District Ventures Capital reaches $100 Million

District_Ventures_Capital_District_Ventures_Capital_reaches__100

TORONTO, April 6, 2020 /CNW/ - District Ventures Capital ("District Ventures") announced today the close of its first fund at $100 million raised. Additional funding commitments of approximately $35 million came from Farm Credit Canada ("FCC"), Canada's largest agricultural term lender, BDC Capital, the investment arm of BDC, Canada's bank to entrepreneurs, family offices and additional investment from existing investors, all of which took the fund to this milestone.

District Ventures Capital is a consumer goods venture capital fund founded by Canadian investor and entrepreneur, Arlene Dickinson. The fund focuses solely on investing in companies operating in the food & beverage, health & wellness and beauty consumer goods categories. In addition to capital, District Ventures provides marketing, programming and commercialization as support to the companies it invests in.

"From the outset, District Ventures Capital has invested under the thesis that early-stage consumer goods companies represent immense opportunity for growth – particularly in Canada which is known for its strength and knowledge in agriculture and health," said Arlene Dickinson, General Partner of District Ventures Capital. "While the majority of venture capital dollars in Canada continue to be earmarked for technology investments, we are focusing on helping companies who deliver on providing for consumers nutritional, health and well-being needs. The additional investors in the fund signal that there is both confidence in District Ventures and value seen in the growth opportunities in these categories."

Operating as the country's largest agricultural term lender, Farm Credit Canada echoed Dickinson's comments and added that their investment in District Ventures supports their mandate of supporting agri-food companies in Canada.

"FCC is proud to support District Ventures, which is playing an important role in ensuring access to capital and other support services for companies that are innovating and expanding Canada's food industry," said Rebbecca Clarke, FCC Vice President and Treasurer. "FCC has supported the agriculture and food industry for 60 years, and District Ventures is an important and exciting opportunity for the food sector."

Alison Nankivell, Vice-President, Fund Investments, BDC Capital, added that entrepreneurs are the real beneficiaries of their investment and this milestone.

"District Ventures is well positioned to support the wave of innovative Canadian start-ups we see operating in the food and health and wellness sectors", said Alison Nankivell, Vice President of Fund Investments, BDC Capital. "This is a significant area of competitive strength for Canada which BDC Capital wants to develop by working with partners such as District Ventures. We are also proud to support a strong Canadian female GP striving to build a portfolio with significant female representation at the management level."

District Ventures has built a unique VC platform aimed at investing in and supporting the growth of Canadian companies in the food, beverage and wellness consumer goods categories.

This originally appeared on https://www.prnewswire.com.

Share this post

More latest news