Toronto is one of the most active media and entertainment investment markets in North America. OMERS Ventures has actively backed digital media companies here with checks since 2012. The Canada Media Fund deployed $346M across content programs in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Beringer Capital made a new media and information services acquisition in August 2025. If you're raising for a media startup in Canada, these are the 17 investors worth knowing.
Toronto media investors are not a monolith - some focus on digital publishing, others on gaming or entertainment software. You need to know which type aligns with your company before reaching out to any of them.
A pitch to the wrong fund wastes everyone's time - and in Toronto's tight VC community, first impressions stick.
This list covers 17 active investors who've backed media and entertainment companies from Toronto in 2025 and 2026. Use Ellty to share your pitch materials with trackable links before any investor meetings.
Global media VC deal value fell 69% in the first two months of 2026 compared to the prior year. Investors are being selective - your pitch needs unit economics, not just content volume or audience growth.
The investors who are still writing checks in 2026 want to see sustainable business models. Ad-dependent revenue without a clear path to diversification won't cut it with this group in 2026.
| Stage | Check Size | Sector Focus | Contact | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beringer Capital | Series A to Late | $10M–$50M | Media, Marketing Services | beringercapital.com |
| OMERS Ventures | Series A to C | $5M–$25M | Digital Media, Fintech, SaaS | omersventures.com |
| Inovia Capital | Pre-seed to Late | $1M–$50M | Media, AI, Software | inovia.vc |
| Golden Ventures | Seed | $500K–$3M | Digital Media, Content Tech | golden.ventures |
| Brightspark Ventures | Pre-seed, Seed | $500K–$5M | Media, Marketing, Healthtech | brightspark.com |
| BrandProject | Seed, Series A | $1M–$10M | Consumer Media, Brands | brandproject.com |
| Disruption Ventures | Pre-seed, Seed | $250K–$2M | Women-led Media, Tech | disruption.vc |
| Banyan Capital Partners | Series A, B | $10M–$50M | Education, Media, Tech | banyancapital.ca |
| Framework Venture Partners | Seed, Series A | $1M–$5M | Fintech, Media, Marketing | framework.vc |
| Relay Ventures | Seed, Series A | $1M–$10M | Gaming, Real Estate Tech | relay.vc |
| Georgian Partners | Series B to C | $10M–$50M | B2B Software, AI, Media | georgian.io |
| Canada Media Fund | Development, Production | $250K–$23M | Film, TV, Interactive Digital | cmf-fmc.ca |
| Kensington Capital Partners | Seed to Late | $5M–$30M | Media, Biotech, Tech | kcpl.ca |
| Gaingels | Seed, Series A | $1M–$10M | LGBTQ+, Media, Fintech | gaingels.com |
| Clearco | Pre-seed to Late | $10K–$10M (non-dilutive) | Consumer Media, E-commerce | clear.co |
| BDC Capital | Seed to Series C | $1M–$20M | Tech, Digital Media, Software | bdc.ca |
| EdgeStone Capital Partners | Seed, Series B | $5M–$30M | Consumer, Media, Food Tech | edgestonecapital.com |
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Start free 14-day trialWhat is a Toronto media investor?
A Toronto media investor is a fund or VC that writes checks into digital media, entertainment, or content platform companies. Many of the investors backing Toronto media startups run generalist funds with a media thesis.
Beringer Capital is the most sector-focused media fund in Toronto - no other firm here focuses exclusively on media and marketing services.
Check sizes range from $250K (Canada Media Fund development grants) to $50M+ at growth stage. Your funding stage matters more than your sector focus when approaching Toronto media investors.
Toronto has a concentration of media companies because of Canadian content regulations and a strong broadcasting legacy. Investors in this market understand Canadian content regulations and legacy broadcasting dynamics well.
Don't assume every Toronto fund that says "media" backs the same type of business. Relay Ventures backs gaming, while Canada Media Fund focuses entirely on film, TV, and interactive digital.
OMERS backs digital platforms with recurring software revenue - a very different investment thesis. These are separate conversations with different criteria, so don't send the same deck to all three.
The best media founders in Canada understand both content and distribution. We back companies where those two things come together in a defensible way.
17 Toronto media investors in 2026
1. Beringer Capital
The most focused media private equity firm in Toronto - they specialize in media, marketing services, commerce, data, and tech.
