At Inovia, we’re focused on building. Building is in our DNA. It’s something we celebrate, and that also applies to our own people. We love seeing them become the best version of themselves.
Two prime examples of team members realizing their full potential are Mia Morisset in our Montreal office and Mike McGraw in our London office. Both Mia and Mike have recently been promoted to Principal in our Investment team.
When you look at Mia and Mike’s accomplishments — now that’s something worth celebrating!
MIA MORISSET
When Mia Morisset joined the Montreal office in 2018, we knew she’d be a driving force in all matters of Inovia. Our feelings were externally confirmed when she received the coveted Rising Star Award from Venture Capital Journal in 2021.
Since joining the company, Mia has led key initiatives to help grow our firm, our portfolio companies and our team.
She has executed most of the later-stage investments in North America and has been instrumental in supporting the success of over ten important transactions thus far, including:
- Talent.com US$120M Series B (2022)
- Hopper US$70M Series E and US$175M Series F (2020 and 2021)
- AlayaCare US$80M Series C/Extension (2019)
She has played a crucial role in fundraising Inovia Growth Fund II and Inovia Continuity Fund I, as well as defining the Inovia Growth strategy around sourcing, angle-to-win and post-closing value creation.
Mia also coaches our junior investment team on best practices for technical and general investment skills and is a constant reference for early-career team members.
Her contribution has impressed our senior leadership. Partner Dennis Kavelman said: “In addition to her excellence as a senior investor, Mia makes everyone better at Inovia- from mentoring the newest interns to collaborating with the partners to working closely with our founders and CEOs. I am thrilled to see her evolve on our team.”
MIKE MCGRAW
Mike started his career at CDPQ, where he accomplished many things, including working on Lightspeed’s Series D financing, which was, at the time, the largest ever VC financing in Canadian history and a key factor in Lightspeed’s growth and eventual public listing.
In 2018, Mike joined Inovia and quickly got the opportunity to cross the pond and open the London office with Patrick Pichette. Speaking of the opportunity, Mike said, “It doesn’t get much bigger than building a presence on a whole new continent.”
Upon arriving in the UK, Mike and Patrick were the London office. In true startup fashion, Mike helped open the office, hire an investment team, and grow a proper practice representing Inovia’s brand in Europe while also playing an active role in setting up Inovia’s Growth Fund I.
Since then, Mike has worked diligently to build an extensive European network of founders, co-investors, and LPs and actively supported the company’s first European investments, including:
- Zwift Series C (2021)
- Neo4j US$66M Series F extension (2021)
In 2022, he co-led the US$325M Inovia Venture Fund V fundraising efforts, contributing to a significant, oversubscribed fund that closed in a record three months.
Inovia Partner Patrick Pichette says, “Good leadership means hiring people smarter than you and who could one day become your boss. Mike has already proven the first. Now he’s working on the second.”
Mike is also committed to DE&I in the community. He is involved with Outinvestors’ London Chapter, Proud Ventures, and Inovia’s DE&I committee. He’s currently offering his skills pro bono to help build and deliver the business plan for an eye hospital in Ethiopia.
A LOT TO CELEBRATE
Fostering talent is a core value at Inovia. From investment analyst to partner, we focus on developing and progressing talent through a robust competency framework.
Mia and Mike embody our firm’s values, contribute to our builder culture, and will certainly continue to be part of our firm’s future successes. We’re really proud to count them as part of the Inovia leadership team.