Creating sustainable and growing value for our investors and partners.
Founded in 2014, InstarAGF is an independent alternative asset management firm focused on North American middle-market opportunities in the infrastructure sector and other alternative real asset categories. InstarAGF’s growing footprint spans North America with a portfolio that includes aviation infrastructure, district energy, renewable energy, midstream energy services, and specialty ports and logistics businesses that deliver essential services and value to communities, partners and investors, helping us to fulfil our purpose of enriching people’s lives.
Our team’s significant depth of sector and investment expertise, relationships and global reach empower InstarAGF to help investors meet their investment goals. With more than 200 years of combined expertise in infrastructure financing, acquisitions, operations, asset management, and stakeholder engagement and relations, we bring a long-term approach that creates value for investors, stakeholders and partners.
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Distinctive Investment Approach
As an independent asset management firm, InstarAGF makes its investment decisions as a partner and owner. Our investment philosophy is guided by the principles of integrity, accountability, alignment, professionalism and transparency.
Our investment philosophy is distinguished by our:
Focus on middle-market opportunities in North America.
Opportunities in the middle market are often more complex or available primarily through existing relationships and partnerships, resulting in a less competitive market. In our experience, the middle market offers better value and the opportunity to achieve higher returns. Further, mid-sized assets typically offer greater potential upside to seasoned investors who can establish a strong governance overlay and apply their deep operating and strategic expertise to improve performance. For more information please reference our North American Middle-Market Opportunity brochure
Approach to sourcing and structuring investment opportunities.
InstarAGF continuously screens potential investments, which gives us insight into the relative value of different sectors over time, enabling us to select the opportunities that present the most attractive investment profile. In addition, we employ a flexible approach to partnering and financing, which we believe enhances our access to a broader array of transactions and strengthens our appeal to vendors of assets and development-stage projects.
Deep operational engagement.
Our experience is that operational engagement, including improving operational performance and stakeholder management, is a key driver of long-term value creation. We seek to acquire assets with high-quality management teams and to collaborate with them to identify and implement initiatives that improve the efficiency and quality of operations.
Emphasis on protecting the downside.
Our approach to due diligence and investment focuses on capital preservation and minimizing downside investment returns. The structure of each investment under consideration is carefully assessed for those characteristics. At the same time, we seek investments that offer opportunities for growth and capital appreciation.
Innovative Partnerships
InstarAGF’s partnership approach enables us to collaborate with a wide array of established and emerging development, corporate, investment and financing partners. Our long-term, strategic mindset allows for deep and enduring partnerships characterized by alignment, value sharing and innovation. For more information please reference our Power of Alternatives brochure.
Examples of InstarAGF’s philosophy include industry, community and management partnerships:
Okanagan Wind
InstarAGF’s Okanagan Wind facility was developed in partnership with local First Nations communities and will deliver sustainable energy to British Columbia’s grid for decades to come. In addition, over the construction period approximately $20 million in project-related work was awarded to local firms. Okanagan Wind will continue to contribute to the community through scholarships for continuing education, access to job opportunities and other forms of community support.
Skyservice
InstarAGF invested in Skyservice alongside the company’s management team to combine our sector expertise and enhance growth opportunities in Canada and the United States. With a growing aviation infrastructure platform, InstarAGF shares Skyservice’s commitment to delivering world-class service, safety and convenience for customers.
Creative Energy Developments
This district energy platform will combine the vast experience and deep sector knowledge of Creative Energy and InstarAGF to focus on collaboratively facilitating, financing and managing the renewal, development and construction of urban energy systems across North America. Together, we will be positioned to support urban growth, sustainability and livability for citizens, which are vital drivers of long-term community prosperity.
Community Stewardship
Successful infrastructure development is the result of collaboration between governments, the private sector and the citizens who actually use the infrastructure and services — this commitment to stakeholder engagement is a key differentiator for InstarAGF.
Respect for people, communities and the environment is integral to our business strategy given the nature of investing in infrastructure, and we are proud to be a signatory of the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment.
InstarAGF’s commitment to strong corporate citizenship and responsible investment, incorporating environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) considerations across all businesses, positions us as a long-term, value-added partner.
For more information, please reference our Investing in People. Enriching Lives. brochure or our corporate ESG Policy.
We seek to:
- Engage with relevant stakeholders, including local communities, First Nations and all levels of government;
- Develop and improve the long-term sustainability of portfolio companies for the benefit of multiple stakeholders;
- Work with a flexible partnership approach to advance ESG initiatives;
- Promote transparency and timeliness in communication on ESG matters; and
- Implement robust corporate governance practices internally and at each portfolio company.
– Mayor John Tory, City of Toronto (2016) – Condé Nast Traveler 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards
“This council and this community spent time and effort to make [Okanagan Wind] right. Our relationship to the land and our responsibility to protect it meant that a relationship with the company was of the utmost importance. The company took the time to learn and understand the concerns Upper Nicola had, addressing them collectively with respectful dialogue. Upper Nicola is proud and committed to being a leader in renewable, clean, green energy. The Pennask project changed our landscape, but we ensured that what was developed is good for the overall environment.”
– Chief McLeod, Upper Nicola Band, British Columbia (2017)
For our communities to succeed, building quality infrastructure is critical. The InstarAGF team is honoured to support Habitat for Humanity in their mission of building homes for low-income families.
Distinctive Investment Approach
As an independent asset management firm, InstarAGF makes its investment decisions as a partner and owner. Our investment philosophy is guided by the principles of integrity, accountability, alignment, professionalism and transparency.
