The following "color-coded" table identifies various money sources (with
a Western Canadian focus) and their respective internet web links, i.e.
green for equity, yellow for subsidies, and red for debt. Links to other
information sites are at the end in black.
|
MONEY LINKS for B.C. Technology Companies
|
| SOURCE |
LINK |
COMMENTS |
| EQUITY Capital |
(Green Money) |
(Green is for Growth) |
ANGELS and other Investors
(VANTEC) |
http://www.vef.org/vantec.html |
As you can appreciate, many investors don't want a lot of publicity.
But, maybe a connection can be made! Email: VANTEC
(Vancouver
Angel Network for Technology Enterprises). This network was launched in
Apr99 and meets monthly. |
| BC TEL New Media and Broadcast Fund |
http://www.bctel.com/b_creative |
This is a recently announced (24Feb98) fund of $10m which will invest
in New Media and Broadcast projects. Funding will be in the form of grants
and loans. Details on the web site or call
(604)432-2041 or email: b_creative@bctel.com. |
| BDC Venture Capital |
http://www.bdc.ca/site/right/financ/
venturecap/index.html |
Contact BDC in Vancouver at 666-7815. |
| Canadian Science and Technology Growth Fund |
http://www.cstgf.com |
For information about the fund as well as application forms and instructions |
| Capital Ideas |
http://www.capitalideas.com/accolade |
Accolade Capital is an Alberta-based venture funding group seeking
investment opportunities in Western Canada. |
| Discovery Capital |
http://www.discoverycapital.com |
This is a "boutique" source of funding. Discovery has done several
VCC deals. Contact Harry Jaako via email to: hjaako@discoverycapital.com
or call: 257-0450 |
| Encompass Ventures |
http://www.encompassventures.com |
This is a USA venture group based in Kirkland, WA, keen on making investments
in B.C. information technology firms. Contact: (425) 558-3624 |
| Granville Corporate Services |
http://www.otclisting.com |
Granville is a corporate securities firm specializing in taking private
companies public on the Nasdaq small cap market or the OTC Bulletin Board
to raise equity capital. Contact Ron Jorgensen at (604)669-7511 or email
to gopublicotc@email.com. |
| Greenstone Venture Partners |
forthcoming |
Brent Holliday and two colleagues from BDC have recently formed this
entity. Contact Brent for more info. |
| Interface International |
http://www.interfaceweb.com |
Interface specializes in providing "intelligent capital" ($500K - $10M)
to emerging growth companies. Contact David
Smith at (604)988-6575. |
| MDS Capital Corp. |
http://www.mdsintl.com/ |
MDS Inc. is a technology-based health and life sciences company. Its
venture capital arm, MDS Capital Corp, is a leading Canadian supplier of
capital for emerging health and life sciences companies. It is the
manager of the Canadian Medical Discoveries
Fund (CMDF). It manages over $400m. Phone: (416) 675-4530 (Toronto).
Email to: info@mdsintl.com. |
| MDS Ventures Pacific Inc. |
(no wesbite - see MDS site)
E-mail: info@mds-ventures.com |
This is the Vancouver-based subsidiary of MDS Capital Corp., providing
financial and management support to biotechnology, medical devices, and
health-related ventures. It manages the $20 million British Columbia Life
Sciences Investment Partnership, investing primarily in B.C. based early
stage
companies. Email: info@mds-ventures.com |
| Milestone Medica |
http://www.rctech.com |
Milestone Medica, a venture formed by the Royal Bank and Research Corporation
Technologies in October, 1997 will invest in early stage biomedical companies. |
| Olympic Venture Partners |
http://www.ovp.com |
Contact Gerry Langeler, partner, in Portland, OR at (503)697-8766. |
| Pacific Century Group Ventures Ltd |
http://www.pcentury.com |
Contact Sherry Corlyn, Senior Account Manager via email at scorlyn@pcentury.com. |
| Primaxis Technology Ventures Inc. |
http://www.primaxis.com/ |
Primaxis Technology Ventures Inc., is a new (Jan'99) joint venture
of Royal Bank Growth Corporation (RBGC) and a global technology transfer
company, BTG International Inc., to evaluate and commercialize advanced
technologies developed mainly at Universities. This seed fund is capitalized
at approx. $60million. |
| Royal Bank Capital Corp |
http://www.royalbank.com/english/kbi/rbcc.html |
The Royal's newest and fastest VC contributor to the "knowledge based
