About
The discipline of a bank, working for the owner
Nova Capital Advisory was built on a simple conviction: the people who have spent decades building a business deserve an advisor who treats its sale, its financing, and its future with the same care.
For over a decade, we evaluated hundreds of businesses at the moments that mattered most — a sale, a refinancing, a transition. We saw what separated a strong outcome from a missed one, and how often good companies were underserved precisely when the stakes were highest.
Nova exists to close that gap. We bring the rigour of commercial banking to the owner’s side of the table — reading a business the way a buyer or lender does, and putting that judgement entirely to work for the people who built it.
The founder
A banker who chose the owner’s side
Leo Novakovic spent his career in Southern Ontario commercial banking — most recently leading automotive industry financing at Desjardins Business, and before that underwriting and advising SMEs at BDC. He has structured credit facilities, evaluated businesses across the table, and counselled owners through growth, succession, and ownership change.
That work is personal. Leo grew up in a family business and watched his brother successfully sell his own company. He started Nova to give owners the advisor he wished more of them had — one who understands what the business means, not just what it’s worth.
Desjardins Business
Director, Automotive Industry Financing. Built and managed a specialized commercial lending portfolio for Tier 1/2 automotive suppliers, tooling, fabrication, and industrial manufacturers — structuring complex credit facilities and advising on capital structure and ownership transitions.
BDC
Commercial and Senior Account Manager. Structured and underwrote loans across working capital, equipment, real estate, and acquisition financing for SMEs in manufacturing, construction, and transportation — advising owner-operators on growth, succession, and capital strategy.
University of Windsor
MBA, Odette School of Business (APEX program with FCA Canada) and a BA in History & Political Science — the analytical and communication foundation behind the advisory work.
Our market
We work where the businesses are
Windsor-Essex and the 401 corridor — not where the Bay Street firms are comfortable. We know this market, these industries, and these owners.