitative data needed to determine whether a sizeable angel fund could be sustained in Victoria, BC.
The conclusion was that the city's buzzing tech sector could easily sustain a $20-30 million angel fund, spurring the intent to launch Tectoria Venture Partners.
“Victoria has seen a significant increase in startup activity in recent years. Since we started offering our Venture Acceleration Program with support from the BC Innovation Council and the NRC, we have been swamped with over 300 applications. While many of these companies have done well it is obvious that now, more than ever, the next key piece of the puzzle is an organized, local investment fund led by experienced entrepreneurs and tech leaders that are dedicated to recommitting some of their returns back into the community to help fuel the next generation of Victoria tech companies.” explained Dan Gunn, CEO of VIATEC. “We believe that the new independent Tectoria Venture Partners fund can fill that crucial need while also giving other local investors an easy on-ramp to participating in our local tech industry.”
Tectoria Venture Partners aims to fill the gap between high potential startups and the lack of early stage funding available to them. Victoria is home to many passionate entrepreneurs who are innovating, improving, and making an impact on the world. In many cases, all they need is backing to do so.
By quantifying the past 5 years, the report accounts for over $31.5 million of direct angel investment into local Victoria tech startups, and over $217 million in exit values from tech companies in Victoria. The tech ecosystem is large and growing and there is strong opportunity.
75 percent of entrepreneurs reported that raising capital in Victoria was a challenging process. The top challenges faced are the inability to find the right connections, and wasting time chasing uninterested investors.
70 percent of angel investors reported that they lack the time to do proper due diligence on potential companies, proving to be a major deterrent from investing more.
The goals for Tectoria Venture Partners will be to provide strong leadership, support, and investment into Victoria's tech community to help further galvanize the startup ecosystem, and to provide superior returns to its investors.
“I invest because I like to interact with companies and people doing interesting things.” said Todd Dunlop, co-founder of Neverblue, RingPartner, and a prominent Victoria angel investor. “Being able to read monthly reports and due diligence is an important part of that.”
Victoria is fast becoming a major tech hub in Canada, according to the association. For over a decade tech has been the city's largest private industry with over 880 tech companies, directly employing close to 20,000 people and an economic impact of over $4.03 Billion. “Victoria is the perfect storm for tech startups, and has the potential to hit a few out of the park.” said Scott Lake, active Victoria angel investor and co-founder of public e-commerce giant Shopify.
The concept of a formalized angel fund in Victoria is receiving strong interest from local angels, entrepreneurs, and the community. A fund will fuel the tech sector by backing Victoria's most promising startups, attracting more talent and money, building the Tectoria brand, and strengthening the city's reputation for founding solid tech companies.
Mayor Lisa Helps is a strong supporter, stating that “the city of Victoria is very keen to grow the tech economy and partner with initiatives like Tectoria Venture Partners.”
For access to the report, Victoria Angel / Micro-VC Fund Analysis, or for more information on Tectoria Venture Partners:
visit www.tectoriaventures.com or email: james.degreef@tectoriaventures.com.
------------------------------
Editor's Note: Victoria News has published a good follow-up feature article on this announcement with some additional detail;s on the funds, who's participating, and how it will work. See it here.
------------------------------
About Tectoria Venture Partners:
Tectoria Venture Partners is a new investment management initiative seeking to found an angel / micro-VC fund based in Victoria BC, run by Victoria's prominent angel investors, and investing in the top high technology opportunities in Victoria BC and elsewhere. The first fund is being formed and launched for mid / later 2016.
Media Contact:
Joelle Blaikie
Associate, Tectoria Venture Partners
joelle.blaikie@tectoriaventures.com