Objectives of the Fund:

• To enhance the economic and investment climate of the Okanagan Region by meeting the need for capital requirements for new, emerging and relocating businesses in the Okanagan.
• To meet the need for capital identified by the Okanagan Partnership Strategy and to meet the opportunities created by the emergence of the Okanagan as a leading economic center.
• To capitalize on opportunities and partnerships created by the growth, entrepreneurial spirit, and emerging centers of education and research.
• To enhance the quality of life and development of the region.
• Most importantly, to provide a sound investment opportunity and returns for investors who want to contribute to the growth of the region.

Fund Leadership and Management:

• The Fund is directed by leading business representatives who will provide leadership and management to meet the objectives of the fund and to ensure positive return to investors and the Okanagan Region.
• Current Board leadership includes Anne Clarke, George Galbraith, Lorraine McGrath, Stafford McKergow, George Melville, Paul Mitchell, Bill Redmond, Tony Stewart, and Dave Willis.   
• The Board has appointed a senior Investment Review Committee with leading business representatives and expertise to review and recommend investment opportunities to meet Fund objectives.
• The Fund will be managed with a minimum of overhead to ensure the maximum return to investors.

The Private Equity Model

• The directors of this fund have chosen a pure Private Equity Fund as its investment vehicle of choice.  Private Equity funds have become an increasingly popular choice of pension funds and other institutions due to the attractive rates of return, the diversification away from the public equity markets, and as a way of stimulating local economic growth.

Investment Opportunities

Priority investment consideration will be given to early stage to late stage investments in the Okanagan Region or to those willing to relocate. Preferred investments will be post beta showing evidence of commercialization and in the early private equity stages. Alternatively the fund will invest in companies that have already received institutional funding.

All investment opportunities will need to demonstrate to theInvestment Review Committee and the Board a solid management team, sustainable competitive advantage, ability to attract lead investor, high growth potential, a ten fold potential of return and exit strategy and potential.

In addition to the investment monitoring of each investment as described above, the fund intends to also play an active role in assisting each investment prosper as necessary.  The fund has a number of local successful business entrepreneurs who can act as mentors to the investee company’s management team and assist them in becoming a success.