Ha’s Journey in VC: From Breaking Barriers to Shaping the Future

The McRock women are making history. When the Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (CVCA) launched its Women in Private Capital Awards in 2023, Whitney Rockley took home the first-ever Woman of Achievement award. Fast forward to 2025, and we’re celebrating another major milestone – Ha Nguyen has been named a VC Rising Woman Star.

That’s two major CVCA wins for the women of McRock in just a few years. With both female partners now recognized, Scott might be wondering when it’s his turn. But today is all about Ha – another big win for a powerhouse investor.

Ha’s journey to this moment is anything but ordinary. She landed in Canada with big ambitions, navigated challenges, and carved her own path in a male-dominated industry. Now, as a McRock Partner, she’s doing what she does best – investing in game-changing companies and proving that VC isn’t just about capital; it’s about people.

With this recognition, Ha’s influence in VC is undeniable. We sat down with her to explore what this award means, the key moments that shaped her path, and what’s ahead.

McRock: “VC Rising Woman Star” – congrats! What does this award mean to you, and what were the game-changing moments that got you here?

Ha: It has a very ‘Outstanding New Artist’ Grammy feel to it, doesn’t it? But much like those winners, I’ve been working at this for a while.

I see this award as another sign from the universe that I’m in the right place. I kind of fell into VC, and when I stepped away briefly, I felt drawn back. VC has its chaos – unpredictable, dramatic, but that’s what makes it exciting. Every time the rollercoaster slowed, I got another sign to stay on the ride – meeting Whitney & Scott in 2017, making partner in 2022, and being named Alberta Ecosystem MVP last year.

I still remember when Whitney called to offer me the job. The second we hung up, I couldn’t stop jumping up and down. The feeling was like a rush of soothing water spreading through me, expanding until it filled every part of me, warming me from head to toe. My first Canadian winter couldn’t compete. This award reaffirms that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be – not just in the right career, but with the right team.

McRock: Good point. Maybe ‘trailblazer’ is a better term than ‘rising star’?

Ha: I like that. Trailblazers create paths others can use – and the more people build on those paths, the more accessible they become. I’d like to think I helped create that path for others.

There are many talented people out there with backgrounds similar to mine. The fact that I made it means others can too. As more people like me enter VC, it will become the norm, not the exception.

McRock: The VC world talks a lot about gender diversity. What’s something you wish it would actually do?

Ha: I think our industry has started to evolve, but I’d love to see more intentional changes in how we network. Not everyone can stay out late, drink, or play golf. While networking can be enjoyable (sometimes), the setting plays a huge role in making it meaningful. We need new ways to connect – ones that foster deeper conversations and let people share their stories in the most authentic and impactful way.

McRock: If you could give one unfiltered, no-BS piece of advice to women looking to break into VC, what would it be?

Ha: If someone doesn’t like you for who you are, don’t waste energy trying to win their approval. Don’t internalize it. Instead, seek out people who align with your vision and genuinely value you. And trust me, you will find those people.

McRock: If you had to put money on one major shift in VC over the next five years, what’s your bet?

Ha: The future belongs to specialist VCs. In an increasingly competitive market, differentiation is key. Companies need investors who bring more than capital – real expertise, strategic insight, and the ability to create value beyond the dollars. This is also why a diverse range of investor backgrounds is more critical than ever.

McRock isn’t just diverse – it’s built that way. Whitney and Scott founded McRock at a time when most VC came from old money. As entrepreneurs themselves, they’ve built a firm on integrity and doing things the right way, even when it’s hard. That gives us a deep sense of empathy and respect for the founders we work with.

The CVCA could have picked anyone – but they chose Ha Nguyen. And they got it right.

At McRock, we’ve always believed that venture capital is about vision, resilience, and leadership, and Ha embodies all three. The CVCA wins for McRock women at the Women in Private Capital Awards highlight something rare in our industry – McRock is one of the few investment firms where female investment decision-makers outnumber their male counterparts. It’s proof that talent wins deals, and great leadership shapes industries.

Congrats, Ha. This is just the beginning.

 

Fasih’s journey to McRock: A story of bold moves, big decisions, and building a future with heart.

