Our mission is to empower growth among our people, partners and communities, creating long-term compounding value in business and in life, and having fun along the way.
We do this by investing in, partnering with, and working alongside proven companies and entrepreneurs who are headed to their next level. We focus on long-term growth.
Why? We love business. We are here to learn, create deeper connections, and build great companies.
About UsWhat is unique to Garibaldi Blue
Our knowledge and strength lie within our people & partnerships, portfolio companies, and ecosystem.
Partnership Reputation
Relentless commitment to building strong teams, thriving organizations, and exceptional partnerships, with a 15+ year track record. We focus on direct investing and working alongside entrepreneurs to build long-term compounding value, having directly led over 40+ investment transactions in operating companies, growth ventures and industrial real estate.
Dynamic Portfolio
Dynamic portfolio of focused investment strategies, across growth-stage and mature-stage companies, both minority and majority ownership, with a demonstrated track record of value creation.
Empowerment Ecosystem
Community of highly productive, trusted, and seasoned business leaders and knowledge partner relationships with unique skills and proven services: including manufacturing & operations, financial, legal, tax, accounting, debt financing, and equity investing. That is, an ecosystem to empower our people and companies to grow and thrive.
We are seeking to acquire a mature business generating $2 to $5 million EBITDA, based in Western Canada.
- Focus: food & consumer brands; transportation & logistics and manufacturing businesses
- Situations: founder or family succession, minority & majority, growth capital
Garibaldi Blue Investment Strategies
Family-owned private capital, invested directly since 2012, across four investment strategies.
Food & Consumer Brands
Empowering purpose-led brands to their next level, built on more than a decade of building food companies.
ExploreTransportation & Logistics
Building an acquisitive community of specialty carriers, and the infrastructure behind them.
ExploreGrowth Ventures
Minority partnerships, funds and co-investments that widen our network and our view of what's next.
ExploreIndustrial Real Estate
Owning the single-tenant industrial real estate our operating companies run on.
ExploreGaribaldi Ecosystem
The Garibaldi Blue Ecosystem is a community of highly productive, trusted, and seasoned business leaders and knowledge partner relationships, each with unique skills and proven services.
“No one of us is as good as all of us” – Ray Kroc.
We imagine an enduring, thriving ecosystem, one that is rich in its resources. We take inspiration from British Columbia’s Garibaldi Provincial Park, a 190k hectares wilderness park located near Vancouver, Canada with over 15 peaks at upwards of 2,678 m, over 90 km of hiking trails, numerous glacier lakes, and wondrous views & natural surroundings.
About Us
Affiliation
Founded in 1996, Tricor Pacific Capital ("Tricor") is a leading Canadian family-owned, private equity firm based in Vancouver. Derek Senft serves as Managing Director.
More about Tricor
Community
Garibaldi Blue is an active advocate for social and philanthropic ventures in our community.
Proud supporters of the Binners' Project and Little Warriors.
CommunityGet in touch
Whether you are planning a succession, seeking a long-term partner or exploring growth capital, we would welcome a conversation.
Contact UsOur mission is to empower growth
…among our people, partners and communities, creating long-term compounding value in business and in life, and having fun along the way.
A family-owned company, with purpose at its heart.
We imagine a "decentralized and united" community of businesses, each led by autonomous teams of exceptional operating partners, each with a vision and ambition to be more tomorrow than they are today, and where teams are focused on strengthening their business and growing over the very long term.
We envision building thriving organizations and exceptional partnerships, creating working lives that are more rewarding for all, making a positive community impact that we can all be proud of.
- We love business.
- We are here to learn and create deeper connections.
- We are committed to building great companies.
Partnership & Investment Focus
Family-owned private capital, invested directly since 2012, across four investment strategies: (i) Food & Consumer Brands, (ii) Transportation & Logistics, (iii) Growth Ventures, and (iv) Industrial Real Estate.
We are seeking to acquire a mature business generating $2 to $5 million EBITDA, based in Western Canada, with a focus on food & consumer brands, transportation & logistics and manufacturing businesses. Situations include founder or family succession, minority & majority investments, and growth capital.
Download our Storyboard PDF
Download Storyboard (PDF)What is unique to Garibaldi Blue
Our knowledge and strength lie within our people & partnerships, portfolio companies, and ecosystem.
