Venture capital firm Maple Bridge Ventures has closed $10.2 million CAD in the first round of its debut fund dedicated to supporting immigrant-led, early-stage technology startups in Canada.
The fund is now over halfway to its $20 million target.
Founded by Eric Agyemang, a former Export Development Canada (EDC) strategic partnerships manager who immigrated to Canada from Ghana, Maple Bridge Ventures aims to empower new Canadians creating solutions in agriculture, food, health, and enterprise technology.
“Immigrants are critical to Canada’s population and innovation economy,” said Agyemang, Managing Partner at Maple Bridge Ventures. “We want to leverage the immense potential within this community to tackle some of the country’s biggest challenges.”
A Fund Built by and for Immigrant Founders
Maple Bridge Ventures is one of the first Canadian funds with an exclusive focus on immigrant entrepreneurs. The firm will make initial investments of $250,000 to $1 million in pre-seed and seed-stage startups, reserving 40% of the fund for follow-on rounds.
The fund’s anchor limited partners include Farm Credit Canada (FCC) and Realize Capital Partners, which is backed by the Government of Canada’s Social Finance Fund. Additional LPs include the Vancouver Foundation, Fairmount Foundation, former Canopy Growth CEO Mark Zekulin, and several family offices.
“This is a strong, values-aligned investor group,” Agyemang said. “They understand the importance of immigrant innovation in Canada’s future prosperity.”
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Backing Builders in AgTech, FoodTech, and HealthTech
Immigrant entrepreneurs account for roughly one-quarter of all active entrepreneurs in Canada — a figure that mirrors their 23% share of the total population. Yet, access to early-stage funding remains limited.
Maple Bridge Ventures was designed to close that gap. Its focus sectors — AgTech, FoodTech, and HealthTech — are not only critical to Canada’s long-term sustainability but also industries where immigrant founders often bring deep expertise and global perspective.
“Immigrants are an underserved population that is a vital source of innovation and entrepreneurship in Canadian agriculture and food,” said Adam Smalley, Managing Director at FCC Capital.
Built by a Team That Understands the Journey
Agyemang is joined by a seasoned team of venture professionals who share his mission-driven approach:
- Billy Lai, former Principal at iGan Partners, joins as CFO and Venture Partner.
- Shelley Li, previously with CIBC Innovation Banking and Silicon Valley Bank, serves as Principal.
“Raising a first fund in this market hasn’t been easy,” Agyemang said. “But that resilience mirrors the experience of the immigrant founders we’re backing — determined, resourceful, and ready to build.”
About Maple Bridge Ventures
Maple Bridge Ventures is an Ottawa-based venture capital firm investing in early-stage, immigrant-led technology startups that drive Canada’s innovation economy. The firm backs founders solving complex challenges in AgTech, FoodTech, and HealthTech, providing not only capital but also strategic guidance and community support.
