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How Real Matters raised Canada’s biggest private tech financing in three years

Real Matters secured the most money in a private tech financing in almost three years by tapping public-market investors eager to share in the company’s growth in advance of an IPO. The cloud-based real estate technology platform raised $100 million in common equity this month. It is the largest investment involving a privately-held Canadian tech company since late 2013, when Shopify closed its $100 million Series C round.

LP diligence on the rise with venture fundraising in high gear

VCs acting while the iron is hot and raising funds at record pace, but LPs remain cautious for first-time managers

Dashboard: Fundraising keeps climbing in March

M&A also takes a leap forward in March, thanks to a large acquisition of a VC-backed company by Cisco

Fund performance: Asia Alternatives, Aisling, Insight lead late-decade venture portfolio

Several funds already are posting good, early returns in a Calpers portfolio that is heavy with multi-stage, late-decade funds

Fund performance: Third Rock, Emergence, OrbiMed lead Calpers portfolio

The pension manager's early-stage portfolio from 2007 to 2011 includes three funds that boast IRRs above 45 percent

VCs disappointed, not surprised, by fewer female-led startups attracting funding

Cindy Padnos of Illuminate encourages female entrepreneurs to take on leadership roles and encourage more women to follow in their footsteps

Venture slump overstated as growth-round deal-making rises

The new year started off with less hesitation than many in venture feared during the turbulent three months

Kreos, Europe grows into debt

Many expanding companies in Europe are complementing their equity finance with debt and, in the absence of a diversified banking system, are turning to specialized lenders to do so

Five Questions with John Albright, managing partner of Relay Ventures

Toronto-based Relay Ventures is one of North America’s most active investors in mobile technologies. Led by Co-founders and Managing Partners John Albright and Kevin Talbot, the firm is currently investing from its US$150 million second fund and is in the process of raising a third. PE Hub Canada sat down with Albright to discuss Relay’s deals, a recent run of lucrative portfolio exits, and emerging trends in the mobile space.

Top Q1 Canadian VC deals draw more than $416 mln

Canada’s top 10 first-quarter venture-capital financings drew more than $416 million from investors, more than double the $191 million that went into the top 10 deals a year earlier. That estimate is based on a PE Hub Canada list of the largest disclosed financings announced between January and March. It has been compiled in advance of the broader VC market reports expected in coming weeks from the Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association and Thomson Reuters.