brad meikle
A new study from the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) has found that advisory boards have a major impact on the financial performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). For example, from 2001 to 2011, average annual sales of businesses with an advisory board were 24% higher than those of a control group of other businesses, while productivity was 18% higher. However, the study also found that only 6% of Canadian SMEs currently use an advisory board. When forming an advisory board, entrepreneurs were found to typically seek expertise in accounting and finance, sales and marketing, and human resources.
A new study from the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) has found that advisory boards have a major impact on the financial performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). For example, from 2001 to 2011, average annual sales of businesses with an advisory board were 24% higher than those of a control group of other businesses, while productivity was 18% higher. However, the study also found that only 6% of Canadian SMEs currently use an advisory board. When forming an advisory board, entrepreneurs were found to typically seek expertise in accounting and finance, sales and marketing, and human resources.
Aislelabs Inc, a provider of marketing automation technologies to retailers, has secured seed-stage financing from Canadian venture capital fund MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund, Rho Ventures, Salesforce.com and a number of angel investors. While the company did not announce the funding amount, Betakit reports the total as $1.5 million. Aislelabs plans to use investment proceeds to accelerate sales and marketing efforts for its product brands, Aislelabs Flow and Aislelabs Engage, which assist retailers to increase sales through the power of big data analytics. Founded in 2013, the company has its headquarters in Toronto.
Aislelabs Inc, a provider of marketing automation technologies to retailers, has secured seed-stage financing from Canadian venture capital fund MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund, Rho Ventures, Salesforce.com and a number of angel investors. While the company did not announce the funding amount, Betakit reports the total as $1.5 million. Aislelabs plans to use investment proceeds to accelerate sales and marketing efforts for its product brands, Aislelabs Flow and Aislelabs Engage, which assist retailers to increase sales through the power of big data analytics. Founded in 2013, the company has its headquarters in Toronto.
Avigilon Corp (TSX: AVO), a provider of high-definition and megapixel surveillance solutions, has increased its previously announced bought deal offering of common shares to $100 million. An over-allotment option might result in the company raising aggregate gross proceeds of over $115 million. The Vancouver-based Avigilon is a current portfolio investment of British Columbia Discovery Fund (VCC), a retail venture capital fund managed by Discovery Capital Management Corp. The company went public in 2011.
Avigilon Corp (TSX: AVO), a provider of high-definition and megapixel surveillance solutions, has increased its previously announced bought deal offering of common shares to $100 million. An over-allotment option might result in the company raising aggregate gross proceeds of over $115 million. The Vancouver-based Avigilon is a current portfolio investment of British Columbia Discovery Fund (VCC), a retail venture capital fund managed by Discovery Capital Management Corp. The company went public in 2011.
U.S. venture capital funds distributed US$6.3 billion to limited partners in the third quarter, marking a sharp gain from the prior quarter, according to a new report. However, capital calls continued to lag, with venture funds bringing in less than US$1 for every US$2 they gave back to limited partners. Those were findings of a new report from Cambridge Associates on venture and private equity fund performance. Overall, the report found, venture distributions rose 25%, boosted by a healthy exit environment and strong aftermarket performance for newly public companies.
U.S. venture capital funds distributed US$6.3 billion to limited partners in the third quarter, marking a sharp gain from the prior quarter, according to a new report. However, capital calls continued to lag, with venture funds bringing in less than US$1 for every US$2 they gave back to limited partners. Those were findings of a new report from Cambridge Associates on venture and private equity fund performance. Overall, the report found, venture distributions rose 25%, boosted by a healthy exit environment and strong aftermarket performance for newly public companies.
Members of the first cohort of issuers on crowdfunding platform SVX have raised $650,000 in commitments and investments since the launch of the platform on the Toronto Stock Exchange in September 2013. Among the successful issuers were Community Forward Fund, an arranger of financing for non-profits and charities, and Investeco, an environmental investment fund. Designed to facilitate financing for Ontario early-stage companies, non-profits and other ventures that aim to solve social and environmental challenges, SVX is sponsored by Canadian innovation hub MaRS Discovery District. It was profiled by peHUB Canada in July 2013.
The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) is partnering with MaRS Discovery District's Centre for Impact Investing on an initiative to support Canadian entrepreneurs who are building social purpose businesses, and to strengthen the Canadian impact investing market. The initiative will see BDC support entrepreneurs in MaRS' Impact8 program, a social venture boot camp that aims to help social enterprises reach investment readiness and to provide financing for enterprises that are deemed investment-ready. BDC also will co-host four MaRS Impact Venture Fairs in major Canadian cities.