
Real Ventures
Description
Real Ventures is a leading early-stage venture capital firm based in Montréal, Canada, widely recognized for its pivotal role in fostering the Canadian technology ecosystem. Established as one of the nation's most active seed-stage investors, the firm is dedicated to backing visionary entrepreneurs from the earliest stages of their company's development. Their investment philosophy extends beyond mere capital provision, emphasizing a hands-on approach to support founders in building resilient and scalable businesses.
The firm primarily focuses on pre-seed and seed-stage investments, often serving as the first institutional capital for promising startups. Real Ventures typically deploys initial checks ranging from approximately USD $300,000 to USD $1.5 million, with the capacity for significant follow-on investments as companies achieve key milestones and progress through subsequent funding rounds. Their sector-agnostic approach allows them to invest across various technology verticals, including AI, SaaS, fintech, and deep tech, always seeking disruptive innovations with global potential.
A cornerstone of Real Ventures' strategy is its commitment to ecosystem development. This is exemplified by their integral role in establishing and operating FounderFuel, a renowned accelerator program that provides intensive mentorship, strategic guidance, and a robust network to early-stage companies. This holistic support system helps portfolio companies navigate the challenges of startup growth, from product-market fit to scaling operations. The firm has demonstrated substantial financial commitment to this mission, with its most recent fund, Real Ventures Fund V, closing at CAD $180 million in 2021, underscoring their continued capacity to fuel innovation.
Since its inception, Real Ventures has built an impressive portfolio of over 300 companies, contributing significantly to the growth of Canada's tech landscape. Their long-standing presence and deep roots in the entrepreneurial community have positioned them as a trusted partner for founders seeking not just capital, but also strategic partnership and access to a vast network of industry experts. Real Ventures continues to be a driving force in identifying and nurturing the next generation of Canadian tech leaders.
Investor Profile
Real Ventures has backed more than 176 startups, with 3 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 22 rounds, about 13% of its total and boasts 42 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Seed, Series A, Series B rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in Canada, United States, United Kingdom.
- Strong thematic focus on Software, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning.
- Typical check size: $300K – $1.5M.
Stage Focus
- Seed (40%)
- Series A (30%)
- Series B (13%)
- Pre Seed (6%)
- Series Unknown (3%)
- Series C (3%)
- Convertible Note (2%)
- Angel (1%)
- Series D (1%)
- Undisclosed (1%)
Country Focus
- Canada (80%)
- United States (19%)
- United Kingdom (1%)
Industry Focus
- Software
- Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
- Machine Learning
- Saas
- E-commerce
- Information Technology
- Internet
- Apps
- Analytics
- Mobile
Frequently Asked Questions
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