Ownership in the private companies that keep Ontario running.
BIG acquires established, family-owned lower mid-market companies in Ontario. Our members — principals, former principals, and the professionals who advise them — participate alongside us on a transaction-by-transaction basis.
Participation is limited to accredited investors under National Instrument 45‑106. Members are under no obligation to participate in any transaction presented to them.
We collaborate with other business owners and professionals to leverage our combined experience, expertise, and investment capital.
Business owners and former principals
Members who have built and operated companies of their own, and in many cases exited them.
Professional advisors
Accountants, legal counsel and physicians with prior experience on one side or another of a transaction.
Executives and active acquirers
Senior operators and buyers who have conducted a search for an acquisition of their own.
Ontario's most durable private companies change hands quietly, and almost never on a public market.
A generation of founders is approaching retirement. Their companies are profitable, established and deeply embedded in the regional economy — and they frequently transact with the first credible counterparty to approach them. BIG exists to be that counterparty, and to bring its members into the transaction.
Public equities
Daily liquidity and broad diversification, at the cost of any real visibility. Pricing reflects sentiment as much as earnings, and the investor has no influence over the underlying business.
Income real estate
Familiar and asset-backed, but cash flow is constrained by the rent roll and capitalization rates have compressed materially as institutional capital has entered the asset class.
Private credit funds
Yield without operational exposure, though the investor is one of many limited partners. The borrower, the covenants and the underwriting are never seen, and never selected.
BIG
Members review the business, the financial statements and the operating team before committing capital, select which transactions to participate in, and choose the structure on which they participate. Returns derive from the cash flow of an operating company.
For members conducting their own acquisition search
Independent searches frequently run two to three years without a completed transaction. The obstacles are structural rather than personal, and they are difficult to overcome without proprietary deal flow and a demonstrated closing record.
The independent search
- Proprietary opportunities are closely held; the strongest businesses are rarely brought to market
- Vendors favour counterparties with a demonstrated closing history, which first-time acquirers seldom possess
- Acquisition financing generally requires personal guarantees and a concentrated position in a single asset
- Due diligence costs are incurred on every opportunity examined, including those that do not proceed
- Following closing, operational and financial responsibility rests entirely with the acquirer
Participation through BIG
- Opportunities originate through an active licensed brokerage, ahead of any public marketing
- The vendor is transacting with a counterparty that has completed comparable acquisitions
- Capital is syndicated across the membership, allowing exposure to be sized to your own tolerance
- Opportunities are presented under contract, with pricing negotiated and the financing package — bank submissions, vendor takeback documentation — prepared by our team
- Involvement is elective — passive participation, or an operating role where experience warrants it
Where the sector is yours, the operating role may be as well.
Members with a demonstrated track record in an industry we are acquiring into are the first we approach when a portfolio company requires leadership. If your objective is to operate rather than to participate passively, indicate your industry experience on the application and we will take it into account when the appropriate transaction arises.
Our mission
Ontario Business Investment Group is committed to building a thriving business ecosystem in Ontario by acquiring and investing in family-owned, lower mid-market businesses.
We collaborate with other business owners and professionals to leverage our combined experience, expertise, and investment capital to help these businesses grow and achieve their full potential.
Our goal is to create sustainable value for all stakeholders, including employees, customers, suppliers, and the wider community, while delivering attractive returns to our investors.
Through our unwavering dedication to integrity, innovation, and excellence, we strive to be a trusted partner and a catalyst for economic development in Ontario.
Two ways to participate
Our primary focus is to pool resources and capital, enabling our members to acquire lower mid-market companies across various industries. Investment structures are tailored on a deal-by-deal basis, empowering you to choose the option that aligns with your financial goals and risk appetite.
Lend into the acquisition
Capital is advanced at a fixed rate over a fixed term. The position ranks ahead of equity in the order of repayment, and the return does not vary with the performance of the business.
