TORONTO – Paul Desmarais III, Chairman & CEO of Sagard Holdings and Co-Founder of Portag3 Ventures (“Portag3”), and Adam Felesky, Portag3’s CEO, today announced that Hélène Falchier has joined Portag3’s rapidly-expanding team as a Partner.
Based in France, Hélène will be a key member of the Portag3 investment team with a primary focus on sourcing and driving investment opportunities in Europe.
“Hélène Falchier was a champion of fintech long before it was en vogue. In that sense she is a true pioneer. We’re honoured to have someone of her calibre and experience driving our investment efforts in Europe,” said Felesky. “Hélène’s unique leadership skills and expansive network will help us identify the best opportunities and invest in the top entrepreneurs in the region.”
Falchier joins Portag3 from CNP Assurances (“CNP”) where she served as CEO of its corporate venture program, Open CNP. Falchier was also CNP’s Head of Private Equity, managing a portfolio of €7.5bn with investments in Europe and the U.S., over an 11-year career with the company.
Falchier is also known for her role as chairperson of the AFIC LPs Club (French Association for Investors for Growth). Portag3 worked with Falchier in her capacity as a director of French-based online health insurance company Alan, in which both Open CNP and Portag3 invested in 2016.
“I am thrilled to be joining the Portag3 team as we continue to invest in and help build great financial technology companies,” said Falchier. “Portag3’s team, vision, long-term view of investing, active involvement in portfolio companies and global reach attracted me to the platform.”
Portag3 recently announced the initial closing of Portag3 Ventures II LP (“Fund II”), its second fintech venture fund focused on early stage investments in the global financial technology sector, which included outside investors such as National Bank of Canada (TSX: NA), Intact Financial Corporation (TSX: IFC), Guardian Capital Group (TSX: GCG), Equitable Bank (TSX: EQB), La Capitale Insurance and Financial Group and SSQ Insurance. Subsequent closings are expected to bring Fund II commitments to over $300M.
About Portage Ventures
Portage Ventures, the venture capital arm of multi-asset class alternative investment firm Sagard, is an early-stage investor dedicated to supporting financial technology companies. Its team has deep entrepreneurial and industry experience and provides its portfolio company founders with privileged access to its partners, in-house experts, and a broader global ecosystem. Portage Ventures has a presence in Montreal, Toronto, New York, San Francisco and Paris.
For more information, contact: Adam Daifallah, 514-316-7089, [email protected].