Background

Established in January 2010 in Montreal, VCIC Inc. is the Canadian subsidiary of CM-CIC Capital Finance, the Crédit Mutuel CIC group's investment and merchant bank division. This division is a key player in venture capital in France, with more than 2.6 billion euros' worth of equity under management and 620 companies in its portfolios. It is born form the merger of three Crédit Mutuel CIC group's historical entities: Banque de Vizille, Institut de Participations de l'Ouest and CIC Finance.

 

VCIC traces its early roots in CM-CIC Capital Finance which offers a full range of investment services (venture capital, expansion capital, LBO) and merchant bank services (merger/acquisition and stock transaction advice). With a strong presence in France's technology venture capital sector through its subsidiary CM-CIC Capital Innovation based in Lyon, it operates on its own equity resources which enables to work over the long term (evergreen) while guaranteeing total decision-making independence.

 

In January 2010, wishing to provide the companies in its portfolio with support for their international development projects-particularly in North America- CM-CIC Capital Finance decided to create a subsidiary in Canada, VCIC Inc. Its objective was twofold: to invest in Canadian technology companies while offering them a European entry point, and to establish a support and exchange platform for companies in its portfolio.

 

A complete offering for the long term

 

 

Key figures 2010, CM-CIC Capital Finance

 

2.6 billions euros Equity under management   620 Companies in the portfolio   152 millions euros Net Income

235 millions euros annual investments (2010) from own equity resources   191 millions euros Net Banking income   108 People