OMERS Ventures

OMERS Ventures is the venture capital arm of OMERS, one of Canada's largest defined benefit pension plans, managing over CAD 128 billion in net assets as of December 31, 2023. Established in 2011, the firm is headquartered in Toronto, with additional offices in Palo Alto and New York, strategically positioning itself across key North American innovation hubs. It focuses on early-stage, high-growth technology companies, leveraging the substantial financial backing and long-term perspective of its parent organization.

The firm's investment thesis centers on disruptive technologies and business models across various sectors. OMERS Ventures actively seeks opportunities in areas such as SaaS, FinTech, Digital Health, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, and the Future of Work. While originating from Canada, its investment mandate extends across North America and Europe, demonstrating a broad geographic appetite for promising startups. The team emphasizes a hands-on approach, providing portfolio companies with strategic guidance, operational support, and access to a vast network.

OMERS Ventures has built a robust portfolio through significant capital commitments. The firm announced its fifth fund, Fund V, in November 2023, with a committed capital of $250 million dedicated to early-stage tech investments. This latest fund contributes to their impressive total of over $2 billion in committed capital across all five funds since their inception. Typically, OMERS Ventures deploys first cheques ranging from $5 million to $20 million, primarily targeting Series A and Series B rounds, though they also participate in Seed and later-stage opportunities depending on the strategic fit and potential for scale.