Cross-Border Impact Ventures (CBIV) is a Toronto-based impact venture capital firm founded in 2021 by Managing Partners Annie Thériault and Donna Parr, investing in health technology companies that address large global markets in women's, children's, and adolescent health.
CBIV invests in world-class companies developing medical devices, diagnostics, therapeutics, and digital health innovations focused on women, children, and adolescent health across four key sectors: sexual and reproductive health; maternal, newborn, and child health; general health including chronic disease; and health software infrastructure.
The firm backs Series A and Series B companies with global commercial potential, including in emerging markets, and applies a gender and diversity lens across its portfolio.
With Fund II, CBIV is moving toward earlier-stage investments and adding a climate impact lens alongside its core health thesis.
CBIV closed the first tranche of its second fund, the Women's and Children's Health Technology Fund II, at $58 million USD ($81 million CAD) in August 2026, with a target final close of $125 million USD by the second half of 2027.
LPs in Fund II include KfW on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (returning as a concessionary capital investor), the Skoll Foundation, Capricorn Investment Group, Ceniarth, Equality Fund, RockCreek Group, and Wire Group, along with family offices and high-net-worth individuals.
CBIV's debut fund, the Women's and Children's Health Technology Fund I, closed at $135 million CAD (approximately $90.3 million USD) and is now mostly deployed.
Leadership
CBIV was founded in 2021 by Managing Partners Annie Thériault and Donna Parr.
Thériault previously served as Chief Investment Officer at Grand Challenges Canada and holds a PhD in Management from the Rotman School of Management.
Parr has more than 30 years of experience managing venture capital, growth equity, and private debt portfolios, and previously held roles at OMERS and CPP.
Megan Dover serves as Partner and Co-founder. The wider team includes Femke Smeets, Managing Director of Emerging Markets; Issy Gordon, Investment Director; Pooja Sikka, Venture Partner; Juanita Cortés, Chief Financial Officer; Hannah Sharpe, ESG and Health Impact Associate; and Tasha Noronha, Partnerships and Operations Manager.
Investment Strategy
CBIV writes Series A and Series B checks of $2-5 million USD, targeting roughly a dozen companies per fund making biotech, medical device, diagnostics, and healthtech plays with a global lens and a clear line of sight to commercialization and regulatory approval.
The firm is a hands-on investor, supporting management teams with access to new markets, capital, and health technology expertise across North America, Europe, and emerging markets.
Notable Investments
Annie Thériault — Managing Partner
annie@crossborder.ventures
Femke Smeets — Managing Partner
femke@crossborder.ventures
Issy Gordon — Investment Director
issy@crossborder.ventures
Tasha Noronha — Partnerships and Operations Manager
tasha@crossborder.ventures
Canada
