“Brent was a true partner in our process and I felt at all times, he was looking out for our best interests. From the very beginning, instead of telling us something unreasonable, he gave us a realistic expectation of value and timing. He then dove very deep into the business and worked closely with our team to build a process that would exceed expectations, making sure that all feedback and analysis along the way was incorporated into furture presentations and financials. With respect to our process, we decided to be VERY choosy, and only show our information to private equity firms that we felt were the right fit. We found that Brent had high level contacts at all of these firms and more. Throughout the process Brent ALWAYS demonstrated that he cared far more about what was right for BuildDirect.com, than the transaction - or commission. By doing that, Builddirect found its perfect investor, and I found a financial advisor that I am more than happy to recommend.”
Brent Holliday
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
5K followers
500+ connections
About
Over fourteen years of M&A advisory services for technology companies in Western Canada. Since early 2013, founded a cross-Canada, technology focused M&A advisory firm and Exempt Market Dealer, Garibaldi Capital Advisors.
Some recent technology transactions:
Advised Laundroworks on its sale to Cents (payment technology)
Advised Lodestar Technologies on its sale to Evergreen (fintech software)
Advised Geotime on its sale to Penlink (law enforcement software SaaS)
Advised 55 Rush on its investment from Plus Group (marketing Tech enabled service)
Advised Chalk Education on its sale to Powerschool (EdTech)
Advised FinCAD on its sale to Zafin (fintech SaaS)
Advised on Tranquility Online sale to Greenshield (mobile digital health)
Advised on CoolIT financing by nVent and BDC Clean Tech Fund (hardware)
Advised on Inkblot Sale to Greenshield (digital health)
Advised Founded on its sale to RBC Ventures (legal tech SaaS)
Advised Navarik on its sale to Vela Systems (vertical SaaS
Advised Locality Systems on its sale to Inpixon (location as a Service)
Helped CoolIT Systems raise $10m in debt financing
Advised Lasso Data Systems on sale to ECi Software (prop tech SaaS)
Helped Rise People Raise $24m from Sun Life (HR SaaS)
Advised Densify on a growth raise from Sigma
Advised Aquatic Informatics on sale/merger with Waterlink/XPV Water Partners
Helped Dream Payments in $10m capital raise (advised company)
Mobify raised $10m+ (advised company)
Cymax raised over $30m in two transactions (advised company)
Aras 360 sale to Faro Technologies (advised seller)
Vision Critical Secondary Financing $28m (advised selling shareholders)
Retsly sale to Zillow (advised seller)
InMotion $23m sale to Sierra Wireless (advised seller)
BuildDirect $30m private placement from Mohr Davidow, Dynamic, Difference Capital and BDC
BroadbandTV $36m majority stake from RTL Group in Europe
Active angel investor
Twelve years of early stage venture capital investing for The Western Technology Seed Investment Fund and Greenstone Venture Partners, both in Vancouver, BC.
Invested in over 20 information technology companies.
Three years of start-up software management prior to joining the venture industry.
Column Writer (Tech Talk) for BC Business Magazine from 2008-2013
Specialties: Vancouver and Western Canada technology companies, capital raising, broad understanding of technology markets, mergers & acquisitions
Activity
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Massive deal today. A Burnaby company just nabbed what is likely the largest #VentureCapital investment in a Canadian technology company: US$900…
Massive deal today. A Burnaby company just nabbed what is likely the largest #VentureCapital investment in a Canadian technology company: US$900…
Liked by Brent Holliday
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Talked to Glen before we knew the amount and the company... so impressive, especially in a tougher capital environment. Jack Newton is a beauty. Very…
Talked to Glen before we knew the amount and the company... so impressive, especially in a tougher capital environment. Jack Newton is a beauty. Very…
Shared by Brent Holliday
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Rolling off our Canadian production lines!
Rolling off our Canadian production lines!
Liked by Brent Holliday
Volunteer Experience
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Director
The Upside Foundation of Canada
- Present 8 years 8 months
Science and Technology
The Upside Foundation is a cash free, easy way to have start-ups participate in Corporate Social Responsibility. By donating up to 1% of the company in stock options early on, a company can share the upside with the charities of their choice when they IPO or sell down the road.
Publications
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BC Business Tech Talk
http://www.bcbusinessonline.ca/opinion/tech-talk
See publicationMonthly technology focused column in BC Business. The cartoon caricature is not really me...
Honors & Awards
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BIV Top 40 Under 40
Business In Vancouver
Someone thought I was worth nominating... When I was 33 and hadn't done a whole lot yet. My class of 2000? Darren Entwistle of Telus, Adam Lorant of Abatis and Paul Terry of Abatis, among others. Felt slightly inferior at the awards banquet.
Recommendations received
5 people have recommended Brent
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I think we all have to take a step back, especially us old guys who have been in the technology and finance business well before Google existed... (I…
I think we all have to take a step back, especially us old guys who have been in the technology and finance business well before Google existed... (I…
Shared by Brent Holliday
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Day 2 of Uniting the Prairies in Saskatoon! Thank you Danielle Brewin Graham for all your guidance and making this possible for me and Vessl…
Day 2 of Uniting the Prairies in Saskatoon! Thank you Danielle Brewin Graham for all your guidance and making this possible for me and Vessl…
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