Guillaume Mercier is leaving the Industrial Innovation Foundation as leadership changes continue.
The shake-up at the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) continues as Guillaume Mercier, a partner at BDC Capital's Industrial Innovation Fund, announced his departure.
IN Post on LinkedIn Montreal-based Mercier said Wednesday he was leaving to “seek new opportunities” and “new energy” in his career. He didn't specify where he was going next, and BetaKit asked Mercier and BDC for comment.
“I am proud of what has been done to benefit the true builders of our economy: entrepreneurs.”
William Mercier
Mercier joined BDC as a partner in 2020. Since then, he has also served as Senior Vice President of Impact and Strategic Priorities and Advisory Services and Business Strategy.
He has worked in a variety of fields, from venture capital (as director of Real Ventures) to entertainment (as president and CEO of Elysium and UMA Cirque du Soleil). He also served as executive vice president of marketing at now besieged Montreal fashion retailer Ssense between 2017 and 2019.
In a post on LinkedIn, Mercier called his time at BDC “rewarding” and said he was sad to leave “close friends.” He also expressed gratitude to the business creators.
“I am proud of what has been done to benefit the true builders of our economy: entrepreneurs,” Mercier wrote.
His departure will occur when B.D.C. in the midst of a reboot this includes a significant change in leadership. BDC Capital Growth Venture Fund managing partner Dominique Belanger left the company in early November, and Climate Tech Fund partners Cherie Corbett and Vivian Kahn left the company in October. Michelle Scarboroughwho led BDC's women-focused funds for eight years, left her post in June. Mona Minhas took her place. The head of BDC Capital, Jerome Nitsch, abruptly resigned in July 2024. Genevieve Bmore distant chosen as his replacement.
CONNECTED: New Life Sciences Fund and Leadership Exodus Signify Continued Reboot at BDC
There have also been structural changes. The new Life Sciences Fund is due to be created in 2026. BDC also closed its intellectual property-backed financing program and merged it with Growth and Transition Capital. The bank laid off team members at its facility earlier in 2025. Deep Tech Venture Fund.
BDC remains committed to the Industrial Innovation Fund as it created Second fund worth $200 million in August this year. The initiative supports startups developing technologies to advance legacy industries, this time with an increased focus on critical minerals. The federal government is focused on improving Canada's economic sovereignty and recently launched a program Major Projects Office this will help develop “early stage” strategies in similar sectors.
Image courtesy of BDC.
