Kirk Falconer

Vancouver-based pharmaceutical company ESSA Pharma Inc (Nasdaq: EPIX; TSX-V: EPI) has closed a public offering and private placement, generating proceeds of about $48 million (US$36 million). The offering was led by Soleus Capital and included new investor RA Capital Management, a U.S. healthcare and life sciences investment firm. Existing backers of ESSA, including BVF Partners, Omega Funds and Eventide Funds, also participated. The company is also backed by Clarus Ventures, a U.S. life sciences venture capital firm acquired last year by Blackstone Group. Founded in 2009, ESSA is focused on developing therapies for treating castration-resistant prostate cancer. It will use the deal's proceeds for continued research and development.

Interface Fluidics, a Calgary-based oilfield laboratory services provider, has raised about $6 million (US$4.5 million) in a Series A financing. Equinor Technology Ventures, the venture capital arm of Norway's Equinor ASA, and U.S. accelerator Techstars led the round. Interface was founded in 2015 by CEO Stuart Kinnear, COO Tom De Haas and CTO David Stinton. It has developed a nanotechnology platform for optimizing oil production and visualizing fluid-fluid interactions through chemical testing at reservoir temperature and pressure. The company, a recent graduate of the first class of Techstars Energy Accelerator, said it will use the round's proceeds to expand capacity to meet market demand.

Canada’s venture capital (VC) market saw a record $1.28 billion invested in 143 financings in the second quarter of 2019, surpassing the prior record set in Q4 2018 , according to a report by the Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (CVCA). VC investment stood at a record $2.15 billion at the end of June, exceeding the previous high-water mark of $1.67 billion in the first half of 2018. Information and communication technology companies took 54 percent of VC invested in the first half, followed by life sciences companies, which captured 27 percent. Early-stage activity led late-stage activity in this period, accounting for 45 percent of the total invested.

Mississauga, Ontario-based agricultural technology company Vive Crop Protection has secured $10 million in follow-on financing. The round was backed by new and existing investors, including Middleland Capital and the cleantech practice of the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). Founded in 2006 out of the University of Toronto, Vive develops new ways to use crop protection products using its Allosperse Delivery System, which improves the targeting and performance of pesticide ingredients. This creates farming efficiencies, as well as higher crop quality and yields. Led by CEO Darren Anderson, Vive will use the funds raised for commercialization of new products and continued field development.

PeerWell, a San Francisco-based health technology company, has secured US$6.5 million in a Series A financing. The round was led by OMERS Ventures, the venture capital arm of Canadian pension fund OMERS. It was joined by existing backer XSeed Capital and several individual investors. Founded in 2015, PeerWell provides a surgery optimization platform that helps patients with musculoskeletal conditions prepare for surgery and recover faster. In so doing, it contributes to lowering patient risk, controlling costs, and improving return-to-work times. Led by CEO Manish Shah, PeerWell will use the funds raised to accelerate the roll-out of its worker’s compensation solution.

360insights has acquired Ohana Companies, a Wilmington, Delaware-based promotional marketing business and rebate service provider. Terms weren't released for the deal, which follows 360insights' purchase earlier this year of MTC Performance, a Schaumburg, Illinois-based provider of sales incentive management solutions. 360insights, a Whitby, Ontario-based channel incentives management platform, said the acquisition of Ohana bolsters its consumer rebate offerings. Founded in 2008 by CEO Jason Atkins, 360insights closed a $30 million financing in 2016. The round was led by Sageview Capital and joined by OMERS Ventures, Klass Capital, Leaders Fund and Export Development Canada.

Industrious, a New York-based provider of workplace solutions, has raised US$80 million in a Series D financing. The round, which brings total funding to US$222 million, was backed by several investors, including Brookfield Properties, an affiliate of Brookfield Asset Management, and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB). Founded in 2013, Industrious operates flexible workspaces and related sites through landlord partnerships. It currently has more than 80 locations in over 45 U.S. cities. The funds raised will be used for growing landlord services, doubling the company's network size, and expanding globally.

Praemo, a Kitchener, Ontario-based industrial operations performance solution, has closed a Series A financing, raising $3.5 million. McRock Capital, a Canadian industrial internet-of-things venture capital firm, led the round. Launched in 2017, Praemo is the developer of Razor, an analytics engine that leverages artificial intelligence to predict and prevent disruption in industrial operations. The technology has so far been deployed in the automotive, industrial equipment manufacturing, injection molding, and food and beverage sectors. Led by CEO Michael Martinez, Praemo will use the round's proceeds to broaden its market reach, expand key partnerships, and further build out the Razor platform.

Toronto-based cannabis lifestyle brand MoCanna said Canopy Growth Corp (TSX: WEED, NYSE: CGC) will lead its Series A financing with a $2 million investment. The $5 million round is expected to close next month. Cannaglobal, a Canadian cannabis venture capital firm and MoCanna's largest shareholder, will also invest. Founded by Chairman Lorne Gertner and led by CEO Shauna Levy, MoCanna is the company behind byMinistry, which aims to integrate cannabis consumption lounges, dispensaries and convenience stores. ByMinistry's Toronto location, which will open in early 2020, is intended to be the first of several created across North America over the next five years.