Sean Wise, BA, LLB, MBA
According to the December issue of Canadian Business magazine, Sean Wise is one of Canada’s leading experts on raising Venture Capital. Profit magazine’s September issue has similarly remarked, that he is one of the country's leading mentors for emerging growth companies.
Over the last 8 years, he has lectured at more than 100 bootcamps, financing forums and industry conferences. He has trained over 3500 entrepreneurs, who collectively raised more $2B from a wide variety of investment sources.
Sean sits on the Boards of several young technology companies, as well as the Banff Venture Forum and the Toronto Venture Group. He is the Chair of the 2007 Canadian Venture Forum and a member of both the Law Society of Upper Canada and the Canadian Venture Capital Association. He also works with many not-for-profit groups including, the Hospital for Sick Kids.
Sean’s column (entitled Wise Words) on Venture Capital and Entrepreneurship appears monthly in the Globe and Mail. Sean also hosts podcast interviews with business leaders from around the world on his blog: www.SeanWise.com.
Sean studied Engineering and Economics at Carleton University, before proceeding to obtain his Law and MBA degrees from the University of Ottawa.
Sean helped found Ernst & Young¹s Venture Capital Advisory Group in Canada and now undertakes selective engagements from young companies looking for strategic guidance on capital raising and growth through the five person consultancy, Wise Mentor Capital.
The CBC has recently retained Sean to be their Industry Advisor and Online Host for their upcoming business reality show on Venture Capital and Entrepreneurship: Dragons’ Den. In light of his participation in the show and after witnessing him auditioning contestants, Sean was dubbed by the press as the “Dragons’ Keeper.”
At WMC, Sean leads the team on all engagements related to:
- Bootcamps and trade missions
- Reviewing business plans
- Negotiating term sheets
- Mentoring CEOs
- Supporting Venture Capitalists with their current and future portfolio companies
- Facilitating fundraising efforts and targeting capital
Dennis Ensing, B. Comm., CA, CBV
Dennis offers Wise Mentor Capital, an unparalleled combination of hands-on financial operations and transaction experience with emerging high-growth companies.
After his first career at Ernst & Young, he became an entrepreneurial executive at his own start-up and CFO to several profitable private companies. In 1998, he returned to Ernst & Young and joined its Corporate Finance practice. He was a member of the technology, communications & entertainment industry team and led engagements providing a range of transaction advisory services, such as mergers, acquisitions, financing and divestitures, until 2001.
Over the past three years, Dennis has supported several technology companies, specializing in IT and biotech, with their strategic, financial and operational aspects. With his assistance, these companies have been able to raise over $17 million. He currently serves as the CFO to four companies.
In 2002 and 2003, Dennis preceded Sean as the Chair of the Selection Committee for the Toronto Venture Group’s VentureFair. He now sits on the Board of TechAlliance and chairs its Venture Services Committee.
Dennis has a Business degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and also obtained a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Business Valuator designation.
Dennis leads the WMC team on all engagements related to:
- Building financial models
- Drafting business plans
- Setting financing plans
- Budgeting with spending plans, pre & post close and
- Facilitating exits
