Posted by Jorge LeClair in 
Launched in late 2009, Rogers Ventures is a “venture capital like” firm focusing on seed funding and early stage investment for Canadian technology start-ups.
Why “venture capital like”? Simple, because while it operates like a venture capital firm that invests funds, it can also offer select technology start-ups with advice, meeting spaces or other in-kind resources. Furthermore, in keeping with Ted Rogers’ desire to drive innovation, Rogers Ventures has a mandate that involves going beyond developing a portfolio of successful companies and investing to promote innovation acceleration in Canadian communities.
Pitching Rogers Ventures is initially done through its website – www.rogersventures.ca
Selected start-ups companies are contacted for a more detailed review, eventually requiring a business plan. Rogers Ventures will probably have a preference towards funding technologies that can contribute to its internet, digital media and mobile communications market. The amount that it will invest in a company is decided on case by case basis.
Examples in Rogers Ventures portfolio companies include Zoocasa, a vertical search product focused on real estate, Thoora, a next generation news discovery service, and GridCentric, a solution for grid computing.
The leadership of Rogers Ventures includes Melinda Rogers – Senior Vice-president Strategy and Development with Rogers Communications, Mike Lee – Vice-President with Rogers Ventures, and Nyla Ahmad – Vice-president, Rogers Ventures Operations.
I would be happy to answer any questions regarding business plan development or investor/VC pitches. I can be contacted at jorge@jorgeleclair.ca
