Venture Journey - Corporate Insights From The Leaders' Den

In this episode of Venture Journey, Jonathan Hera, Managing Partner at Marigold Capital, sheds light on what Finance for Social Change truly means and how finance can be used to combat the systemic inequities. Jonathan touch-bases on what impact washing means and the return impact investments generate. We also discuss the role foundations and charitable organizations play in this ecosystem and how they take advantage of tax laws by allocating a fraction of their funds to impact investments.  Listen to this episode to know more about Finance for Social Change. 

In this episode of Venture Journey, Rohan Wadhwa, Vice President at Lumos Capital Group, discusses the current trend in the EdTech sector and how this sector is attracting the generalist investors' focus. We also chat about new unicorns worldwide and what's happening with the sector's valuation. Rohan shares his insights on various markets, how COVID has impacted unit economics, and how founders should be mindful of any investors' questions. Listen to this episode to know more about VCs' perspective on investment during these times and how focus remains strong on the company's fundamentals.

In this episode of Venture Journey, Alex Norman, Managing Director at Tech Toronto, share his insights on the impact of COVID-19 on the Canadian startup ecosystem. Alex highlights how startups in different phases of their lifecycle have to steer their company. We discuss how the pandemic's impact will be temporary, and all the players will adopt new ways in the future. Listen to this episode to know more about the impact of COVID-19 on various players in the startup ecosystem and how the future will be reshaped. Note: This episode was recorded in June, and release was delayed due to COVID-19. Audio Quality is impacted as the recording was virtual over the zoom call.

In this episode of Venture Journey, Jasmin Hobbs, Senior Tech Banker at Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), shares her insights on venture debt. Jasmin explains the difference between raising money from venture capital and venture debt in terms of cost and dilution. Jasmin highlights the traditional mindset of the companies while raising funds and numerous advantages that venture debt brings on the table. Listen to this episode to know more about venture debt from a lenders' perspective and how an entrepreneur needs to prepare before fundraising.

In this episode of Venture Journey, Whitney Rockley, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at McRock Capital, shares her insights on venture exits. Whitney highlights how exit options get discussed at the initial stage of the VC investment and how various investment terms impact VCs and founders. Whitney even touch-bases on the impact of valuations on exits and shares facts about the global acquisition-based exit landscape. Listen to this episode to know more about VCs and founders' perspective on exits, and to find out how Canadian startups are fundamentally different compared with the US companies.

In this episode of Venture Journey, Pamela Miranda, Director at First West Capital, shares her views on management buyouts (MBO). Pamela highlights how MBO differs from LBO (Leveraged Buyout), with debt being a common denominator and various aspects that management should consider before planning a buyout, especially the cash flows. We also discuss how bridging the skill gap is a crucial factor that needs to be considered by the management when any key shareholder(s) departs from the company.

In this episode of Venture Journey, Fred Lazar, an aviation consultant, shares his insights on the probable reason why a private equity player, Onex, invests $5B to buy an airline company, WestJet. We discuss the nature of the industry and whether Onex will be able to generate expected returns out of this transaction. We also discuss what Onex plans to do with WestJet and the history of Onex getting into airlines in the 1990s.

In this episode of Venture Journey, Ian McDougall, CEO of FSS Aircraft Management, and Luc Massé, COO of Partner Jet, share their insights on Boeing and fatal crash of 737 Max 8 aircrafts. We discuss how the last opportunity to save the plane was taken away from the cockpit, and the problem is much deeper than the software or hardware fix. Both Ian and Luc share their thoughts on how these incidents have left the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) tainted that will slow down the process of innovation. Listen to this episode to know more about how Boeing is managing this crisis and how the dynamics of the aviation business will change in the coming future.

In this episode of Venture Journey, Darrell Pinto, Vice-President of Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (CVCA) shares his views on the evolution of Canadian VC ecosystem. He also explains how the Canadian VC market differs from the US, emerging AI market, and possible consolidation in the coming future. We also discuss the geopolitical standoff with China and how AI technology will play a critical role in the future, considering data privacy laws.