ABSTRACT
There is growing documentation on the emergence of new local and regional investment funds throughout Canada, the USA and Europe. Most of this documentation is largely descriptive, providing information on the nature of these new sources of capital: their objectives, eligibility criteria, etc. These funds fall under several broad headings and are based, in many cases, on new partnerships between the state, the private sector, the labour movement and the so-called social economy. They range from regional development funds to private risk or venture capital, with many hybrid varieties in between. Public and private funds can themselves be broken down to reveal many instruments with different profitability and eligibility criteria. Funds also target different sectors and/or regions and localities.
