Oneka is excited to introduce Alain-Olivier Desbois, who joins our team as Chief Finance and Impact Officer. After gaining valuable insights from Alain-Olivier’s five-year tenure as an advisor, we are excited about his increased involvement with the team. He is a results-driven professional with extensive experience in financing, venture capital, operations, business development, investment, coaching, and strategic development, acquired over many years in both startup companies as well as in PE and VC investment funds. Alain-Olivier is passionate about impact investing and development of new business models that integrate sustainability, life cycle thinking and impact.
At Oneka, he will be responsible for overseeing the finance activities and the integration of impact at the heart of Oneka’s DNA, business model and financing strategy. His background as a business developer and strategist, along with his recognized leadership within the Canadian impact investment community, positions him as an invaluable asset for contributing to the growth and success of the company.
Alain-Olivier’s Background
Having accumulated a remarkable 25-year journey in cleantech venture capital, impact investment, and tech entrepreneurship, his profound knowledge and effective leadership are a priceless enhancement to our team.
Prior to joining Oneka, Alain-Olivier co-founded two leading incubator/accelerator Espace-inc and Esplanade’s Impact8. He also served as a Senior Advisor of the SVX impact crowdfunding investment platform, co-founded and acted as a partner at Cycle Capital Management, and held the position of Investment Director at CDPQ Capital.
Over the past 7 years, he has supported more than 30 impact-driven startup companies and investment funds, particularly in the food, cleantech and health sectors. Notably, he has contributed to mobilizing 225 M$ from Canadian and US impact investors.
Alain-Olivier Desbois has relevant expertise in Impact Investing and Cleantech. With a background in leading the development of a thriving community of impact leaders in Québec, partnering with pioneering organizations, he has successfully raised over C$130 million in financing for impact startups and investment funds.
With a proven track record in value creation and capital raising, Alain-Olivier has played a crucial role in creating, structuring, and implementing five VC & PE investment funds in his previous positions. He has raised over $300 million from institutional investors and excels in implementing best practices, governance, processes, and fund administration. Alain-Olivier has provided strategic guidance and fundraising for Cleantech and impact startups across various sectors based on his experience.
Alain-Olivier is a versatile professional in the world of investments, as evidenced by his previous roles. He’s an angel investor in four impact startups and one impact private equity fund. On the buy side, he has managed a C$250 million portfolio of twelve venture capital funds, actively sourcing deals and contributing to value creation. He has also invested in nine Cleantech companies, various venture capital funds.
Alain-Olivier Desbois holds a C.F.A. from AIMR, a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Finance at Sherbrooke University along with a partial International Management Diploma in Nancy, France. Alain-Olivier continued to enhance his expertise with continuing education programs, including Carbon Market Training and a Floor Trading Workshop at the Montreal Exchange. He also completed courses in Derivative Fundamentals & the Canadian Securities Courses from the Canadian Securities Institute.
Welcome to the team Alain-Olivier! The Oneka team is excited to have you onboard to achieve our mission to make the oceans a sustainable and affordable source of drinking water.