NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Toronto-based impact investing platform Social Venture Connexion (SVX) has expanded to Quebec.

It’s the first step in a plan to expand the platform across North America.

Part of the MaRS Centre for Impact Investing, the SVX, helps investors connect with social ventures, businesses and non-profits that will have a positive impact in their community.

“We’re really motivated by the quality and quantity of impact entrepreneurs and the strength of institutions, partners and community leaders in Quebec,” says Adam Spence, the associate director of MaRS Centre for Impact Investing and the founder of the SVX. “It’s a really vibrant marketplace.”

Those parters will be playing a big role, he says.

“Our philosophy is to be locally-led, locally shaped,” Spence says. “We believe that will generate the most success in terms of the number and quality of ventures … also there’s a tremendous amount of knowledge and skills and experience that each of these institutions and organizations are contributing.”

He says there’s already a diverse group of startups trying to connect with investors through the platform.