Partnership Reputation
Relentless commitment to building strong teams, thriving organizations, and exceptional partnerships, with a 15+ year track record. We focus on direct investing and working alongside entrepreneurs to build long-term compounding value, having directly led over 40+ investment transactions in operating companies, growth ventures and industrial real estate.
Dynamic Portfolio
Dynamic portfolio of focused investment strategies, across growth-stage and mature-stage companies, both minority and majority ownership, with a demonstrated track record of value creation.
Empowerment Ecosystem
Community of highly productive, trusted, and seasoned business leaders and knowledge partner relationships with unique skills and proven services: including manufacturing & operations, financial, legal, tax, accounting, debt financing, and equity investing. That is, an ecosystem to empower our people and companies to grow and thrive.
Timeless Values to Underpin Our Approach
Discipline
Cultivating self-discipline is foundational to creating freedom and success. We are focused on building organizational capabilities, maintaining focus, and persevering through difficulties. Our culture is one of fostering autonomy and accountability, freedom and responsibility, rigour and flexibility. We strive to maintain a disciplined approach to investing, partnering well, and unlocking our collective true potential.
"Only the disciplined are truly free. The undisciplined are slaves to moods, appetites and passions." – Ryan Holiday
Better Way
We are relentless about pursuing a better way. It's in our DNA to always be improving, growing, and striving to reach our full potential. We believe a better way is generated through fostering a positive and abundance-driven mindset. We take inspiration from our industrious entrepreneur and business leader partners with whom we are collectively looking to be a contribution. Together, this is how we make the biggest impact.
"The responsibility of business is to use its will and resources to advance a cause greater than itself, protect the people and places in which it operates and generate more resources so that it can continue doing all those things for as long as possible" – Simon Sinek
Deeper Connection
Our "why" stems from a desire to build deeper connections. A deeper connection to our partners, businesses, and communities. In building a deeper connection, we strengthen our ability to grow and succeed together as well as enrich our overall experience in business and in life.
"First who, then what" – Jim Collins
“The measure of a partnership is how easy it is to get to fair.”
– Derek Senft
Investment Strategies
Family-owned private capital, invested directly since 2012, across four investment strategies.
Food & Consumer Brands
Empowering purpose-led brands to their next level, built on more than a decade of building food companies.
ExploreTransportation & Logistics
Building an acquisitive community of specialty carriers, and the infrastructure behind them.
ExploreGrowth Ventures
Minority partnerships, funds and co-investments that widen our network and our view of what's next.
ExploreIndustrial Real Estate
Owning the single-tenant industrial real estate our operating companies run on.
Explore
Founded in 1996, Tricor Pacific Capital ("Tricor") is a leading Canadian family-owned, private equity firm based in Vancouver.
Tricor invests its own capital in a diverse group of operating companies, real estate, and other investments. Tricor builds winning partnerships in pursuit of shared dreams, holding its investments intergenerationally to create a lasting impact on the lives of its partners, employees, families, and communities.
Here, Derek Senft serves as Managing Director where he contributes to Tricor's strategic planning, business development, capital deployment, and oversight of certain investment partnerships.
Watch the videoTricor Pacific Capital – Who We AreOur Team
Derek Senft
Managing Partner · Vancouver, Canada
Derek is investing private capital and empowering entrepreneurs, creating compounding value in business and in life.
View bio
Jana Koerner-Safrata
Executive Assistant
Jana is a partner to Derek in supporting and executing all aspects of Garibaldi Blue's mission.
View bioGet in touch
Whether you are planning a succession, seeking a long-term partner or exploring growth capital, we would welcome a conversation.
Contact UsDerek is investing private capital and empowering entrepreneurs, creating compounding value in business and in life.
With 20+ years of private equity and direct investing experience, Derek formed Garibaldi Blue Investment Company in 2012, through which he has led 40+ buyout investments and add-on acquisitions in middle-market operating businesses (control & minority), industrial real estate properties, and other alternative investments.
Derek began his career in investment banking with CIBC World Markets in 2004. He later entered the direct investing business in joining Tricor Pacific Capital's Private Equity Fund IV in 2006. Derek went on to acquire OCTS in 2013 forming the Overland Group, co-founded the Founders Group of Food Companies in 2014, and (re)joined Tricor Pacific Capital's family office in 2020. In 2026, Garibaldi Blue acquired a majority interest in Level Ground Coffee Roasters. Today, Derek oversees focused investment strategies with his partners, typically engaging as Chairman or Board Director, and is direct investing through Garibaldi Blue Investment Company.