- Recent Deals: Acquired Bold Orange (media and information services, August 2025); portfolio exit from Perform (July 2025); 13 portfolio companies including 3 media and entertainment investments as of 2026
- Sector Focus: Media, marketing services, e-commerce, data
- Stage Focus: Series A to late stage
- Location: Toronto, ON
- Website: beringercapital.com
2. OMERS Ventures
The VC arm of one of Canada's largest pension funds - they've backed 10 unicorns and have deep pockets for digital platform plays.
- Recent Deals: Refocused on Canada in 2025 with Fund IV; $5M–$25M checks at Series A to C; portfolio includes Shopify (early backer), Rover, Snyk; active in digital media, fintech, and SaaS
- Sector Focus: Digital media, fintech, healthtech, AI, SaaS
- Stage Focus: Series A to Series C
- Location: Toronto, ON
- Website: omersventures.com
3. Inovia Capital
Canada's leading full-stack VC - they invest from pre-seed to pre-IPO with offices in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, SF, and London.
- Recent Deals: $2.2B+ AUM as of 2026; previously co-invested with OMERS in Pressly (media publishing platform); active in AI, cybersecurity, digital health, fintech, and software with media adjacencies
- Sector Focus: AI, software, fintech, media-adjacent tech
- Stage Focus: Pre-seed to pre-IPO
- Location: Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, San Francisco, London
- Website: inovia.vc
Don't send your deck as an attachment
Use Ellty to share your pitch with a trackable link - then follow up with the investors who actually read it.
Start free 14-day trial4. Golden Ventures
Toronto's leading seed fund - they backed Skipthedishes, Inkbox, and 180+ other companies across North America.
- Recent Deals: Fund V closed at $100M+; latest investment in swXtch.io (April 2026, business productivity software); listed as one of Canada's top gaming VC funds as of January 2026; founding partner of Toronto Tech Week (May 2026)
- Sector Focus: Digital media, gaming, AI, climate, blockchain, software
- Stage Focus: Seed
- Location: Toronto, ON
- Website: golden.ventures
Use Ellty to share your deck with a trackable link before any seed pitch meetings you line up. You'll see which investors actually open your financials rather than just skimming the intro slide.
5. Brightspark Ventures
Canadian-born early-stage VC with a particular interest in marketing technology and media platforms.
- Recent Deals: Active in pre-seed and seed across North America and Europe; portfolio includes healthcare, marketing tech, and media adjacent companies; check sizes $500K–$5M
- Sector Focus: Media, marketing tech, healthcare services
- Stage Focus: Pre-seed, Seed
- Location: Toronto, ON
- Website: brightspark.com
6. BrandProject
Toronto and New York-based early-stage fund - they invest in consumer product, service, and technology companies with strong brand DNA.
- Recent Deals: Latest investment in Good Bacteria (January 2026, pharmaceuticals); Daily Harvest acquired by Chobani (May 2025); 10x+ returns from 7 exits out of 22 studio investments; 28 companies in portfolio
- Sector Focus: Consumer media, brand-led businesses, content commerce
- Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
- Location: Toronto, ON / New York, NY
- Website: brandproject.com
7. Disruption Ventures
Women-focused VC fund based in Toronto - they back female founders in media, tech, and healthcare.
- Recent Deals: Active in pre-seed and seed across North America and Europe; sector coverage includes healthcare, media and entertainment, software, and consumer; check sizes $250K–$2M
- Sector Focus: Media, healthcare, software (women-led companies)
- Stage Focus: Pre-seed, Seed
- Location: Toronto, ON
- Website: disruption.vc
8. Banyan Capital Partners
Multi-region fund with a focus on education, media, and tech businesses in Series A and B territory.
- Recent Deals: Active across North America, Middle East, and Asia; sector coverage includes education, media and entertainment, and technology; check sizes $10M–$50M at Series A and B
- Sector Focus: Education, media and entertainment, technology
- Stage Focus: Series A, Series B
- Location: Toronto, ON
- Website: banyancapital.ca
9. Framework Venture Partners
Toronto seed fund with a portfolio spanning fintech, media, and marketing technology.
- Recent Deals: Active at pre-seed and seed across North America; portfolio includes financial services, fintech, marketing and advertising, and media-adjacent businesses; check sizes $1M–$5M
- Sector Focus: Fintech, marketing, media technology
- Stage Focus: Pre-seed, Seed
- Location: Toronto, ON
- Website: framework.vc
10. Relay Ventures
Thematic VC focused on gaming, real estate tech, fintech, and autonomous systems - one of the few Toronto funds with a deep gaming thesis.
