Canadian Raven Indigenous Capital Partners launches Fund II at $46m, eyes U.S. markets

Raven Indigenous Capital Partners, North America’s only Indigenous-led and owned venture capital intermediary, launched its second fund (Raven Fund II) with an initial close of $46 million, and a target size of $75 million.

Raven Fund II invests in innovative, scalable Indigenous enterprises at the forefront of advancing the well-being of Indigenous Peoples. Investors include BDC Capital, Farm Credit Canada, the TELUS Pollinator Fund for Good, Vancity, Bank of America, and others.

Stephen Nairne, Chief Investment Officer, Raven Capital: ''Indigenous entrepreneurs cannot, or do not want to, access traditional capital, which limits opportunities to scale their businesses. Our mission is to empower Indigenous entrepreneurs with the capital and expertise they need to succeed, while recognizing progress moves at the speed of trust. We want to transform the concept of money as power and extractions, to money as medicine, paving a path to healing, community empowerment, and economic reconciliation. That’s why every dollar we invest is explicitly linked to elevating Indigenous Peoples and communities.''

There are an estimated 325,000 Indigenous-owned companies in North America, including about 50,000 in Canada according to the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Businesses. Most struggle to access the required capital, capacity building support and networks to fulfill their potential.

Alison Nankivell, Senior Vice President, Fund Investments and Global Scaling, BDC Capital: ''At BDC, our role is to create more inclusive prosperity in Canada by supporting the creation of innovative businesses. Raven is redefining venture capital from an Indigenous perspective. They’re demonstrating it’s possible to create a fund anchored in Indigenous culture and traditions, with a mandate to make a positive impact in Indigenous communities and deliver competitive financial returns.''

Raven’s first fund, launched in 2019, set an initial goal of $5 million and closed at $25 million. To date, it has made 20 investments in 11 companies, including OneFeather, a company developing Indigenous banking solutions, who are in the process of raising a Series B.

Lawrence Lewis, Founder and CEO, OneFeather: ''At OneFeather, we strive every day to provide digital solutions to Indigenous Peoples that unlock wealth, build strong communities, celebrate our sovereign identity, and lift our People up. Raven shares this philosophy and is providing a culturally safe pathway to scale and success.''

Blair Miller, Managing Partner, TELUS Pollinator Fund: ''Raven truly supports Indigenous entrepreneurs who are creating meaningful change and driving impact in their communities, which is a core part of our investment thesis at the TELUS Pollinator Fund. Having the opportunity to complete a second investment in Raven is a testament to the potential we see and believe in for these Indigenous-led organizations to create real economic growth and social change.''

Raven provides late seed and early-stage capital to innovative, scalable, purpose driven Indigenous enterprises. Companies are screened through a unique, Indigenous impact framework that both expresses, and reflects, Indigenous ways of knowing and being.

Shaun Soonias, Director, FCC Indigenous Relations: ''FCC venture capital investments, led by vice-president Rebbecca Clarke and her team, provides another way for Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities to gain access to the capital they need to grow and flourish in Canada’s food and agriculture industry. This investment in Raven Capital will help close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses throughout Canada’s economy, as well as promote economic equality and diversity in our agriculture and food industry.''

Based on investor interest in Raven Fund II, Raven expects to reach its final closing target soon. The team is also continuing to build a strong pipeline of Indigenous enterprises as it works to revitalize the Indigenous economy.

www.ravencapitalpartners.ca