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Northside Ventures is a Toronto-based pre-seed venture capital fund founded in 2023. The firm is dedicated to supporting ambitious Canadian founders in transforming their insights into enduring companies. Northside Ventures aims to fill a gap for founders seeking more than just initial funding, offering guidance and access to customers and investors during the ideation stage. The organization emphasizes building relationships with founders early in their journey, even before they begin raising capital.
Currently, Northside Ventures manages a fund size of $15 million and has invested in 14 companies. The firm focuses on sectors such as AI infrastructure, frontier technology, software, and fintech. Their investment strategy is centered on backing exceptional individuals with the potential to disrupt industries and create significant value. Northside Ventures is committed to helping founders navigate their early stages effectively, providing hands-on support from idea to execution.
Northside Ventures operates primarily in North America, with a strong emphasis on Canadian markets. The firm has established a reputation for being a first investor, helping founders with customer introductions, product-market fit, and access to follow-on capital. Their approach is characterized by collaborative exploration and ongoing advice, ensuring that founders can successfully navigate the challenges of building a startup.
Northside Ventures invests in founders at the earliest stages, including pre-product and pre-revenue. The firm focuses on sectors such as software, AI infrastructure, frontier technology, and fintech. Their investment thesis centers on backing exceptional individuals with the potential to disrupt industries and create significant value. Northside Ventures prioritizes categories with long-term growth potential, including B2B SaaS and deeply technical solutions.
The firm typically writes initial checks ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, targeting Canadian founders in both Canada and the United States. Northside Ventures is particularly interested in sectors that exhibit long-term growth potential, such as AI tools and B2B SaaS. Their investment strategy emphasizes founder quality, urgency, and a customer-discovery approach, ensuring that they back individuals who are not only ambitious but also possess insights from lived experiences.
Northside Ventures is open to engaging with founders who have not yet raised their first round of capital, making it a credible option for early-stage entrepreneurs. The firm’s commitment to providing hands-on support includes helping founders secure their first customers and navigate the fundraising landscape effectively.
Northside Ventures has invested in a diverse range of companies across various sectors. Notable portfolio companies include:
This portfolio reflects Northside Ventures' commitment to investing in innovative solutions across various industries, particularly those that leverage technology to create significant value.
Alex McIsaac – Founder & General Partner. Before founding Northside Ventures, Alex led the Canadian practice as Partner at Global Founders Capital and was a Principal at BDC Capital. He co-founded NRStor, an energy-storage cleantech startup acquired by Blackstone in 2018. His expertise lies in supporting Canadian pre-seed and seed founders, particularly in software and AI infrastructure.
Naomi Walch – Associate. Naomi supports Northside's pre-seed and seed investment activities from the initial meeting through diligence. She leads intern and scout programs and assists with operations. Prior to joining Northside, Naomi gained public-markets experience at Mackenzie Investments and completed analyst terms at Northside.
To pitch Northside Ventures, founders should use the contact form available on their website. It is important to include a clear overview of the startup, the problem being addressed, and the proposed solution. Founders should also highlight their backgrounds and any relevant experience that supports their vision.
Northside Ventures does not have a formal application cycle, allowing for rolling submissions. While specific response times are not disclosed, founders can expect to receive feedback on their pitches. The firm is open to engaging with founders who have not yet raised their first round of capital, making it accessible for early-stage entrepreneurs.
In 2025, Northside Ventures was recognized in Business Insider's Seed 100 list, highlighting its impact in the early-stage investment space. The firm has been actively engaging with founders, emphasizing the importance of building relationships even before capital is raised.
Northside Ventures continues to expand its portfolio, recently adding several innovative startups focused on AI infrastructure and frontier technology. Their commitment to supporting Canadian founders has positioned them as a key player in the pre-seed investment landscape.
What are Northside Ventures' investment criteria?
Northside Ventures focuses on pre-seed investments in Canadian founders, particularly in sectors like software, AI infrastructure, and frontier technology. They prioritize exceptional individuals with the potential to disrupt industries and create significant value.
How can I pitch to Northside Ventures?
Founders can pitch to Northside Ventures through their contact form available on their website. They are particularly interested in connecting with founders who have not yet raised their first round of capital.
What makes Northside Ventures different from other VCs?
Northside Ventures emphasizes building relationships with founders early in their journey, often before they have a fully formed idea. They provide hands-on support, including customer introductions and guidance on product-market fit.
What is the typical check size for investments?
Northside Ventures typically writes initial checks ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 for pre-seed investments.
What geographic areas does Northside Ventures focus on?
The firm primarily focuses on Canadian founders, but they also consider opportunities in the United States, particularly in major tech hubs.
What kind of support can founders expect post-investment?
Northside Ventures provides ongoing advice, access to follow-on capital, and assistance in securing initial customers to help founders navigate their early stages effectively.
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