
Brightspark Ventures
Description
Brightspark Ventures is a prominent Canadian venture capital firm based in Montréal, specializing in early-stage technology companies. Established in 1999, the firm boasts a long-standing history in the Canadian tech ecosystem, making it one of the country's most experienced VC players. Brightspark is known for its hands-on approach, working closely with its portfolio companies to foster growth and achieve significant returns. Their investment philosophy centers on identifying exceptional startups with high potential for disruption and market leadership.
The firm primarily targets Seed and Series A rounds, demonstrating a commitment to supporting companies during their critical initial growth phases. Brightspark's typical first cheque size ranges from $500,000 to $3,000,000, providing substantial early capital to fuel product development, market entry, and team expansion. This strategic investment range allows them to back promising ventures without over-diluting early founders while still offering meaningful support. Their focus spans various technology sectors, including SaaS, AI, fintech, and digital media, reflecting a broad interest in innovative solutions across the digital landscape.
Over its more than two decades of operation, Brightspark Ventures has built an impressive track record. The firm has invested in over 100 companies, showcasing a deep commitment to nurturing the Canadian startup scene. This extensive portfolio includes numerous success stories, with their portfolio companies collectively generating over $5 billion in exit value. This significant return highlights Brightspark's ability to identify and scale successful ventures, contributing substantially to the economic growth and innovation within Canada's technology sector. Their consistent performance and active involvement in the startup community solidify their reputation as a key investor for early-stage tech companies.
Investor Profile
Brightspark Ventures has backed more than 31 startups, with 5 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 9 rounds, about 29% of its total and boasts 14 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series A, Seed, Series B rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in Canada, United States.
- Strong thematic focus on Enterprise Software, Big Data, Software.
- Led 1 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $500K – $3M.
Stage Focus
- Series A (32%)
- Seed (23%)
- Series B (19%)
- Series C (6%)
- Series Unknown (6%)
- Series D (6%)
- Series E (3%)
- Debt Financing (3%)
Country Focus
- Canada (97%)
- United States (3%)
Industry Focus
- Enterprise Software
- Big Data
- Software
- Mobile
- Mobile Apps
- Apps
- Predictive Analytics
- Travel
- Health Care
- Content
Frequently Asked Questions
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