Growth Debt for Software Companies
We invest $1 - 10 million in companies with $2-20 million in revenues.
Track Record
91 companies
$225 million in loan facilities
Providing loans since 2015
About
Coho Growth
Experienced
Trustworthy
Supportive
Each year, the coho salmon embarks on a relentless journey, navigating upstream against strong currents, facing countless challenges, yet persistently moving forward. The journey is similar to that of every entrepreneur — challenging the conventional, overcoming obstacles, and fueled by determination.
Founded by experienced tech lending entrepreneurs, Coho Growth understands this path intimately. With a collective experience that spans decades and multiple successful ventures, the trio has come together once again with a singular vision: to champion the sustainable growth of tech startups, while creating consistent value for investors. Their commitment is further strengthened by the memory of another TIMIA co-founder, Greg Smith, whose relentless entrepreneurial spirit remains a guiding force.
With growth debt finance solutions, Coho Growth empowers tech entrepreneurs to reach a meaningful exit.
Join us on our mission to redefine debt financing for the tech industry.
Michael Walkinshaw
Co-Founder & Managing Director
-
Strategic thinker, Experienced Credit and Equity Investor, Tech Ecosystem Champion, Speaker.
Mike is based in Vancouver, Canada, and has a wealth of experience in private credit, venture capital, and public financing for technology companies across North America and Europe.
Mike’s pursuit of unique and rewarding investment opportunities led him to technology lending - providing capital to technology entrepreneurs that have been passed over by the normal banking system. These opportunities allow entrepreneurs to create significant value for themselves and their investors, while at the same time creating attractive risk-adjusted returns for credit investors.
Mike’s strong financial background is paired with an entrepreneurial spirit. He co-founded TIMIA Capital with Greg Smith and built the public company to $500M in assets over 7 years. He also holds a CPA designation, as well as a Bachelor of Commerce from UBC.
He values time spent with family, friends, and pets, and loves spending time outdoors skiing, hiking, sailing, and golfing. Mike also volunteers his time building future female leaders through coaching competitive youth volleyball.
Mark Bakker
Co-Founder & Managing Director
-
Mark is an experienced marketing leader with a proven track record of driving success in the B2B SaaS and technology financing space.
Graduating from BCIT in 2006, Mark quickly discovered his passion for startups working for various companies, including bootstrapped, private equity, and venture backed companies. Previous to Coho Growth, Mark was the second hire at TIMIA and created a demand generation system that drove the origination team for 5 years.
With a web development background, Mark takes a technical and holistic approach to marketing. Mark is obsessed about building systems that help companies grow though product-market fit to the growth stage.
Mark recharges outside, usually with his Vizsla, mountain biking, water skiing, hiking, canoeing, and camping.
Rob Foxall
Co-Founder & Managing Director
-
Rob is a relationship builder with a passion for helping founders and operators grow their software companies.
Previous to Coho Growth, Rob was the first employee to join TIMIA Capital and led technology financing deals and the origination team during his six years with the firm. With over 10 years of experience in financing and building B2B software companies - serving as a founder, technology lender, operator and advisor to tech companies across North America - Rob has cultivated an extensive network spanning from entrepreneurs to investors.
Rob holds a Bachelor of Commerce from UBC with a specialization in Finance.
Rob is also passionate about balancing his growing family and sharing his love for the outdoors. He enjoys spending time in nature with family and friends skiing, fishing, hiking, and sailing. He is an active member of the startup community and has organized 11 Techstars Startup Weekends across the country.
Use of Capital
Growth investment
Shareholder buyout
Working capital
Debt refinancing
Runway extension to next equity event/exit
Path to profitability
Acquisitions
“Over the last 10 years, I've had the great fortune to have been supported by the Coho folks, Rob, Mike & Mark. With their single-minded focus on entrepreneurs, they have been instrumental partners en route to 2 successful exits. I look forward to working with them again under their new banner.”
Rick Brooks-Hill, CoFounder, Goldpan
“Rob, Mike and Mark were all great partners in enabling our business to grow. Where others wouldn't take the time to learn our business and it's unique elements, they dove deeper and proved to be a critical partner, not just a funding source, that ultimately got us to an exit event. I wouldn't hesitate to work with them again on my next company.”
Simon Turner, CEO, Myagi
“Rob, Mark, and Mike are experienced technology lenders. They were open and honest to work with and helped us achieve our goals.”
Robert Boukine, CEO, Noibu
“We wouldn’t have made it across the finish line if we didn’t receive the funding from you guys. That ended up being a real lifeline for us at that point in time. You guys are definitely an important part of that story.”
James Jacobs, Co-Founder and CEO, Ziva Dynamics
“Coho Growth played a key role in capitalizing the company so that we could focus on building the business, and not worry about cash. The end result was a really good acquisition, so that's awesome!”
Zach Scheel, CEO and Co-Founder, Rhumbix
Non-Dilutive Capital
3-5 year term loan
6-18 month interest-only period
Escalating Amortized
NO: equity, board seats, personal guarantees, warrants, restrictive covenants
Optional balloon at the end of the term
Start a conversation
We’re people. You’re people. Let’s begin a conversation and see if there’s a mutual fit.