Eligible Investors:
An eligible investor is an individual or entity that meets certain criteria set by securities regulators to participate in specific investment opportunities.
Eligibility criteria may vary depending on the jurisdiction and the type of investment being offered.
In Canada, eligible investors typically include institutional investors, such as pension funds, mutual funds, and insurance companies, as well as high-net-worth individuals who meet certain financial thresholds.
Eligible investors may have access to investment opportunities that are restricted to accredited or sophisticated investors, but they may not necessarily meet the higher income or asset requirements of accredited investors.
Accredited Investors:
An accredited investor is an individual or entity that meets specific income or asset thresholds set by securities regulators, making them eligible to participate in certain private placement offerings.
In Canada, accredited investors typically include individuals who have earned a minimum annual income of $200,000 (or $300,000 combined with their spouse) in the past two years and expect to maintain the same level of income in the current year. Alternatively, individuals with a net worth exceeding $1 million (excluding their primary residence) may also qualify as accredited investors.
Accredited investors have access to a wider range of investment opportunities, including private placements, hedge funds, venture capital, and other alternative investments.
Accredited investors are presumed to have the financial sophistication and resources to evaluate and bear the risks associated with these investments, and therefore, they are subject to fewer regulatory protections compared to retail investors.
In summary, eligible investors may include institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals who meet certain criteria set by securities regulators, while accredited investors specifically meet income or asset thresholds that qualify them for participation in certain private placement offerings. Both types of investors may have access to investment opportunities not available to retail investors, but accredited investors typically have higher income or wealth requirements.