Raven closes over-subscribed $100M venture capital fund to support Indigenous Entrepreneurs

COAST SALISH TERRITORY (Vancouver, British Columbia), January 31:

Raven Indigenous Capital Partners today announced the final closing of a $100 million Indigenous venture capital fund. This landmark fund provides patient capital and a supportive community to start-up and growing Indigenous businesses. Backed by some of Canada's most prominent foundations and financial institutions, Fund II will build on the success of Fund I to invest exclusively in Indigenous businesses that demonstrate commercial viability, potential for expansion and potential for impact. measurable community.

“Raven is a partner of choice to promote access for Aboriginal entrepreneurship to financing solutions in promising sectors and to give rise, through the initiatives supported, to tangible and measurable societal changes. For Fondaction, this support reflects our desire to contribute to a positive transformation of society so that it is more inclusive, equitable, green and efficient. »

Marc-André Binette, Deputy Chief Investment Officer at Fondaction.

Raven's second fund fills two important gaps in the Indigenous financial ecosystem. It provides patient capital and growth capital - which is essential to the development and expansion of Aboriginal businesses. Raven is an Indigenous financial intermediary whose partnerships are rooted in traditional cultural practices and based on building strong and lasting relationships. Although Fund II is open to all sectors, investments will be targeted in five thematic areas, i.e. Information Technology/Software as a Service (SaaS), Climate/Clean Energy, Food Sovereignty /regenerative agriculture, health and next generation consumer products.

“Raven is delighted to have partnered with some of Quebec's leading foundations and labour-sponsored funds. We look forward to supporting a new generation of Aboriginal entrepreneurs in la belle province. »

Stephen Nairne, Chief Investment Officer, Raven Indigenous Capital Partners 

The closing of Fund II is a critical inflection point, both for Indigenous Peoples and impact investing, that underscores the wealth and growth of the Indigenous economy. Aboriginal entrepreneurs are taking their place at the forefront of the Canadian economy, and rightly so.

“Contributing to an economy focused on reconciliation is a strategic priority for the foundation, both through our philanthropic funding and through our investments. Raven is an important and long-standing partner in this work. This new fund offers a sustainable, values-based approach to community resilience and Indigenous economic empowerment. This second impact investment confirms Raven's leadership and ability to catalyze Indigenous economic growth. Edmund
Piro, Chief Investment Officer, McConnell Foundation

With the closing of Fund II, Raven consolidates its commitment to the development of the Aboriginal economy in Canada and recognizes the need to better serve Aboriginal entrepreneurs in Quebec. In the spring of 2023, Raven will open a permanent office in Montreal.

“We are pleased to contribute, along with other foundations and partners, to this new fund from Raven Indigenous Capital Partners created so that Indigenous entrepreneurs can fully participate in the economy and, in doing so, the well-being of their communities. . We would also like to salute the organization's decision to open an office in Quebec. Our investment reflects our desire to actively participate in reconciliation to ensure that Quebec is a more just and inclusive society. »
Patrice Boucher, Vice-President (interim), Investments, Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation

Founded in 2018, Raven Indigenous Capital Partners is an Indigenous-led and owned social financial intermediary headquartered in Vancouver. Raven partners with Indigenous businesses and social purpose organizations to accelerate their success by providing access to capital and tailored technical assistance within an Indigenous cultural framework. Raven aims to have a positive and lasting impact on Indigenous and Canadian economies.