The impenetrably anonymous-sounding BCE Inc – the initials conceal the Montreal-based former Bell Canada Enterprises, making it one of the sillier corporate name changes of recent years – has established BCE Ventures Corp to make venture capital investments in industries in which its parent operates: BCE will have 72% of the company, its affiliate Northern Telecom Ltd 25%, and Bell Canada Ltd 3%; as well as telecommunications equipment and telephone service, BCE has interests in property, oil and gas and printing, and the new company will start life with $Can35m of cash to invest, as well as taking over Northern Telecom’s $45m venture fund.
