OMERS Ventures’ Prashant Matta joins Panache Ventures as partner

Canadian early-stage venture capital firm Panache Ventures has recruited Prashant Matta as a partner.

Operating from Toronto, Matta will lead Panache’s regional deal and fund management activities.

Matta joins Panache from OMERS Ventures, where for more than three years he served on the investment team. Before then, he was a manager in Samsung Electornic‘s Global Strategy Group.

Montréal-based Panache, launched in 2017 by former 500 Startups Canada principals, earlier this year raised $25 million in the first close of its inaugural seed fund.

PRESS RELEASE

Prashant Matta Joins Panache Ventures as Toronto Partner

TORONTO, September 17, 2018 – Panache Ventures, one of Canada’s most active seed stage venture capital fund, today announced Prashant Matta as its newest Partner. Based in Toronto, Matta will be leading Panache’s investment and fund management activities in the country’s largest startup ecosystem.

“Combining my passion for entrepreneurship and expertise in technology venture investments, I look forward to working with Panache’s management team, investors and partners in building a leading venture fund from the ground up.”

Matta joins Panache after spending over 3.5 years on the investment team at OMERS Ventures. He has a strong track record in technology, media, and telecommunications, and has made his mark internationally at Samsung’s Global Strategy Group, based in Seoul. He holds an MBA from INSEAD.

Panache’s founder-first philosophy and their goal of being the first institutional investor in high potential Canadian startups drove Matta’s decision to join Panache Ventures. “I also think that Panache’s vast coast-to-coast network of startups, co-investors, partners and subject matter experts is hugely valuable for the Canadian startup community,” he adds.

Panache Ventures is a $50 million fund that launched in March, with offices in Toronto, Montreal and Calgary, and is already the second most active private independent VC firm, according to the C VCA. The firm has closed 23 deals and will invest in up to 50 startups per year. Nicolas Jacques-Bouchard, who co-founded the fund as an associate, was recently promoted to principal from associate.

“We searched extensively for someone who has an established network, as well as deal flow, portfolio management, and governance experience, yet still embodied the entrepreneurial spirit to help grow Panache into Canada’s most successful and active seed stage fund. Prashant’s passion for early-stage ventures, especially in AR/VR, blockchain and cloud computing, are a perfect match for us,” says Patrick Lor, managing partner at Panache Ventures.

About Panache Ventures

Panache Ventures is Canada’s most active seed stage venture capital fund. Panache is led by a team of experienced operators, with a strong angel investor track record, years of institutional VC experience and a strong network in Canada, in Silicon Valley and worldwide. The fund has a founders-first philosophy, a commitment to diversity and strategically co-invests with smart angel investors and seed stage funds.

For further information: Gabrielle Drouin, 514-583-0697, gabrielle@panache.vc

Related links
www.panache.vc