Dfendus Security Solutions Inc has acquired Actron Security Systems Ltd, a Woodbridge, Ontario-based provider of security, surveillance and access control systems. It also acquired Fire & Security Centre Inc, a Dryden, Ontario-based provider of fire protection and alarm and security systems. Terms weren't disclosed. Dfendus, a Thornhill, Ontario-based integrated security business, said the acquisitions will expand its market presence in Ontario. Earlier this year, Dfendus received an investment from Canadian private investment firm Mill Street & Co. The deal supported the company's buy of Inforce Security Corp.
2 min read · 18 September 2018
Québec City-based biotechnology company Feldan Therapeutics has raised $12.5 million in a Series A financing. The round was led by GC, the parent of South Korean protein therapeutics maker GC Pharma. It was joined by Stonebridge Ventures as well as Anges Québec and Anges Québec Capital, both existing investors, and others. Led by CEO Francois-Thomas Michaud, who helped launch the company in 2007, Feldan is developing a pipeline of therapeutic applications based on the Feldan Shuttle, its peptide intracellular delivery technology. The funds raised will support pre-clinical work that will enable the transfer of Feldan's technology to clinical trials.
3 min read · 18 September 2018
Westridge Cabinets Ltd, a Red Deer, Alberta-based cabinet maker, has acquired the assets of Classic Kitchens Ltd, a Calgary-based supplier of cabinets for homes and renovation projects. No financial terms were released for the deal, which was funded by Canadian private equity firm Signal Hill Equity Partners. Signal Hill acquired Westridge in 2011. The merger of the companies, which creates Alberta's largest cabinet manufacturer, provides "significant operating efficiencies and scale that we can continue to build and grow with,” Signal Hill Managing Partner James Johnson said.
2 min read · 18 September 2018
Demers-Braun has acquired Crestline Coach Ltd, a Saskatoon-based maker of ambulances and specialized vehicles and distributor of small and medium-sized buses in Canada. No financial terms were disclosed. Demers-Braun, an ambulance manufacturer, said the deal broadens its service offering by bringing specialized vehicles into the portfolio. Demers-Braun was formed earlier in 2018 with the merger of Beloeil, Québec-based Demers Ambulances and Van Wert, Ohio-based Braun Industries Inc. The merger was led by Canadian private equity firm Clearspring Capital Partners alongside Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec.
2 min read · 18 September 2018
U.S. business software company Infor has acquired Vivonet Inc, a Vancouver-based provider of cloud solutions to the hospitality industry. Terms weren't disclosed. Established in 2000, Vivonet offers solutions for point-of-sale, kiosks, kitchen systems, payments, employee scheduling, and food and labour cost management. Its products are deployed at more than 4,000 locations. Vivonet has been backed since 2012 by U.S. private equity firm Marlin Equity Partners. New York-based Infor, owned since 2002 by U.S. private equity firm Golden Gate Capital, said the acquisition extends its suite of hospitality solutions for companies in food service micro-verticals.
2 min read · 17 September 2018
Canadian early-stage venture capital firm Panache Ventures has recruited Prashant Matta as a partner. Operating from Toronto, Matta will lead Panache's regional deal and fund management activities. Matta joins Panache from OMERS Ventures, where for more than three years he served on the investment team. Before then, he was a manager in Samsung Electornic's Global Strategy Group. Montréal-based Panache, launched in 2017 by former 500 Startups Canada principals, earlier this year raised $25 million in the first close of its inaugural seed fund.
2 min read · 17 September 2018
Hammerhead Resources Inc, formerly known as Canadian International Oil Corp, has raised a preferred share equity commitment of up to $300 million led by U.S. energy private equity firm Riverstone Holdings, the company's largest shareholder. The deal will feature a rights offering to certain existing shareholders, allowing them to participate in the financing. Based in Calgary, Hammerhead is an oil and gas company operating in the liquids-rich, light oil plays of the Alberta Deep Basin. Led by President and CEO Scott Sobie, the company will use the funds raised to continue its organic growth strategy and further develop its resource base.
5 min read · 17 September 2018
Responsive, a Vancouver-based wealth advisor solution for financial institutions, has raised $1.1 million in seed-stage financing. The round was led by Plug and Play Ventures, a U.S. venture capital firm. Founded in 2015 by CEO Davyde Wachell, Responsive's technology uses machine learning to provide insights from real-time data to wealth managers, helping them anticipate client needs and improve performance. The startup will use the funds raised to further develop intellectual property based on new developments in artificial intelligence and behavioural sciences, and run pilots with financial institutions.
2 min read · 17 September 2018
Canadian alternative equity firm Alaris Royalty Corp has invested US$46 million in Body Contour Centers LLC (BCC), a Kirkland, Washington-based plastic surgery practice with more than 50 locations across the United States. Alaris also committed to invest an additional US$45 million in BCC, subject to the new portfolio company achieving certain financial targets. The proceeds will be used by BCC to fund growth and provide partial liquidity to existing shareholders. Alaris also invested US$7 million more in Accscient LLC, an Atlanta, Georgia-based provider of information technology staffing, consulting and outsourcing services. Alaris first invested in the business last year.
4 min read · 17 September 2018
Beleave Inc, a Toronto-based cultivator and seller of medical cannabis and producer of cannabis oils and extracts, has secured an investment of up to $20 million from U.S. private equity firm Alumina Partners. Under the deal's terms, Beleave will be able to draw down capital as needed in a series of private placements of a minimum of $2 million. The proceeds will be used by the company to take advantage of new opportunities in the regulated cannabis sector, increase operating flexibility, and strengthen its balance sheet. Beleave is led by CEO Andrew Wnek.
3 min read · 17 September 2018
