Private Equity
Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, Canada's second-biggest public pension fund, reported an average return on its investments of 7.6 percent in 2016, a lower return than the year before, reflecting challenging economic conditions, Reuters reported. The Caisse said its net assets rose to $271 billion at the end of 2016, compared with $248 billion at the end of 2015. Chief Executive Michael Sabia said the pension fund is targeting having 30 to 35 percent of its investment in less-liquid assets, such as private equity, infrastructure and real estate, in "roughly four to five years," compared with 28 percent currently.
2 min read · 24 February 2017
Formation Group has raised $357 million for a maiden fund with former Facebook CFO and San Francisco 49ers co-owner Gideon Yu serving on the investment team.
1 min read · 24 February 2017
Enterprise-focused Wing Venture Capital has filed to raise a $20 million pool called Wing Strategic Partners Two. It's uncertain if the filing is a special purpose vehicle or an add-on to the firm's main fund.
1 min read · 24 February 2017
Canadian venture capital firm Vanedge Capital has secured $161 million in committed capital in the final close of Vanedge Capital II. Fund II, which invests in early-stage companies in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cyber security, SaaS and digital media, closed with an additional investment from HarbourVest Partners. HarbourVest joins existing limited partners, including BDC Capital, Export Development Canada, Kensington Capital, Nicola Wealth Management and BC Tech Fund. Vancouver-based Vanedge was founded in 2008 by Managing Partner V. Paul Lee. Last year, PE Hub Canada interviewed Managing Partner Moe Kermani about Fund II's initial close.
3 min read · 24 February 2017
Vancouver-based Vanedge Capital Partners Ltd, an early-stage venture capital firm, has closed its latest fund at $161 million. The fund's limited partners included HarbourVest Partners, BDC Capital, Export Development Canada, Kensington Capital, Nicola Wealth Management and the BC Tech Fund. The firm focuses on computing, artificial intelligence, cyber security, SaaS and digital media.
3 min read · 24 February 2017
Canadian company creator and seed fund TandemLaunch has signed on Cap Vista Private, the investment arm of Singapore's Defence Science and Technology Agency, as an investor in TandemLaunch Ventures Fund II. Fund II closed last November at $15 million. The fund commitment by Cap Vista formalizes a partnership whereby it can provide access to potential global funding and development opportunities to TandemLaunch's technology startups. General Partner Helge Seetzen, the founder of Montréal-based TandemLaunch, was interviewed by PE Hub Canada in June 2016.
3 min read · 24 February 2017
Oklahoma-based Spur Capital Partners has raised $77.2 million for its fifth venture fund, according to an SEC filing. The target is $150 million.
1 min read · 24 February 2017
Canadian pension fund manager OMERS reported an improved performance in 2016, helped by a strong performance from its private equity, infrastructure and real estate investments, Reuters reported. OMERS, or the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System, said it generated a 10.3 percent return in 2016, ahead of the 6.7 percent return it achieved in 2015 and ahead of a benchmark target of 7.9 percent. OMERS said its net assets rose to more than $85.2 billion, up from $77.1 billion in 2015.
1 min read · 24 February 2017
3 min read · 23 February 2017
K2 Global has raised $183 million for its venture fund. Based in Silicon Valley and Singapore, K2 Global backs tech companies in the internet and software sectors. According to the firm, it has invested $58 million in ten companies so far, which include Magic Leap, Spotify and Uber.
4 min read · 23 February 2017
