Global technology based research solutions firm Vision Critical announces a $20 million investment from OMERS Ventures, the venture capital investment arm of OMERS-one of Canada's largest pension funds.

Providing cutting-edge market research to its clients, Vision Critical has become the global leader in online community panels-a category that is revolutionizing the industry worldwide. Vision Critical will use the investment from OMERS Ventures to expand its product lines, support infrastructure, and further execute its global growth plans.

"Demand for strategic customer and market research is surging, and online community panels are already established as the key to unlocking the tremendous power of the internet as a tool for two-way communications with consumers," said Vision Critical Chairman Angus Reid. "OMERS Ventures is strongly aligned with Vision Critical, sharing our entrepreneurial nature, aggressive growth strategy and long-term vision for the future of the market research industry."

The success of online community panels is their ability to combine accuracy, lower costs and greater speed in a single package. Vision Critical's offerings include panels of customers and market participants, as well as discussion groups and representative surveys of diverse populations.

"Vision Critical is modernizing the market research industry through its ability to consolidate a powerful suite of products into a single platform for strategic decision-making," said Derek Smyth, Managing Director of OMERS Ventures. "We believe their experienced and proven management team, combined with their clear platform vision, will differentiate them massively from their competition."

Founded in 2000, Vision Critical now has more than 600 clients including one-third of the top global brands using its community panel technology platform and research services.

About Vision Critical

Vision Critical pairs the world's leading market research specialists with the most innovative software developers, marrying the precision of market research with the speed and power of online technology. Serving over 600 global brands through offices across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, Vision Critical creates powerful software and research solutions like Sparq™, the world's leading community panel program. For more information, please visit www.visioncritical.com and follow Vision Critical on Twitter at http://twitter.com/visioncritical.

About OMERS Ventures

OMERS Ventures (Twitter: @OMERSVentures) is the venture capital investment arm of OMERS, one of Canada's largest pension funds with $55.1 billion in net assets. It is an initiative of OMERS Strategic Investments (OSI), an investment entity with a mandate to build long-term strategic relationships with like-minded partners. As both an institutional angel investor and a later-stage investor, OMERS Ventures is looking for successful companies with significant growth potential and market opportunities. We are seeking like-minded partners with a shared vision of building a vibrant and successful knowledge economy. For more information please visit www.omersventures.com.