Ontario Teachers’ launches venture capital investment platform

The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan is launching a venture capital investment platform to support companies using technology to create new sectors or disrupt existing ones.

Called the Teachers’ Innovation Platform, it will make late-stage venture capital and growth equity investments. Olivia Steedman, a founding member of the Ontario Teachers’ infrastructure and natural resources group, will head up the platform as its senior managing director.

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“This is a time of unprecedented change in multiple areas, including computing, materials science, robotics and medicine,” said Steedman in a press release. “There are significant opportunities to invest in the new businesses and sectors emerging as a result of this change.”

The platform will make investments in companies around the world, said Ziad Hindo, the Ontario Teachers’ chief investment officer.

The Ontario Teachers’ also noted the platform is part of its commitment to investing in new growth areas, and said it believes it could generate above-market returns for its plan members. “We’re excited to build a platform that leverages our track record, internal talent and partnership model,” said Hindo.

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