Accelia Capital Research
Investment Thesis
Accelia Capital is a Montreal-based venture capital fund whose mission is to propel innovative, high-technological-potential companies while accelerating female leadership in technology. The fund was launched at the end of 2021 to address a demonstrated funding gap for female entrepreneurs in venture capital. Accelia's stated value proposition is "Diversity. Performance. Impact." — it aims for strong financial returns while building a diversified, durable wealth base in the local economy by backing companies owned or led by women. Accelia defines a "company owned or led by women" as one where at least one woman holds a significant leadership position, or where a female owner holds a minimum of 15% equity. The fund's goal is to reach 70% female-founded/led companies in its portfolio, while remaining open to strong non-qualifying teams it can help diversify over time.
Sector Focus
Accelia is largely sector-agnostic within technology, investing across whatever vertical the strongest women-led teams are building in. Its current portfolio spans cybersecurity (Boost Security), women's/digital health (Eli Health, Blair Health), cyber-insurance sales enablement (Inscora), HR and background-check technology (Trustii, Workind), FinOps/logistics fintech (Velix), AI marketing (Glowtify), influencer marketing/adtech (Heylist), proptech/land technology (Landerz), geological AI for mining and tunneling (GroundedAI), AI-and-robotics-generated art (Acrylic Robotics), eco-responsible consumer manufacturing (Myni), and personalized AI dermocosmetics (Omy Laboratoires). A growing share of the portfolio integrates applied AI as a core product differentiator.
Stage Focus
Accelia invests in companies that have completed development of a product or service and gained initial market validation — effectively seed and early post-seed stage. The FAQ is explicit that targets must already have a minimum viable product, some recurring sales, and visible signs of growth acceleration.
Check Size
Accelia's own FAQ states a first (initial) investment of a minimum of $300,000 and a maximum of $1,000,000 CAD, with reserves typically deployed as follow-on in later rounds of portfolio companies (e.g., Eli Health's $12M Series A, Boost Security's $4M add-on round).
Lead Tendency
Accelia states it is "comfortable leading, co-leading, or participating" in financing rounds. Recent deal flow shows a mix: it appears to have co-led Blair Health's $4.24M pre-seed (alongside BDC's Thrive Venture Fund and Ogaei) and is a named participant/co-investor in most other recent rounds (Velix, GroundedAI, Boost Security, Cinareo, Trustii, Inscora, Omy Laboratoires).
Recent Activity
The fund reached $60M in committed capital in April 2023 after welcoming Export Development Canada (EDC) as a fund investor with a $5.6M commitment, making Accelia one of the largest funds in North America dedicated to female entrepreneurship. It has been actively deploying since: 2026 alone has already seen investments in Blair Health (Sep), GroundedAI (Jul), Boost Security add-on (May), and Velix (Feb), alongside two team promotions (Catherine Poulin-Filion to Partner in September 2026, having joined as EVP in January 2026; Julien Roy promoted to Principal/Senior Investment Director in November 2025).
Portfolio Highlights
Sixteen companies are listed in the current portfolio, including two realized exits per PitchBook: Myni (invested 2023, exited 2025) and soNomad (a travel-insurance technology company, invested 2022, exited 2025). Standout recent raises include Eli Health's $12M Series A (led by BDC Capital's Thrive Venture Fund) for its instant hormone-monitoring "Hormometer," and Omy Laboratoires' $11M raise to expand its AI-personalized dermocosmetics line into the U.S.
Team
- Christine Beaubien — Co-founder and Managing Partner. Veteran Quebec technology entrepreneur and venture investor; former co-owner/president of Versus; early member of the Anges Québec angel network; sits/has sat on boards including Réseau Capital, Cominar, FTQ Solidarity Fund, Héma-Québec, and Oxfam-Québec. 2022 Women in Finance Association "Inspiration" award winner.
- Annick Charbonneau — Co-founder and Managing Partner. Founded and led two technology companies; 20+ years in management and technology; board member of Fiera Capital; 2023 recipient of the Réseau des femmes d'affaires du Québec "Femme d'affaires" award in digital technology and innovation.
- Catherine Poulin-Filion — Partner (promoted September 2026, joined January 2026 as EVP). Previously on the venture team at Sectoral Asset Management investing in medtech; earlier equity research at Jefferies in New York covering public medtech companies. Leads the Montreal chapter of Canadian Women in Venture Capital.
- Julien Roy, CPA — Senior Investment Director / Principal (joined 2022, promoted November 2025). Former CEO/co-founder of a neuroscience startup; previously in KPMG's transactions valuation practice.
- Nathalie St-Georges — Head of Administration (joined 2023). 25+ years as an executive assistant in KPMG's advisory practice; previously ran her own administrative-services business for nonprofits.
Decision Process
Small-partnership structure (two managing partners plus a partner and a principal on the investment side) consistent with a partnership decision process rather than a formal investment committee or solo GP.
Founder Preferences
Accelia explicitly prioritizes exceptional, diverse founding teams with deep domain/technology knowledge, an innovative product meeting a real market need, a large and growing addressable market, meaningful recurring revenue, visible growth acceleration, high barriers to entry, and global product potential — filtered primarily, though not exclusively, through majority-women ownership or leadership.
Geographic Focus
Accelia invests roughly 80% in Quebec and 20% in the rest of Canada, per its own FAQ; portfolio company Eli Health is headquartered in New York, indicating some flexibility for portfolio companies expanding into the U.S. market even where the fund's initial check stays Canada-focused.
Introduction Path
Accelia accepts introductions (ideally with references from entrepreneurs, co-investors, service providers, or advisors) and also proactively monitors inbound channels given awareness that underrepresented founders may lack warm-intro access. Unsolicited outreach can go to [email protected] or directly to team members.