Québec Venture Capital Industry, Nothing But Up, Up And Away

BY: 

Dave Forde
February 14, 2012

Réseau Capital has some new data come down the pipe which indicates that Quebec’s venture capital market continues to show strong growth, investments totaled $549 million in 2011, up 48% from the $370 million invested in 2010. VC investments in Canada stood at $1.5 billion, up 34% from 2010 and the highest level since 2008, whereas our neighbours to the south saw an increase of only 23%, with a total of US$28.5 billion in 2011.

In 2011, Québec accounted for 36% of the dollars invested in Canada. Québec’s share rose slightly from the 33% obtained in 2010, putting Québec neck-and-neck with Ontario. Québec remains in the lead in the number of VC-backed companies, with a share reaching 58% of total companies financed in Canada. Altogether, 256 Québec companies benefited from VC financing in 2011, up from 176 in 2010, a 45% rise. The average amount invested per company stood at $2.1 million, unchanged from 2010.

“Québec has reason to be proud of this excellent performance in 2011, especially since every type of investor contributed to this growth in investment and every economic sector benefited,” said Geneviève Morin, Co-President of Réseau Capital.

Show Me The Money

According to their report, Labour funds and other tax-advantaged funds remain the most active among Québec investors, with $164 million spread among 156 companies in 2011, a 21% increase compared to the previous year.

The amounts invested by independent private VC funds also rose considerably last year, with $114 million invested in 64 companies. This is $48 million more than in 2010, a 74% increase. Dollars invested in Québec by private funds thus rose from the 12% historical average to 21% in 2011.

American VC funds and other foreign investors also increased their presence in the Québec market, injecting $126 million in transactions in 2011, up 45% from the $87 million invested the previous year. Transborder activity ranks second in amounts invested as VC, with 23% of the total.

Funds raised across Canada up just 2%
Compared to transactional activity, VC funds raised across Canada saw a less vigorous increase. New capital intended for Canadian funds rose only 2% between 2010 and 2011. It is worth noting, however, that Québec-based VC fund managers accounted for the highest percentage of new commitments in Canada in 2011. Québec funds drew $552 million, or 53% of the total of $1.0 billion raised.

What Sector Are VCs Investing In

The information technologies sector again topped the list, for the fourth year in a row. A total of 65 companies obtained $181 million in 2011, up 48% from 2010, a significant rise representing one-third of the total invested. This trend benefited most areas of IT, with activities focusing on the Internet, electronics and software standing out most sharply.

The biopharmaceutical and life sciences sector did not experience as strong an increase, with a 19% rise. The $104 million invested in 2011 now represent only one-fifth of all outlays.

VC activity in “cleantech” (clean technologies) sectors shot up to the highest level ever recorded in this field in the Québec market. The $97 million that went into 13 cleantech companies last year represents 18% of the total and more than double the $39 million invested in 2010. It is also worth noting that the amounts invested, which went into 13 cleantech companies including Enerkem Inc., the recipient of Canada’s largest VC financing in 2011, were the highest ever recorded in the Québec market.

Companies in non-technology sectors were not left out, with $148 invested in 155 companies, up 27%.

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Dave Forde


Dave “The Connector” Forde has been involved in the marketing, public relations and technology industry across Canada for over 20 years in various sales and marketing roles, he launched The Connected One network of business sites which connects buyers to the right sellers. Profectio and PR In Canada covers news about the marketing and public relations industry each day helping professionals advance their career and businesses. He also serves as an advisor to a number of businesses across the country. Find Dave on LinkedIn and Twitter.


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