Cycle Capital announces the appointment of Dan Pinault


Montreal, January 11th, 2019 – Cycle Capital, Canada’s most important cleantech venture capital firm, announces the appointment of Dan Pinault as a Principal.

Dan has over 10 years of advisory and investing experience focused on companies with disruptive technologies and business models. He spent the first five years of his career working as a Management Consultant for A.T. Kearney and Navigant, where he focused mainly on the cleantech sector. He then spent several years working as Director of Mergers and Acquisitions for Brookfield Infrastructure’s district energy platform, Enwave Energy Corporation – one of the largest and most sustainable district energy platforms in North America. Most recently, Dan has been working with MaRS Cleantech to support early stage companies. He has a Mechanical Engineering Degree from the University of Waterloo and a MBA from the Rotman School of Management (University of Toronto).

“We’re proud to welcome Dan to Cycle Capital. He is a skilled investor with a unique set of experiences. He complements our team with his deep understanding of the energy sector, more specifically around distributed energy and the integration of renewables into the grid”, said Andrée-Lise Méthot, Founder and Managing Partner at Cycle Capital.

“I am thrilled to join the talented team at Cycle Capital – a leader in the cleantech sector. I look forward to working closely with entrepreneurs to help them build their companies and disrupt their industries.”

Cycle Capital Management
Cycle Capital Management (CCM) is an impact investor and Canada’s most active cleantech venture capital firm. With offices in Montreal, Toronto and Qingdao, in continental China, and a presence in New York and Seattle, CCM has more than $350M in AUM (assets under management) and invests in companies at the development and growth stages that commercializes clean technologies striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, optimizing resource use and improving process efficiency throughout North America. CCM is also the Founder of the Ecofuel Accelerator and the Co-Founder of the Ecofuel Fund.

CCM regroups seasoned investment professionals, strategic advisors and industrial partners with in-depth knowledge of the sector. The firm has a special relationship with its strategic partners, notably Brookfield Renewable Energy, Rio Tinto, Cascades, Group M3, Lonza, Énergir, Systemex Énergies, Aluminerie Alouette and Hydro-Québec. For more information on Cycle Capital Management, visit: www.cyclecapital.com .

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Catherine Bérubé
Vice President, Sustainability, Investor Relations and Public Affairs
[email protected]
+1 514 629-1022

Cycle Capital announces the appointment of two partners and a Vice President

Junior Partner Pascal Drouin and VP Finance & Administration Natalya Novikov become partners, while the head of Communications and Public relations Catherine Bérubé becomes VP

Montreal, December 17th, 2018 – Andrée-Lise Méthot, Founder and Managing Partner of Cycle Capital Management – Canada’s most important cleantech venture capital investment platform – is pleased to announce the appointment of Junior Partner Pascal Drouin as partner, of Vice President Finance & Administration Natalya Novikov as CFO and partner and of the Head of Communications and Public Relations Catherine Bérubé as Vice President, Sustainability, Investor Relations and Public Affairs.

“Claude and I are proud to announce these new appointments which demonstrate the vitality, development and future of our firm. They reward the thorough expertise of Pascal, Natalya and Catherine – already valuable assets to our team. Claude joins me in congratulating them for these well-deserved promotions,” said Andrée-Lise Méthot, Founder and Managing Partner.

Pascal Drouin originally joined Cycle Capital in 2013 and became Junior Partner earlier this year. He has over ten years of experience in various roles, including portfolio and risk management. Before joining Cycle Capital, Pascal worked at Multiple Capital and GE Capital. Pascal graduated from HEC Montreal with a bachelor’s in business administration and a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in management.

Natalya joined Cycle Capital in 2013 and is responsible for accounting, compliance, production and disclosure of financial information and administrative procedures for a total of 4 funds as well as the Ecofuel Accelerator. In addition, she lectures levels I, II and III of the CFA curriculum and is a member on the CVCA CFO Task Force. She previously worked at the Canada Revenue Agency, Statistics Canada and MNP. Natalya holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation (CFA), is a Chartered Accountant (CPA, CA) and is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA, New Hampshire).

