Toronto · Pre-Seed–Series A · 7 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 · 7 people
from the firm's website & public directories
What they invest in
from 4 of 17 portfolio companiesAI & Machine Learning ×3Enterprise Software ×2SaaS ×2Biotech ×1Fintech ×1GovTech ×1Healthtech ×1LegalTech ×1
HQs:Canada×2United States×1
Investments · 17 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2026 · 12025 · 22016 · 14 dated
Dream Payments (DreamPay) offers an API and in-context payments platform that lets banks, insurers, and software platform providers embed inbound and outbound digital and mobile payment services directly into their customer journeys.
Enterprise SoftwareFintechSaaSToronto, CA
Board seatJanet Bannister· per SEC Form D · $1.5M raise · filed Feb 2017
Co-investorsCeltic House Asia Partners
Chicago, US
Paul Bradley(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardBranden Harper(Director)Andrew Lindner(Director)
Board seatJanet Bannister· per SEC Form D
AI copilot for clinical research
biossil is an AI-native biopharma company developing late-stage drug programs for life-threatening conditions with unmet needs, including sickle cell disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, glioblastoma, breast cancer, and Alzheimer's disease.
AI & Machine LearningBiotechHealthtechToronto, CA
Alexander I. Mosa(MD PhD)Anthony Mouchantaf(JD MBA)
Co-investorsFounders FundPanache Ventures137 VenturesDRI HealthcareGolden VenturesQuiet Capital
Rhenti provides an end-to-end leasing platform for multifamily property owner-operators and property managers, combining ad syndication, a leasing CRM, tour booking, applications, screening, digital lease agreements, and AI assistants to capture and convert rental leads.
AI & Machine LearningPropTechSaaS
Co-investorsHazelview Ventures
Ultimarii develops AI-powered solutions tailored for regulated industries including energy, utilities, and mining, helping professionals accelerate workflows and reduce regulatory friction.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareGovTechLegalTech
Doug Schweitzer(Co-Founder)inJosh Malate(Co-Founder)in
Co-investorsAlpaca VCCorigin VenturesScaleGood Fund LP (powered by TELUS)Thin Air Labs
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.
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesBiossil · theglobeandmail.com · Aug 4, 2026
Ultimarii · calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com · Sep 17, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Staircase Ventures made?
- Staircase Ventures has 15 tracked investments, including 2 dated in the last 24 months.
- 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.
- Who does Staircase Ventures co-invest with?
- Staircase Ventures most often shares deals with Alpaca VC, Corigin Ventures, Hazelview Ventures, among 5 tracked co-investors.
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
Golden Ventures is a seed-stage venture capital firm that backs early-stage technology companies, with a portfolio concentrated in Canada.
Techstars is a startup accelerator and early-stage investor that funds ambitious founders and provides capital, mentorship, and access to a global network of investors, operators, and corporate partners.
FJ Labs is an early-stage investment firm specializing in marketplaces and network-effect businesses, taking an angel-style co-investment approach alongside institutional venture funds worldwide.
Canaan Partners is a venture capital firm with over 30 years of history, backing companies across technology and healthcare sectors through close, hands-on partnerships with founders.
Afore Capital is a $500M pre-seed venture fund that invests in pre-traction, early-stage companies, leveraging product and investment expertise to support founders from day zero.
Lerer Hippeau is an early-stage venture capital firm that backs founders across sectors, emphasizing investing in companies before they gain wider recognition.
Finger Group builds and backs businesses across venture capital and private equity by deploying proprietary capital. The firm works deeply with founding teams on operational matters including sales, recruiting, and financial modeling, measuring success by business quality and team capability rather than short-term returns.
Day One Ventures is an early-stage venture firm that backs mission-driven founders and combines capital with hands-on storytelling, PR, and marketing support to accelerate mass adoption of their technologies.
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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