A list of 15 active British Columbia investors backing startups in 2026. Covers VCs, angel networks, and growth funds across Vancouver and Victoria - with recent deals, check sizes, sector focus, and LinkedIn profiles for each.
British Columbia pulled in $938 million in venture capital in Q3 2025 alone. That's not Toronto money. That's BC founders building real companies.
Vancouver is the hub. Most VC activity happens within a few blocks of Waterfront Station. Victoria has a quieter scene but punches above its weight in deep tech.
The challenge isn't finding investors in BC. It's finding ones that match your stage and sector. A cleantech fund won't back your SaaS startup no matter how good your metrics are.
This list has 15 investors who closed deals in the last 12 months. No zombie funds. No firms sitting on the sidelines.
Quick overview of all 15 British Columbia investors
| Stage | Check | Sectors | Contact | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Version One Ventures | Pre-seed, Seed | $500K-$2M | AI, Crypto, Climate | versionone.vc |
| Vanedge Capital | Seed-Series A | $1M-$5M | Deep Tech, Quantum | vanedgecapital.com |
| Yaletown Partners | Series A-Growth | $5M-$15M | Industrial Tech | yaletown.com |
| Vistara Growth | Growth | $5M-$20M | B2B SaaS, Cybersecurity | vistaragrowth.com |
| Evok Innovations | Series A-B | $5M-$15M | Cleantech | evokinnovations.com |
| Active Impact Investments | Seed | $1M-$3M | Climate Tech | activeimpactinvestments.com |
| BDC Capital | Pre-seed-Growth | $500K-$20M | Cross-sector | bdc.ca |
| InBC Investment Corp | Multi-stage | $5M-$20M | Climate, Health, Tech | inbcinvestment.com |
| Rhino Ventures | Pre-seed-Series A | $500K-$5M | SaaS, Fintech | rhinovc.com |
| Panache Ventures | Pre-seed, Seed | $250K-$1M | Multi-sector | panache.vc |
| Raven Indigenous Capital | Seed-Series B | $250K-$3M | IT, Clean Energy, Health | ravencapitalpartners.com |
| Pangaea Ventures | Seed-Series B | $2M-$15M | Materials, Clean Energy | pangaeaventures.com |
| Chrysalix Venture Capital | Seed-Series B | $2M-$15M | AI, IoT, Materials | chrysalix.com |
| Renewal Funds | Series A-B | $2M-$10M | Impact, Energy | renewalfunds.com |
| VANTEC Angel Network | Angel, Pre-seed | $250K-$1M | Tech | vantec.ca |
Share your pitch deck with BC investors
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Start 14-day trialWhat is a British Columbia investor?
A BC investor is any venture capital firm, angel group, or fund based in British Columbia that backs startups. Most operate out of Vancouver, with a handful in Victoria and Kelowna.
They range from pre-seed angel networks like VANTEC to growth equity firms like Vistara. BC has an unusually high concentration of cleantech and deep tech funds compared to the rest of Canada.
Government-backed vehicles like InBC and BDC Capital play a big role here. They invest both directly and as LPs in other BC funds, which amplifies their impact across the province.
BC has specialized funds you won't find elsewhere. Raven is Canada's first Indigenous-led venture fund. Pangaea only does advanced materials. Evok focuses on industrial decarbonization.
There is a massive difference between the divisive rhetoric from both sides on climate and the reality that exists in the middle.
What separates a good BC investor from a bad fit
Find investors who've backed companies through cross-border expansion into the US. That's the biggest hurdle for Vancouver startups. Ask their portfolio companies if they actually helped with US intros.
BC has a lot of cleantech and deep tech funds. If you're building SaaS, most won't understand your unit economics. Make sure they've funded similar business models before.
Use Ellty to share your deck with trackable links. You'll see who actually opens your financial projections vs. who just skims the summary slide.
Look at whether their portfolio companies raised follow-on rounds. Dead portfolio companies are a red flag. Generic "we have a great network" answers are useless.
