Private Equity
Slyce has raised an additional $12 million in funding, bringing its total funds raised to just over $27 million. The latest round, closed in escrow, was completed by a syndicate of agents led by Canaccord Genuity Corp and including Salman Partners Inc, Cormark Securities Inc and Beacon Securities Ltd. The investors were not disclosed. Based in Calgary and Toronto, Slyce has developed a visual search platform that allows consumers to buy products at the moment they discover them. Venture-backed since 2013, the company has plans to be listed this year on the TSX Venture Exchange.
3 min read · 23 June 2014
Transition Therapeutics Inc (TSX: TTH) has closed its previously announced private placement financing. Units of the company sold to U.S. investment firm Oracle Investment Management, Jack W. Schuler, Larry N. Feinberg and other investors generated US$17 million in gross proceeds, to be followed by an additional US$13.8 million within two years should investors exercise warrants. Based in Toronto, Transition Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company that develops novel therapeutics for disease indications with large markets.
3 min read · 23 June 2014
It is important to occasionally tip our hats to those who practice the challenging art of seed investing and show results for their efforts. That includes not only the VCs, but also the market agents who help shape deal-making. A few weeks ago, the Private Capital Markets Association of Canada recognized the work of GreenSky Capital, a boutique advisory firm that helped smart sensor maker Smart Energy Instruments raise over $6 million in seed-stage and Series A funding.
5 min read · 23 June 2014
It is important to occasionally tip our hats to those who practice the challenging art of seed investing and show results for their efforts. That includes not only the VCs, but also the market agents who help shape deal-making. A few weeks ago, the Private Capital Markets Association of Canada recognized the work of GreenSky Capital, a boutique advisory firm that helped smart sensor maker Smart Energy Instruments raise over $6 million in seed-stage and Series A funding.
5 min read · 23 June 2014
Canadian video advertising company mDialog Corp has been acquired by Google Inc. The financial terms of the deal were not published. The Toronto-based mDialog works with media companies in North America to manage, deliver, and measure video advertising across IP-connected devices. Its technology will eventually be incorporated into Google's DoubleClick product suite for publishers. Founded in 2005, mDialog has been backed by Canadian mobile-focused venture capital firm Relay Ventures and a number of angel investors. Relay invested $5 million in the company's Series A round in 2011.
1 min read · 20 June 2014
Canadian video advertising company mDialog Corp has been acquired by Google Inc. The financial terms of the deal were not published. The Toronto-based mDialog works with media companies in North America to manage, deliver, and measure video advertising across IP-connected devices. Its technology will eventually be incorporated into Google's DoubleClick product suite for publishers. Founded in 2005, mDialog has been backed by Canadian mobile-focused venture capital firm Relay Ventures and a number of angel investors. Relay invested $5 million in the company's Series A round in 2011.
1 min read · 20 June 2014
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the names of 15 Canadian startup accelerators and incubators that may be supported by the Canada Accelerator and Incubator Program (CAIP). The announcement was made at Waterloo commercialization hub Communitech, which is one of the 15 chosen. Launched in 2013, CAIP provides support over a five-year period in the form of non-repayable contributions. Under the program, eligible accelerators and incubators are entitled to receive up to $5 million per year on the condition that they show matching contributions.
3 min read · 20 June 2014
AmorChem has entered into a collaboration with Traffick Therapeutics Inc co-founders and McGill University researchers Dr David Y. Thomas and Dr. John W. Hanrahan. The focus of the project is to develop novel small molecules which could be used in the treatment of cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. AmorChem’s medicinal chemistry group, NuChem Therapeutics Inc, will participate in the project work. Based in Montréal, AmorChem is an early stage life sciences fund managed by Canadian venture capital firm GeneChem.
4 min read · 20 June 2014
AmorChem has entered into a collaboration with Traffick Therapeutics Inc co-founders and McGill University researchers Dr David Y. Thomas and Dr. John W. Hanrahan. The focus of the project is to develop novel small molecules which could be used in the treatment of cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. AmorChem’s medicinal chemistry group, NuChem Therapeutics Inc, will participate in the project work. Based in Montréal, AmorChem is an early stage life sciences fund managed by Canadian venture capital firm GeneChem.
4 min read · 20 June 2014
EXFO Inc (TSX: EXF), through an asset purchase deal, has acquired the business of Aito Technologies, a provider of customer experience analytics for mobile network operators. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Based in Espoo, Finland, Aito has been a portfolio company of European venture capital firm Conor Venture Partners since 2007. The Québec City-based EXFO said Aito's analytics software will be combined with its suite of wireless instruments, systems and solutions for the company's clients in the global telecommunications industry.
5 min read · 19 June 2014