For me, it all started in 8th grade with numbers. I wasn’t just solving equations; I was unraveling patterns and cracking codes. Numbers didn’t just make sense – they lit me up. While most parents in my region dreamed of their kids becoming engineers, I was the odd one out. By the time I graduated 10th standard, my dad was still nudging me to “keep my options open,” but I was calm, clear, and laser-focused on where I was heading.

At the time, I didn’t fully grasp just how massive the world of finance was – accounting, auditing, taxation, treasury, corporate finance. I didn’t know which lane was mine, but I knew I loved numbers and problem-solving. It was enough for me.

Finding My Path

During my studies, corporate finance caught my eye, and there was no turning back. It wasn’t just interesting – it felt like home. But breaking into the field where I lived was no walk in the park. M&A opportunities were rare, and internships even scarcer.

So, I started where I could: auditing and accounting. It wasn’t my dream gig, but I rolled up my sleeves and got to work. Eventually, I decided to bet on myself and try my luck in the Middle East. At first, I landed another accounting role – not exactly what I’d envisioned. But after two years of persistence, I finally got my break. I dove headfirst into corporate finance, tackling LOIs, due diligence, and M&A activities. For the first time, I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be.

Love Changes Everything

Just as my career was hitting its stride, life threw me a plot twist. I got married, and my wife wasn’t too keen on settling in the Middle East. That meant packing up, moving back to my home country, and walking away from the role I’d worked so hard to get.

It could’ve been a setback, but it wasn’t. Armed with experience, a little savings, and my wife’s unwavering support, I landed a corporate finance M&A role with a North American company back home. This wasn’t just a job – it was a game-changer, the boost I needed to leap into the next chapter.

Stepping into Venture Capital

Venture capital was always a curiosity for me. I knew the headlines – Amazon, Uber, Airbnb – but the inner workings of VC? That was a mystery. Then, a Southeast Asian firm handed me the opportunity to step into the ecosystem, and I was hooked. Finally, I could see how the gears turned, and I couldn’t get enough.

Finding My Place in Canada

Eventually, my wife and I decided to make one last big move – this time to Canada. The VC ecosystem in Canada might be smaller, but I knew it was where I’d find the most happiness in my work.

Eight months after arriving, I joined McRock Capital. Now, I get to spend every day doing what I love – helping founders turn their dreams into reality. The journey has been full of twists and turns, but every step has led me here. And I can’t wait to see what comes next.

Not all heroes wear capes—some super-charge ecosystems.

That’s exactly what Ha Nguyen has been doing as a Partner at McRock Capital, Advisory Board Member of Migr8, and now, the 2024 Ecosystem Supporter of the Year by Start Alberta. It’s the Oscars of Alberta tech (minus the red carpet, plus innovation).

And no one deserves it more. Ha isn’t just part of Alberta’s tech scene—she’s a driving force behind its success. Since moving to Alberta seven years ago, she’s been helping startups, scale-ups, and immigrant entrepreneurs thrive. As she puts it, “I wanted to create a system to welcome brilliant entrepreneurs from all over the world, making them feel valued and supported, just as I have felt since coming here.”

That vision became Migr8, a powerhouse initiative with two sides: Migr8 Capital, a venture fund, and Migr8+, a nonprofit supporting immigrant entrepreneurs with resources and community. Think of it as a launchpad for innovators—because sometimes grit needs a little lift.

Ha’s impact doesn’t stop there. She’s a bridge-builder, connecting newcomers to Alberta’s dynamic tech network, from Evolve Lab to Edmonton Unlimited. The result? A stronger, more diverse innovation community where collaboration drives resilience.

Ha’s story mirrors Alberta’s spirit: bold, collaborative, and relentlessly forward-thinking. Her work is proof that diversity fuels innovation and inclusion strengthens everyone.

What’s next for Ha? Probably more groundbreaking initiatives and another well-deserved accolade. In the meantime, check out this video to see why Ha’s influence is extraordinary: Watch Here.

Here’s to Ha—breaking barriers, raising the bar, and making Alberta’s tech community stronger every day.

Here we grow again!

Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston had it right: One can have a dream, baby – two can make that dream so real. In the wake of our Fund III announcement, we’ve added two new Associates to the team: Mickey Mi and Pritish Sehgal, VC veterans and recent Canadians.

Pritish’s dad quoted John A. Shedd to him before he moved out of the family home for school: “A ship in a harbour is safe but that is not what ships are built for.” While Mickey hails from China originally and Pritish from India, they have a lot in common:

They joined the McRock team because we’re not like other VC firms – from our approach to the day-to-day to our diverse team to our commitment to founders (their words! We just happen to agree).

Both Pritish and Mickey took the paths that, while not necessarily easy, were just right for them. Pritish broke from family tradition and started from scratch each time he moved – and he credits his willingness to take the plunge for his success thus far. From moving away from his hometown for school to playing professional cricket to recently moving to Canada, Pritish has been clearing his own path from the very beginning.

Mickey learned a hard lesson in his teens and finished high school in Florida, discovering his independence and drive in the process. Since then, a combination of commitment and grit have propelled him to new heights, pushing to get a little better every day. He returned to China after graduate school, then lived briefly in the UK before emigrating to Canada.

From a professional perspective, Mickey has his Bachelors in Economics from the University of Washington in Seattle and his Masters in Enterprise Risk Management from Columbia. He’s actively pursuing his CFA designation. During his undergrad, Mickey explored entrepreneurship, founding an EdTech startup. Prior to joining McRock, he managed social impact investments for GMCVO, a British impact investment firm, worked on early-stage ICT deals at a leading Asian venture capital firm, and contributed to renewable energy investments at a publicly listed company.

Pritish also explored his entrepreneurial side, co-founding Interwood India from his dorm room. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from MIT School of Management and an honorary charter from the CGIA Institute. Prior to becoming a McRocker, Pritish worked at Grant Thronton, Faber Capital PE and most recently at IAN Group, where he led early-stage SaaS investments. His past investment experience includes sectors such as clean energy, logistics, enterprise tech, robotics and biotech.

In keeping with our McRock Twins alter egos, we asked what their superpowers would be. Watch out, VC: Mickey would read minds, and Pritish would time travel. That combination might just be unstoppable!

Oh, and when we asked what this year’s holiday music video should be, Post Malone might have come up. Our question is, who gets the face tattoos…Scott or Whitney?

Our latest Fund secures top tier institutional investors to focus on the growth of the Industrial Software sector

We’ve been diving deep into the world of Digital Industrial since McRock first opened its doors more than a decade ago. And guess what? Our expertise is paying off, and wow, does it ever feel good!

At the 11^th annual McRock Digital Industrial Symposium today, our co-founders Whitney Rockley and Scott MacDonald announced the first closing of McRock Fund III with US $81 million in commitments. Fund III will focus on industrial software.

McRock Fund III investors include longtime partners Export Development Canada, BDC Capital, Alberta Enterprise Corporation, Fonds de solidarité FTQ and Aspen Technology, Inc., plus newcomers Venture Ontario, Bell Ventures and CIBC Innovation Banking.

We’re far from done

Digital Industrial technologies help operations run better, faster, cheaper, safer and greener. Add AI into the mix, and the Digital Industrial Revolution is picking up speed so fast it can feel like we’re going to run out of runway!

We’ve been paying attention to industrial software for quite a while, and that part of our portfolio has already been rocking and rolling. From former portfolio companies mnubo (acquired by AspenTech in 2019), Decisive Farming (Telus, 2019), ThoughtTrace (Thomson Reuters, 2022) and Poka (IFS, 2023) to active companies like Landing AI, Samdesk and our newest investment, Prevu3D.

“The next frontier in software is industrial,” notes Whitney. “The sector, supercharged by rapid AI advancements, is a highly promising area of growth. AI-enabled software’s ability to boost productivity and efficiency in industrial and smart city applications is seriously exciting.”

“We’ve always been clear that digital industrial solutions play an essential role in a sustainable future,” says Scott. “Our investors clearly agree, and we appreciate their confidence at this pivotal moment for McRock Capital and the incredible entrepreneurs we back.”

Now…let’s get McRock’n!