As for Catherine, she joined Cycle Capital in 2014 as Head of Communications and Public Relations. She he is responsible for Cycle Capital’s “impact investing” reporting. Catherine is the Vice Chair of Écotech Québec and Co-Chair of SWITCH Alliance and has over ten years of experience in public and governmental relations.

Cycle Capital Management
Cycle Capital Management (CCM) is an impact investor and Canada’s most active cleantech venture capital firm. With offices in Montreal, Toronto and Qingdao, in continental China, and a presence in New York and Seattle, CCM has more than $350M in AUM (assets under management) and invests in companies at the development and growth stages that commercializes clean technologies striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, optimizing resource use and improving process efficiency throughout North America. CCM is also the Founder of the Ecofuel Accelerator and the Co-Founder of the Ecofuel Fund.

CCM regroups seasoned investment professionals, strategic advisors and industrial partners with in-depth knowledge of the sector. The firm has a special relationship with its strategic partners, notably Brookfield Renewable Energy, Rio Tinto, Cascades, Group M3, Lonza, Gaz Métro, Systemex Énergies, Aluminerie Alouette and Hydro-Québec. For more information on Cycle Capital Management, visit: www.cyclecapital.com .

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Catherine Bérubé
Vice President, Sustainability, Investor Relations and Public Affairs
[email protected]
+1 514 629-1022

Economic Statement 2018: Cycle Capital welcomes the Federal Government’t decision to invest in clean technology and support innovators

Ottawa, November 21, 2018 – Cycle Capital, Canada’s most active cleantech venture capital firm, welcomes the federal government’s decision to increase its financial support to innovative clean technology companies, under the Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative (VCCI), announced today by the finance Minister in the Fall economic statement 2018. With this $50M new investment into top-performing fund managers, the administration recognizes the importance of venture capital to help innovative companies grow and scale-up.

“This funding will stimulate new investments in innovative clean technology companies, attract new investors in the Canadian market, increase Canadian ownership in the companies and At the same time help forge a performing green economy in Canada,” said Cycle Capital’s Founder and Managing Partner Andrée-Lise Méthot.

This VCCI’s new stream will include a strong focus on gender balance and diversity, as the first stream did. While women represents only 12% of venture capital partners and 1% of managing partners, this key requirement will help attract more women in the sector.

Cycle Capital Management
Cycle Capital Management (CCM) is an impact investor and Canada’s most active cleantech venture capital firm. With offices in Montreal, Toronto and Qingdao, in continental China, and a presence in New York and Seattle, CCM has more than $350M in AUM (assets under management) and invests in companies at the development and growth stages that commercializes clean technologies striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, optimizing resource use and improving process efficiency throughout North America.

CCM regroups seasoned investment professionals, strategic advisors and industrial partners with in-depth knowledge of the sector. The firm has a special relationship with its strategic partners, notably Brookfield Renewable Energy, Rio Tinto, Cascades, Group M3, Lonza, Gaz Métro, Systemex Énergies, Aluminerie Alouette and Hydro-Québec. For more information on Cycle Capital Management, visit: www.cyclecapital.com .

Info
Catherine Bérubé
Head of communications and public relations
[email protected]
+1 514 629-1022

Cycle Capital’s Senior Partner Shirley Speakman named one of the 2019 Clean16

Montreal, September 27, 2018 – Cycle Capital, Canada’s most active cleantech venture capital firm, congratulates its Senior Partner Shirley Speakman for being named on the prestigious incoming 2019 Clean16. This honour recognizes the contribution of leaders to Canada’s future prosperity by leading sustainability and clean capitalism in the country.

“Shirley has extensive experience in venture capital, portfolio management and sourcing of the best cleantech companies. This nomination is therefore a great mark of appreciation of the leading role she plays in the Canadian cleantech ecosystem and brings honour to Cycle Capital. As one of the few women in venture capital, we hope Shirley’s nomination will inspire more young women to pursue careers in this field,” says Andrée-Lise Méthot, Founder and Managing Partner of Cycle Capital Management, named on the 2012 and 2017 Clean16 lists.

