Ex-BDC Capital investor sues for wrongful dismissal, seeks $900K

A former BDC Capital principal investor is suing the Crown corporation for wrongful dismissal, claiming he was fired after refusing to sign a confidentiality agreement tied to a workplace complaint, according to a court filing.

Emmanuel Priniotakis, a former principal on BDC's Sustainability Venture Fund, filed suit in Toronto in late April. He seeks more than $900,000 in damages, including 12 months' compensation and moral damages for reputational harm. The allegations have not been proven in court.

BDC Capital, Canada's largest venture capital firm, declined to comment on the specifics. "We believe it's best to let the legal process speak for itself," a spokesperson wrote in an email.

Priniotakis alleged he faced a hostile work environment after returning from medical leave in 2024. He said he reported bullying and dismissive conduct toward junior employees, inappropriate language, and investment governance issues. The court filing states he was asked to sign a confidentiality agreement before his complaints could be investigated. He refused.