Getting BC investors to actually take your meeting
Research recent deals on Crunchbase or PitchBook. A seed fund won't lead your Series B. Check their last 5 investments to confirm your stage and sector fit.
Lead with traction. Most BC investors have seen enough TAM slides. Show your MRR growth rate, burn multiple, and retention. Pre-revenue? Show design partners or LOIs.
Upload your deck to Ellty and send trackable links. Monitor which pages investors spend time on - if they skip your go-to-market slide, that's useful info.
Message portfolio founders on LinkedIn and ask about response times and actual help. Most will be honest. A warm intro from a portfolio founder beats any cold DM to a partner.
New Ventures BC, BCIC events, and Cascadia conferences are where deals actually happen. Skip the generic networking mixers. Connect with partners after you've been introduced.
Set up an Ellty data room with your financial model and cap table before they ask. It speeds up the process. Lead with what makes you different.
15 British Columbia investors funding startups in 2026
1. Version One Ventures
Vancouver's most recognized early-stage firm. Led by Boris Wertz, former VP at AbeBooks, with a track record of betting on first-time founders before anyone else.
- Recent deals: 9 new investments in 2025 totaling $16M USD including Arctus Aerospace and Loon. Backed Pluto in Feb 2026
- LinkedIn: Boris Wertz
- Sector focus: AI, crypto, climate, consumer hardware, robotics
- Stage focus: Pre-seed, Seed
- Location: Vancouver, BC
- Website: versionone.vc
2. Vanedge Capital
Deep-tech specialists with $500M+ under management. Genuinely patient capital - they back hard science that takes years to commercialize.
- Recent deals: NeuroBionics $10M seed (Dec 2025), Bonsai Micro (2025). Received $10M from InBC for Fund IV (Mar 2025)
- LinkedIn: Vanedge Capital
- Sector focus: Quantum computing, AI, cybersecurity, semiconductors, computational biology
- Stage focus: Seed, Series A
- Location: Vancouver, BC
- Website: vanedgecapital.com
3. Yaletown Partners
One of BC's most established firms, founded in 2001. Sharp thesis around digital infrastructure that transforms physical industries like energy and manufacturing.
- Recent deals: Led Nanoprecise's $38M Series C (Mar 2025). First close of Innovation Growth Fund III at $100M, targeting $250M
- LinkedIn: Yaletown Partners
- Sector focus: Edge computing, physical AI, energy, manufacturing, logistics
- Stage focus: Series A, Growth
- Location: Vancouver, BC
- Website: yaletown.com
4. Vistara Growth
The rare growth fund with 42 investments and zero losses across five funds. They offer structured, less-dilutive capital for founders who hate giving up equity.
- Recent deals: Authentic8 $16.7M (Oct 2025), Kore.ai, Clariti Cloud. Closed Fund V at US$321M (Nov 2025)
- LinkedIn: Vistara Growth
- Sector focus: B2B enterprise software, cybersecurity, healthcare IT, government tech
- Stage focus: Growth stage
- Location: Vancouver, BC
- Website: vistaragrowth.com
5. Evok Innovations
The most serious cleantech VC in Western Canada. Leading large rounds in hard-to-decarbonize sectors and currently raising a US$400M third fund.
- Recent deals: Led Rodatherm's $52.6M Series A (Sep 2025). Invested in Disa Series B (Dec 2025)
- LinkedIn: Evok Innovations
- Sector focus: Industrial decarbonization, CCUS, clean energy, advanced materials
- Stage focus: Series A, Series B
- Location: Vancouver, BC
- Website: evokinnovations.com
6. Active Impact Investments
Canada's largest climate tech seed fund. Closed $110M for Fund III in 2025 while others retreated from the space. They say the anti-ESG backlash is creating a buying opportunity.
