FUND III | OUR INVESTORS
Institutional Capital. Women’s Capital. Investing Side by Side.
The51 Fund III brings together investors who recognize the economic opportunity in Canadian women-led innovation.
From major financial institutions to accomplished women investors and private capital partners, the capital commitments of this growing group are creating new opportunities for founders to build and scale businesses, while expanding participation and ownership in Canada's venture economy.
This is the economic power of women, activated through investment.
A New Model for Mobilizing Capital
The51 Fund III is built on a conviction that changing where capital flows starts with expanding who participates in investing it.
By bringing women investors in at the anchor level alongside BMO, Fund III creates a meaningful opportunity for women to participate in venture capital as investors, decision-makers, and owners.
The significance extends beyond financing women-led businesses. It puts more women in a position to allocate capital, participate in the potential financial returns, and build wealth through the growth of Canadian companies.
When women invest, they help grow the businesses and industries that drive our economy.
Our Institutional Investors
Lead Institutional Anchor Investor
As one of North America's largest banks, BMO brings institutional scale and credibility to The51 Fund III.
Its commitment reflects growing institutional recognition of the commercial opportunity in women-led innovation and the role venture capital can play in strengthening long-term economic growth.
“Anchoring The51 Fund III is a deliberate investment in that future by backing women founders who are building in critical sectors and unlocking innovation at scale. By widening participation in the economy, we’re not only advancing equity, we’re strengthening the competitiveness and resiliency of our industry and accelerating the long-term growth of Wealth.”
Amanda Custodio Chief Growth Officer, BMO Financial Group
THE WOMEN INVESTING IN THE FUTURE THEY WANT TO BUILD
Our Women Co-Anchor Investors
The51 has brought together an exceptional group of Women Co-Anchor Investors from across Canada, investing alongside BMO at the anchor level. These 30 accomplished women bring their capital, experience, leadership, and networks to Fund III, reflecting the depth of women's financial influence across Canadian industries and markets.
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ANN GLAZIER ROTHWELL
Principal & Vice Chair, RPIA
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ANNE WHELAN
President & Chief Executive Officer, Seafair
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CAROLYN LAWRENCE
Impact Strategist & Founder, Clear Path
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CARRIE RUSSELL
Independent Director, Strategic Advisor
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CHRISTA PLUMLEY
Commercial & Technology Lawyer
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COLLEEN MOOREHEAD
Board Chair, The51
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DAISY ORSER
Co Founder, Raintree Holdings
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ERIN LANG
Principal & Member, Samson Family Office
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FRANCISCA QUINN
Founder & President of Quinn+Partners
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GILLIAN RILEY
Founder, The Scotiabank Women Initiative
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GISELE WILSON
Founder, CI Coriel Capital (now Corient)
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JEN MCCAIN
Board Director, Advisor, Family Office Principal
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JOANNE BOURGAULT
Investor & advocate for women's financial independence
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JOANNE CUTHBERTSON, KATE FISCHER & LINDSAY FITCHNER
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JODI BLOOMER-KAPUT
Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer, Canadian Fiber Optics Corp. & Director, Bloomer Capital
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JUDY GOLDRING
Chief Executive Officer, AGF Management Limited
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KAREN STEWART
Founder, Fairway Divorce, Milestone Asset Management, Bumble Bees Venture Capital and The Decision Advantage Growth Lab™
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LAURA DISTEFANO
Partner, Cerco Developments
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LEAH BOYD
Business Executive, Board Director, Investor
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LINDSAY JEPHCOTT
Co-Founder, Lume Women + Health
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MIRANDA HUBBS
Corporate Director
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NANDINI DASGUPTA
Senior Partner Emeritus, BCG
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PATRICIA SAPUTO
Co-Founder, Executive Chairperson & Strategic Advisor, Crysalia
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RACHAEL CARSWELL
President, Canso Innovations & President & CEO, Grip Ventures
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SONIA BAXENDALE
President & Chief Executive Officer, Global Risk Institute
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SUSAN RIMMER
Senior Executive Vice-President & Group Head Commercial Banking, CIBC
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TIZIANA CASCIARO
Professor, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
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TRACEY MCVICAR
Chief Executive Officer, AGF Management Limited
A SHARED COMMITMENT TO LONG-TERM GROWTH
Our Fund III Investor Community
The strength of Fund III extends across our entire investor community. Alongside our institutional investors and women co-anchors is a wider group of investors whose capital commitments are fundamental to the fund’s ability to back high-potential businesses. They bring valuable experience, perspectives, and relationships, united by a belief in the commercial opportunity represented by women-led innovation.
Every investment contributes to the opportunity ahead.
THE CONVICTION BEHIND THE CAPITAL
In the Words of our Investors
“We are putting real dollars behind women-led companies, and we are building a community where founders, investors, and champions show up for each other.”
Gillian Riley Fund III Co-Anchor Investor, Founder, The51 Soctiabank Women Initiative
“The51 is where community and capital converge, and that’s an exciting place to be.”
Jen McCain Fund III Co-Anchor Investor, Board Director, Advisor & Family Office Principal
“When women founders, investors and leaders work together to reshape the capital ecosystem, expect great results.”
Gisele Wilson Fund III Co-Anchor Investor, Founder, CI Coriel Capital (now Corient)
Invest in the World you Want to Live In.
Explore how Fund III is investing in ambitious women founders building the companies and industries of tomorrow.