Sandpiper VC

WHO WE ARE

Sandpiper Ventures is a seed stage VC fund investing in women and women’s innovation. We will unlock capital and innovation through greater diversity of investors and strong connections to global markets; it will contribute to a stronger ecosystem, stronger economy and approach to investing with better businesses, deals, and higher investment returns. In addition to capital, Sandpiper Ventures provides founders with a valuable network, a unique toolkit of deep industry experience, access to growth and development partners, access to national and international customers and new market opportunities.

20,000,000

TARGET SIZE OF FUNDS

Sector

Healthcare, FemTech, AI/ML, AI, E-commerce/ Consumer Internet, Cleantech

Stage

Pre-Seed, Seed

Region

North America

Countries

Canada

Founder(s)

Rhiannon Davies

Rhiannon is one of the Founding and Managing Partners of Sandpiper Ventures. Her business leadership spans Europe, Asia, South and North America. She built and led the $2Billion revenue subsidiary of GrandVision N.V. and was COO and Board Director that took GrandVision, a CAD$ 5.5 Billion revenue eyecare company with businesses in 45 countries, through 44% growth in SWS, expansion into 20 new markets through multiple acquisitions and organic growth, to a successful IPO on the ASE. The GrandVision IPO raised $1.5 Billion and ranked in the global top 10 IPOs in 2015. This was her second exit where she held equity ownership, following the acquisition of Royal Numico N.V. by Groupe Danone in 2007. Rhiannon serves/has served on multiple private, public, crown and NGO boards. Current ecosystems relevant Board positions include Volta Labs, Emera IdeaHub, and Nove Scotia Business Inc.

Cathy Bennett

As a former CEO, seasoned entrepreneur, current board director and consultant, and as a prominent business-person in Newfoundland, Cathy’s focus is growth. With over 30 years of business leadership, her own company, Bennett Group of Companies, included operations in commercial and industrial construction, industrial manufacturing, human resource support, food service, industrial supply and real estate investments and operations. Cathy is past chair of TaskForce NL. Cathy serves/has served on public, private and crown corporation boards spanning diverse industries. Cathy is an active angel investor and mentor for early-stage technology companies.

Sarah Young

Sarah Young is an entrepreneur, a business leader and one of Canada’s most sought-after communications advisors. She is Partner and Senior Counsel Managing Partner at NATIONAL Public Relations, Canada’s leading PR firm. Previously Sarah was Managing Partner responsible for Atlantic Canada at NATIONAL and she also led the corporate talent strategy across the global network for AVENIR GLOBAL, one of the world’s 15 largest communications companies. Sarah helps private and public organizations across Canada tackle complex challenges ranging from industry disruptors, the modernized workplace, gaining social license, shifting consumer attitudes, scaling business into new markets and investment attraction. She is specifically committed to building advisor networks and investment opportunities for women in ventures. Sarah bought her first company at 28 and sold it to NATIONAL after significant growth and expansion. Prior to returning to Atlantic Canada, Sarah was Vice President, Technology of an international public relations firm based in Toronto focused on start-ups.