Waterloo-based enterprise information management company OpenText Corp (TSX, Nasdaq: OTEX) has acquired Hightail Inc, a Campbell, California-based cloud service for file sharing and creative collaboration. No financial terms disclosed. OpenText said the deal reinforces its commitment to solutions that help marketers and creative professionals to share, produce and securely collaborate on digital content. Founded in 2004, Hightail raised more than US$90 million in financing from several venture capital firms, including Adams Street Partners, Emergence Capital, Sigma Partners and Western Digital Capital.
2 min read · 14 February 2018
OPTrust has partnered in the formation of EdgeCore Internet Real Estate LLC, an investment vehicle that will develop, acquire and operate data centres across North America. Together with Mount Elbert Capital Partners and GIC, OPTrust will initially capitalize the vehicle with more than US$800 million to support about US$2 billion in data centre development and investment. In 2018's first half, EdgeCore will begin construction of facilities on land already or soon-to-be acquired in U.S. locations and pursue additional acquisitions and developments. Toronto-based OPTrust invests on behalf of OPSEU Pension Plan.
4 min read · 14 February 2018
EStruxture Data Centers Inc has acquired Kolotek, a Montréal-based data centre company, from Gaz Métro Plus. No financial terms were disclosed. EStruxture, a Montréal-based network and cloud-neutral data centre operator, said the deal will solidify its position in the local market. EStruxture was launched last year to acquire existing data centre opertators and develop new ones across Canada. It has been backed with $180 million in financing from various sources, including Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and Fengate Real Asset Investments.
3 min read · 13 February 2018
2 min read · 13 February 2018
2 min read · 13 February 2018
OneWorld Foods, a Vaughan, Ontario-based producer and distributor of authentic ethnic and Halal foods, has raised an equity investment from Canadian consumer venture capital firm District Ventures Capital. No financial terms were released. Founded in 2013 by Karim Kanji and Asim Qureshi, OneWorld provides traditional South Asian and Halal products to retailers through its operating brands Tandoori Oven and One World Halal. The partnership with District is intended to help the company expand its consumer base.
2 min read · 13 February 2018
InstarAGF Asset Management has agreed to acquire a 50 percent interest in Creative Energy, a Vancouver-based community energy solutions provider. No financial terms were disclosed for the deal, which will see InstarAGF partner with the company to develop, finance, renew and manage energy infrastructure in urban settings. Founded in 1968, Creative Energy owns and operates one of Canada's largest district energy networks in downtown Vancouver, and is developing similar systems for additional neighbourhoods in the Greater Vancouver Area and Toronto. InstarAGF invested through InstarAGF Essential Infrastructure Fund, which raised $740 million last year.
5 min read · 13 February 2018
Loopio Inc, a Toronto-based provider of requests-for-proposals (RFPs) response software, has raised about $11.3 million (US$9 million) in a Series A financing. The round was led by U.S. venture capital firm OpenView, whose partner, Ricky Pelletier, will join the board. Founded in 2014, Loopio has developed a solution that helps enterprises to streamline RFPs, requests for information and security questionnaires. Today, more than 300 organizations utilize the company's technology. Led by CEO Zakir Hemraj, Loopio will use the funds raised to accelerate product development and expand its team, particularly in sales and engineering.
3 min read · 13 February 2018
Dialogue, a Montréal virtual health and telemedicine service provider, has raised $12 million in a Series A financing. White Star Capital led the round and was joined by HV Holtzbrinck Ventures, Portag3 Ventures, National Bank Financial and Walter Financial. Founded in 2016, Dialogue reports that about 150 employers started providing the company's offering as an employee benefit over the last year, which marked a 1,500 percent growth in the user base. It will use the funds raised to continue expanding and add new services. In 2017, Dialogue closed a $4 million seed-stage financing backed by Diagram, BDC Capital and others.
3 min read · 13 February 2018
Frank & Oak, a Montréal-based clothing brand, has secured about $20 million (US$16 million) in its latest financing. Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec led the round and was joined by other investors, including Goodwater Capital and Investissement Québec. Founded in 2012 by CEO Ethan Song and COO Hicham Ratnani, Frank & Oak provides clothing and accessories for men and women on the web and in 16 boutiques. It will use the funds raised to expand its digital experience and support growth online. Frank & Oak's other investors include BDMI, Campfire Capital, Lightbank, Real Ventures, Rho Canada Ventures and Version One Ventures.
4 min read · 13 February 2018
