“BKR Capital provides a solid solution to a real challenge facing black entrepreneurs, which is obtaining financing to start and grow their business,” said Wills Thegen, Senior Director, Equity25 at CDPQ. “As investors, we are proud to support the mission of BKR Capital through our commitment to Terralis Capital, to whom we have entrusted the fund management mandate for emerging fund managers.”
The fund, which began investing in pre-seed and seed-stage Canadian technology firms formed by Black entrepreneurs in 2021, has a unique flow of business thanks to its strong collaborations with DMZ’s Black Innovation Program, the HEC Montreal Entrepreneurial Base, and the US. Connecting to black communities across Canada.
BKR Capital aims to serve as a catalyst for technology-related entrepreneurial activities in black communities, particularly in Quebec, which accounts for about a third of Canada’s total black population.
“With the funding, we plan to support 18 innovative companies over the next four years and help build Canada’s next success stories. We aim to capitalize on high-potential opportunities, primarily driven by core market players. is overlooked,” explained Lise Birikundavi, Co-Founder and Principal of BKR Capital.
BKR Capital has also invested in GOODEE, a B Corp certified online retailer based in Quebec specializing in furniture and accessories, lifestyle items and sustainable design.
