# Chris Arsenault

> Chris Arsenault is a Montreal-based technology entrepreneur and Inovia Capital co-founder, CEO and growth partner. His work spans early internet software, startup investment, growth financing and board service, with an emphasis on mentorship and preparing companies for multiple possible outcomes.

- **Role:** Co-founder, Chief Executive Officer and Partner at Inovia Capital
- **Organizations:** Inovia Capital, SIT, MSBi Capital, AppDirect, Super.com, Talent.com, Groupe Dynamite, C100
- **Nationality:** Canadian
- **Education:** Université Laval
- **Known for:** Co-founded Inovia Capital in 2007., Built SIT, an early Netscape external partner and integrator., Participated in Lightspeed's financing and governance journey before its public listing.

## Career timeline

- **1990s** — Founder and CEO of internet software company SIT; worked with Netscape.
- **1999** — SIT sold to Ubizen in Belgium.
- **2002** — Joined MSBi Capital.
- **2007** — Co-founded Inovia Capital; fund closed with C$112 million in commitments.
- **2013** — Joined Lightspeed's board as an observer when Inovia led its Series B.
- **2018** — Welcomed Patrick Pichette and Dennis Kavelman as general partners.
- **2019** — Inovia announced its first US$400 million growth fund; Lightspeed listed on the TSX.
- **2021** — Announced US$450 million Growth Fund II.
- **2024** — Published an essay on preparing founders and investors for multiple exit outcomes.
- **2026** — Advocated faster Canadian AI adoption at the Canadian Club of Montreal.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Inovia Capital in 2007.
- Built SIT, an early Netscape external partner and integrator.
- Participated in Lightspeed's financing and governance journey before its public listing.
- Helped develop Inovia's growth investment platform.
- Serves on the boards of AppDirect, Super.com and Talent.com.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Inovia's October 5 Q3 newsletter reported Arsenault's fireside chat with Cohere CEO Aidan Gomez at the Canadian Global Growth Forum in Toronto.
- **2026-05** — Spoke to the Canadian Club of Montreal on May 11 about faster AI adoption and domestic demand for Canadian technology.
- **2025-11** — Discussed Inovia's Abu Dhabi office and Gulf-region relationships with The Logic.

## Links

- Website: https://about.me/chrisarsenault
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisarsenault
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/chrisarsenault

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/chris-arsenault
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-09