The TMX Group is attempting to find ways to increase access to growth capital for companies in Canada’s innovation economy. It is funding the Advancing Innovation Roundtable, led by Salil Munjal, general partner at Yaletown Partners, that will recommend ways to improve the current situation.

"Canadian capital markets are vital to helping entrepreneurs through the crucial start-up phase, but also later in the financing chain as their companies scale up to become market leaders. The Roundtable recommendations will help accelerate the growth of Canadian businesses and better position Canada's economy for high-quality economic development and job creation,” said Lou Eccleston, CEO at TMX Group.

“Salil's experience in both the private and public markets as a leading investor and successful business leader positions him well to help guide the Roundtable,” he added.

The specific goal for the Roundtable, which is expected to formally launch in September, will be to deliver a set of actionable recommendations in early 2017 on how to successfully scale globally competitive enterprises in a variety of sectors including technology, clean technology, life sciences and advanced manufacturing. It will consult with industry stakeholders, investors and financial leaders who are key partners in building Canada into a competitive innovation country.

Roundtable members will include senior leaders from the Canadian investment community, including pension plan groups, banks, endowments, venture capital firms and private equity funds.

"Where Canada lags behind our global peers is in the development of market-leading technology companies with significant scale. The Roundtable will explore new strategies to increase the supply of growth capital to develop large, next generation companies in Canada,” said Munjal.