Private Equity
Montréal-based seed investor TandemLaunch is unique in North America’s venture community. Founded by General Partner Helge Seetzen in 2010, the firm builds synthetic companies that respond to emerging tech trends. The result of its mammoth efforts is a portfolio of fascinating Canadian startups. In May, TandemLaunch initially closed its third seed fund at $12 million. PE Hub Canada sat down with Seetzen to talk about the fund, TandemLaunch’s investment strategy, and its portfolio.
3 min read · 12 June 2016
Montréal-based seed investor TandemLaunch is unique in North America’s venture community. Founded by General Partner Helge Seetzen in 2010, the firm builds synthetic companies that respond to emerging tech trends. The result of its mammoth efforts is a portfolio of fascinating Canadian startups. In May, TandemLaunch initially closed its third seed fund at $12 million. PE Hub Canada sat down with Seetzen to talk about the fund, TandemLaunch’s investment strategy, and its portfolio.
3 min read · 12 June 2016
The city of Montréal and the Québec government have partnered with private investors to form a new group focused on Montréal's innovative startups. Capital Intelligent Mtl will draw on $100 million made available by 23 venture capital firms, financial institutions and corporations. It will target financings to the local adoption of digital technologies and the development of innovative projects. The new group's founding members include Québecor, Fonds de solidarité FTQ, Fondaction CSN, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, BDC Capital, Desjardins Entreprises and Teralys Capital.
4 min read · 10 June 2016
Canadian investment firm Tectoria Venture Partners recently released its study of the technology ecosystem in Victoria, British Columbia. The study points to "a significant increase in startup activity in recent years" and more than $31.5 million of direct angel investment over the past five years. Most entrepreneurs in the region have nonetheless reported challenges to raising capital. Tectoria said these findings have convinced it to create an angel fund of $20 million to $30 million targeted to opportunities in Victoria. The firm plans to launch the fund later this year.
4 min read · 10 June 2016
Canadian investment firm Tectoria Venture Partners recently released its study of the technology ecosystem in Victoria, British Columbia. The study points to "a significant increase in startup activity in recent years" and more than $31.5 million of direct angel investment over the past five years. Most entrepreneurs in the region have nonetheless reported challenges to raising capital. Tectoria said these findings have convinced it to create an angel fund of $20 million to $30 million targeted to opportunities in Victoria. The firm plans to launch the fund later this year.
4 min read · 10 June 2016
Shermaine Tilley, a managing partner at CTI Life Sciences Fund, has been nominated to serve on the board of Immunovaccine Inc (TSX: IMV), a Halifax-based developer of cancer immunotherapies and infectious disease vaccines. Tilley joined CTI, a Montréal-based venture capital firm, at its inception in 2006. She was previously a senior vice president at Canadian private equity firm DRI Capital. CTI was an investor in the $127 million Series B financing raised by DalCor Pharmaceuticals in April.
6 min read · 10 June 2016
The Fonds de solidarité FTQ and the Fonds régionaux de solidarité FTQ have invested about $12 million (US$10 million) in support of Fresche Legacy's acquisition of Quadrant LLC, a U.S. provider of digital document distribution and modernization software. The previously-announced deal also saw investments from Fondaction CSN and Bank of Montreal. Fresche, a Montréal-based life-cycle modernization company, secured $7.8 million in financing from the Fonds last December.
2 min read · 09 June 2016
Members of angel network Anges Québec and Aligo Innovation have teamed up with private investors to commit $530,000 to Ovensa Inc, a Canadian biotechnology startup. Angel investor Christophe Goffoz led the financing. Founded in 2012, Aurora, Ont.-based Ovensa is focused on developing personalized treatments for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases and on preventing antibiotic resistance. The company said it will use the funds raised to advance development and commercialization of its technology, which was created at the Université du Québec à Rimouski.
3 min read · 09 June 2016
Members of angel network Anges Québec and Aligo Innovation have teamed up with private investors to commit $530,000 to Ovensa Inc, a Canadian biotechnology startup. Angel investor Christophe Goffoz led the financing. Founded in 2012, Aurora, Ont.-based Ovensa is focused on developing personalized treatments for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases and on preventing antibiotic resistance. The company said it will use the funds raised to advance development and commercialization of its technology, which was created at the Université du Québec à Rimouski.
3 min read · 09 June 2016
Montréal-based legacy management platform Fresche Legacy has acquired Quadrant LLC, a U.S. provider of application modernization, mobile development, business intelligence and document distribution solutions and services. No financial terms were disclosed for the deal, which was backed by Fondaction CSN, Fonds de solidarité FTQ and Bank of Montreal. Fresche said the deal positions it as a leading provider of value and solutions for IBM i customers. The company's buy of Quadrant follows earlier acquisitions, including looksoftware (2014) and Databorough (2013). Fonds de solidarité FTQ announced in late 2015 that it had invested $7.8 million in Fresche.
5 min read · 09 June 2016
