The latest of several Canadian government-backed investment funds that are being set up to breathe life into the country's venture capital industry raised $160 million on its initial closing, Reuters reported. The fund, dubbed the Kensington Venture Fund, is being run by Toronto-based Kensington Capital Partners. Targeted to raise $300 million in total, Kensington's initial close was achieved in part through capital commitments from leading Canadian corporate and financial investors.
LendingClub Corp., which is backed by investors including Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, is pursuing a dual track process, two sources said.
In a keynote at our recent PartnerConnect conference, Peter Thiel shared his (strong) opinions about Apple, Google, Uber, tech founders, competition, phony technology companies and lots more.
For several months, the rumour mill has been buzzing with speculation that RBC Venture Partners’ principals Robert Antoniades and David Unsworth were on the cusp of launching a new partnership. Well, it has finally happened. In October, the principals completed a buyout of RBC Venture Partners’ investment portfolio and raised LP capital for a brand new Canadian venture capital firm: Information Venture Partners.
The growth of Tinder and other online social and dating apps is drawing plenty of interest from VCs, who are hot and bothered over the online dating sector.
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co is mulling the launch of a growth equity fund after three recent minority investments that marked a departure from its focus on traditional buyouts.
Canadian early-stage venture capital firm Version One Ventures has closed its second fund with $35 million in commitments, exceeding the $30 million target, said Boris Wertz, founding partner. Northleaf Venture Catalyst Fund and BDC Capital are anchoring the new fund and were joined by existing investors from Fund I.
Google has led a $542 million round for Magic Leap, a Florida-based cinematic reality startup.
The day of the self-driving car is coming, writes guest columnist Mark Lydon, managing director for Intel Capital’s $100 million Connected Car Fund.
More VCs hoping to make the grade, as investment activity in edtech picks up.