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On the Bleeding Edge: Sequoia stands strong; 500 Startups is key VC firm to watchWrap-up of recent VC-related events and activities, from what the Midas List to upcoming Q1 data
VC-backed Indochino nets up to $42 mln from China's DayangVancouver-based custom menswear retailer Indochino has secured a strategic investment of up to $42 million from Dayang Group, a Chinese apparel manufacturer. The funding will support the company's North American and global expansion plans and enhance its product offering, Indochino said. Along with the funding, Indochino has signed an agreement with Dayang to increase the company's apparel selection and range of suit personalization options. Indochino reports achieving an average annual growth rate of over 100 percent since its founding in 2007. Its venture capital investors include Acton Capital Partners, Highland Consumer Partners, Madrona Venture Group and Version One Ventures.
VC-backed e-learning platform Talentbuddy acquired by UdemyCanadian online web development school Talentbuddy has been acquired by Udemy, a San Francisco-based marketplace for teaching and learning online. No financial terms were disclosed. Founded in 2013, Vancouver-based Talentbuddy has helped more than 45,000 developers learn to create complex web applications. The company was backed by Canadian venture capital firms Version One Ventures and BDC Capital, Canadian accelerator HIGHLINE, and others. Udemy, which was founded in 2010, is also venture-funded. Last year, it raised US$65 million in a Series D financing led by Stripes Group.
VC-backed Udemy acquires VC-backed TalentbuddyEducation marketplace Udemy Inc acquired Talentbuddy, an online web development school, according to a blogpost https://blog.udemy.com/embracing-the-power-of-experiential-learning-through-talentbuddy-acquisition/ on Udemy’s website. Both companies are backed by venture capital firms. Last year, Udemy raised $65 million in a Series D funding round led by Stripes Group. Investors in Talentbuddy include Version One Ventures, BDC Capital and Highline.
- Booster Fuels snags $9 mln Series A
Fuel delivery startup Booster Fuels has secured $9 million in Series A funding. Maveron led the round with participation from other investors that included Madrona Venture Group, Version One Ventures and RRE Ventures. In addition to the funding, David Wu, general partner at Maveron, has been added to Booster Fuels' board.
Startup Canada recognizes CAPE Fund founder Paul MartinThe Right Honourable Paul Martin, Canada's 21st Prime Minister, was recently named one of the recipients of the 2015 Startup Canada Awards. Martin was awarded the Adam Chowaniec Lifetime Achievement Award /canada/2015/11/17/startup-canada-edc-unveil-adam-chowaniec-memorial-fund/ for his role in founding the CAPE Fund. Launched in 2009, the CAPE Fund is a $50 million private equity fund focused on investing in aboriginal enterprises and entrepreneurs. Its investments include Manitobah Mukluks, a footwear manufacturer, and One Earth Farms, an agri-food producer.
- OMERS Ventures leads Series A round for Jobber
Canada-based Jobber, which helps service businesses get organized, has raised C$8 million in Series A funding. OMERS Ventures led the round participation from return backers Version One Ventures and Point Nine Capital.
Jobber raises $8 mln Series A funding led by OMERS VenturesJobber, a cloud-based software provider that helps service businesses get organized, has secured $8 million in Series A financing. The round was led by OMERS Ventures, the venture investment arm of the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System. It was joined by the company's seed investors, Version One Ventures and Point Nine Capital. Edmonton-based Jobber said the new investment will support further commercialization of its product offering and enhancement of its mobile applications. Founded in 2011 by CEO Sam Pillar and CTO Forrest Zeisler, Jobber reported that businesses using its technology have serviced over 3.5 million customers, with invoices totaling over $1 billion.
- Mayfield leads funding in Outreach
Seattle-based Outreach, which uses predictive intelligence and machine learning to optimize the B2B sales communication process, announced it has raised a $9.2 million Series A round of funding. Mayfield Fund led the round, which included participation from existing investors MHS Capital and Floodgate. As part of the latest round, Rajeev Batra, partner at Mayfield, has joined the board.
- Kinnek scores $20 mln Series B
New York City-based Kinnek, a marketplace for small businesses to find suppliers and manage purchasing, has secured $20 million in Series B funding. Thrive Capital led the round with participation from other investors that included Matrix Partners, Sierra Ventures, Version One Ventures and Angelpad. In conjunction with the funding, Josh Kushner, a managing partner at Thrive Capital, has been named to Kinnek's board of directors.