TBDC Pivot 1
Aibo Fintech
InsurTech / B2B2C
Pre-seedOntario$500K–$2M CAD
Pre-revenue — 4 partners in discussion
Tier 1 — priority introductions (score 11–14/14)
Portage Ventures
Cold
Tier 1 · 14/14
Gap: Bilingual B2B2C insurance distribution — underexplored
2
3
2
2
3
2
0
STG
SEC
CHQ
L/F
GEO
FIF
SV
/3
/3
/2
/2
/2
/1
/1
14 / 14 (100%)
InsurTech is Portage's primary vertical. The bilingual Ontario/NB angle and B2B2C distribution model is differentiated from direct-to-consumer plays they see constantly. IIM Bangalore + Policybazaar + RSA + Kotak pedigree is exactly the founder signal Portage responds to — multi-jurisdiction operator experience is rare.
Next: Frame as a distribution infrastructure play, not an insurance app. Lead with the partner pipeline (2 insurance + 2 financial) and founder pedigree before product description.
Impression Ventures
Cold
Tier 1 · 13/14
Gap: InsurTech mandate — pre-revenue OK at pre-seed
3
3
2
1
3
2
✗
STG
SEC
CHQ
L/F
GEO
FIF
SV
/3
/3
/2
/2
/2
/1
/1
13 / 14 (93%)
Impression has invested in InsurTech at pre-revenue stage before. The multi-firm operator pedigree (Policybazaar, Kotak, RSA) is a compelling signal. First meeting is highly warranted — pre-revenue is not a disqualifier at this stage for Impression.
Next: Cold LinkedIn outreach to Jason Barg. Lead with the founder backgrounds and the B2B2C distribution model — not the product feature set.
Tier 2 — qualified outreach (score 7–10/14)
Golden Ventures
Cold
Tier 2 · 10/14
Gap: B2B SaaS adjacent — not core InsurTech
3
1
2
1
3
1
0
STG
SEC
CHQ
L/F
GEO
FIF
SV
/3
/3
/2
/2
/2
/1
/1
10 / 14 (71%)
Pre-revenue OK and Canadian focus fits. InsurTech is not their primary thesis — approach only if Portage and Impression don't move. Frame as 'financial infrastructure SaaS' to map to their lens.
Next: Hold until Portage and Impression responses are in. If neither moves within 3 weeks, approach Golden with the financial infrastructure framing.
Staircase Ventures
Cold
Tier 2 · 9/14
Gap: Early stage, pre-revenue friendly
3
1
1
1
3
1
0
STG
SEC
CHQ
L/F
GEO
FIF
SV
/3
/3
/2
/2
/2
/1
/1
9 / 14 (64%)
Small cheque but early-stage friendly. Best as bridge or co-investor, not a strategic lead. Portage and Impression should go first.
Next: Low priority. Approach only as part of a round syndication conversation once a lead is confirmed.
Do not match — reason logged
✗
OMERS Ventures
Pre-revenue at pre-seed is categorically outside OMERS mandate. They require ARR and demonstrated PMF at Series A minimum.
✗
Georgian
Significantly premature. Georgian's requirements are 3+ stages ahead of where Aibo is today.
✗
Cycle Capital
Cleantech-focused fund. No InsurTech or FinTech thesis relevance — a meeting wastes both parties' time.