- Recent Deals: Latest investment in Mave (Seed VC, January 2026); active across gaming technology, mobility, and fintech; partners have operational backgrounds in their focus sectors
- Sector Focus: Gaming technology, fintech, real estate tech, autonomy
- Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
- Location: Toronto, ON
- Website: relay.vc
Set up an Ellty data room with your financial model and audience analytics before they ask. It speeds up the due diligence process and signals to investors that you're well-prepared before the meeting.
11. Georgian Partners
Growth-stage B2B software VC with $5.6B AUM - they look for AI and data-driven platforms including media tech.
- Recent Deals: Managing $5.6B across their portfolio; strong focus on applied AI and conversational AI; backs high-growth B2B software companies at Series B and C; historically active in data and content intelligence platforms
- Sector Focus: B2B software, applied AI, data platforms, media tech
- Stage Focus: Series B, Series C
- Location: Toronto, ON
- Website: georgian.io
12. Canada Media Fund (CMF)
Government-backed fund deploying $346M annually - not a traditional VC, but essential for film, TV, and gaming in Canada.
- Recent Deals: Invested $15.5M in 19 interactive digital media projects (January 2026); allocated $15.4M to 14 video game projects (August 2025); invested $6.98M in 31 IDM prototyping projects (December 2025)
- Sector Focus: Film, TV, video games, interactive digital media
- Stage Focus: Development to production
- Location: Toronto, ON
- Website: cmf-fmc.ca
13. Kensington Capital Partners
Multi-strategy firm managing $2.6B+ - Venture Fund III covers both fund-of-funds and direct deals including media and technology.
- Recent Deals: Latest deal in NDT Systems & Services (May 2026); Venture Fund III raised $150M+ at first close toward $290M target; sectors include media, technology, business services, and biotech
- Sector Focus: Media, biotech, technology, business services
- Stage Focus: Seed to late stage
- Location: Toronto, ON
- Website: kcpl.ca
14. Gaingels
LGBTQ+ investor network that covers 27+ industries including media and entertainment - they co-invest across many rounds.
- Recent Deals: Active at seed and Series A across North America and Europe; 27+ industry verticals including media and entertainment, fintech, education, and healthcare; check sizes $1M–$10M
- Sector Focus: Media, fintech, education, healthcare (LGBTQ+ founded/led)
- Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
- Location: Toronto, ON (multiple offices)
- Website: gaingels.com
15. Clearco
Revenue-based financing and equity for consumer and e-commerce companies - relevant for direct-to-consumer media brands.
- Recent Deals: Active from pre-seed to late stage across North America and Europe; focus on fashion, financial services, e-commerce, and consumer media; extended 46% more capital in mid-2025 than in 2024
- Sector Focus: Consumer media, e-commerce, fashion, financial services
- Stage Focus: Pre-seed to late stage (non-dilutive and equity)
- Location: Toronto, ON
- Website: clear.co
Upload your revenue model and audience monetization data to Ellty and send a trackable link. Revenue-based investors look closely at the numbers - see how long they spend on your MRR slide.
16. BDC Capital
Canada's national development bank VC arm - they back tech-enabled businesses at every stage including digital media and platforms.
- Recent Deals: Active across seed to Series C in technology-based businesses; focus on high-growth software, fintech, healthcare, and digital platforms; check sizes $1M–$20M depending on stage
- Sector Focus: Digital platforms, software, fintech, media-adjacent tech
- Stage Focus: Seed to Series C
- Location: Toronto, ON (national reach)
- Website: bdc.ca
17. EdgeStone Capital Partners
PE/VC hybrid fund focused on consumer, food, electronics, and media - they've been investing in Toronto for decades.
- Recent Deals: Active at seed and Series B across North America; portfolio covers electronics, food and beverage, consumer products, and media adjacencies; check sizes $5M–$30M
- Sector Focus: Consumer, media, food and beverage, electronics
- Stage Focus: Seed, Series B
- Location: Toronto, ON
- Website: edgestonecapital.com
How to find media investors in Toronto
Start with the Canada Media Fund as a research anchor even if they don't fund your specific model. Their partner network overlaps heavily with private Toronto media investors and can open doors.