- Stated annual rate, fixed at the outset
- Distributions paid quarterly wherever the transaction permits
- Structure varies by deal: interest only, interest and principal, or a defined amortization
- Term generally three to five years, with capital returned on schedule
- Ranks ahead of equity holders in the repayment order
- Return is capped at the stated rate
Hold equity in the acquisition vehicle
Members subscribe for shares in a special purpose vehicle formed for that acquisition. The SPV holds the operating company, and each member's position is confined to that single transaction.
- Proportional share of distributable cash flow
- Distributions paid annually
- No cap on return
- Member equity does not exceed 49%; BIG retains the controlling interest
- Open-ended hold; a performing company may be retained indefinitely
- Shares subject to transfer restrictions and a right of first refusal in favour of BIG
- Exposure ring-fenced to the vehicle holding that company
How each acquisition is held
Every acquisition is completed through its own special purpose vehicle rather than through a common fund. Members subscribe to the vehicle for the transaction they have selected, which keeps each company, its financing and its participants separate from every other transaction in the portfolio. BIG retains the controlling interest in each vehicle; member equity in aggregate does not exceed 49%.
Fixed-return positions are distributed quarterly wherever the transaction permits. Ownership positions are distributed annually. The rate, term, distribution schedule and governance provisions applicable to a given transaction are set out in full in that transaction's documents before any capital is committed.
Who we are
The Ontario Business Investment Group (BIG) is led by Dwayne M. Mitchell, a licensed business intermediary with eighteen years in mainstream and lower middle market transactions. Mr. Mitchell spent much of his career with the world's largest mainstream and lower middle market business intermediary firm, and for the past several years has led his own firm, Ontario Business Brokers, based in southwestern Ontario.
His expertise in middle market acquisitions, management buyouts, mergers, and divestitures across Canada, as well as his active membership in esteemed industry organizations, makes him an invaluable asset for investors seeking strategic business opportunities.
As the Founder and Managing Partner of Mitchell Capital Partners, a boutique private equity firm, Mr. Mitchell has a proven track record of assisting business owners in transitioning their companies through minority or majority positions, or outright sales.
Because Ontario Business Brokers maintains an active sell-side practice, BIG frequently has the first opportunity to consider a company before it is brought to the wider market. Mr. Mitchell's role as a licensed business intermediary is disclosed to every vendor.
By aligning with Mr. Mitchell and the Ontario Business Investment Group, investors gain access to a wealth of industry knowledge, an extensive network of contacts, and exclusive off-market deals.
- Licensed business intermediaryOntario Business Brokers, southwestern Ontario
- Certified Business IntermediaryCBI designation
- Eighteen years in practiceHundreds of transactions, principally sell-side and vendor or purchaser representation
- Proprietary originationFirst consideration of companies ahead of any public listing
Acquisition criteria
We are sector agnostic. A niche, consistently profitable business is of interest regardless of the industry in which it operates. That said, certain characteristics recur in the companies we pursue, and certain others rule a company out before it reaches our members.
Opportunities elsewhere in Canada are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Characteristics we look for
- High-margin products or services
- Predominantly business-to-business
- Contracted or recurring revenue
- Distribution and manufacturing
- Skilled trades, and specialized construction in defensible niches
- Demonstrated profitability across multiple years
- Management and systems that operate independently of the vendor
- Diversified customer and supplier base
- Demand that holds through a soft economy
Characteristics that rule a company out
- Cyclical revenue
- Seasonal revenue
- Distressed or turnaround situations
- Revenue dependent on competitive tender or repeat bidding
- Early-stage or concept businesses
- Concentration in a single customer, supplier or individual
- Commodity pricing with no defensible position
How it works
Five steps from application to a funded position. No capital is committed until the last of them.
Complete investor profile
Submit the investor application below. We confirm accredited status, participation preferences, and any industry experience you bring.
Company teasers
Receive curated teaser ads for potential investment opportunities, matched to the sectors and participation levels indicated on your profile.
Non-disclosure and non-circumvention agreements
Express interest in a specific opportunity and complete the required agreements for further details.
