Corporate Venture Capital | November 30, 2020

Canada’s TELUS commits $45 million to corporate social impact fund

Roodgally Senatus
ImpactAlpha Editor

Roodgally Senatus

ImpactAlpha, November 30 — The telecommunications company launched the fund to invest in local and international impact startups focused on improving health, agriculture, the environment, and social and economic inclusion in Canada. It is looking to raise the rest of the $100 million target for the Pollinator Fund for Good from outside investors, but is prepared to commit the funds itself if others do not participate, a company spokesperson told ImpactAlpha.

The fund has already invested in U.S.-based Tidal Vision, a low-waste synthetic chemicals company; Rizha Capital, an impact fund that invests in early-stage social enterprises in British Columbia; and Windmill Microlending, which offers low-interest microloans for skilled immigrants and refugees.

TELUS’s Blair Miller will join Adrianna Alterman of Salesforce Ventures Impact Fund, Bill Young of Social Capital Partners and ImpactAlpha’s David Bank, to discuss “Corporates and impact investing,” Wednesday Dec. 2 at 12:35pm ET, as part of Mars Impact Week.