Industry events like TIFF and the CMF Forum put you in the same room as investors who back Canadian content companies. Show up at these events and introduce yourself to investors before you're actively in a fundraising process.
LinkedIn is underrated for this - most Toronto media VCs are active on it and recognize names from their feed. Comment thoughtfully on their posts for 2-3 months before sending any cold email to their inbox.
How to verify a Toronto media fund is deploying
Media VC investment dried up significantly in the first half of 2026 - don't assume every fund is actively deploying. Check whether the fund has announced any new portfolio companies in the last 6 months before you invest effort in a pitch.
Look at the fund's last close date before you spend any time preparing materials. If the fund is 3+ years old with no follow-on fund announcement, they may be managing exits rather than new checks.
Ask directly in your first email whether the fund is still making new investments in 2026. Serious funds answer that question plainly - evasive or vague responses tell you what you need to know.
Portfolio page content matters - if it hasn't been updated in the last 12 months, that's a warning sign. Active investors keep their portfolio pages and news sections current with recent deals.
What Toronto media investors look for in 2026
Unit economics matter more than ever for media startups approaching VCs in 2026. Media VC deal value dropped 69% in Q1 2026 - investors want revenue per user, not just total audience numbers.
Don't lead with content volume or audience growth numbers as your opening argument. Lead with how you monetize your audience and your cost to acquire a paying subscriber - that's what gets attention in 2026.
Distribution matters - investors want to see proprietary distribution or a clear unfair advantage. Relying on Facebook or YouTube algorithms you don't control won't cut it anymore.
Recurring revenue beats one-time - subscription models and licensing deals are much more fundable than pure ad-supported plays. Adding a B2B SaaS layer on top of your content business makes you significantly more fundable in 2026.
How to pitch a Toronto media investor
Specific steps for media founders raising from VCs, PE firms, and grant funds in Toronto in 2026.
- 1.Know your investor type before you prepare anythingKnow whether you're pitching a VC, PE firm, or government grant fund before you prepare anything. Beringer is PE, OMERS is institutional VC, and Canada Media Fund runs government grants.
- 2.Lead with your monetization model, not your contentToronto media investors in 2026 want to know how you make money from your audience first. Open with revenue per user or subscriber economics before you say anything about content strategy.
- 3.Build a data room with your audience and revenue dataUpload your cap table, P&L, and audience analytics to Ellty before any first meetings at all. Send a trackable link so you can see exactly who reviews each financial document you share.
- 4.Research their portfolio before you reach outKnow 2-3 companies in their portfolio and explain clearly how your company is complementary. Investors who recognize a specific reference in your pitch reply at a much higher rate overall.
- 5.Prepare for a long process at Series A and aboveSeries A media deals in Toronto take 4-6 months from first meeting to a signed term sheet. Build your financial runway to cover that timeline and don't count on a check before you need it.
How Ellty helps you land a Toronto media investor
Set up a data room and send trackable links - you'll know which investors actually engaged with your pitch before you follow up.
- 1.Upload your content and revenue materialsAdd your pitch deck, financial model, and audience analytics to a secure Ellty data room. Include your content roadmap and any licensing agreements investors will want to review before meeting.
- 2.Configure link permissions for each investorConfigure trackable links with email verification so only invited investors can access your files. Use screenshot protection for sensitive revenue data or valuation details in your model.
- 3.Monitor investor engagement in real timeGet instant notifications when investors open your data room and start reviewing your materials. See which pages they spend the most time on and use that insight to shape your next call.
Common questions about Toronto media investors
- Check the fund's portfolio page for updates posted in the last 6 months and look for deal news. If nothing's been updated, email the fund directly and ask - serious investors answer fast.
- CMF is non-dilutive government funding for film, TV, and interactive digital media - not equity. You keep full ownership but must meet Canadian content eligibility requirements to qualify.
- If you're building a platform, generalists like Inovia or OMERS are perfectly reasonable targets. If it's pure media content, start with specialists like Beringer Capital or CMF first.
- Target 6-10 investors that fit your stage and model - media VC is a small world in Toronto. Sequence your outreach over 4-6 weeks so your name doesn't flood the community all at once.
- Send your financial model only after the first meeting and only if an investor specifically asks. Use Ellty to track who opens it - that tells you who's serious before your next prep session.
- It depends entirely on the fund - CMF has strict Canadian content rules that private VCs ignore. OMERS and Inovia care about revenue growth and market size, not content origin requirements.
