Manica Blain

Investor & Advisor

2022 - Current

With over 15 years of experience in investment banking, private equity and venture capital (including co-founding a $32mm early-stage consumer fund), I now work directly with passionate founders as they build, grow and scale the iconic consumer brands of the future. Direct investments and advisory/consulting: Blanka, Blume, Dune Suncare, Eirene, Everist, Iris&Romeo, Kolkata Chai Co, Lalo, Left on Friday, Moselle, Paro, Sahajan, Smash+Tess, Solid Starts, Twig Fertility.

Advisor

2023

Ridgeline invests in businesses that help people lead healthier, more active lives. Comprised of collaborative, experienced operators and investors, Ridgeline focuses on long-term value in enduring companies. Current investments include Cotopaxi, Bobo's, TPC, Joyfull Bakery, Solarcore, Bonafide Provisions, Force of Nature, Lifeforce, Sahajan, and Noka Organics. Led investment in Sahajan (seed/Series A).

Partner & Co-Founder

2015 - 2024

Raised a US$32 consumer & retail focused venture capital fund backed by >30 lululemon executives and industry leaders across North America, as well as institutional investor BDC Capital. Sold the last Campfire Capital portfolio company investment at the end of 2021, returning all capital back to investors and delivering a fund-level DPI result (distributions-to-paid-in-capital, net of all management fees and expenses) that put Campfire Capital in top quartile ranking across all 2015 North American venture capital fund vintages (Source: Prequin's Venture Capital Pitchbook Benchmarks, Q3 2022 report). I led all fund administration and necessary wind-down related work, which was (finally) completed by early 2024. Led investments in FIGS (Series A), Cotopaxi (Series A & B) and Frank & Oak (Series B & C).

Venture Partner

2021 - 2022

BrandProject is an early stage venture capital fund that invests in consumer product, service, and technology companies. Led investments in Iris & Romeo (seed and seed extension) and Acid League (seed and Series A).

Director, Investments

2018 - 2020

JH Investments Inc. is the private holding and investment company of Joe Houssian. Joe Houssian was the founder and former CEO of Intrawest Corporation, an international resort and real estate developer which was sold in 2006 for US$ 2.8 billion. JH Investments has three operating companies: Elemental Energy, a renewable energy development company; Replay Resorts, a resort development and consulting company; and Intracorp, an urban real estate development company. In addition to its operating companies, the company holds a wide variety of investments in real estate, construction services, aircraft supply and service and other businesses. We are headquartered in Vancouver and our operating companies have offices in Vancouver, Toronto, Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Phoenix.

Director, Funds Group

2013 - 2014

Founded in 1984, Onex is one of the oldest and most successful private equity firms with a long, established track record and a disciplined, active-ownership approach to investing. Onex focuses on creating long-term value by building industry-leading businesses in partnership with outstanding management teams.

Associate, Investment Team (ONCAP)

2010 - 2013

ONCAP, in partnership with operating company management teams, invests in and builds shareholder value in North American small and mid-size companies that are leaders in their defined market niche and possess meaningful growth potential. ONCAP is the dedicated mid-market private equity platform of Onex. With offices in Toronto, New York and London, Onex is one of the oldest and most successful private equity firms. Onex acquires and builds high-quality businesses in partnership with talented management teams.

Associate, Diversified Investment Banking

2010 - 2010

Associate, Consumer & Retail Investment Banking

2007 - 2010

Analyst, Investment Banking

2005 - 2007

Analyst, Debt Origination

2005 - 2005