“The Clean16 are truly the leaders of the leaders in sustainability in Canada. Shirley’s leadership role in cleantech investing has attracted international capital to Canada and ensured that Canadian technologies that positively impact the environment reach their global potential. Her efforts have directly contributed to the creation and growth of some of Canada’s most environmentally impactful companies reducing waste, chemicals and energy,” adds Gavin Pitchford, CEO, Delta Management Group.

Canada’s Clean50 Awards are announced annually by Delta Management Group and the Clean50 organization to recognize those 50 individuals or small teams, from 16 different categories, who have done the most to advance the cause of sustainability and clean capitalism in Canada over the past 2 years. Delta’s criteria in determining Honourees is to carefully consider actual measurable accomplishments, demonstrated innovation, collaboration with other organizations, and the power of the Honouree’s contribution to inspire other Canadians to take similar action.

About Delta Management Group and Canada’s Clean50
Delta Management Group is the leading sustainability and clean tech search firm and remains the steward of the Canada’s Clean50 awards, founded in 2011, to annually identify, recognize and connect 50 sustainability leaders from every sector of Canadian endeavor, in order to facilitate understanding, collaboration and innovation in the fight to keep climate change impacts below 1.5 degrees. Ancillary awards also recognize 10 Emerging Leaders and the Top 20 Sustainability Projects of the year. For more information on Canada’s Clean50, visit: www.clean50.com.

Cycle Capital Management
Cycle Capital Management (CCM) is an impact investor and Canada’s most active cleantech venture capital firm. With offices in Montreal, Toronto and Qingdao, in continental China, and a presence in New York and Seattle, CCM has more than $350M in AUM (assets under management) and invests in companies at the development and growth stages that commercializes clean technologies striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, optimizing resource use and improving process efficiency throughout North America.

CCM regroups seasoned investment professionals, strategic advisors and industrial partners with in-depth knowledge of the sector. The firm has a special relationship with its strategic partners, notably Brookfield Renewable Energy, Rio Tinto, Cascades, Group M3, Lonza, Gaz Métro, Systemex Énergies, Aluminerie Alouette and Hydro-Québec. For more information on Cycle Capital Management, visit: www.cyclecapital.com .

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Catherine Bérubé
Head of communications and public relations
[email protected]
+1 514 629-1022

Gavin Pitchford
CEO, Delta Management Group
[email protected]
+1 416-925-2005 x 2300

Andrée-Lise Méthot named Officer of the Ordre national du Québec

Hélène Bouffard, photograph

Montreal, June 22, 2018 – Cycle Capital Management’s team congratulates its Founder and Managing Partner Andrée-Lise Méthot for her nomination as Officer of the Ordre national du Québec – the most prestigious honour awarded by the Quebec government. Andrée-Lise received this recognition from the Quebec’s Premier’s hands today for her important contribution to the creation of an ecosystem favourable to clean technologies in Quebec.

Andrée-Lise is the Founder and Managing Partner of Cycle Capital Management. In less than 10 years, this investment platform has closed 5 funds and has become the most important cleantech venture capital fund manager with $385M in AUM. To this day, Cycle Capital has invested more than $150M which triggered more than $1B in co-investments in its portfolio companies. Mrs. Méthot has also founded the Ecofuel Accelerator and cofounded the Ecofuel Fund, Écotech Québec and Alliance SWITCH.

She also co-Chaired the United Nations Environment Program’s Task Force on the Social Life Cycle Assessment (SLCA). She is a member of numerous Boards, including Sustainable Development Technology Canada and Transition énergétique Québec. She is also a member of the Bloomberg’s New Energy Pioneers’ jury and of the Cleantech Group’s advisory committee.

In 2018, Andrée-Lise has received tribute awards from the Association des femmes en finance du Québec (AFFQ) and the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ). Her leadership was also previously recognized by CleanTechnica et Corporate Knights.

The Ordre national du Québec
Every year, since 1985, the Premier of Québec pays tribute to exceptional individuals who, through their achievements, values and ideals, have influenced Québec’s growth and contributed to its renown. He awards them the prestigious titles Knight, Officer and Grand Officer of the Ordre national du Québec.

