VC investing in Canadian tech companies soars to $4.3 bln in 2018

Venture capital (VC) investment in Canadian technology companies surged in Q4 2018, with $1.2 billion deployed, representing the strongest fourth quarter in nearly two decades, according to final data released by Refinitiv. In 2018 as whole, a total of $4.3 billion was invested in 489 rounds, the strongest year since 2000. U.S. VC funds played a key role in the Canadian market last year, accounting for 47 percent of the total invested, while domestic VC funds accounted for a 44 percent share. Information technology sectors remained the main driver of VC trends in 2018, securing $3 billion, while clean technology sectors took $569 million, largely thanks to Enerkem, the market's top deal.