- Recent deals: Fund III investments include Jetson, Skyward, ThinkLabs AI, C.Scale, Lumo, and Zeno (2025)
- LinkedIn: Active Impact Investments
- Sector focus: Climate tech, clean energy, sustainable agriculture, circular economy
- Stage focus: Seed
- Location: Vancouver, BC
- Website: activeimpactinvestments.com
7. BDC Capital
Canada's largest and most active VC investor. Functions as a national backstop, investing directly and as an LP in other funds across the country.
- Recent deals: Certn $30M financing in Victoria (Feb 2025). Backed Apera AI through Industrial Innovation Fund II. Added $500M to Growth Venture Fund
- LinkedIn: BDC Capital
- Sector focus: Cleantech, IT, healthcare, life sciences, industrial innovation
- Stage focus: Pre-seed to Growth
- Location: Vancouver, BC (offices across Canada)
- Website: bdc.ca
Organize your due diligence before investors ask
Set up a data room with your financials and cap table. Share securely with any investor.
Start 14-day trial8. InBC Investment Corp
The province's strategic investment arm with a $500M mandate. Invests directly in BC companies and as an LP in funds like Evok, Raven, Yaletown, and Vanedge.
- Recent deals: $10M into Vanedge Fund IV (Mar 2025). Portfolio supports 38 BC companies with $90M+ combined revenue as of Jan 2026
- LinkedIn: InBC Investment Corp
- Sector focus: Climate tech, digital transformation, health, Indigenous economic opportunities
- Stage focus: Fund-of-funds and direct, multi-stage
- Location: Vancouver, BC
- Website: inbcinvestment.com
9. Rhino Ventures
Founded by operators who built and sold companies. Early backers of Thinkific's $184M IPO. Unusually hands-on with go-to-market and product strategy.
- Recent deals: ShopVision seed (Sep 2025). Follow-on in Aspect Biosystems. Fund III closed oversubscribed at $120M
- LinkedIn: Rhino Ventures
- Sector focus: Enterprise SaaS, fintech, edtech, healthtech, vertical software
- Stage focus: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A
- Location: Vancouver, BC
- Website: rhinovc.com
10. Panache Ventures
Pan-Canadian pre-seed and seed firm that moves fast. Closed a $100M Fund II, nearly double their first fund. About 20 new investments per year across the country.
- Recent deals: 6 investments in 2025, 5 in 2026 so far. Vancouver investments include Big Whale Labs and Impro
- LinkedIn: Panache Ventures
- Sector focus: Enterprise software, AI, fintech, Web3, health tech, climate tech
- Stage focus: Pre-seed, Seed
- Location: Vancouver, BC (also Montreal, Toronto, Calgary)
- Website: panache.vc
11. Raven Indigenous Capital Partners
Canada's first Indigenous-led venture fund. Not a charity play - a legitimate investor that closed a $46M Fund II in 2025, backed by BDC, TELUS, and Bank of America.
- Recent deals: Fund II launched with $46M initial close targeting $75M (Apr 2025). Invested in Mitsoh (Nov 2025)
- LinkedIn: Raven Indigenous Capital Partners
- Sector focus: IT, consumer products, clean energy, health, food sovereignty
- Stage focus: Late seed, Series A, Series B
- Location: Vancouver, BC
- Website: ravencapitalpartners.com
12. Pangaea Ventures
Specialized hard-tech materials fund investing at the intersection of advanced materials, chemistry, and biology. Unusual even globally.
- Recent deals: 3 investments in 2025 including Nautilus Data Technologies. Fund V backed pH7 Technologies in Vancouver
- LinkedIn: Pangaea Ventures
- Sector focus: Advanced materials, clean energy, sustainable agriculture, biosciences
- Stage focus: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Location: Vancouver, BC
- Website: pangaeaventures.com
13. Chrysalix Venture Capital
One of Vancouver's longest-running deep-tech funds, founded in 2001. 131 investments over their history with a steady 2-6 deals per year cadence.
