In 2022, Letartre brought his expertise from Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec to Accelia, enhancing the team's strength and vision.
Accelia Capital, a venture capital firm based in Québec, has promoted Julien Letartre to partner, enhancing its leadership team. Letartre, who joined the firm in 2022, brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles, including his time at Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec.
"Julien's network and ability to foster connections within the venture capital community in Canada are outstanding," says Christine Beaubien, co-founder and managing partner of Accelia Capital.
In his new role, Letartre will oversee all transactions and operations at Accelia, while also leading a team of analysts. His journey with Accelia began in 2022 when he joined as a principal. Before that, he held a senior associate position in private equity at Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, an investment giant managing public pensions in Québec. Letartre’s career also includes roles at Novacap, BMO Capital Markets, and CGI, a major IT company based in Montréal.
Annick Charbonneau, another co-founder and managing partner at Accelia, praised Letartre’s extensive professional background, noting it as a significant advantage for the firm and its partners. She highlighted his passion for technology and his contributions to the value creation for Accelia’s portfolio companies.
"Julien has impressed us with his enthusiasm, analytical prowess, and dedication to our mission since he joined us," Beaubien added. "His exceptional business network and ability to actively connect with key players in the Canadian venture capital scene are invaluable."
Founded in 2021, Accelia Capital manages a $50-million fund aimed at investing in Québec-based businesses led by women. The firm’s mission is to address the gender disparity in venture capital investments. Key institutional supporters at the fund’s inception included the Government of Québec through Investissement Québec and the National Bank of Canada, alongside private partners and influential female entrepreneurs.
In April, Accelia announced a significant boost to its funding pool, with Export Development Canada contributing $5.6 million. This investment increased Accelia's total assets under management to $60 million.
Recently, at the Collision conference, Montréal-based Heylist secured a $1.6-million funding round led by Accelia. Heylist is a platform for "nanoinfluencers," and the investment will help the company expand its market presence in Canada and the United States. Vicky Boudreau, Heylist’s CEO, expressed pride in having Accelia's backing, noting that 70 percent of Heylist's team comprises women.
Accelia Capital’s commitment to supporting female-led startups and promoting gender equality in venture capital is evident in their strategic investments and leadership choices. The promotion of Julien Letartre to partner marks a significant step in strengthening their team and enhancing their ability to foster innovation and growth in the entrepreneurial landscape.
