Fundraising

Artis Ventures raises $51.7 mln for second fund

Artis Ventures said it has raised $51.7 million for a second fund, Artis Ventures II, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund has a $3.3 million stake yet to sell and a target of $55 million.

Venture fundraising appears to slow in Q4: VCJ

Venture capital fundraising appears to have slowed in the fourth quarter after a big pick up early in 2014 raised expectations of a banner year.

GrowthWorks Atlantic Venture Fund suspends sales, redemptions

GrowthWorks Atlantic Venture Fund, an Atlantic Canada-focused affiliate of venture capital firm GrowthWorks, has suspended sales and redemptions of its shares until further notice. The fund's board of directors cited a number of factors influencing the decision, including the long term impact of Ottawa's announcement in 2013 to phase out the 15 percent federal labour-sponsored venture capital corporation (LSVCC) tax credit by 2017. Earlier this month, GrowthWorks Atlantic was selected to manage the new Venture Newfoundland and Labrador, a $15 million vehicle that will invest in entrepreneurs and startups in the province.

Polaris Partners closes $450 mln for seventh fund

According to an announcement on its site, Polaris Partners has raised $450 million for its seventh fund. The LPs were not named. Polaris Partners VII will focus on technology and healthcare. To read the post, visit here.

Convergence Accel launches $25 mln fund

Convergence Accel has raised $25 million for its fund focused on backing Indonesia-based early-stage tech firms. The fund seeks to invest in about 25 to 30 companies over the next five years.

Fund performance: Ohio pension sees gains from Top Tier, Essex

Venture portfolio’s focus on secondaries and funds of funds appears to pay off

Fund briefs recap

From 500 Mobile Collective to Deutsche Telekom, a recap of venture fundraising activities worldwide

Northleaf commits $15 mln to Golden Venture Partners Fund II

Northleaf Venture Catalyst Fund has made a $15 million commitment to Golden Venture Partners Fund II. Toronto-based GVP II is a mobile-focused seed and early stage venture fund.

Golden Venture Partners closes second mobile VC fund at $40 mln

Canadian venture capital firm Golden Venture Partners has closed its second fund, Golden Venture Partners II, at $40 million. Capital commitments to the oversubscribed Fund II were led by Northleaf Venture Catalyst Fund, which contributed $15 million of the total, with participation from BDC Capital and other investors. The Toronto-based Golden Venture Partners said a new fund that is larger than the $17 million Fund I will allow it to lead or join seed deals of up to $750,000; undertake larger and later-stage investments of up to $1 million; maintain reserves for future portfolio activity; and diversify investing in around 25 mobile technology companies.

Golden Venture Partners Fund II attracts $15 mln from Northleaf

Northleaf Venture Catalyst Fund (NVCF) has made a $15 million commitment to Golden Venture Partners Fund II, the second fund of Canadian early-stage venture capital firm Golden Venture Partners. The fund commitment, NVCF's fifth since its launch in January, builds on a 2012 commitment by the Ontario Venture Capital Fund, an investment vehicle managed by NVCF affiliate Northleaf Capital Partners. Based in Toronto, Golden Venture Partners is focused on investing in mobile technology startups. Among its portfolio companies is Wattpad, an online community for readers and writers, which secured $46 million in a Series C financing in April. NVCF co-invested in that round.