HarbourVest Partners has opened an office in Toronto and has hired Senia Rapisarda as a Principal to focus on partnership and direct co-investments in Canada and to expand HarbourVest’s local presence in the market. Ms. Rapisarda has been working with HarbourVest for over a year on a consulting basis to explore the Canadian market opportunity.
“We are pleased to announce our latest global office in Toronto and to welcome Senia Rapisarda to our team. Senia brings significant Canadian growth equity investment experience to our team and complements our firm’s global perspective,” said Rob Wadsworth, managing director at HarbourVest. “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.”
HarbourVest has been an active investor in Canada and currently manages US$1.5 billion on behalf of several institutional Canadian investors. Since 1989 the firm has made more than US$425 million of indirect investments into over 200 Canadian companies through primary fund investments and secondary investments, and made investments of US$40 million in Canadian growth equity transactions.
With the opening of the Toronto office, HarbourVest plans to increase its focus on Canada and its sourcing of primary fund investments, secondary deals, and direct co-investment opportunities.
Ms. Rapisarda joins HarbourVest from BDC Venture Capital, where she was responsible for the establishment of a team focused on direct and indirect investments across Canada. Her previous experience includes positions at Nur Energie in London, London Business School, Nomura International, and Salomon Brothers. Ms. Rapisarda speaks fluent Italian, French, and Spanish. Her educational background includes a JD from LUISS University in Rome and a Masters in Law and Economics from Columbia University. She is an Italian citizen who holds permanent resident status in Canada.
HarbourVest invests in venture capital, buyout, mezzanine debt, credit, and real estate through primary fund investments, secondary purchases, and direct co-investments. The firm has more than 300 employees, including 80 investment professionals, located in Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States. In over 30 years of investing in private equity, HarbourVest has committed more than $25 billion to newly-formed funds, completed over $11 billion in secondary purchases, and invested $4 billion directly in operating companies. The firm has offices in Boston, London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Bogotá, Beijing, and now Toronto (www.harbourvest.com).
© 2015 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 4-9-15