industry" sector. |
| University Medical Discoveries Inc (UMDI) |
http://umdi.net/ |
Seed capital for Intellectual Property protection, proof of principle,
prototyping, etc. for Biotech & Health Sciences. Tel: (416)213-4655.Email:
Mark
deGroot, VP,COO. |
| Vancouver Stock Exchange |
http://www.vse.com |
For equity capital from the public marketplace. For listing info, contact:
Melany
Scharley, 499-3110. For a complete "slideshow" on the VSE, check: www.vef.org/vse/ |
Venture Capital Corp
(VCC) |
B.C. Equity Capital Program
(no web site info) |
This is the B.C. Government's Venture Capital program ($18m/yr) which
provides a tax -free grant (30%) incentive for venture investors.Call 1-800-665-6597
for info. |
| Venture Capital Pools (VCP) |
http://www.vse.ca |
The VSE offers a new (introduced 1998) equity-formation program designed
to facilitate capital formation and junior public company listings on the
Vancouver Stock Exchange. These will be called Capital Pool Corporations
on the new Canadian Venture Exchange (late 1999). |
| Ventures West |
http://www.ventureswest.com/ |
For traditional Venture Capital for Hi-Tech, Ventures West is recognized
as a leader in Western Canada. Contact: 688-9495 |
| Western Technology Seed Investment Fund |
http://www.westernseed.com |
This site belongs to Ventures West - one of the partners in this new
"seed" fund. For a complete "slideshow" on this initiative, check www.vef.org/wtsif/ |
| Working Opportunity Fund |
http://www.wofund.com/wof/ |
This is a B.C. labour-sponsored Investment Fund. WOF has made numerous
investments in emerging companies. Contact: Mike
Phillips, 688-9631 or 1-800-563-FUND |
| Working Ventures Canadian Fund Inc. |
http://www.workingventures.com |
Working Ventures is an Ontario-based fund (>$800m) which invests in
SMEs. Investments typically range from $500k to $15m. And, yes, they have
made some investments west of Ontario! |
| U.S. Angel Capital Electronic Network |
http://ace-net.sr.unh.edu |
This is matching service set up by the US Small Business Administration.
It may be a long-shot for B.C. Companies. But, you never know! Anyway,
the web site may give you some ideas. More info on the SBA is at www.sba.gov |
| SUBSIDIES & GRANTS |
(Golden Money) |
(Gold is Good)Notes |
BC Advanced Systems Institute
(some green & gold here) |
http://www.asi.bc.ca |
Funding for Product Development, Research Projects and other collaborative
support programs. Contact: Brent Sauder
689-0551. |
| BC Government - TAP |
http://www.scitech.gov.bc.ca
http://bc.ctn.nrc.ca/ |
The Information Science and Technology Agency announced (June 97) $1.35
million in funding to the TAP (Technology Assistance Program) to cover
up to 50% of research and development costs for small firms up to $40,000
per company. Call the TAP co-ordinator in Vancouver at 221-3109 |
| BC Knowledge Dev. Fund |
http://www.aett.gov.bc.ca/bckdf/ |
The B.C. Knowledge Development Fund is administered by the BC Ministry
of Advanced Education Training and Technology. It is a $100M fund for post-secondary
institutions to allow them to build facilities, attract R&D talent,
and collaborate with industry. |
| CANARIE Inc. |
http://www.canarie.ca |
CANARIE Inc. is a not-for-profit, industry-led and managed consortium
which was created as an innovative way for the federal government, the
research community and the private sector to collaborate in stimulating
the development of the Information Highway in Canada. |
| Export Support Programs |
Canadian Commercial Corp:
http://www.ccc.ca
Export Development Corp:
http://www.edc.gc.ca |
Lots of specialized financial assistance is available for exporters.
Check out some of these web sites.
Your friendly bank will also help you out and refer you to helpful
agencies & trade associations. |
| Human Resources Development Canada |
http://www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca |
Various financial assistance programs are available to employers seeking
to recruit and/or train employees. |
| Industry Canada |
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca:80/SSG/te00954e.html |
This website points to 15 Federal support programs (and points to other
sources as well). For example, Industry Canada's Technology Partnerships
Canada (TPC) program provides funding to both large firms and SME's.
