Comments on: The Case for Canadian Venture Capital http://www.vcrants.com/2008/05/the-case-for-canadian-venture-capital/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-case-for-canadian-venture-capital Share the good, the bad and the ugly on the world of Venture Capital and Private Equity in Canada! Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:26:05 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: MaRS Blog – Innovation and Commercialization in Canada » Blog Archive » Venture or vulture capital? http://www.vcrants.com/2008/05/the-case-for-canadian-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-11023 MaRS Blog – Innovation and Commercialization in Canada » Blog Archive » Venture or vulture capital? Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:18:02 +0000 http://www.vcrants.com/?p=15#comment-11023 [...] see the light of day. Suzie Williams from Canadian Venture Capital Association has also written a blog in defense of the image of venture capital. I, for one, am still in the VC’s corner as a key [...] [...] see the light of day. Suzie Williams from Canadian Venture Capital Association has also written a blog in defense of the image of venture capital. I, for one, am still in the VC’s corner as a key [...]

]]> By: Daily Must Read Blogs http://www.vcrants.com/2008/05/the-case-for-canadian-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-2404 Daily Must Read Blogs Fri, 22 May 2009 20:54:36 +0000 http://www.vcrants.com/?p=15#comment-2404 [...] CVCA - Capital Rants ” Blog Archive ” The Case for Canadian Venture Capital [...] [...] CVCA – Capital Rants ” Blog Archive ” The Case for Canadian Venture Capital [...]

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]]> By: StartupNorth » Blog Archive » CVCA - “The Face of Change” - Montreal http://www.vcrants.com/2008/05/the-case-for-canadian-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-4 StartupNorth » Blog Archive » CVCA - “The Face of Change” - Montreal Fri, 23 May 2008 15:46:15 +0000 http://www.vcrants.com/?p=15#comment-4 [...] VCs need to spend more time connecting to the startup community, and Suzie Dingwell Williams recently said the same thing, so turning down an invitation to the only national VC conference in Canada would have been a [...] [...] VCs need to spend more time connecting to the startup community, and Suzie Dingwell Williams recently said the same thing, so turning down an invitation to the only national VC conference in Canada would have been a [...]

]]> By: Georges van Hoegaerden http://www.vcrants.com/2008/05/the-case-for-canadian-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-3 Georges van Hoegaerden Thu, 22 May 2008 23:55:04 +0000 http://www.vcrants.com/?p=15#comment-3 Suzie, I agree with your points and have looked into supporting Dutch companies (my heritage) abroad. The problem remains that full life-cycle support is non existent in Europe - not sure about Canada - and that in the end we are no longer building companies that are limited by geographical reach and therefor: 1/ As a portfolio company you raise funds where you get the best terms 2/ You run the company where the ecosystem and adoption rate matches your needs If and when those things exist in Canada (or elsewhere), investment philosophies like the one you describe can indeed flourish. The CVCA is a great start especially when it teaches Canadian VCs how to differentiate and compete. In the end, the best way for a (new) VC to succeed is to find an investment niche, and not to replicate Silicon Valley. The technology markets are changing and I think there is plenty of opportunity to create new investment differentiation (see my blog). Just like technology itself, it is sometimes better to wait a few iterations and a new philosophy for investing can flourish. And that new approach may just come from Canada. Enjoyed your blog. Regards, Georges Managing Director, The Venture Company Suzie, I agree with your points and have looked into supporting Dutch companies (my heritage) abroad. The problem remains that full life-cycle support is non existent in Europe – not sure about Canada – and that in the end we are no longer building companies that are limited by geographical reach and therefor:

1/ As a portfolio company you raise funds where you get the best terms
2/ You run the company where the ecosystem and adoption rate matches your needs

If and when those things exist in Canada (or elsewhere), investment philosophies like the one you describe can indeed flourish. The CVCA is a great start especially when it teaches Canadian VCs how to differentiate and compete.

In the end, the best way for a (new) VC to succeed is to find an investment niche, and not to replicate Silicon Valley. The technology markets are changing and I think there is plenty of opportunity to create new investment differentiation (see my blog). Just like technology itself, it is sometimes better to wait a few iterations and a new philosophy for investing can flourish. And that new approach may just come from Canada.

Enjoyed your blog.

Regards,

Georges
Managing Director, The Venture Company

]]> By: Paul Marshall http://www.vcrants.com/2008/05/the-case-for-canadian-venture-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-2 Paul Marshall Tue, 20 May 2008 18:25:52 +0000 http://www.vcrants.com/?p=15#comment-2 Suzie I really enjoy reading your stuff. I am at Ivara Corp (www.ivara.com) a VC backed company in Burlington Ontario and I have to say I have not been involved in the exodus of money raises to US VC's although I do know through peers that it does happen. My last three startups have all had Cdn VC partners. Having said that, I have heard from associates and do agree with your messaging, suggestions and call to action as I think it is really important that we (VC's and Comapnies as partners) communicate more and gain better alignment. I thought what Rick Segal did a couple of months ago (http://ricksegal.typepad.com/pmv/2008/04/five-big-less-1.html#trackback) where he did a bit of a roadshow to try to understand and address issues around perceptions of VC's was a great idea and starting point. It is also great to see some progressive companies like RIM step out and take the bull by the horns recognizing the importance of continuing to foster the entrepreneurial community through their recent fund announcement. Great topic for the conference, hope it gets spome traction and we figure out how to take the next step from what Rick started with his roadshow. Suzie I really enjoy reading your stuff. I am at Ivara Corp (www.ivara.com) a VC backed company in Burlington Ontario and I have to say I have not been involved in the exodus of money raises to US VC’s although I do know through peers that it does happen. My last three startups have all had Cdn VC partners. Having said that, I have heard from associates and do agree with your messaging, suggestions and call to action as I think it is really important that we (VC’s and Comapnies as partners) communicate more and gain better alignment. I thought what Rick Segal did a couple of months ago (http://ricksegal.typepad.com/pmv/2008/04/five-big-less-1.html#trackback) where he did a bit of a roadshow to try to understand and address issues around perceptions of VC’s was a great idea and starting point.

It is also great to see some progressive companies like RIM step out and take the bull by the horns recognizing the importance of continuing to foster the entrepreneurial community through their recent fund announcement.

Great topic for the conference, hope it gets spome traction and we figure out how to take the next step from what Rick started with his roadshow.

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