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Janet Bannister is the Founder and Managing Partner at Staircase Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm based in Toronto, Ontario. She launched the firm in 2023, closing an inaugural fund at $34 million before subsequently announcing a $75 million closure for Fund II to back North American seed-stage technology companies. Prior to establishing her own fund, she served as Managing Partner at Real Ventures, where she oversaw investments across a portfolio of more than 50 startups. Her earlier operational career includes launching Kijiji Canada under eBay and holding strategic advisory roles at McKinsey & Company. She holds an undergraduate degree from the Ivey Business School and currently serves as Co-Chair of the C100 technology network. Bannister focuses her current investments on B2B software and climate tech startups, emphasizing comprehensive founder development and product-market fit.
Janet Bannister stands as a prominent figure in the Canadian venture capital landscape, currently serving as a Managing Partner at Staircase Ventures. As a co-founder of this early-stage venture capital firm, she plays a pivotal role in identifying, funding, and nurturing high-potential technology startups. Staircase Ventures, under her leadership, is dedicated to backing visionary founders who are building the future, primarily focusing on seed to Series A investments.
At Staircase Ventures, Janet's investment focus spans a wide array of innovative sectors critical to the modern economy. These include Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), financial technology (fintech), artificial intelligence (AI), the future of work, digital health, and dynamic marketplaces. She is known for her keen eye for disruptive technologies and scalable business models, always seeking out companies poised for significant growth and impact. Her approach emphasizes strong founder-market fit, defensible technology, and a clear path to market leadership.
Bannister's illustrious career background provides a robust foundation for her current role. Before co-founding Staircase Ventures, she was a co-founder and General Partner at Real Ventures, one of Canada's largest and most active early-stage venture capital firms. Her tenure there saw her contribute to the growth of numerous successful startups, solidifying her reputation as a savvy investor. Prior to her venture capital career, Janet demonstrated her entrepreneurial prowess by founding Kijiji Canada, which she successfully grew and sold to eBay. She then held a Vice President position at eBay, gaining invaluable experience in scaling global technology platforms. Her early career also includes a stint in brand management at Procter & Gamble, where she honed her strategic marketing and business development skills.
Janet's unique blend of operational experience as a founder and executive, coupled with her extensive track record as a venture capitalist, makes her an invaluable partner to the startups she backs. While specific public investments for Staircase Ventures are continually emerging as the firm grows, her history reflects a consistent ability to identify and support companies that go on to achieve significant milestones. Founders seeking capital and strategic guidance in the early stages of their journey often find a powerful ally in Janet Bannister, whose insights are shaped by a deep understanding of what it takes to build and scale successful technology companies.
Janet Bannister is a Managing Partner and co-founder at Staircase Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm. She is a highly respected investor with a background as a successful entrepreneur and a General Partner at Real Ventures.
Janet Bannister primarily invests in early-stage technology companies (seed to Series A) through Staircase Ventures. Her focus areas include SaaS, fintech, AI, future of work, digital health, and marketplaces, seeking disruptive innovation and strong founders.
Janet Bannister works as a Managing Partner at Staircase Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm she co-founded. She is based in the Canadian tech ecosystem.
