Fundraising Fox

Damien Steel

Investor

Managing Partner and Global Head of Ventures at OMERS Ventures

Toronto, Ontario

Writes $5M – $25M checks · typically $15M

About

Operator-turned-investor who founded and exited a tech-enabled healthcare business, he deploys his pension fund's infrastructure and real-estate assets to create strategic startup partnerships, criticizes valuation hype, and leads Deep Sky.

Invests in

AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareFintechHealthtechSaaS

Experience

  1. HOOPP (Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan)Chief Technology, Data & AI Officercurrent2026 — presentToronto, ON
  2. Whitecap Venture PartnersVenture Partner2026Toronto, ON
  3. Deep SkyAdvisor2025 — 2026Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  4. Deep SkyChief Executive Officer2023 — 2025Montreal, Quebec, Canada
  5. OMERS VenturesSr. Advisor2023 — 2024Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  6. OMERS VenturesManaging Partner and Head of Ventures2011 — 2023Toronto, Canada Area
  7. TouchBistroBoard Director2018 — 2024Toronto, Canada Area
  8. HopperBoard Director2016 — 2024Montreal, Canada Area
  9. HootsuiteBoard Observer2020 — 2023
  10. DuckDuckGoBoard Observer2019 — 2023
  11. KlipfolioBoard Director2015 — 2023Ottawa, Canada Area
  12. Kaleo SoftwareBoard Director2015 — 2022Greater Los Angeles Area
  13. FusebillBoard Director2013 — 2021Ottawa, Canada Area
  14. Wave HQBoard Director2012 — 2019Toronto, Canada Area
  15. Felix & Paul StudiosBoard Director2017 — 2019Montreal, Canada Area
  16. DogVacayBoard Observer2016 — 2017Santa Monica, California
  17. BusbudBoard Director2015 — 2017Montreal, Canada Area
  18. LeadSiftChairman of the Board2013 — 2016Halifax, Canada Area
  19. MojixBoard Observer2015
  20. PasswordBoxBoard Director2013 — 2014Montreal, Canada Area

Education

  1. Wilfrid Laurier UniversityBachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.)1997 — 2001
  2. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)CFA
  3. Qualified as a Chartered Accountant (CPA)CPA

Skills & more

Venture Capital83Fund ManagementBoard GovernanceExecutive LeadershipTeam BuildingCapital RaisingCorporate Governanceinvestment committeeInvestments21Mergers3Private Equity10Due Diligence12
+12 moreBusiness StrategyStrategic PlanningCorporate FinanceValuationStart-upsFinancial ModelingBudgetingFinancial AnalysisEnterprise SoftwareEntrepreneurshipIPOStrategy

Languages English · French

From Damien's professional profile.

Colleagues at OMERS Ventures

Alyssa Spagnolo
Associate at OMERS Ventures
Ben Fu
Partner at OMERS Ventures
Brian Kobus
Investor at OMERS Ventures
Charlie Renzoni
Investor at OMERS Ventures
Chrissy Farr
Principal at OMERS Ventures
Claire Webster
Investor at OMERS Ventures
Dave Wechsler
Principal at OMERS Ventures
Eugene Lee
Investor at OMERS Ventures

Network10

Mamoon HamidScout
Partner at Kleiner Perkins
Chrissy FarrScout
Principal at OMERS Ventures
Henry GladwynScout
Investor at OMERS Ventures
Jambu PalaniappanScout
Managing Partner at OMERS Ventures
Lily ShawScout
Associate at OMERS Ventures
Alyssa Spagnolo
Associate at OMERS Ventures
Charlie Renzoni
Investor at OMERS Ventures
Dave Wechsler
Principal at OMERS Ventures
Eugene Lee
Investor at OMERS Ventures
Ken Nickerson
Venture Partner at OMERS Ventures

Investors connected to Damien in public investor directories — a warm-intro map.

Frequently asked questions

Where does Damien Steel work?
Damien Steel is Managing Partner and Global Head of Ventures at OMERS Ventures.
What does Damien Steel invest in?
Damien Steel invests in AI & Machine Learning, Enterprise Software, Fintech, Healthtech, SaaS.
What check size does Damien Steel write?
Damien Steel typically writes checks of $5M – $25M.

Founder mafias

Wilfrid Laurier University mafia15

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Mike GrantisBachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Co-op OptionFounded General TensorMark SteeleLazaridis Institute for the Management of Technology EnterprisesFounded Level AccessMarc MorinMBAFounded Auvik NetworksAmanda ZhuBachelor of Business Administration - BBAFounded Recall.aiJason GillhamMaster of Business Administration - MBAFounded Impossible MetalsPaul LiBachelor’s DegreeFounded MSPilot

+ 8 more

OMERS Ventures mafia4

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Peter CarresciaManaging DirectorFounded GoConfirm +1Taku MurahwiInvestment teamFounded CapIntelDave WechslerPrincipalFounded Radiator Labs

Hootsuite mafia2

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Gary AmaralSenior Director, Demand GenerationFounded Breadcrumbs.io

Klipfolio mafia2

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Evan FarrellSoftware Developer (Co-op)Founded Path

Password Box mafia2

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Mike CegelskiAdvisor & ShareholderFounded iBwave

Same school

Also attended Wilfrid Laurier University65

David BorcsokPartner at Mucker CapitalSaar PikarInvestor at OMERS VenturesGurdeep PrewalCo-founder & General Partner at Rocana VenturesMike GrantisManaging Partner at Contango Digital AssetsArmand ObrejaTalent Manager at Icon VenturesBeverly CheungLegal Counsel at Headline

+ 59 more

Shared employers

Also worked at Hopper11

Laura LenzInvestor at OMERS VenturesJack FraserPartner at BDC Venture CapitalDinar AhmedPartner at BDC Venture CapitalJimmy ZhuSenior Principal at Blumberg CapitalSteven ChungVice President at Inovia CapitalRiku SeppäläGeneral Partner at Icebreaker

+ 5 more

Also worked at DuckDuckGo3

Brian KobusInvestor at OMERS VenturesRobert AndersonPartner at FTV CapitalEric GarlandCo-Founder, Managing Partner at Smash Capital

Also worked at Wave HQ6

Mamoon HamidPartner at Kleiner PerkinsPeter MisekManaging Partner and Co-Founder at Framework Venture PartnersKevin KimsaCo-Founder and Managing Partner at Climate Innovation CapitalJames LochrieManaging Partner at Thin Air LabsPeter CarresciaVenture Capitalist and Web3.0 Founder at FuturesightAjay GopalPartner at Framework Venture Partners

Also worked at Mojix1

Paul SchautVenture Advisor at Mercury Fund