Closed
Source verified July 8, 2026
Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative
Mobilizes private capital for venture funds
Funding available
$ 150,000,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
The Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative is a $1 billion federal program for private-sector fund-of-funds managers in Canada, designed to mobilize private capital and strengthen the Canadian venture capital ecosystem. It supports fund-of-funds, life sciences, and emerging-manager investments across the venture capital continuum, from pre-seed to growth.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Ensure financial sustainability
Eligible Funding
- Minimum amount : 150,000,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Fund-of-funds investments across the venture capital continuum, from pre-seed to growth.
- Life sciences venture capital investments.
- Investments for emerging and next-generation fund managers.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Private-sector fund-of-funds managers.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Direct investments in companies whose main activity is holding or managing real estate, extracting resources, or selling, marketing, or providing gambling, pornography, alcohol, tobacco, or illegal goods.
- Traditional buyout strategies and investments mainly through debt, except mezzanine debt, convertible debt, and other quasi-equity instruments compatible with venture capital, or investments intended to exercise control over the operating company, including at exit.
Selection criteria
- Investment process and investment strategy.
- Manager capabilities.
- Fundraising strategy.
- Experience and past performance, including fundraising history, current fund-size objectives, and relative performance against sector benchmarks.
- Canadian market profile, including portfolio company and limited partner references, plus a clear value proposition for Canadian businesses and the venture capital ecosystem.
Processing and Agreement
- Selected beneficiaries must complete their own fundraising to meet specified targets within the prescribed timelines.
- If a selected beneficiary does not meet its targets, the government may reallocate some or all of the capital to other managers within the same stream or across streams.
- Selected managers must report fund activities and gather information from supported funds and portfolio companies.
- Selected managers must comply with the Inclusive Growth Framework, implement at least one measure under each theme, and collect and report diversity data.
- Selected general partners must adopt the BDC Code of Conduct, or a code that is essentially identical in form and substance, for the life of the fund.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative Program
What is the Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative?
The Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative is a $1 billion federal program for private-sector fund-of-funds managers in Canada, designed to mobilize private capital and strengthen the Canadian venture capital ecosystem. It supports fund-of-funds, life sciences, and emerging-manager investments across the venture capital continuum, from pre-seed to growth.
Who is eligible for the Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative program?
To be eligible for the Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative program, you must:
Private-sector fund-of-funds managers.
Applicants must already be registered in Canada, if applicable, and be able to raise capital if selected.
Selected managers must have an active investment office in Canada with experienced resident Canadian investment professionals.
What expenses are eligible under Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative?
Fund-of-funds investments across the venture capital continuum, from pre-seed to growth.
Life sciences venture capital investments.
Investments for emerging and next-generation fund managers.
Who can I contact for more information about the Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative?
You can contact Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) by email at capital@ised-isde.gc.ca or by phone at none.
Where is the Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative available?
The Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative program is available across Canada.
Is the Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative is a Loans and Capital investments
Who are the financial supporters of the Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative?
Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative is funded by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)