NRC's IRAP people adminster TPC for Small companies (approx $500K deal
size). |
| Revenue Canada SRED Program |
http://www.rc.gc.ca/sred/
http://www.cata.ca (notes,etc) |
This is the BEST DEAL for technology companies. It's yours for
the asking! Annual funding is approximately $1.3 billion. And you
can now afford pay your engineers $100K+ to keep them from heading south! |
| NRC's IRAP Program |
http://bc.ctn.nrc.ca/irap |
This program is unquestionably one of THE BEST sources of funding to
small, growing technology companies, not too mention soft support as well!
Annual funding is approximately $400 million. |
| ISTA/NRC MART Program |
http://www.scitech.gov.bc.ca
http://bc.ctn.nrc.ca |
This program, "Market Assessment for Research and Technology", provides
50% support up to $15,000 to B.C. companies to help them assess the market
potential for new technologies. Annual funding is approximately $600K.
Mart is a joint Fed/Prov program. |
| First Job Program |
http://www.scitech.gov.bc.ca/
guide1/fjist.htm |
Prov. of B.C.'s program to complement HRDC's program to recruit new
grads. (see above). ISTA pays 50% of the graduate’s hourly wage - up to
$7.50 per hour - for up to
12 months. It supports a new position that the employer would not otherwise
fill during this period. |
| Science Council of B.C. |
http://www.scbc.org |
Science Council offers invaluable support in the form of grants for
technology development under its very successful Technology B.C. Program.
TechBC funds technology development projects for small and growing companies.
Annual budget is approx. $7 million. |
| Canada Foundation for Innovation |
http://www.innovation.ca |
This is the Government's recently announced (Feb/97) $800 million Fund
for research infrastructure. |
| Forest Renewal BC |
http://www.forestrenewal.bc.ca
and
http://www.asi.bc.ca |
Info on Forest Renewal BC Projects and Project Funding programs. Through
BC/ASI, up to $500K in project funding is available to B.C. High Tech companies.
(covers up to 75% of a project's cost) |
| Natural Sciences Engineering Research Council |
http://www.nserc.ca |
NSERC provides approximately $450 million annually (increasing
to$501m in 2001) to Canadian Universities for Engineering and Science research.
By collaborating with Universities, companies can get "matching" funding
for research programs from NSERC. |
| Medical Research Council |
http://wwwmrc.hwc.ca |
MRC provides $238m ('98, $276m in 2000) in grants for university research
in health sciences and promotes marketable products. |
| PRECARN Associates |
http://www.precarn.ca |
PRE-Competitive Advanced Research Network. This is an industry-sponsored
initiative to encourage "pre-competitive" R&D relating to Intelligent
Systems. Substantial project oriented funding is available ($65million
1996-2000). |
| Western Economic Diversification |
http://www.wd.gc.ca |
WD has two programs to address export and productivity improvement
opportunities, e.g. WD contributes to the cost of hiring recent grads.
Call (604) 666-6256. WD also offers loan programs (see "red" section) |
| DEBT Capital |
(Red Money) |
(Red helps - in moderation!) |
| COMMERCIAL BANKS |
(see below) |
Many traditional bankers are now warming up to the idea of investing
in knowledge-based enterprise. Give them a call. It won't hurt. Some
have venture capital divisions as well! |
| CREDIT CARDS |
(most commercial banks below) |
Don't underestimate the ease and convenience of quick credit. E.g.
the Royal Bank offers CreditLine for Small Business (tm) up to $35,000!