Cycle Capital Management
Cycle Capital Management (CCM) is an impact investor and Canada’s most active cleantech venture capital firm. With offices in Montreal, Toronto and Qingdao, in continental China, and a presence in New York and Seattle, CCM has more than $350M in AUM (assets under management) and invests in companies at the development and growth stages that commercializes clean technologies striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, optimizing resource use and improving process efficiency throughout North America.

CCM regroups seasoned investment professionals, strategic advisors and industrial partners with in-depth knowledge of the sector. The firm has a special relationship with its strategic partners, notably Brookfield Renewable Energy, Rio Tinto, Cascades, Group M3, Lonza, Gaz Métro, Systemex Énergies, Aluminerie Alouette and Hydro-Québec. For more information on Cycle Capital Management, visit: www.cyclecapital.com .

Info
Catherine Bérubé
Head of communications and public relations
[email protected]
+1 514 629-1022

Cycle Capital Management names Shirley Speakman Senior Partner

Montreal, March 22, 2018 – Andrée-Lise Méthot, Founder and Managing Partner of Cycle Capital Management, Canada’s most active cleantech venture capital investment platform, is pleased to announce the appointment of Shirley Speakman to the position of Senior Partner.

“In combination with her almost 20 years of corporate finance and venture capital experience Shirley’s ability to get behind the numbers, find the best entrepreneurs and most compelling companies in the market, represents a key asset for Cycle Capital,” said Andrée-Lise Méthot. “Her nomination consolidates the gender parity of our partnership.”

“I am truly honoured to be able to contribute to the development of Cycle Capital’s investment platform and to continue helping entrepreneurs benefit from our expertise in helping to build great companies in the cleantech sector,” stated Shirley Speakman.

Before joining Cycle Capital Management in 2014, Shirley worked in corporate finance advising mid to large enterprises. During this time, she participated in corporate finance transactions with a cumulative value of over $100 million at Ernst & Young Corporate Finance. She supported the creation by RBC Ventures of an early stage seed fund which raised $40 million on its first close (VIMAC/MMC) and advised RBC Ventures’ seed investment funds in structuring and negotiating investments. As a director for the Investment Accelerator Fund, a $40 million seed and early stage investment fund focused on investing in high potential technology-based companies in Ontario managed by MaRS, she was responsible for sourcing, vetting and managing investments.

Shirley holds a MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University, a Bachelor of Economics and Management Studies from the University of Waterloo and an ICD.d from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Business.

About Cycle Capital Management
Cycle Capital Management (CCM) is an impact investor and Canada’s most active cleantech venture capital firm. With offices in Montreal, Toronto and Qingdao, in continental China, and a presence in New York and Seattle, CCM has more than $350M in AUM (assets under management) and invests in companies at the development and growth stages that commercializes clean technologies striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, optimizing resource use and improving process efficiency throughout North America.

CCM regroups seasoned investment professionals, strategic advisors and industrial partners with in-depth knowledge of the sector. The firm has a special relationship with its strategic partners, notably Brookfield Renewable Energy, Rio Tinto, Cascades, Group M3, Lonza, Gaz Métro, Systemex Énergies, Aluminerie Alouette and Hydro-Québec. For more information on Cycle Capital Management, visit: www.cyclecapital.com .

Info
Catherine Bérubé
Head of communications and public relations
[email protected]
+1 514 629-1022

Cycle Capital Management and Demeter, leading venture capital investors in the ecological and energy transition sectors, announce a cooperation agreement

Montreal and Paris, February 13, 2018 – Cycle Capital and Demeter have signed a cooperation agreement aimed at reinforcing their sectoral expertise and understanding of the global issues at stake in the ecological and energy transition markets. This agreement constitutes an additional asset for their investors and entrepreneurs.

For Andrée-Lise Méthot, Founder and Managing Partner at Cycle Capital: “The transition to clean energies is driving the development of new technologies, on international markets. This cooperation agreement will enable our investors and portfolio companies to benefit from an even wider network of strategic international professionals and our organizations to fully leverage our respective strengths.”

For Stéphane Villecroze, Managing Partner at Demeter: “We are delighted with this cooperation agreement between our two management companies which share a common vision and culture. Our primary objective is to enable the emergence of the future champions of the ecological and energy transition markets which are entering a new operational dimension.”

