Specialist · Toronto, ON
Portage Ventures
Fintech specialist with Power's institutional reach.
- Cheque
- $1M to $25M
- Role
- Can lead a round
- Pace
- Actively deploying
- Kind
- Specialist
- Based in
- Toronto, ON
- Vehicle size
- $890M
- Founded
- 2016
- Works in
- EN + FR
- Last deal seen
- September 2026
- Stages
- Seed, Series A, Series B and later
- Sectors
- Fintech and insurtech
Their thesis, in full
Specialized fintech platform within Sagard (a Power Corporation subsidiary). Portage Ventures is highly active from seed through growth in financial services, insurance and fintech infrastructure. Co-founded by Adam Felesky and Paul Desmarais III, the firm manages $7.0B in assets, including a Fund III closed at US$655M plus late-stage and capital solutions vehicles. Portage takes the lead, deploys cheques from $1M to $25M, and supports founders with an exceptional institutional network (banks, insurers, asset managers). Offices in Toronto, Montreal, New York, London and Paris make it a natural partner for fintech founders targeting transatlantic expansion.
What they bring past the cheque
- Fintech network
- Power Corp ties
- Regulatory advisory
- Bank intros
- Transatlantic reach
Questions they usually ask
Have an answer ready for each one before the first call.
- Which regulated entity charter or partnership unlocks scale?
- What is your CAC payback for the regulated customer segment?
- How does your unit economics improve once a Tier 1 bank distributes you?
Follow-on
Multi-stage platform follows from seed through Series C via dedicated late-stage capital solutions vehicles.
Who to talk to
- Adam FeleskyCo-Founder & CEOLinkedIn ↗
- Paul Desmarais IIICo-Founder & Executive ChairmanLinkedIn ↗
- Stephanie ChooGeneral Partner & Co-Head, Portage VenturesLinkedIn ↗
- Devon KirkGeneral Partner & Co-Head, Portage Capital SolutionsLinkedIn ↗
- Daniel BallenGeneral Partner & Co-Head, Portage Capital SolutionsLinkedIn ↗
Portfolio
Names they back, most notable first.
- PearlerSeries A · 2026
- NestoSeries B+ · 2022
- ClarkSeries B+ · 2021
- KOHOSeries B · 2019
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