Access to the data room
Review the full package for that transaction — financial statements, the confidential information memorandum, and the proposed structure.
Finalize investment
Review and sign the investment agreements to secure your participation. This is the first point at which capital is committed.
Frequently asked questions
The questions most often raised before an initial conversation. If yours is not addressed here, raise it with us directly.
What is the minimum participation?
Minimums are established for each transaction and depend on the size of the acquisition and the structure being used. Typical minimum participation is $100,000. Larger positions are available and are allocated in the order in which interest is confirmed.
Am I obligated to participate in every transaction?
No. Membership provides access to the flow of opportunities. Each is reviewed on its own merits, and the decision to participate rests entirely with you. Declining a transaction has no bearing on those presented subsequently.
Are you restricted to particular industries?
We are sector agnostic. A niche, consistently profitable business is of interest regardless of the industry in which it operates.
In practice we are drawn to high-margin, business-to-business companies with contracted or recurring revenue — distribution, manufacturing, skilled trades, and specialized construction in defensible niches. We do not pursue cyclical or seasonal businesses, distressed or turnaround situations, early-stage companies, or businesses whose revenue depends on winning competitive tenders.
How and when am I paid?
- Fixed-return positions are distributed quarterly wherever the transaction permits, and monthly in certain cases. The structure varies by deal: interest only, interest and principal, or principal repaid on a defined amortization alongside interest. The applicable structure is stated in that transaction's agreement.
- Ownership positions are distributed annually, once the year's results are determined and the operating requirements of the business have been met.
How long is my capital committed?
It depends on the position taken, and the precise terms are set out in the documents for each transaction.
- Fixed-return positions carry a fixed rate and a fixed term, generally structured so that capital is returned within three to five years on a defined schedule.
- Ownership positions are open-ended. Distributions may begin as early as the first year, but no sale is guaranteed — a company that performs may be retained indefinitely. An ownership position is not appropriate for capital required by a fixed date.
Shares in an acquisition vehicle are not freely transferable. BIG holds a right of first refusal over any shares a member wishes to dispose of and retains the right to purchase a member's position. Shares may not be sold to an outside party. The full mechanics are set out in the shareholders' agreement for each transaction.
How are BIG and its affiliates compensated?
BIG does not levy a membership or platform fee on its members. Compensation flows through related firms, and members should understand each element before participating:
- Ontario Business Brokers, our licensed brokerage, earns a commission on the acquisition of each company, calculated as a percentage of the transaction.
- Where a portfolio company is subsequently sold, Ontario Business Brokers acts as listing brokerage on that sale and earns a commission accordingly.
- Mitchell Capital Partners may charge a monthly or quarterly management fee on a given transaction, reflecting the work performed by our team for that business.
These are related parties. The amounts applicable to any transaction are disclosed in the documents provided before capital is committed.
Who manages the company following closing?
This depends on the business and what the business requires. In most cases leadership is provided by Mitchell Capital Partners, and the vendor frequently remains through a transition period. Where a member holds a demonstrated track record in that industry, we will consider placing them in the operating role.
What happens if a business underperforms?
These are private investments and some or all of the capital committed may be lost. Fixed-return positions rank ahead of equity in the order of repayment. Ownership positions absorb losses first. We mitigate this by acquiring consistently profitable companies at disciplined multiples with management already in place, but no structure eliminates the risk.
Must I be an accredited investor?
Yes, and the criteria must be met in full. Participation is limited to investors qualifying as accredited under National Instrument 45‑106. The application below sets out the tests and requires you to certify which applies to you.
What information is provided before I commit?
Following execution of an NDA you receive the confidential information memorandum, historical and normalized financial statements, the proposed purchase structure, the financing stack, and the specific terms of your position. You are free to have your own accountant and counsel review all of it.
Investor application
Complete our Accredited Investor Application to access a curated selection of high-potential, off-market deals tailored to your financial goals and preferences. It takes approximately four minutes and commits you to nothing.