Denisia Pereira
Associate Principal, Thrive Venture Fund at BDC
Denisia Pereira
Associate Principal, Thrive Venture Fund at BDC
Vancouver, British Columbia
Overview
Work Experience
Associate Principal, Thrive Venture Fund
2019 - Current
Key point of contact for Western Canadian women-led technology companies. Responsible for assessing and leading initial and follow-on investments; conducting preliminary due diligence across hundreds of companies to build a pipeline of investment opportunities; and working closely with management teams of portfolio companies to improve metrics and grow the business.
Associate, IT Venture Fund
2015 - 2019
Besides assessing new deals and observing the portfolio companies at board meetings, I led the creation of a ‘platform’ for the fund to support the growth of our portfolio companies, which focused on • Recruiting/talent, • Cross-portfolio knowledge sharing, and • Event/Company Visibility.
Senior Manager - Small Business Lending
2012 - 2015
Recruited to deploy the tech lending strategy in Toronto. Acquired new clients to the bank, while exceeding and doubling dollars deployed year-over-year. Organized educational/networking sessions (BDC Tech Talks) for technology startups looking to fundraise, learn about their financing options, and connect with investors.
On-site ERP Technical Specialist
2008 - 2009
Position required cultivating a strategic business partnership between Air Canada and Mxi Technologies, by representing Mxi at the Air Canada Montreal office. As a technical specialist, I worked with the lead engineers from each department (maintenance, inventory mgmt, etc.) to ensure that the software's functionality adhered to the department's business processes, integrated seamlessly with existing IT systems, and the delivery process did not disrupt airline operations . My responsibilities also included assisting with with organizational change management (training, employee buy-in, etc.)
ERP Business Consultant
2004 - 2007
Managed a number of key client accounts simultaneously, such as KLM, Air Mauritius, Boeing, etc, while developing relationships with key airline employees to perform a detailed needs assessment and model the business processes. Translated these business needs into system requirements, identified gaps/risks, and proposed practical solutions. Facilitated a number of workshops at the client site to demonstrate the software’s functions and assisted the client to develop the employee training program. Received the ‘Mxi Recognition of Contribution’ award for the high level of effort and commitment to achieving project success.
R&D and Technical Sales Analyst
2002 - 2004
Interviewed airline and OEM customers to identify standardized business processes across the sectors. Using these specifications, I worked closely with the software architect to design the new web application’s user interface (moving away from on-premises). I also developed training workshops for the sales and implementation teams on the platform’s new capabilities, provided technical advice to the sales team, assisted with the Request for Proposals (RFP) and led technical demonstrations to potential customers to demonstrate the platform’s new value proposition.