HarbourVest expands into Canada

HarbourVest Partners has expanded into Canada by opening an office in Toronto, according to a statement.

“Our first office and dedicated team in country enable HarbourVest to expand our long history of investing in Canadian private market opportunities and to provide our clients with access to compelling investment opportunities,” managing director Rob Wadsworth said in the statement.

HarbourVest has hired Senia Rapisarda as a principal to expand the firm’s presence in the region, focusing on partnerships and co-investments.

Rapisarda has been working with HarbourVest on a consulting basis to explore the Canadian market for over a year. Previously she worked at BDC Venture Capital where she was vice-president of strategic initiatives and investments and established a direct and indirect investment team across Canada.

“Senia brings significant Canadian growth equity investment experience to our team and complements our firm’s global perspective,” Wadsworth added.

Rapisarda has also worked as a consultant for Nur Energie in London, an industry advisor for the London Business School Private Equity Institute. Previously she was a director at advisory firm Ariadne Capital and head of the technology venture capital group at Nomura, according to her LinkedIn profile.

HarbourVest currently manages $1.5 billion on behalf of Canadian institutional investors, the statement disclosed.