This cooperation agreement will share expertise in the energy transition sector, performance goals, a culture of responsibility and commitment as investors as well as proven experience in actively supporting entrepreneurs. Demeter and Cycle Capital are looking forward to growing asset value, sharing human capital and eventual co-investment opportunities.

Demeter has just been selected by the City of Paris to set up and manage the Paris Green Fund, a territorial growth investment fund financing innovative and fast-growing SMEs for sustainable cities.

About Cycle Capital Management
Cycle Capital Management (www.www.cyclecapital.com ) is an impact investor and the most active cleantech venture capital investment platform in Canada. With offices in Montreal, Toronto and Qingdao, in mainland China, and a presence in New York and Seattle, Cycle Capital holds more than $350M under management and invests across North America and China in mid-market companies that have developed technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and optimize resource use and processes.

About Demeter
Demeter (www.demeter-im.com) is a major European player in private equity for ecological and energy transition. Its funds invest from €500K to €30M to support companies in this sector at all stages of their development: innovative startups, fast-growing SMEs and midcaps companies as well as infrastructure projects. Demeter’s team, which includes 33 people based in Paris, Grenoble, Metz and Madrid, manages €1B and has completed 120 investments in 12 years.

 

Catherine Bérubé
Head of communications and public relations, Cycle Capital Management
[email protected]
+1 514 629-1022

Sandra Markovic Da Rocha
Demeter
+33 1 43 12 53 44
[email protected]

 

Cycle Capital Management announces the appointment of Pascal Drouin as Junior Partner

Montréal, January 11, 2018 – André-Lise Méthot, Founder and Managing Partner of Cycle Capital Management, Canada’s most active cleantech venture capital investment platform, is pleased to announce the appointment of the current Principal, Pascal Drouin, as junior partner.

“The skills and experience gained by Pascal over the years allowed him to build a strong expertise in portfolio management, risk management as well as financial analysis and modeling. Thanks to his commitment in seeing companies in our portfolio succeed and his team spirit, Pascal is a valuable asset for Claude Vachet and I and a great addition to the partner’s team,” says André-Lise Méthot.

“To join Cycle Capital’s seasoned team of partners is a great recognition and I am eager to keep on working with the entrepreneurs in order to create value for their companies and be able to contribute in an even more active way to the development of our international investment platform,” adds Pascal Drouin, Junior Partner at Cycle Capital.

Pascal Drouin originally joined the Cycle Capital team in 2013 as the Principal, position he held up to today. He has over ten years of experience in various roles, including portfolio and risk management.
Before joining Cycle Capital, Pascal Drouin was a financial analyst for Multiple Capital, role for which he was involved in multiple investment cases covering different sectors, including high-tech, information technology and biotech. He then shifted to the corporate credit field by joining GE Capital, where he was responsible for the development and the implementation of credit score models for their Canadian portfolio. Pascal graduated from HEC Montreal with a Bachelor in business administration and a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in management.

About Cycle Capital Management
Cycle Capital Management (CCM) is an impact investor and the most active cleantech venture capital firm in Canada with more than $350M AUM (assets under management). With offices in Montreal, Toronto and Qingdao, in continental China, and a presence in New York and Seattle, CCM invests in companies at the development and growth stages that commercializes clean technologies striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, optimizing resource use and improving process efficiency throughout North America.

CCM regroups seasoned investment professionals, strategic advisors and industrial partners with in-depth knowledge of the sector. The firm has a special relationship with its strategic partners, notably Brookfield Renewable Energy, Rio Tinto, Cascades, Group M3, Lonza, Gaz Métro, Systemex Énergies, Aluminerie Alouette and Hydro-Québec. For more information on Cycle Capital Management, visit: www.cyclecapital.com .

 

Catherine Bérubé
Head of communications and public relations
[email protected]
+1 514 629-1022

 

Haier-Ririshun Lejia closes 50M RMB investment from Qingdao Chengtou Haisi Cycle Equity Investment Fund

BEIJING, CHINA – December 8, 2017 – Haier-Ririshun Lejia, an affiliate of Haier, China’s leading consumer electronics and home appliances company, announced today it has received a 50M RMB funding from Qingdao Chengtou Haisi Cycle Equity Investment Fund (Qingdao Haisi Cycle Fund). Haier-Ririshun Lejia is a provider of integrated, technology-enabled solutions to e-commerce service providers and consumers to improve last mile package delivery and extended warranties.