Derek engages with social and philanthropic ventures, including the Binners' Project and Little Warriors, and is a former Board Director of Prostate Cancer Canada.
Derek received his B.A. degree from Dartmouth College (Hanover, NH) in 2003, M.B.A. degree from London Business School (London, UK) in 2012, and ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors in Canada in 2018.
Specialties- Investing in family-owned businesses and growth ventures.
- Direct investing in mid-market operating companies & industrial real estate.
- Building long-term partnerships with founders and entrepreneurs.
derek.senft@garibaldiblue.com
1 (604) 726-5051
LinkedIn
Get in touch
Whether you are planning a succession, seeking a long-term partner or exploring growth capital, we would welcome a conversation.
Contact UsJana is a partner to Derek in supporting and executing all aspects of Garibaldi Blue's mission.
Jana has worked in a variety of industries from Quick Serve Restaurant technology, delivery start-ups, education, tourism and hospitality, digital media, retail, as well as Non-Governmental Organizations in the Global South.
Jana received her B.A. degree from Simon Fraser University (Vancouver, BC) in 2020, an ICD.GEP designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors in Canada in 2024, and is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Specialties- Strategic planning & execution
- Operational excellence & process design
- Stakeholder management & relationship building
jana.koernersafrata@garibaldiblue.com
1 (604) 561-5262
LinkedIn
Get in touch
Whether you are planning a succession, seeking a long-term partner or exploring growth capital, we would welcome a conversation.
Contact UsFamily-owned private capital, invested directly since 2012, across four investment strategies: Food & Consumer Brands, Transportation & Logistics, Growth Ventures, and Industrial Real Estate. We back purpose-led companies and entrepreneurs headed to their next level, as minority partners or majority owners, with a focus on long-term growth.
Food & Consumer Brands
Empowering purpose-led brands to their next level, built on more than a decade of building food companies.
ExploreTransportation & Logistics
Building an acquisitive community of specialty carriers, and the infrastructure behind them.
ExploreGrowth Ventures
Minority partnerships, funds and co-investments that widen our network and our view of what's next.
ExploreIndustrial Real Estate
Owning the single-tenant industrial real estate our operating companies run on.
ExploreGet in touch
Whether you are planning a succession, seeking a long-term partner or exploring growth capital, we would welcome a conversation.
Contact UsWe have been building food and consumer brands companies since 2014. Most recently, Garibaldi Blue acquired a majority interest in Level Ground Coffee Roasters. Additionally, Derek Senft co-founded and is Managing Partner of the Founders Group of Food Companies, a group of meat, seafood and specialty food manufacturers and distributors across Canada and the US, from Great Lakes freshwater fish to Pacific Northwest beef, as well as gourmet chocolate gifts.
More than a decade inside food plants, supply chains, and national customer channels in retail and foodservice is the foundation we now bring to purpose-led consumer brands: companies people choose for what they stand for, led by entrepreneurs headed to their next level.
Level Ground
Majority Owner · 2026Victoria, BC. Specialty coffee roaster, sourcing from fair trade small-scale farmers and co-operatives since 1997.
levelground.com
Pacific Northwest beef processor offering organic, grass-fed and conventional beef from regional ranchers.
Reno, Nevada specialty meat and seafood processor and distributor serving restaurants, hospitality and retail across the western US.
Denver, Colorado seafood and gourmet provisions distributor, established 1918. "We sustainably feed people."
Pacific Northwest custom ground beef and burger manufacturer servicing the Pacific Northwest.
Wheatley, Ontario processor of Great Lakes freshwater fish, including perch, pickerel, whitefish, and smelt.
Custom engraved, packaged and branded chocolate gifts and confections.
All-in-one greens and daily nutrition wellness brand, now extending into hydration.
Better-for-you energy gel made from raw honey, sea salt electrolytes and organic guarana.
Everyday healthy foods, served across Vancouver.
Premium ready-to-drink tequila cocktails and mocktails.
Supplier of ready-to-eat, fresh prepared foods to the Canadian and U.S. markets, serving the retail, foodservice and contract manufacturing channels.
Get in touch
Whether you are planning a succession, seeking a long-term partner or exploring growth capital, we would welcome a conversation.
