Entrepreneurial talent is everywhere, but access to capital is not

ABOUT

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Rethinking Access to Capital

Traditional capital channels continue to fund the same profiles, leaving a generation of talented entrepreneurs underfunded despite their ability to deliver some of the strongest returns. More inclusive capital creates a stronger, more innovative, and more equitable economy.

Discover our approach
Discover our approach

Leadership team

The people who bring this vision to life every day.

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Wils Théagène

Managing Partner and Founder

  • 30 years as a venture and growth investor in technology companies.

  • Former manager of CDPQ’s C$250M Equity 253 diversity fund; former Bombardier M&A lead.

  • Honours Business Administration, Ivey Business School.

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Ken McCrackeN

Venture Partner

  • Seasoned CEO, advisor, and investor with extensive M&A experience and 25+ years of operational expertise.

  • Founder and CEO of JAKKS and A&C; Executive Advisor at New Mountain Capital; Former CFO of Quadra; CPA at KPMG.

  • BCom, Graduate Diploma in Public Accountancy, McGill University.

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Abdoulaye Koita

Chief Investment Officer

  • Former founder, consultant, and investor.

  • CEO and Founder of XALISS, a peer-to-peer payment platform launched across Africa in 2020.

  • Strategic M&A and venture capital experience in SpaceTech, AI, industrial innovation, and sustainability.

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Operating Partners

Jason Pierre Sweeney

Technology Strategist & AI Expert

  • More than 25 years of experience in digital transformation, software architecture, and artificial intelligence.

  • Fractional CTO and former executive at INGENO, where he led strategic technology projects and technical due diligence initiatives.

  • Holds an MBA in Operations Research, as well as a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Université Laval.

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Coralie Collignon

Impact Strategist

  • Expertise in impact strategy, ESG, innovative finance, and gender-lens investing, with a specialization in African markets.

  • Founder of C3 Strategies and lead advisor behind the design and validation of Citadelle Capital Fund I's impact framework.

  • Ph.D. Candidate in Management and Strategy at HEC Montréal; holds a Master’s in Management and Sustainable Development and a Bachelor’s in Urban Planning.

VENTURE ADVISORS

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Tony van Marken

  • A seasoned technology executive and investor with a distinguished track record in scaling and exiting high-growth companies.

  • Led Architel Systems Corporation through a successful IPO on the Toronto Stock Exchange in 1996 and a NASDAQ listing in 1998, culminating in its acquisition by Nortel Networks for approximately $395 million in 2000.

  • Transformed Vox Telecom into South Africa’s leading alternative telecom operator, growing revenues from $10 million to $262 million before its privatization.

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Tom Birch

  • A seasoned technology executive and investor with over 30 years of experience in the software industry, encompassing roles in contact centre, telecommunications, CRM, and e-commerce sectors.

  • Successfully led and exited multiple software companies, including Pyderion, sold to EADS-Telecom in 2000, and GoodContacts, acquired by MyLife.com in 2004.

  • Extensive board experience, including positions with FNZ Group, IEX Group, and the Montreal Institute for Learning Algorithms (MILA).

Network partners

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Judith Dorvil

Investor Relations and Communications

  • 20 years as a communications and marketing expert

  • CEO and Founder, Les Mimis

  • Director at Le temps d'une pause, CMIM, and CDPQ

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Patrick Hainault

  • A seasoned banking executive with over 30 years of experience in commercial and retail banking across major Canadian financial institutions.

  • Currently serves as Vice President at Briva Finance, where he supports SME clients with tailored financing and strategic advisory solutions.

  • Held multiple leadership roles at TD Bank over a 14-year span.

  • Brings deep expertise in credit risk, lending, and SME banking strategy, making him a critical partner for evaluating, structuring, and scaling growth initiatives supported by strategic financing within the portfolio.