Staircase Ventures
Venture capitalActively deployingToronto · Pre-Seed–Series A · 14 people tracked
Investment thesis
Staircase Ventures leads pre-seed and seed-stage rounds in Canadian-based technology companies, typically with cheque sizes of $1M to $2M. It targets companies that already have an initial product in market and show early signs of product-market fit. The firm invests primarily in B2B software businesses that use technology to deliver radically improved efficiency or effectiveness for their customers, most of which are pursuing North American or global markets. A distinctive feature of the firm is its shared-carry model: 20% of the GP's carry is set aside for founders and advisors, allocated equally across portfolio companies and vesting over five years, aligning incentives so founders support one another.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 14 people
from the firm's website & public directories
What they invest in
from 1 of 17 portfolio companiesAI & Machine Learning ×1Enterprise Software ×1GovTech ×1LegalTech ×1
HQs:United States×1
Investments · 17 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathToronto
Board seatJanet Bannister· per SEC Form D · $1.5M raise · filed Feb 2017
Chicago, US
Branden Harper(Director)Paul Bradley(Executive Officer, Director)Andrew Lindner(Director)
Board seatJanet Bannister· per SEC Form D · $5.1M raise · filed Mar 2025
AI copilot for clinical research
Rows marked “SEC filing” are inferred from directors named on the company's SEC Form D — public regulatory data, not a portfolio list published by the firm.
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does Staircase Ventures invest at?
- Staircase Ventures invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.
- What is Staircase Ventures's typical check size?
- Staircase Ventures typically writes checks of $1M – $2M.
- What sectors does Staircase Ventures focus on?
- Staircase Ventures focuses on AI & Machine Learning, Enterprise Software, Fintech, Healthtech, PropTech, Retail Tech, SaaS.
- Where is Staircase Ventures located?
- Staircase Ventures is headquartered in Toronto, CA.
- Does Staircase Ventures lead rounds?
- Yes, Staircase Ventures leads investment rounds.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamThe JourneyCast - Janet Bannister from Staircase Ventures
The Journeycast · Janet Bannister
The Secrets of Success | Janet Bannister Kijiji Founder, & Managing Partner at Staircase Ventures
TechTO · Janet Bannister
Images
Co-investors · 12
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Golden Ventures is a seed-stage venture capital firm that backs early-stage technology companies, with a portfolio concentrated in Canada.
Day One Ventures is an early-stage venture firm that backs mission-driven founders and pairs capital with hands-on communications, PR, storytelling and marketing support.
Northside Ventures is a pre-seed venture capital fund backing Canadian founders building software, AI infrastructure, and frontier technology for global markets.
BrandProject Capital is an early-stage venture firm that partners with founders to build consumer brands, investing in pre-seed and seed stage consumer product, service, and technology companies.
Edsby Destinations is a software platform designed for K-12 districts and states to track formative assessment and support outcome-based learning through evidence collection, structured feedback, and real-time progress dashboards.
Emerald Development Managers is an early-stage investor that backs scientific and engineering teams, providing capital, expertise, and time to help entrepreneurs bring innovative solutions to market and grow toward profitability.
Firms observed investing alongside Staircase Ventures, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with Staircase Ventures's recorded portfolio.
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