Private Equity
Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) reported a net investment return of 11.5 percent last year, compared to a benchmark of 7.3 percent, and a net return of 10.3 percent in 2016. Investments, which generated close to $10 billion of net income, helped grow OMERS' net assets to $95 billion at the end of December, compared with $85 billion a year ago. Among OMERS' private asset classes, private equity investments returned 11.1 percent in 2017, down from the year before, while infrastructure investments returned 12.3 percent, which is up. The Toronto-based pension fund will issue its 2017 annual report in March.
2 min read · 23 February 2018
The Pioneer Fund has set out to raise a venture capital fund, according to a filing with the SEC.
1 min read · 22 February 2018
3 min read · 22 February 2018
Brightspark Ventures is generating market buzz with a sophisticated and fast-growing funding model that taps into the wealth of a once overlooked capital source. Brightspark, a nearly 20-year investor in North American early-stage tech companies, since 2014 has capitalized its deals by drawing on the resources of a network of accredited investors and family offices. The firm’s strategy, adopted as an alternative to raising a third institutional fund, is dubbed “democratic” because it relies on a large population of small investors, most them new to the venture market, Managing Partner Sophie Forest told PE Hub Canada.
3 min read · 22 February 2018
Commerce Ventures, an early-stage venture firm focused on commerce technology, and Shoptalk, a retail and ecommerce conference, have launched Shoptalk Ventures. Shoptalk Ventures will commit $1 million over the next two years to 20 ecommerce and retail tech startups.
2 min read · 22 February 2018
3 min read · 21 February 2018
Tangled Little Dragon has raised all of the $9.3 million it targeted for a venture fund, according to a regulatory filing. The firm is based in Los Angeles, and is led by film producer Lauren Selig and Colborn Bell. It does not appear to have a website. The filing lists three investors.
1 min read · 21 February 2018
Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec said it earned an average return of 9.3 percent in 2017 and an annualized average return of 10.2 percent over five years, exceeding benchmarks. This performance, reported by the Caisse as part of its year-end financial results, contributed to growth in net assets, which reached a total of $299 billion at the end of December, up from $271 billion in 2016. The Caisse said its overall investment strategy is benefiting from such factors as an increased global presence and focus on less-liquid assets, including private equity, which returned 13 percent in 2017, and infrastructure, which returned 10.1 percent.
9 min read · 21 February 2018
Portland, Oregon-based Rogue Venture Partners has raised $5.25 million for its third fund, according to an SEC filing. The target is $30 million.
1 min read · 21 February 2018
TechOperators Venture Capital has raised $40.2 million toward a $100 million third venture fund, according to a filing with the SEC.
1 min read · 20 February 2018