Qi Yunshan, Vice President of Haier Electronics Group and the Chairman of Haier-Ririshun Lejia, announced the funding in the presence of Xing Luzheng, Chairman of the Qingdao City Construction Investment Group and Andrée-Lise Méthot, Founder and Managing partner of Cycle Capital Management. The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change of Canada and Chen Liang, Director General of Foreign Economic Cooperation Office at the Ministry of Environmental Protection also witnessed the announcement.

The 50M RMB funding is the first investment of the newly established Qingdao Haisi Cycle Fund, a 600 M RMB industrial hi-tech venture capital fund that invests in technology-focused growth stage companies in China and North America that stand to benefit from cross-border collaboration. This investment will enable the development of an efficient and customized package delivery and service platform serving large network of locations and communities across China and addressing critical logistics and supply bottlenecks in e-commerce product delivery.

“We’re very proud that the first investment of the Qingdao Haisi Cycle Fund – a joint venture between Cycle Capital Management with Qingdao City Construction Investment Group, is in Haier-Ririshun Lejia, alongside Haier Group. By leveraging our financial and strategic resources, we are well positioned to support the management team and add value to the company through providing complementary technology connections, business strategy and expansion of market reach, including cross-boarder opportunities,” said Andrée-Lise Méthot, Founder and Managing Partner of Cycle Capital Management. “We also believe this investment will serve as a foundation for broadening collaboration with electronics and home appliances giant Haier Group in emerging technologies, global business acceleration and new initiatives.”

“This funding not only provide new capital to deploy our activities and services throughout China. With both Chinese and a North American investor on board, this funding is a clear demonstration that the technology we’ve developed has a great potential on global markets – a very important seal of approval for Haier-Ririshun Lejia” said Qi Yunshan, Vice President of Haier Electronics Group and the Chairman of Haier-Ririshun Lejia.

About Haier-Ririshun Lejia
Haier-Ririshun Lejia is an integrated service brand of Haier Group, the world’s leading home appliance provider. Haier-Ririshun Lejia is a specialized cluster service platform that aims to be a leading platform in post E-commerce era while Haier Group’s mission is to create innovative home appliances that anticipate the fast-changing needs of consumers all around the world.

About Qingdao City Construction Investment Group
Established in 2008, Qingdao City Construction Investment Group (Chengtou) is wholly owned by Qingdao municipal government and has total assets of 150 B RMB. In order to serve Qingdao’s strategic goal of developing a livable, auspicious and energetic metropolis, Chengtou engages in infrastructure construction, land and property development and investment, solar power generation, healthcare and environmental protection industries, financial services, international capital management, basic materials trading and education via 128 tertiary subsidiaries.

Chengtou plays a significant role in the economic development of Qingdao and has been innovative to improve market-oriented modes of operation in order to turn government resources into enterprises assets, enterprises assets into social capital, and social capital into enterprises capital. It has introduced a number of well-known state-owned key enterprises and municipal supporting units to accelerate the integration and development of land resources enhance land value and achieve win-win development.

About Cycle Capital Management
Cycle Capital Management (CCM) is an impact investor and the most active cleantech venture capital firm in Canada with almost $400M AUM (assets under management). With offices in Montreal, Toronto and Qingdao, and a presence in New York and Seattle, CCM invests in companies at the development and commercialization stages that commercializes clean technologies striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, optimizing resource use and improving process efficiency throughout North America.

CCM regroups seasoned investment professionals, strategic advisors and industrial partners with in-depth knowledge of the sector. The firm has a special relationship with its strategic partners, notably Brookfield Renewable Energy, Rio Tinto, Cascades, Group M3, Lonza, Gaz Métro, Systemex Énergies, Aluminerie Alouette and Hydro-Québec. For more information on Cycle Capital Management, visit: www.cyclecapital.com .