Call 1-888-817-0000. |
| Business Development Bank |
http://www.bdc.ca |
BDC is very keen on working with emerging companies. Some
of the BDC's money comes in GREEN. |
Bank of Montreal |
http://www.bankofmontreal.com |
Contact: Thad Newman, 668-1363
Bank of Montreal offers an $30 million Early
Stage Capital (ESC) program. |
| CIBC |
http://www.cibc.com |
Contact: Tom Smith
665-1610 |
| Dynam Capital Corp |
email to: Kelvin Fong, CGA |
B.C.Merchant Bank, A/R Financing, factoring, asset financing. Tel:
821-1544 Richmond, BC. |
| Export Development Corp |
http://www.edcinfo.com |
Export financing assistance is available from the EDC, e.g. receivables
insurance. Call 1-888-332-9438. |
| Industrial Incentive Fund |
http://www.ei.gov.bc.ca |
The B.C. Government (BC Trade & Investment Office) is a $600 million
fund ($467 million allocated at June 1/99) for making loans to B.C. companies
to expand or to attract new companies to B.C. Contact: (604) 844-1900 or
email: Trade.Invest@gems1.gov.bc.ca |
| Interface Financial Group |
http://www.interfacediscounting.com |
Interface is a Kelowna based provider of working capital to small business
via receivables financing, etc. Contact Walter
Faggion at (250) 491-9534. |
| Royal Bank of Canada |
http://www.royalbank.com |
Contact: Vic Tyson
665-8460 |
Toronto-Dominion -
Technology Group |
http://www.tdbank.ca |
Contact Steven Hnatiuk at
hnatiuk@aurora.net
(This is a specialized group focused exclusively on financing technology
ventures offering not only debt but also patient
capital, mezzanine financing and equity.) |
| First Vancouver Factors |
http://www.rapidexmall.com/BC/BC/FVF |
Contact them by email at fvfvancouv@aol.com
or by phone at (604)273-7866 |
| Venture Leasing |
http://www.vef.org/venleas.html |
Venture Leasing, though not well known in Canada, is popular in Silicon
Valley as a complement to Equity Financing. For info, contact Paul Rickett
via email: paulr@istar.ca |
| Western Economic Diversification Canada |
http://www.wd.gc.ca/eng/content/
funds/xindex.html |
Western Economic Diversification Canada
(WED) caters to small and medium-sized enterprises by providing specialized
loan programs and financing assistance. Call Vancouver at (604) 666-6256
or toll free 1-888-338-9378. |
| Other Info... |
LINK |
These links may connect you!Notes |
| Vancouver Enterprise Forum |
http://www.vef.org
http://www.vef.org/resource.html
http://www.vef.org/vef9801.htm
http://www.vef.org/vef9901.htm |
A great site for finding out about hi-tech events and seminars. The
"Resources" page contains
links to many technology oriented organisations. The Jan99
Forum contains a complete financing update. |
| Canadian Venture Capital Forums |
http://www.financingforum.com |
These are the Canadian Venture Cap forums organized by Peter Standeven
and Mary MacDonald, Canada's V.C. Industry guru. |
| Canadian Venture Capital Association |
http://www.cvca.ca |
Check here for a complete list of Canadian Venture Capitalists. |
| National Venture Capital Association (U.S.) |
http://www.nvca.org |
National (i.e.USA) association for V.C. - good info and help for entrepreneurs,
etc. |
| Canadian Science & Technology Sites |
http://scitech.gc.ca/fptt |
This is a comprehensive S&T site - linking you to ALL the major
Canadian funders of S&T, including NRC, NSERC, MRC (Medical Research
Council) and many others! |
| Community of Science (COS) |
http://www.cos.com |
See COS Funding Opportunities for over 10,000 international sources
for science-related funding Opps. |
| Industry Canada |
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca |
A plethora of useful information! Business startup information, how-to's,
etc... |
| B.C.'s Health Industries Network |
http://www.hinetbc.org/information/
hinetop.htm |
Various health-related investment funds can be found here. |
| B.C. Ministry of Employment and Investment |
http://www.ei.gov.bc.ca. |
Province of B.C.'s Site for business. |
| B.C. Small Business Help |
http://www.sb.gov.bc.ca |
Province of B.C.'s Small Business Site |
| B.C. Science and Technology Networking Guide |
http://www.scitech.gov.bc.ca/guide.htm |
Province of B.C.'s Information Science & Technology Agency (ISTA) |
| Simon Fraser Univ - Industry Liaison |
http://www.sfu.ca/uilo |
For Technology Transfer, Contracts and Industry Projects, Contact:
Mike
Volker, 291-4292 |
| University of British Columbia - Industry Liaison |
http://www.uilo.ubc.ca |
For Technology Transfer, Contracts and Industry Projects, Contact:
Angus
Livingstone |
| B.C.I.T. Technology Centre |
http://www.arcs.bcit.bc.ca/tc/ |
Industry Projects and Services Peter
Thomson, 432-8761 |
| Venture Capital Trends in B.C. |
http://www.vef.org/mbrown/ |
A "slideshow" by Mike Brown of Ventures West (Feb'97) on the availability
of venture financing in B.C. with some interesting predictions on future
trends in financing. |
Did we leave you out? No matter what color your money is, you should be
on the list. To get added, send an email (see below).
