Kirk Falconer
ProteinQure, a Toronto-based software platform for computational protein drug discovery, has raised about $4 million in a seed-stage financing. U.S. venture capital firm Felicis Ventures led the round. It was joined by 8VC, Golden Ventures, Inovia Capital, Global Founders Capital and angel investor Tom Williams. Launched two years ago by CEO Lucas Siow, CTO Tomas Babej, Head of R&D Mark Fingerhuth and CSO Chris Ing, ProteinQure uses molecular simulations, machine learning and quantum computing to solve drug design challenges and deliver new protein-based therapeutics. The company will use the funds raised for new hires and to expand industry partnerships.
Friendly Stranger Holdings Corp, a Toronto-based supplier of cannabis products and accessories, has raised $5 million in follow-on financing. The deal was backed by Canadian cannabis producers 48North Cannabis Corp and VIVO Cannabis Inc. Canadian cannabis investment firm Green Acre Capital, which in 2018 agreed to invest $10 million in the company, provided an additional $2.5 million. The proceeds will be used to support Friendly Stranger's growth, including opening more cannabis culture accessory stores and launching adult-use retail locations across Canada. Established in 1994 by Robin Ellins and Joy Jacobsen, Friendly Stranger currently operates 10 retail locations in Ontario.
Vistara Capital Partners held the second close of its third technology debt fund, bringing the total raised to more than $100 million (US$75 million). Vistara Technology Growth Fund III, launched last October with a target of $130 million, is expected to reach its goal later this year, Managing Partner Randy Garg and Partner Noah Shipman told PE Hub Canada. The second close was anchored by two new institutions: the investment program of federal agency Export Development Canada and Nicola Wealth, a Canadian wealth management firm. Fund III will maintain Vistara’s strategy of providing flexible debt and equity financing for North American mid- to late-stage companies looking to fuel growth without diluting ownership.
Vistara Capital Partners held the second close of its third technology debt fund, bringing the total raised to more than $75 million. Vistara Technology Growth Fund III, launched last October with a target of $100 million, is expected to reach its goal later this year, Managing Partner Randy Garg and Partner Noah Shipman told Venture […]
Vistara Capital Partners held the second close of its third technology debt fund, bringing the total raised to more than $100 million (US$75 million). Vistara Technology Growth Fund III, launched last October with a target of $130 million (US$100 million), is expected to reach its goal later this year, Managing Partner Randy Garg and Partner […]
ProteinQure, a Toronto-based software platform for computational protein drug discovery, has raised about $5.2 million (US$4 million) in a seed-stage financing. U.S. venture capital firm Felicis Ventures led the round. It was joined by 8VC, Golden Ventures, Inovia Capital, Global Founders Capital and angel investor Tom Williams. Launched two years ago by CEO Lucas Siow, CTO Tomas Babej, Head of R&D Mark Fingerhuth and CSO Chris Ing, ProteinQure uses molecular simulations, machine learning and quantum computing to solve drug design challenges and deliver new protein-based therapeutics. The company will use the funds raised for new hires and to expand industry partnerships.
Unity Technologies, a San Francisco-based real-time 3D development platform, has signed investment agreements with several investors, including Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. Terms weren’t disclosed for the agreements, which were also made with existing investors Sequoia Capital and Silver Lake Partners, among others. Unity also opened a tender offer of up to $525 million for […]
Conexus Credit Union has launched a $30 million venture capital fund intended to invest in Saskatchewan's startup ecosystem. Conexus Venture Capital Fund has so far raised $22.5 million, of which $15 million came from Conexus, a Regina-based credit union, and $7.5 million from external investors. Managed by Conexus, the fund will invest in Saskatchewan-based companies in partnership with other venture capital firms and investors. Opportunities will be sourced in part through Cultivator, a Conexus-sponsored incubator located in Regina. The fund is led by Conexus Venture Capital Fund Manager Sean O’Connor. It has already finalized two deals and is expected to execute on others in the months ahead.
Toronto-based philanthropic fundraising platform Wisely has raised $1.5 million in a seed-stage financing, bringing its total funding so far to $2.1 million. The round was led by Canadian early-stage venture capital firm Ripple Ventures, with participation from Verstra Ventures and Maple Leaf Angels. Founded in 2017 by CEO Artiom Komarov, CTO Ryan Henry and COO Wes Moon, Wisely provides artificial intelligence-enabled technology to help charities, foundations, educational institutions and non-profit organizations more effectively pursue donations. The round's proceeds will be used by Wisely to expand its operations in the North American market.
Rimot, a Dartmouth, Nova Scotia-based remote infrastructure monitoring company, has raised $1.2 million in financing. Canadian early-stage venture capital firm Innovacorp invested $500,000, with the rest coming from angel investors. Founded in 2016, Rimot offers turnkey remote monitoring and analytics to help business and government organizations ensure the reliability of critical equipment in the field and minimize downtime, maintenance costs and risk. Led by CEO Andrew Boswell, Rimot will use the round's proceeds to accelerate its growth in Canada and the United States.