- Recent deals: VerAI Series B (Feb 2025). Typical check size $2M-$15M with a sweet spot around $3M
- LinkedIn: Chrysalix Venture Capital
- Sector focus: AI, data analytics, IoT, robotic systems, advanced materials
- Stage focus: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Location: Vancouver, BC
- Website: chrysalix.com
14. Renewal Funds
Impact VC with $240M under management and a 16-year track record. One of the few Canadian funds with genuine cross-border deal flow in sustainability.
- Recent deals: SuperCircle (Dec 2025). Co-invested in Rodatherm's $52.6M Series A with Evok (Sep 2025)
- LinkedIn: Renewal Funds
- Sector focus: Energy transition, mobility, food systems, zero waste
- Stage focus: Series A, Series B
- Location: Vancouver, BC
- Website: renewalfunds.com
15. VANTEC Angel Network
Vancouver's oldest angel network, running since 1999. Monthly pitch events where founders present to active angels. Typical rounds aggregate $250K-$1M from multiple members.
- Recent deals: Monthly pitch events through 2025-2026 at BCIT Tech Collider. Angel deal counts in BC held steady through Q1 2026
- LinkedIn: VANTEC Angel Network
- Sector focus: Technology broadly, sector-agnostic within tech
- Stage focus: Angel, Pre-seed, Seed
- Location: Vancouver, BC
- Website: vantec.ca
How to pitch a British Columbia investor
What actually works when reaching out to VCs and angel groups in Vancouver and across BC.
- 1.Confirm they invest in your stage and sectorCheck Crunchbase for their last 5 deals. BC has a lot of cleantech funds that won't touch SaaS. A deep-tech investor won't understand your growth metrics no matter how good they are.
- 2.Open with your strongest metricBC investors see a lot of early-stage decks. Lead with your best number - MRR, design partners, LOIs. Skip the TAM slide about the Canadian market. They know.
- 3.Get a warm intro through a portfolio founderFind founders they've backed on LinkedIn. Ask about actual help during fundraising and scaling. A warm intro from a portfolio company founder is the fastest path to a meeting.
- 4.Track who engages with your materialsUpload your deck to Ellty and send a trackable link. If an investor spends time on your financial model, that's a signal. If they bounce after slide two, rethink your opening.
How Ellty helps you land a British Columbia investor
Now that you know who's actively investing in BC, here's how to get your materials ready. Most founders wait until an investor asks for documents before organizing anything. That's a mistake. Set up your data room before your first pitch. When a Vancouver VC moves fast on a term sheet, being prepared saves you weeks of back and forth.
- 1.Add your pitch deck and financials to a secure data roomCreate a free Ellty data room and upload your pitch deck, financial model, cap table, and key contracts. Organize files into folders so investors find what they need without emailing you.
- 2.Set permissions and generate trackable linksCreate a unique link for each investor. Require email or password to view. Control downloads and enable screenshot protection for sensitive documents like your cap table.
- 3.Monitor views and follow up at the right momentGet instant notifications when an investor opens your link. See which documents they spent the most time on and which pages they skipped. Follow up when engagement peaks - that's your opening.
Frequently asked questions about BC investors
- No. Vancouver has a strong SaaS, fintech, and deep tech scene. But cleantech funds are overrepresented compared to other Canadian cities. Check each fund's portfolio before assuming they'll look at your sector.
- Most seed rounds in Vancouver range from $2M to $5M CAD. Pre-seed is usually $500K-$2M. Panache, Version One, and VANTEC are the most active at the earliest stages.
- Start local if you're early stage. BC investors move faster on local deals and provide relevant introductions. For Series A and beyond, you'll likely need a US lead anyway.
- Check their latest deal on Crunchbase or PitchBook. If they haven't invested in 6+ months, they might be fundraising themselves. A recently announced fund close is the clearest signal.
- Before your first investor meeting. Having your financial model, cap table, and key docs organized in an Ellty data room shows you're serious. It also prevents delays when someone wants to move fast.
- Many do. Version One invests across North America. Panache is pan-Canadian. Vistara does cross-border deals. But most BC funds prefer at least some local presence, especially at seed stage.
