Private Equity
Canadian integrated media company Blue Ant Media Inc has made an undisclosed investment in Omnia Media, a multi-channel music-focused network on YouTube. As a result of the transaction, Blue Ant will expand its digital video network and allow Omnia to provide new tools, enhanced marketing and new media opportunities. The Toronto-based Blue Ant is backed by a number of Canadian investors, including venture capital firm Relay Ventures, Kensington Global Private Equity Fund, managed by alternative investment firm Kensington Capital Partners and specialty finance firm Difference Capital Financial.
3 min read · 01 April 2014
Canadian integrated media company Blue Ant Media Inc has made an undisclosed investment in Omnia Media, a multi-channel music-focused network on YouTube. As a result of the transaction, Blue Ant will expand its digital video network and allow Omnia to provide new tools, enhanced marketing and new media opportunities. The Toronto-based Blue Ant is backed by a number of Canadian investors, including venture capital firm Relay Ventures, Kensington Global Private Equity Fund, managed by alternative investment firm Kensington Capital Partners and specialty finance firm Difference Capital Financial.
3 min read · 01 April 2014
Agora Mobile, developer of a social network for mobile apps, has received $1 million in venture capital funding. Backers of the Moncton, New Brunswick-based startup include New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, early-stage investor East Valley Ventures and a number of angel investors. Investment proceeds will be used by Agora to launch its beta product, which provides a visual development tool for the creation and testing of apps. The company said it has recruited hundreds of students across Atlantic Canada to build apps as they fine-tune the product's current version.
3 min read · 31 March 2014
Canadian investment and merchant banking firm Pinetree Capital has acquired 5 million common shares and 5 million common share purchase warrants of analog semiconductor company Spectra7 Microsystems Inc (TSX.V: SEV). The investment represents 12.3% of the company's total issued and outstanding shares. Based in Toronto, Spectra7 was founded in 2012 through a merger backed by Canadian venture capital firms. Celtic House Venture Partners led the company's startup financing with the participation of Edgestone Capital Venture Fund III and Ventures West Capital. The company opened on the Toronto Stock Exchange in 2013.
2 min read · 31 March 2014
The government of Newfoundland and Labrador has committed $10 million to Atlantic Canada-based venture capital firm Build Ventures. The firm, which was launched last year with the backing of BDC Venture Capital, the governments of other Atlantic provinces and others, is focused on making investments in regional technology startups. The latest commitment brings Build Ventures' total managed capital to around $60 million. The Newfoundland and Labrador government said it also has plans to establish a new provincial venture capital fund to complement the activity of Build Ventures. This will be done in partnership with Growthworks Atlantic Ltd, the Newfoundland and Labrador Angel Network and other investors.
2 min read · 28 March 2014
Will Canada's long-standing severe venture capital (VC) shortages be ameliorated by the Canadian government's implementation of its Venture Capital Action Plan? Sadly, the answer may be no, writes Stephen Hurwitz. That's because the government's innovative initiative for regenerating the nation’s VC industry may well be offset by its 2013 decision to to phase out federal tax credits for labour-sponsored venture capital corporations by 2017.
3 min read · 28 March 2014
Cloud data platform COLO-D Inc has secured funding from Canadian venture capital investors Fonds de solidarité FTQ Investissements croissance (FSIC) and Investissements W2. The value of the investment was not published. Based in Drummondville, Québec, COLO-D operates a data centre dedicated to hosting, in colocation, private, hybrid and public cloud services and infrastructures. Founded in 2013, the company is led by CEO Patrick David. FSIC was created in 2012 by the Montréal-based Fonds de solidarité FTQ.
3 min read · 28 March 2014
Canadian specialty finance firm Wellington Financial LP has provided US$10 million in venture debt financing to SOA Software Inc. The Los Angeles-based SOA Software delivers a comprehensive suite of secure, scalable API and SOA solutions designed for large enterprises. The funding will allow the company to accelerate time to market for new products and expand its global presence. SOA Software is also backed by U.S. venture capital firms Redpoint Ventures, Paladin Capital Group, Palisades Ventures, Navigation Capital Partners and Draper Fisher Jurvetson. Earlier this month, Wellington invested in Operative Media Inc.
3 min read · 28 March 2014
Canadian specialty finance firm Wellington Financial LP has provided US$10 million in venture debt financing to SOA Software Inc. The Los Angeles-based SOA Software delivers a comprehensive suite of secure, scalable API and SOA solutions designed for large enterprises. The funding will allow the company to accelerate time to market for new products and expand its global presence. SOA Software is also backed by U.S. venture capital firms Redpoint Ventures, Paladin Capital Group, Palisades Ventures, Navigation Capital Partners and Draper Fisher Jurvetson. Earlier this month, Wellington invested in Operative Media Inc.
3 min read · 28 March 2014
Canadian early-stage venture capital firm Innovacorp has provided $250,000 in seed-stage funding to Up My Game Inc, a technology platform that allows organizations, coaches and athletes to improve athletic performance. Proceeds of the investment will help the Halifax, Nova Scotia-based startup achieve product roll-out and business development this year. Up My Game also announced the appointment of Darren Burke, founder and CEO of Rivalus Inc, to its board of directors. Up My Game was founded and is led by David Keefe.
3 min read · 28 March 2014
