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Damien Steel is the CEO of Deep Sky, a gigaton-scale carbon removal project developer based in the Toronto, Ontario area. Before joining the climate tech startup in August 2023, he spent over twelve years at OMERS Ventures, ultimately serving as Managing Partner and Global Head of Ventures. In this capacity, he managed a multi-billion-dollar technology investment portfolio and led funding rounds for prominent global software companies including Hootsuite. Shortly after transitioning to Deep Sky following discussions with founder Fred Lalonde, Steel secured a $75 million CAD Series A funding round in November 2023 to build commercial-scale carbon removal infrastructure across Canada. He originally began his professional career in corporate finance and accounting at KPMG. Today, his primary focus remains on scaling climate technology solutions while advising early-stage founders on their fundraising strategies and pitch decks.
Damien Steel serves as the Managing Partner at OMERS Ventures, a prominent global venture capital fund that is an investment arm of OMERS, one of Canada's largest defined benefit pension plans. In this pivotal role, Damien is responsible for shaping the fund's strategic direction, overseeing its investment thesis, and leading a team dedicated to identifying and nurturing high-growth technology companies across North America and Europe. His leadership has been instrumental in positioning OMERS Ventures as a significant player in the global venture capital landscape.
Under Damien's guidance, OMERS Ventures focuses on investing in early to growth-stage companies that are leveraging disruptive technologies to solve complex problems. His investment philosophy centers on backing exceptional founders and teams who are building scalable businesses with strong market potential. Key investment focus areas include B2B SaaS (Software as a Service), fintech, health tech, artificial intelligence (AI), and the future of work. Damien and his team look for companies demonstrating strong product-market fit, robust business models, and a clear path to market leadership.
Damien's career background is deeply rooted in technology and finance, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to build and scale successful ventures. He was a founding member of OMERS Ventures, playing a crucial role in its establishment and growth from its inception. Prior to his tenure at OMERS Ventures, Damien held various strategic and corporate development roles within the technology sector, including positions at Bell Canada. This extensive experience has equipped him with a keen eye for innovation and a practical approach to guiding portfolio companies through their growth trajectories.
Through his leadership, OMERS Ventures has built a diverse and impactful portfolio, contributing significantly to the technology ecosystem. While specific individual investments are often a collective effort of the fund, the overall success and strategic direction of OMERS Ventures' portfolio companies reflect Damien's vision and expertise. He is a strong advocate for entrepreneurs, providing not just capital but also strategic guidance, operational support, and access to a vast network of industry experts. His commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the next generation of technology leaders underscores his influence in the venture capital community.
Damien Steel is the Managing Partner at OMERS Ventures, a global venture capital fund. He leads the fund's strategy and investment activities, focusing on high-growth technology companies.
Damien Steel, through OMERS Ventures, primarily invests in early to growth-stage technology companies. His focus areas include B2B SaaS, fintech, health tech, artificial intelligence (AI), and the future of work.
Damien Steel works as the Managing Partner at OMERS Ventures, the venture capital arm of OMERS, one of Canada's largest defined benefit pension plans.
