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best early-stage tech companies

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How it works

Invest in private venture capital funds that, in turn, invest in one or more Canadian early-stage tech companies.

Who can invest?

Accredited investors of any size (individuals, family offices, trusts, corporations, small institutions) that are looking to invest in the VC asset class.

Generally, an accredited investor meets at least one of the criteria below:

  • You earned a net income before taxes exceeding $200,000, or $300,000 combined with a spouse in each of the two most recent years;
  • You, alone or with a spouse, own at least $1 million in financial assets before taxes; 
  • You, alone or with a spouse, hold at least $5 million in net assets;
  • You are investing as a corporation, limited partnership, trust or estate that has net assets of at least $5 million;
  • You currently are, or once was, a registered advisor or dealer, other than a limited market dealer.

Not sure if you qualify? Contact our team

Curated deal flow

Companies sourced by venture capital veterans

Each investment is rigorously evaluated to ensure that the technology, market potential and team have all been validated.

OUR VC PRODUCTS

Choose how you want to invest


Canadian Opportunities Fund

Make a one-time investment in a Fund that is investing in a diversified portfolio of early-stage tech companies.

Fully subscribed


Individual VC Investments

Invest on a deal-by-deal basis in funds targeting companies curated by our team.

  • Minimum Investment: C$10K
  • Structure: Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)
  • Invests in: 1 Company
  • Available to: Canadian accredited investors
Secondaries

Buy the units of existing Brightspark investors.

Deal by deal investments

Every time Brightspark invests in a new company, we create a new Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) Limited Partnership Fund that is open to accredited investors. When you invest in a Brightspark Special Purpose Vehicle fund, you become a Limited Partner and own units in that fund.

Learn more about deal-by-deal investments 

Diversified Funds

These Funds are structured as a traditional VC fund (Limited Partnership) that will invest in a diversified portfolio of companies over a few years. You become a Limited Partner and own units in the fund. Sold by Offering Memorandum.

Deal by deal investments:

The minimum investment is C$25k per investment, and the average individual investment size is $35k-$50k.

When deciding how much to invest, take into consideration that we suggest you diversify your risk by investing in multiple deals, and plan to reserve some capital for a follow-on strategy.

If you invest in a diversified fund:

The minimum commitment in the fund is usually C$100k.

Note that a percentage of your investment is due on commitment, and capital calls thereafter. 

As an investor, you make money when (and if) a company in your investment portfolio goes through a liquidation event. You will then receive your initial investment back as well as your allocated portion of the profit.

Brightspark also offers the option to sell your position to other accredited investors through its Secondary Transactions Program.

You should know that:

- Usually, a liquidation event takes the form of an acquisition or an IPO
- The average time before a company exits is 5-7 years, but this varies
- Returns are not guaranteed. VC investments are very risky, and you could lose your entire investment.
- A successful sale through the Secondary Transaction Program is not guaranteed.

    Note that returns distribution is managed differently depending on whether you're investing in a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) or in a traditional VC fund structure.

    Deal by deal fees: 

    • Management fees (1.5 to 2% per year for the first 3 to 4 years) is used as a compensation for Board seating, due diligence, legal paperwork, etc.
    • Admin Reserve fee (one-time 2.5 to 4%) is reserved for external out-of-pocket fund expenses  such as legal fees, tax and accounting costs
    • When there is an exit, Brightspark first returns your contributed capital, and 85% of the returns are distributed amongst Limited Partners. A percentage goes to Brightspark as carry.

    Diversified Fund:

    Fees and carry will vary, but generally:

    • Management fees (approx. 2% per year) is used as a compensation for Board seating, due diligence, legal paperwork, etc.
    • As companies in the fund exit, Brightspark returns contributed capital to Limited Partners, along with additional returns net of a carry (approx. 20%).

    Investing in venture capital involves a high degree of risk. Early-stage investing in technology companies is a risky endeavour, and many early-stage companies fail (and investments are lost). Additional risks include changing economic conditions, difficulty in valuing startup investments, absence of liquidity, and more. We encourage you to read our complete risk disclosure.

    Before investing with Brightspark, you should carefully review the risk factors. In addition, you should consult your own counsel, accountant and other advisors as to legal, tax, business, financial, and related aspects of an investment with Brightspark.

    Brightspark Financial Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brightspark Capital Inc., is registered as an Exempt Market Dealer (EMD) in Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec and Ontario with the Provincial Securities Commissions in Canada.

    VC as an asset class

    Access a unique type of alternative investment

    As an asset class, venture capital has a differentiated risk/return profile and the potential to diversify an investment portfolio.

    • Uncorrelated to public markets
    • Potential for long term growth
    • Differentiated timeline to liquidity
    • and more
    Fully-managed

    Our team takes care of the heavy lifting


    Professional due diligence

    • Several months spent evaluating a company
    • Access to a broad network of expert advisors
    • Review our research and market insights

    Post-investment value-add

    • Board presence with our portfolio companies
    • Hands-on operational and technical expertise
    • Follow-on strategy for high-performing companies


    Terms and negotiation

    • Follow-on rights, pro rata rights, and more
    • Fair and complete term sheet
    • Same terms as institutional co-investors


    Transparent reporting

    • Detailed quarterly and annual reports 
    • Online dashboard and financial statements
    • Exclusive invitation to our annual investor summit
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