Keystone Small Business Investments Limited helps Manitoba small businesses succeed with equity investments and over 240 years of business experience. We make investments based on our expertise in business planning, financial analysis, customer focus, human resources and operational excellence.

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About Us

The company is led by seven like-minded directors possessing skills in business planning, finance, operations, sales and marketing, human resources, engineering, corporate law, health and safety and risk management. Our focus is on investing in promising Manitoba businesses and entrepreneurs who offer products or services that will improve quality of life while creating opportunities for people and communities in Manitoba.

KSBI was incorporated under The Corporations Act (Manitoba) in August 2020.  Over their many years of business activity, each of the company directors has demonstrated integrity through their actions guided by commitment to a well-developed ethical code.  All of the directors share a passion for business and their community.  Through KSBI they have made a personal commitment to support the success of local companies.

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Investing In Your Business

The directors of Keystone Small Business Investments Limited invest when they believe the conditions for success have been met.  Success can be defined in a number of ways: growing share value and dividends, earnings growth, increasing production scale and employment growth.  The magnitude of equity investment may range from $100,000 to $500,000 depending on the opportunity.  To improve the potential for success of the business and its potential to attract other investment, the directors of KSBI can offer the benefit of their considerable experience in leading and managing businesses both large and small.  We can offer ongoing support in the form of a sounding board for business choices or through a process of mentoring. KSBI does not engage in consulting or business advisory activities on a fee for service basis.

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Business Planning

Two foundational steps for business success are developing a realistic business plan and executing the plan in a disciplined way.  Developing a written business plan is the essential first step but, while it may require a considerable investment of knowledge, time and effort, it is the easiest step.  Executing the plan is the most challenging part of business success.   The directors of the company have many years of experience in strategic planning and business plan execution.  They believe your business plan must come from the owners and employees of your business if it is to be authentic, engaging and successful.  

The plan needs to define the ability of the business to develop and sustain its competitive advantage in its market.  What is the source of the firm’s competitive advantage: is it the unique talents of its people, the price and quality of inputs, a patent, the innovative processes used to manage production and control costs, distribution or services or are your advantages embedded in the sales and marketing systems?  In all of these areas and many others the leaders of the business need to make informed choices so that they can build sustainable, profitable growth.   

KSBI can be a sounding board on the requirements for the successful execution of the plan, acting as a resource for adaptive management as the business encounters new opportunities and challenges.  KSBI also has expertise to mentor with the governance issues that must be addressed to support a successful business.

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crop businessman giving contract to woman to sign

Customer Focus

The directors of Keystone Small Business Investments believe that all businesses must put the customer at the centre of their business plans and tactics.  Who is the primary customer and what specific customer need is the business organized to satisfy?  How will the business target, segment and identify individual customers and build a relationship with them?  Has a sales process been defined and how will it be supported by a sales management system that can capture and qualify leads, make sales and build a database on customer experience?  Is there clear accountability for sales results and an appropriate reward system?     What are the resources and processes required to satisfy customers while engaging employees?  What is the marketing and sales strategy, how will your sales promotion and advertising be managed?

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Operational Excellence

Successful businesses are built upon processes for operational excellence.  The directors of Keystone Small Business Investments have a wealth of experience in the fundamentals of operational excellence:  environment, health and safety processes including metrics, reporting and management; cause mapping and root cause analysis; reliability maintenance programs; construction project management; processes for management of hazardous materials; electrical systems and control software; writing specifications for procurement and contractor relations and partnerships, while at the same time delivering over $500 million of associated capital projects on time and on budget. Businesses in an early growth stage need to get these elements right to manage cost, productivity, reliability, risk and protect employee and community safety.  Our directors can provide feedback on all of these elements that must be calibrated to fit your business.

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Financial Planning

Keystone Small Business Investments directors have many years of practical experience in accounting, financial analysis, business valuation, mergers and acquisitions, risk management including financial derivatives, foreign exchange trading, financial modelling, budgeting and capital planning.  Over the course of their business careers, the directors have been key members of teams completing numerous acquisitions totaling over $200 million.  Our directors have been responsible for developing multi-year capital expenditure plans. Several KSBI directors have been instrumental in establishing joint venture businesses and contributing to their financial success as board members.

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Human Resources

Do you have the right people, with the right skills available in the right number, at the right time, doing the right things?  Business success is only delivered through people; your most important long term decisions will be who you hire to share your success.   Many businesses pay too little attention to human resource planning and practices, especially in the early stages of start-up and rapid growth.  The directors of KSBI have successfully led large organizations, small businesses and small project teams to reach challenging growth and financial goals.  There are simple, common sense tools available to put this piece of the business puzzle into place.  Keystone Small Business Investments can provide feedback on matters such as recruiting, training, retention, performance management, succession planning, compensation, benefits, employee relations and internal communication.

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Portfolio

Carbon Lock Tech

Keystone Small Business Investments Limited has participated in an initial investment round with Carbon Lock Technologies Inc. (carbonlock.ca), a Winnipeg based enterprise in the clean tech space. Carbon Lock is developing and piloting technology for high quality, verifiable carbon capture in multiple bio-waste streams.  KSBI is supporting Carbon Lock through capital investment and the specialized business knowledge of it’s directors, particularly in the areas of engineering, operations and business strategy. The directors of KSBI are delighted to support this company and it’s leaders who are passionately committed to finding practical, scalable solutions to one of the world’s most urgent and important challenges.

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PolySense Solutions

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Contact Us

If you or your company are operating, or interested in operating in Manitoba.


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Privacy Policy.

Your contact information is kept within Keystone Small Business Investments Limited and not shared with any other company or persons without your authorization.