 

Catherine Bérubé
Head of communications and public relations
[email protected]
+1 514 629-1022

 

Qingdao Chengtou Haisi Cycle Equity Investment Fund closes 600 Million RMB industrial hi-tech Fund

BEIJING, CHINA – December 8, 2017 – Qingdao City Construction Investment Group (Chengtou) and Cycle Capital Management, Canada’s leading cleantech venture capital platform, announced today the first closing of the Qingdao Chengtou Haisi Cycle Equity Investment Fund (Qingdao Haisi Cycle Fund), in the presence of the Honorable Catherine McKenna, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Chen Liang, Director General of Foreign Economic Cooperation Office at the Ministry of Environmental Protection.

A New Industrial Investor in the global venture capital ecosystem
The Qingdao Haisi Cycle Fund, a 600 M RMB industrial hi-tech venture capital fund, will play an important role in the global funding ecosystem by investing growth stage capital in industrial technology startups in China, Canada and North America, and leveraging China and Canada’s forces. As a new investment vehicle, the Qingdao Haisi Cycle Fund therefore embodies a collaboration between two major players at the forefront of developing innovative, technology-enabled solutions to major global challenges such as industry dislocations and climate change.

“The environment and the economy go together. We know that private investments, like the one announced today, will drive the transition to the low carbon economy and are important in helping accelerate clean growth,” said the Honorable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of the Government of Canada.

“Through this joint endeavor with Chengtou, Cycle Capital aims at fostering the development of high potential innovative businesses across China, Canada and North America. By building a bridge, we will be able to provide better access to capital and strategic resources to the startups – key elements to enable the emergence of disruptive technologies by flagship businesses that are competitive in the global market,” said Andrée-Lise Méthot, Founder and Managing Partner of Cycle Capital Management. “From a Canadian and North American perspective, this partnership will provide interesting opportunities for Cycle Capital’s portfolio companies wishing to expand and invest in China.

The Qingdao Haisi Cycle Fund is already operating and has made its first investment of 50M RMB in Haier-Ririshun Lejia, which provides an integrated technology-enabled, delivery platform to both service providers and the user community, with efficient and customized solutions. Haier-Ririshun Lejia is an affiliate of Haier, a technological leader in consumer electronics and appliances based in Qingdao. The Qingdao Haisi Cycle Fund is actively evaluating a rich pipeline of investment opportunities and welcomes inquiries and collaboration with entrepreneurs and co-investors.

About Qingdao City Construction Investment Group
Established in 2008, Qingdao City Construction Investment Group (Chengtou) is wholly owned by Qingdao municipal government and has total assets of 150 B RMB. In order to serve Qingdao’s strategic goal of developing a livable, auspicious and energetic metropolis, Chengtou engages in infrastructure construction, land and property development and investment, solar power generation, healthcare and environmental protection industries, financial services, international capital management, basic materials trading and education via 128 tertiary subsidiaries.

Chengtou plays a significant role in the economic development of Qingdao and has been innovative to improve market-oriented modes of operation in order to turn government resources into enterprises assets, enterprises assets into social capital, and social capital into enterprises capital. It has introduced a number of well-known state-owned key enterprises and municipal supporting units to accelerate the integration and development of land resources enhance land value and achieve win-win development.

About Cycle Capital Management
Cycle Capital Management (CCM) is an impact investor and the most active cleantech venture capital firm in Canada with almost $400M AUM (assets under management). With offices in Montreal, Toronto and Qingdao, and a presence in New York and Seattle, CCM invests in companies at the development and commercialization stages that commercializes clean technologies striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, optimizing resource use and improving process efficiency throughout North America.

CCM regroups seasoned investment professionals, strategic advisors and industrial partners with in-depth knowledge of the sector. The firm has a special relationship with its strategic partners, notably Brookfield Renewable Energy, Rio Tinto, Cascades, Group M3, Lonza, Gaz Métro, Systemex Énergies, Aluminerie Alouette and Hydro-Québec. For more information on Cycle Capital Management, visit: www.cyclecapital.com .

 

Catherine Bérubé
Head of communications and public relations
[email protected]
+1 514 629-1022