Solving the lack of access to capital for Indigenous entrepreneurs

Bobbie Racette, CEO, Virtual Gurus, 2022

Along with my co-host Rob Kenedi, I’m in Montréal for Startupfest. As such, we’re re-airing one our past episodes while Rob and I… network. Yeah, that’s what we’re doing.

“Trust, and Indigenous impact measurement, and the wellbeing of Indigenous families sit alongside risk and return. In fact, in our fund, sit significantly above risk and return as investment considerations.”

We know how popular our VC interview episodes have been, so today you’re listening to us speak with Paul Lacerte, Managing Partner of Raven Indigenous Capital Partners, an Indigenous-led and focused VC firm in Canada. This episode originally aired on Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, September 30th, which is also Orange Shirt Day.

Since then, there’s been a lot of consternation amongst Canadian tech about downturns, down rounds, and layoffs. So much so that you might have forgotten the second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is fast approaching.

What has changed in the Reconciliation Economy in the last year?

Well, Calgary-based Virtual Gurus raised an $8.4 million Series A round in March. Led by CEO Bobbie Racette, it’s one of the first Series A rounds closed by an Indigenous woman in Canadian tech history.

And wouldn’t you know it, Raven happened to be in that round. Seems like a good time to check back in with what Paul had to say last September.

Let’s dig in.

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The BetaKit Podcast is hosted by Douglas Soltys & Rob Kenedi. Edited by Kattie Laur. Sponsored by Diuca.

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Author: George Holt