• Home
• Contact us
• About the IO
•  
• Information for SFU Researchers
• Information for Business
• • Available Technologies
  • Research Capability
  • Investment
• TIME Ventures
• Technology Business Mentorship ProgramVenture Connection
• Spin-Out Companies

Investment

WUTIF Capital (VCC) Inc.
Western Universities Technology Innovation Fund

In response to new technology companies' critical need for access to R&D funding at the early stages of development, IO Director Mike Volker has been a driving force in the creation of WUTIF, the Western Universities Technology Innovation Fund, and serves on its Board of Directors. WUTIF Capital (VCC) Inc. (the Fund) was established for the purpose of investing in promising technology companies, especially those with ties to BC universities and research institutions.

To date, the Fund has raised approximately $3 million from private investors, typically angel (i.e. accredited) investors under the Province's VCC Equity Capital Program.  Under this program, investors receive a 30% refundable tax credit for their investment in WUTIF.  Due to the popularity of the VCC program, the Province has limited the amount of tax credits that it makes available to companies such as WUTIF.  Presently, the allocation to WUTIF allows it to raise approximately $1 million each year.

The Fund plays a catalytic role in financing start-up companies by negotiating terms and putting together funding groups.  A typical investment is in the $500,000 to $1 million range, with WUTIF providing 10 to 20 percent of that amount.  The co-investors that WUTIF brings in also serve as advisors and mentors to the investee companies.

In its first 20 months of operation, WUTIF made a total of 31 investments in 22 different companies in BC.  While these investments average just over $100,000 per company, the total capital that has been invested in these companies is in excess of $25 million, demonstrating excellent leverage.  Of these companies, four are from the University of British Columbia, two from SFU and one from the University of Victoria.  The companies are located in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, Kamloops and Kelowna.

By helping to commercialize BC's mega-million dollar investment in research and development, WUTIF is well positioned to grow as it supplies the capital markets with a source of new deals while simultaneously supporting BC's long-term economic plans.

For more information, go to www.wutif.ca/