I will soon close a significant chapter of my professional journey. After more than 20 years of service, I have announced my upcoming departure from BDC effective July 19. I have thoroughly enjoyed every role I have held over the years, whether in corporate, operations or investment, and I feel privileged to have contributed to BDC’s mission to stimulate the Canadian economy. In the early days of my career, I realized that venture capital could be a powerful connector of ideas and passion to the means in order to accelerate great business accomplishments. Today, 10 years after embarking on our ambitious venture capital endeavor, I could not be prouder of our team’s contribution to building such a strong asset class in Canada. We have scaled BDC Capital’s business from $750 million to over $6 billion, helped build world-class technology leaders, and, perhaps more importantly, demonstrated that Canada harbors some of the most innovative entrepreneurs -- and that they are worth betting on. This would not have been possible without the limited partners (LP) and general partners (GP) community, and all the ecosystem builders I have had the pleasure to collaborate with. I’m extremely grateful to all my current and past BDC colleagues and the entire BDC Capital team. Thank you for your trust, your friendship, and your belief in our collective vision. I’ve appreciated partnering with you and learning from you. You will forever remain a source of inspiration to me. --- Après plus de 20 années passées à BDC, où j’ai occupé des fonctions opérationnelles, en stratégie d’entreprise et d’investissement, j’ai annoncé mon départ de la Banque, effectif à partir du 19 juillet. Il est temps pour moi de tourner la page sur ce qui a été un période riche en opportunités et en apprentissages, entouré d’une communauté profondément engagée et déterminée. À mes collègues actuels et passés de BDC, ainsi qu’à mon équipe de BDC Capital, je vous suis immensément reconnaissant. Merci de votre confiance, de votre amitié et de votre conviction en notre vision collective. J’ai apprécié notre collaboration et appris grandement de vous. Vous resterez une profonde source d’inspiration. À la prochaine! BDC BDC Capital (Canada) Réseau Capital Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (CVCA)
You will be missed. You left your mark. Under your leadership, BDC Capital has moved to a different level. You not only care about your colleagues and portfolio companies. You also care deeply about the strength and quality of the entire VC ecosystem in Canada. This perspective has guided your actions over the years.
Thank you Jerome for your passion and leadership in the Canadian tech ecosystem. Your embrace of new ideas and drive to build new initiatives to continually improve the Canadian VC community has left us all with a more vibrant and resilient venture community. It has been a genuine pleasure working with you for over a decade in the shared cause of making the Canadian innovation economy world class. Best wishes for the next stage of your adventure.
You are a great leader and a great friend Jérôme Nycz. You have tirelessly worked to support venture capital managers and entrepreneurs in Canada over your career, and the results have been phenomenal. I have personally witnessed the positive impact you have had on many lives in the Canadian ecosystem and abroad. The Canadian venture ecosystem is in a better place because of your leadership and the work of your amazing team. That, by itself, is cause for huge recognition and congratulations. But more than that, you have built meaningful, lifelong relationships with those that you have worked with over the years. I'm very grateful to be one of them, and I will always cherish the personal and professional time we have spent together over the years. Wishing you an incredible next phase of your journey!
Eric Noël
2w
Cher Jerome, je lis cette annonce avec tristesse pour la BDC et ceux qui ont eu le plaisir de te côtoyer. Ta curiosité intellectuelle, ton intérêt pour l'innovation et les changements macros, ta lucidité dans un monde empreint d'artifices et de mythes ont maintenu nos liens et, de façon plus importante, ceux avec le terrain des entrepreneurs, consultants et chercheurs. You knew to avoid blind risk-taking and paralyzing risk-thinking. Thanks for your sensible leadership and interest in strategic foresight. Bon succès pour la suite.
Dinar Ahmed
1w
Jérôme, thank you for being an incredible yet empathetic leader. You enabled us all to dream big and to relentlessly support Canada's tech innovation. Your passion for the VC ecosystem has always been contagious. Thank you for giving so many of us, including myself, a shot to tackle hard problems with creativity. You have always enabled leadership skills in everyone around you. I have had many people pull me aside at events or call me over the past few weeks to tell me how much respect they had for you; I was never once surprised, we know all too well the type of person you are. You're a man of the people, and the people will always be your allies. Wishing you continued success in all your future endeavors.
Jérôme Nycz i remember the first time we met 14 years ago now. Canadian VC and BDC were a very different place. I’m inspired by what you’ve accomplished and the impact you’ve had on our country. Your legacy, the team you’ve managed to assemble and the momentum you have are all a testament to your integrity and to the trust you’ve earned by everyone who has had the privilege of working with you. Bravo et merci..!
Jérôme, Congratulations on your many impressive accomplishments over the years at BDC. Your leadership has been instrumental in building and supporting the vibrant VC ecosystem that exists in Canada today. You should be extremely proud of the profound impact you have had, from helping to catalyze capital towards underserved sectors and market segments across the country to helping to build a more resilient ecosystem overall. It was a great pleasure to get to know you and work with you over the years on the BIC and the Board. All the best to you in the next chapter.
Mes meilleurs vœux pour la suite Jérôme. Ton apport et ta contribution à l’écosystème sont exceptionnels. C’est un travail de longue haleine et qui nécessite beaucoup de vision et de persévérance alors que les résultats sont souvent reportés dans le temps. On reconnaît souvent les « quick wins », mais je considère que le travail de toi et tes équipes est réellement remarquable et tu laisses un héritage important pour l’ensemble des acteurs locaux. Merci et au plaisir de collaborer à nouveau!
Jérôme, thank you so much for your profound leadership. You have been such a generous guide for so many, and I consider myself incredibly lucky to have worked for you. I’m not sure if I’ll ever have the opportunity to work with such an empathetic, respectful, intelligent and sincere leader again. I really appreciate the time and effort you take in building people up - and above and beyond that, your role in building the Canadian VC and Growth capital ecosystem over the last decade, which has allowed us all to thrive. Wishing you the all the best in your next steps.
Director, Fund Investments at BDC Capital
3wAmong your many professional accomplishments over the last 20 years, the most remarkable to me is your ability to show genuine empathy as a leader. I will always be grateful for your ability to listen, to encourage, and to tell it like it is. It is hard to imagine BDCC without you. Good luck in this next chapter and know you’ve made an impact on so many of us. Thank you Jérôme.