How we invest

We write early, independent cheques.

Here's exactly how it works, what we'll ask, and what we won't.

Our process

Three steps from first note to joining your round.

  1. 01

    Reach out.

    Tell us who you are and what you're building. If you have a prototype, deck, video or paper, please share it.

  2. 02

    One meeting.

    We'll ask questions like:

    • How did you and your co-founders end up working on this together?
    • How does it actually work?
    • Is it first, best, or unique, and why does that matter?
    • Why will this work now when it hasn't before?

    We're not going to grill you. We're trying to understand the important things that often get left out of decks.

  3. 03

    Get an answer.

    You'll hear back within days.

    If it's a yes, we'll review your formation documents and cap table, then join your round on its terms.

    If it's a no, we'll tell you exactly why.

How we join a round

We invest on the terms of your round.

Pro rata rights
Not required
Board seat
Never
What we ask
A quarterly update
A short investor update email each quarter. The best founders send them anyway.

How we're different

We're not a fund.

Typical VC Fund
McNamara Family Investments
Whose money
Outside LPs
Our own
Primary goal
Returns for LPs
Back founders who could define their industry
Risk tolerance
Low to moderate
Very high
Time horizon
5–7 year fund cycle
As long as it takes
Decision speed
Weeks to months
Days
Lead investor
Often
We don't lead
Terms
Negotiated, investor-friendly
Set by your round
Investor background
Often finance
Former operators with a technical background
Who you talk to
Associate, then partners
The decision-maker, from the start

Common questions

What stage of company do you invest in?

As early as possible.

What stage of fundraising do you invest at?

Angel to Seed.

Where do you invest?

Mostly in Canadian founders.

Do you lead rounds?

No. We write independent cheques alongside other investors and don't lead, price or anchor rounds.

How do you help beyond capital?

We're former operators with a technical background. We'll introduce you to investors we know and share what we learned building and scaling software companies. Beyond that, we stay out of your way.

Do you follow on in future rounds?

Not usually. We write one early cheque, and the best founders have no trouble raising later rounds from world-class investors.

Do you expect a board seat or special rights?

No board seat. We'd just like to stay on your investor update emails, even when later-stage VCs ask you to stop sending them to early investors (they will).

What's your ideal outcome?

A company that defines its industry and lasts. We're not optimising for a quick flip or a fund-cycle exit, because our time horizon is as long as yours.

Do you invest in other funds?

Yes. We back fund managers with deep sector expertise or access to founders we wouldn't reach on our own. If you're raising a fund aligned with our thesis, get in touch.