Semios, a Vancouver-based provider of precision farming management solutions, has secured $8 million in follow-on financing. The round's backers included undisclosed investors in the agricultural technology sector, with assistance from Haywood Securities. Founded in 2010, Semios has developed a platform of sensors and control devices that reduce risks for specialty crops. It plans to use the funds raised to accelerate growth through expanded sales, services, and research and development efforts. Semios has previously received financing from angel investors and government funds.
3 min read · 12 April 2016
Acuva Technologies Inc has secured $850,000 in an oversubscribed seed-stage financing. The Canadian investors included BDC Capital, entrepreneurship@UBC Seed Fund, and several angel investors. Vancouver-based Acuva is a developer of point-of-use water purification systems using ultraviolet light emitting diode technology created at the University of British Columbia. It is currently selling products for recreational boats and vehicles and for off-grid home use in North America, and plans to bring the technology to developing countries by 2020.
3 min read · 12 April 2016
Ironbridge Equity Partners said it last month invested in Thermogenics Inc, a maker of coil-tube steam and hot-water boilers, and related equipment used in industrial, commercial and institutional applications. No financial terms were released for the deal, which was done in partnership with the company's existing owners and management. Aurora, Ont.-based Thermogenics said it will use the partnership with Ironbridge to scale and grow the business. Thermogenics is the eighth investment of Ironbridge Equity Partners II, which raised $154 million in 2014. It follows the firm's investment in Back in Motion Rehab Inc in January.
3 min read · 11 April 2016
Biopharmaceutical company Esperas Pharma Inc will partner in a $7 million investment in a project to develop a new oral anti-cancer agent called ESP-01. The company's partner is the Québec Clinical Research Organization in Cancer (Q-CROC). Esperas said it will develop the agent over the next three and a half years in patients with advanced or metastatic cancer, including metastatic triple-negative breast, colorectal or ovarian cancer. Based in Montréal, Esperas was launched last year with a US$16.5 million round led by TVM Capital and joined by the Fonds de solidarité FTQ.
6 min read · 11 April 2016
U.S. real estate investment trust Kimco Realty Corp (NYSE: KIM) has acquired from Canada Pension Plan Investment Board the remaining 45 percent interest in the Oakwood Plaza shopping centre and the Dania Pointe development project. The gross price paid was US$299.2 million, including the assumption of US$100 million of mortgage debt. Oakwood Plaza and Dania Pointe are adjacent properties located in Hollywood, Florida.
5 min read · 11 April 2016
Two Ottawa-based startups, Clearwater Clinical Inc and Gymtrack Inc, have secured $650,000 and $805,000, respectively, from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). FedDev said the investment will leverage up to $2.95 million in additional funding from BDC Capital and angel investors. Clearwater, a developer of mobile medical devices, in late 2014 raised $2 million in a round led by BDC Capital Healthcare Fund. Gymtrack, an exercise planning and coaching software provider, last year raised $2.5 million in a round led by White Star Capital and Real Ventures.
3 min read · 11 April 2016
The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), Capital croissance PME (CCPME) and BDC Capital have invested $15 million in DERYtelecom, a Saguenay, Québec-based provider of digital and HD television, high-speed Internet access, and residential phone services to local communities. The subordinated debt funding will support a transfer of the company's ownership to a new management team. It will also support several of DERYtelecom's growth projects. CCPME is a private equity fund jointly capitalized by CDPQ and Capital régional et coopératif Desjardins.
4 min read · 11 April 2016
Imperial Parking Corp (Impark), a portfolio company of Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, has acquired Republic Parking System, a parking management company based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, as well as the affiliated Republic Parking Northwest, which is based in Seattle, Washington. No financial terms were released. Vancouver-based Impark said the acquisition significantly expands its footprint in the United States. The number of North American parking locations operated by the company now totals about 3,400. Impark was acquired by Ontario Teachers in 2011.
2 min read · 11 April 2016
Vancouver-based Yaletown Venture Partners has launched a new fund earmarked for technology companies in Canada that have exceptional growth potential, but often too little cash. Yaletown Emerging Growth Fund is targeted to raise $135 million in committed capital, Yaletown General Partner Mike Satterfield told PE Hub Canada. Fundraising is expected to commence shortly, with the goal of reaching a final close by the end of the year.
2 min read · 09 April 2016
GP Satterfield says firm aims to hold final close by end of the year
2 min read · 09 April 2016
