HostPapa, a Canadian web host, has raised $130 million of capital from a syndicate of major banks—a milestone on its way to becoming an online services leader for small business globally. Bank of Montreal led the round, supported by TD Bank, RBC, Citibank, and the Business Development Bank of Canada, and it gives HostPapa fuel for short-term growth and padding for long-term goals.
But this is not your typical big-tech cash grab. HostPapa’s move is significant for its timing and reason. While many companies go public or rebrand at investor insistence, HostPapa is doubling down on its original mission: giving small businesses the tools to compete in a tech-based economy—without selling out.
Founder and CEO Jamie Opalchuk made it clear that the new financing isn’t about pivoting to appease shareholders. Instead, it’s about accelerating investments in AI-driven tools, enhancing customer experience, and continuing a steady string of strategic acquisitions. Previous deals, such as its purchase of Deluxe’s hosting division and Brandpa’s domain platform, show a pattern: expand thoughtfully, and only when it adds value to small business users.
The fresh funds will also allow HostPapa to improve its proprietary tools, including an AI Concierge that helps users personalize and launch their websites faster—without deep technical know-how. Busy founders—not just developers—drive this approach.
Remaining privately held gives HostPapa rare agility. It doesn’t have to chase quarterly results or bend to boardroom politics. It can focus on building tech that actually works for its core customers—people running real businesses, not VC-funded side projects.
HostPapa clearly bets that large web infrastructure providers overlook the small business market, even though it’s far from small. And with this financing, the company is making a long-term commitment to fill that gap.
