Arati Sharma is the Founding Partner of Backbone Angels, a Toronto-based investor collective of women executives from Shopify. See contact routes.
Arati Sharma is the Founding Partner of Backbone Angels, a Toronto-based investor collective of women executives from Shopify, where she spent nearly a decade building its marketing function before launching the firm in March 2021. Her investment thesis targets early-stage companies led by women and people of colour, with a specific focus on Black, Indigenous, and women-of-colour-led founders across Canada. Sharma has personally funded 28 entrepreneurs within the collective’s portfolio, with 72% being first-time founders, though specific check sizes and lead/follow behavior are not publicly detailed. Notable portfolio companies include Willful, Kotn, Lilia, Three Ships, and Sheertex, reflecting her support for diverse consumer and tech brands. In 2021, she was named Canada’s Angel of the Year by the National Angel Capital Organization for her work increasing equitable access to resources. Sharma co-founded the beauty brand Ghlee and publicly emphasizes self-belief and perseverance, advising entrepreneurs to break large goals into small steps amid the “roller coaster” of building new ventures.
This profile is part of the StartupFundraising investor database: focus, portfolio history, disclosed location and contact routes, refreshed as new filings and rounds are ingested. Founders use it to check fit before reaching out and to find investors in Toronto.
Investors like Arati Sharma · Full investor directory · Investor access · Company funding database