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Black Opportunity Fund launches investment firm to support Black Canadian entrepreneurs

(7 months ago)
Jameson Berkow
Business

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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️

The Black Opportunity Fund, a charity established in 2020, is launching BOF Capital, a new investment firm. BOF Capital aims to raise $150 million through a $100 million private equity growth fund and a $50 million shared equity housing fund to support Black Canadian entrepreneurs and address systemic barriers like low home ownership rates.

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  1. 1 2020: Black Opportunity Fund formed (response to George Floyd's murder)
  2. 2 January (current year): Gajan Kulasingam began helping establish BOF Capital
  3. 3 May 28, 2025: Article published, BOF Capital set to launch Wednesday
  4. 4 Late Summer (current year): Anchor investors expected to lock up
  5. 5 Late September/Early October (current year): Capital deployment planned to start
  6. 6 Early 2026: Funds expected to be fully funded
  • Increased access to financing for Black Canadian entrepreneurs
  • Potential increase in home ownership rates among Black Canadians
  • Addressing wealth gap disparities
  • BOF charity potentially becoming self-funding
What: The Black Opportunity Fund is launching BOF Capital, a new investment firm with a private equity growth fund and a shared equity housing fund.
When: BOF Capital is set to launch on Wednesday (May 29, 2025, given the article date); fundraising efforts are underway with targets for late summer (anchor investors) and early 2026 (fully funded); capital deployment planned for late September/early October. Black Opportunity Fund was formed in 2020.
Where: Canada (specifically Bay Street, Toronto implied for financial institutions).
Why: To advance economic empowerment for Black Canadians, address systemic barriers to entrepreneurship (e.g., low home ownership rates impacting collateral for loans), and provide new sources of financing.
How: BOF Capital will raise $150 million through two funds (private equity and shared equity housing), engage anchor investors, and deploy capital into Black-led businesses and for homeownership support. It will operate as a for-profit entity independent from the charity, with profit-sharing agreements.

The Black Opportunity Fund, a charity established in 2020, is launching BOF Capital, a new investment firm. BOF Capital aims to raise $150 million through a $100 million private equity growth fund and a $50 million shared equity housing fund to support Black Canadian entrepreneurs and address systemic barriers like low home ownership rates.