Contact Us
Overland Blue Transport Group is an acquisitive, growing community of specialty transportation carriers, including OCTS, the largest intermodal and specialty transportation & logistics provider in Alberta. Acquired by Garibaldi Blue & Tricor Pacific Capital in 2013, and led by Managing Partner, Derek Senft.
OCTS works with ocean shipping lines, freight forwarders, and direct operating company producers to ensure first and final mile solutions in drayage, storage, transloading, rail siding, warehousing and other specialty haul services. Founded in 1989 and authorized to operate from both Canadian National and Canadian Pacific terminals in Calgary and Edmonton, OCTS is proud to be the "first & last mile" for some of the world's most prominent industries, steamship lines and freight companies. OCTS acquired A&L Intermodal in 2023.
Overland Group is seeking to acquire specialty transportation companies, with an initial focus on ocean container and other intermodal carriers, across Canada, with EBITDA of $3M to $15M.
Through the Overland Group, we are developing a 160-acre industrial site in Calgary, AB, neighbouring the CN Logistics Park, alongside the OCTS Acheson facility.
Industrial Real EstateWe imagine a "decentralized and united" community of specialty transportation businesses, each led by autonomous teams of exceptional operating partners with a vision and ambition to be more tomorrow than they are today, where teams are focused on strengthening their business and growing over the very long term. We envision building Overland Group into a thriving, specialty transportation organization, creating working lives that are more rewarding for all, making a positive community impact that we can all be proud of.
Watch the videoOverland Group, About UsGet in touch
Whether you are planning a succession, seeking a long-term partner or exploring growth capital, we would welcome a conversation.
Contact UsGaribaldi Blue Investment Company invests and works directly alongside proven companies and entrepreneurs of industry who are headed to their next level, with a focus on long-term growth.
Growth Ventures includes minority partnerships, fund commitments and co-investments that widen our network and our view of what's next.
Get in touch
Whether you are planning a succession, seeking a long-term partner or exploring growth capital, we would welcome a conversation.
Contact Us
Garibaldi Blue Property Partners (GBPP) invests in the industrial real estate associated with related-party operating companies. Typical properties are single-tenant, 35k–300k sq ft, located in Canada and the US. GBPP is a minority shareholder of 16 industrial properties across Canada and the U.S. and encompassing over 1.3 million sq ft.
For sellersWe can own the building alongside the business.
Through the Overland Group, we are developing a 160-acre industrial site in Calgary, AB, neighbouring the CN Logistics Park.
Transportation & LogisticsGet in touch
Whether you are planning a succession, seeking a long-term partner or exploring growth capital, we would welcome a conversation.
Contact UsGiving Back & Looking Forward
Garibaldi Blue supports local social enterprises and philanthropic ventures to drive meaningful, lasting change within our communities. Most recently, Garibaldi Blue, in partnership with the Senft Family Foundation, has championed Binners' Project and advocated for Little Warriors, organizations that understand the unique needs of their localities and address them with agility and care. By investing time, resources, and expertise into local initiatives, we not only help build stronger neighbourhoods but also cultivate a more connected and resilient society. Supporting local means standing alongside those who are doing the work every day, on the ground, to make a difference.
Binners' Project
Binners' Project supports waste-pickers in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, aiming to improve their economic opportunities and reduce the stigma they face. They recognize binners' positive environmental impact by diverting waste and offer fee-for-service waste sorting programs, fostering social inclusion and economic development.
A former steering committee member, Derek has been an advocate of Binners' Project since 2017, and Garibaldi Blue continues to support their initiatives and mission.
Little Warriors
Little Warriors is a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to the awareness, prevention, and treatment of child sexual abuse. They provide specialized treatment through its world class facility, the Be Brave Ranch. The program offers online support for children, teens, and families affected by trauma. They also run workshops to educate adults on preventing and addressing child sexual abuse.
Since 2022, Derek has supported Little Warriors through a leadership development weekend and annual event called Unbeatable Warriors. Led by Navy SEALs, this event combines SEALFIT and Unbeatable Mind training programs in resilience, mental toughness and functional fitness. All proceeds benefit Little Warriors to advance their mission.
About Garibaldi Blue
About Us410 W Georgia Street,
Suite 1858,
Vancouver, BC V6B 5A1
Whether you are planning a succession, seeking a long-term partner or exploring growth capital, we would welcome a conversation.