Our investment philosophy is distinguished by our:
Focus on middle-market opportunities in North America.
Opportunities in the middle market are often more complex or available primarily through existing relationships and partnerships, resulting in a less competitive market. In our experience, the middle market offers better value and the opportunity to achieve higher returns. Further, mid-sized assets typically offer greater potential upside to seasoned investors who can establish a strong governance overlay and apply their deep operating and strategic expertise to improve performance.
Approach to sourcing and structuring investment opportunities.
InstarAGF continuously screens potential investments, which gives us insight into the relative value of different sectors over time, enabling us to select the opportunities that present the most attractive investment profile. In addition, we employ a flexible approach to partnering and financing, which we believe enhances our access to a broader array of transactions and strengthens our appeal to vendors of assets and development-stage projects.
Deep operational engagement.
Our experience is that operational engagement, including improving operational performance and stakeholder management, is a key driver of long-term value creation. We seek to acquire assets with high-quality management teams and to collaborate with them to identify and implement initiatives that improve the efficiency and quality of operations.
Emphasis on protecting the downside.
Our approach to due diligence and investment focuses on capital preservation and minimizing downside investment returns. The structure of each investment under consideration is carefully assessed for those characteristics. At the same time, we seek investments that offer opportunities for growth and capital appreciation.
Innovative Partnerships
InstarAGF’s partnership approach enables us to collaborate with a wide array of established and emerging development, corporate, investment and financing partners. Our long-term, strategic mindset allows for deep and enduring partnerships characterized by alignment, value sharing and innovation.
Examples of InstarAGF’s philosophy include industry, community and management partnerships:
Okanagan Wind
InstarAGF’s Okanagan Wind facility was developed in partnership with local First Nations communities and will deliver sustainable energy to British Columbia’s grid for decades to come. In addition, over the construction period approximately $20 million in project-related work was awarded to local firms. Okanagan Wind will continue to contribute to the community through scholarships for continuing education, access to job opportunities and other forms of community support.
Skyservice
InstarAGF invested in Skyservice alongside the company’s management team to combine our sector expertise and enhance growth opportunities in Canada and the United States. With a growing aviation infrastructure platform, InstarAGF shares Skyservice’s commitment to delivering world-class service, safety and convenience for customers.
Creative Energy Developments
This district energy platform will combine the vast experience and deep sector knowledge of Creative Energy and InstarAGF to focus on collaboratively facilitating, financing and managing the renewal, development and construction of urban energy systems across North America. Together, we will be positioned to support urban growth, sustainability and livability for citizens, which are vital drivers of long-term community prosperity.
Johnson Controls Inc. (JCI)
Through our relationship with JCI, a global technology and industrial leader, we offer alternative infrastructure financing and management solutions for chronically underfunded North American municipalities, universities, schools and hospitals (collectively the MUSH sector) with an emphasis on improving existing infrastructure assets through refurbishment and retrofit initiatives.
Community Stewardship
Successful infrastructure development is the result of collaboration between governments, the private sector and the citizens who actually use the infrastructure and services — this commitment to stakeholder engagement is a key differentiator for InstarAGF.
Respect for people, communities and the environment is integral to our business strategy given the nature of investing in infrastructure, and we are proud to be a signatory of the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment.
InstarAGF’s commitment to strong corporate citizenship and responsible investment, incorporating environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) considerations across all businesses, positions us as a long-term, value-added partner.
We seek to:
- Engage with relevant stakeholders, including local communities, First Nations and all levels of government;
- Develop and improve the long-term sustainability of portfolio companies for the benefit of multiple stakeholders;
- Work with a flexible partnership approach to advance ESG initiatives;
- Promote transparency and timeliness in communication on ESG matters; and
- Implement robust corporate governance practices internally and at each portfolio company.
For more information, please reference our corporate ESG Policy.
“Billy Bishop Airport plays a significant role in Toronto as a key economic driver, an important piece of transportation infrastructure and a provider of jobs. Ranked alongside airports in Singapore, Hong Kong and Zurich, Billy Bishop Airport is seen as a world-class facility that fuels businesses, facilitates tourism and offers connectivity to all of those who come, go and stay in the world-class city of Toronto. I offer my congratulations to Billy Bishop Airport on this impressive ranking.”
– Mayor John Tory, City of Toronto (2016) – Condé Nast Traveler 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards
“This council and this community spent time and effort to make [Okanagan Wind] right. Our relationship to the land and our responsibility to protect it meant that a relationship with the company was of the utmost importance. The company took the time to learn and understand the concerns Upper Nicola had, addressing them collectively with respectful dialogue. Upper Nicola is proud and committed to being a leader in renewable, clean, green energy. The Pennask project changed our landscape, but we ensured that what was developed is good for the overall environment.”
– Chief McLeod, Upper Nicola Band, British Columbia (2017)
For our communities to succeed, building quality infrastructure is critical. The InstarAGF team is honoured to support Habitat for Humanity in their mission of building homes for low-income families.
"Instar" and the Star logo are trademarks of Instar Group Inc. and are used under license. "AGF" and the Tiger logo are trademarks of AGF Management Limited and are used under license. InstarAGF website pages © 2021 AGF Management Limited. All Rights Reserved.
InstarAGF Asset Management Inc.
Toronto Dominion Bank Tower
66 Wellington Street West, 34th Floor
Toronto, ON M5K 1E9
416-815-6224
