HarbourVest opens in Toronto

HarbourVest Partners has opened an office in Toronto and has hired Senia Rapisarda from BDC Venture Capital as a principal.

Rapisarda joined HarbourVest to focus on partnership and direct co-investments in Canada and to expand HarbourVest's local presence in the market, according to a statement. At BDC Venture, Rapisarda was responsible for the establishment of a team focused on direct and indirect investments across Canada. Her previous experience includes positions at Nur Energie in London, London Business School, Nomura International, and Salomon Brothers, among other roles.

“Senia brings significant Canadian growth equity investment experience to our team and complements our firm's global perspective,” Rob Wadsworth, managing director at HarbourVest, said.

HarbourVest currently manages $1.5 billion on behalf of several institutional Canadian investors. The firm has been investing in Canada since 1989, with more than $425 million of indirect investments into over 200 Canadian companies through primary fund investments and secondary investments and investments of $40 million in Canadian growth equity transactions. The firm plans to increase its focus on Canada and its sourcing of primary fund investments, secondary deals, and direct co-investment opportunities across the market.

HarbourVest provides investment programs and customised solutions focused on venture capital, buyout, mezzanine debt, credit, and real assets through primary fund investments, secondary purchases, and direct co-investments.

The firm has more than 300 employees, including 80 investment professionals, deployed in Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States. In more than 30 years of investing in private equity, the team has committed more than $25 billion to newly-formed funds, completed more than $11 billion in secondary purchases, and invested $4 billion directly in operating companies.