Of Mitt Romney and True Growth Capital

Yesterday we closed our second Massachussets-based growth capital financing in the past three months for another fantastic technology company, and it made me think about the State’s Former Governor Mitt Romney.

I had the opportunity to see him speak last week when he came through Toronto on his book tour. The audience exceeded 500 people, and Governor Romney’s speech reminded me what an incredible (and repeatable) job America does of producing talented and articulate politicians.

He made several references to Canada throughout the night, and not just the expected remarks about our Gold medal hockey victory (Americans love winners, as Governor Howard Dean reminded CNN viewers the other day). Governor Romney had done his homework, and knew that Canadian soldiers had suffered more in Afganistan than any other NATO fighting force. As a young man, he spent many a summer on the Canadian side of Lake Huron, celebrating the 4th of July in a country that normally fires off its crackers on Victoria Day or July 1st.

During the question and answer period, the former Republican Presidential candidate tried his best to help the audience understand how Canadians and Americans differ on many of the key topics you’d expect. What I found most interesting, however, is how similar we are. Particularly with the State of Massachusetts, with its middle of the road politics and a healthcare system that provides most of the same benefits that one sees in Canada.

And, if I’m not mistaken, Boston and environs got far more snow this past winter than either Toronto or Montreal, for example. 😉

When our team meets with U.S.-based companies and their venture capital firms, their own comfort level with working with a Canadian-based fund is extremely clear and affirming. Perhaps it’s because more trade flows across the Detroit/Windor bridge each year than all of the trade between Japan and the U.S.A. Or is it the existing Canadian footprint?: On New York City’s Lexington Avenue, you’ll see TD Bank branches. RBC Centura is in the southeast. BMO Harris Bank throughout Illinois. Florida now boats a Sun Life field. It goes on and on.

And, thanks to the efforts of people like Mitt Romney, this 200 year old North-South partnership is only getting stronger.

MRM