We invest in people before it makes sense.

Barn Ventures backs founders before they're fundable — students, recent grads, experienced builders ready to go. First check, pre-incorporation, no finished pitch required. We run out of Builders Club, a Waterloo-based community of 400+ active builders with direct ties to the Waterloo alumni showing up in every YC batch, across SF's best companies, and behind some of the most interesting new ones. We see great founders early because we're already in the room with them.

Who is behind the fund?

People who build things

Jesse Rodgers is a University of Waterloo alum who founded Builders Club and created two of Canada's defining startup programs — Velocity and Creative Destruction Lab. He previously founded and exited a venture-backed HR software company. His work has shaped Canada's tech ecosystem and helped launch hundreds of startups.Chad Bayne is a Waterloo engineer and Co-Chair of Osler's Emerging and High Growth Companies Group — one of Canada's top-ranked startup and VC lawyers. He's led landmark deals including NASDAQ's $2.75B acquisition of Verafin and Wealthsimple's $750M raise, and advises founders, funds, and acquirers at every stage.Kevin Rooney is a Waterloo engineer and Silicon Valley veteran with 24 years advising high-growth companies. As a partner at Cooley LLP in San Francisco, he leads counsel on 150+ venture financings a year and has made 50+ private investments, including in funds like a16z. He's the connective tissue between Waterloo founders and the global tech ecosystem.Our investors span Waterloo, Toronto, and San Francisco. They are operators, founders, and technologists with deep roots in the Waterloo ecosystem and active networks across North American tech.

Keep up to date

If you want to follow along, sign up here

There are a lot of ways to connect and stay up to date. We have a monthly community on substack along with a weekly events focused update. If you just want us to follow up on email, leave your email here.

How to find us:

Barn Ventures
The Barn
165 King St W,
Kitchener, ON N2G 1A7

Community snapshot

1400+ builders in the broader community
120+ projects launched since 2024
50+ events hosted
One mission: Just F'n Build and do it from here

Thank you

We will follow up on email and say hi. Hope to see you at one of our member's events soon!