North America

InFocus collects over $10.7 mln for $50 mln-targeted venture fund

InFocus Capital Partners has raised over $10.7 million for its new venture fund, according to an SEC filing. The target is $50 million. InFocus targets ophthalmic investments.

CDPQ commits $127 mln to Inovia early-stage, growth funds

Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) said it will invest about $127 million (US$100 million) in the fourth early-stage fund and new growth-stage vehicle of Inovia Capital. CDPQ will commit US$75 million to the growth fund and US$20 million to the early-stage fund. Charles Émond, CDPQ executive vice-president, Québec and global strategic planning, said the vehicles represent "another source of attractive future co-investment opportunities" for the Canadian pension system. As reported by PE Hub Canada, Inovia, a Montréal-based technology venture capital firm, secured a total of about $800 million (US$600 million) for the two funds.

Digital business card startup HiHello fetches $2.5 mln seed

HiHello, a digital business card startup, has raised $2.5 million in seed funding, according to a blog post on its site. August Capital, K9 Ventures and TenOneTen Ventures led the round. In addition to the funding, Villi Iltchev from August Capital has joined HiHello's board.

ThinkGenetic procures $1.5 mln

ThinkGenetic Inc, a provider of artificial intelligence-driven genetic diagnosis, has raised $1.5 million in funding. The investors included Cian Robinson, executive director of the innovation, research and real estate investments division of Lafayette General Health System.

Sampler secures $3 mln in latest round, BDC, Shipfusion lead

Sampler, a Toronto-based digital product sampling platform, has raised $3 million in its latest financing. The round, which brings total funding to $6.3 million, was led by BDC Capital’s Women in Technology Fund and Shipfusion Inc, a U.S. e-commerce fulfillment business. They were joined by new investors Factory LLC and StandUp Ventures and existing investors, including Freycinet Ventures and MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund. Founded in 2013 by CEO Marie Chevrier, Sampler provides technology that helps consumer packaged goods brands deliver physical samples to digitally-targeted consumers. The company will use the funds raised to expand its sales, marketing and product team.

SendBird snags $52 mln Series B

SendBird, a chat and messaging API service for mobile and web applications, has secured $52 million in Series B funding. ICONIQ Capital led the round with participation from Shasta Ventures, August Capital, Y Combinator and Funders Club.

NormShield nabs $3.5 mln seed

Vienna, Virginia-based NormShield, a provider of cyber risk scorecards for businesses, has raised $3.5 million in seed funding. Glasswing Ventures Managing Partner Rick Grinnell led the round.

nsKnox scores $15 mln Series A

Boston and Tel Aviv-based nsKnox, a provider of corporate payment protection solutions, has secured $15 million in Series A funding. Viola Ventures and M12 led the round with participation from other investors that included Discount Capital.

Redis Labs lands $60 mln Series E

Mountain View, California-based Redis Labs, a database provider, has raised $60 million in Series E financing. Francisco Partners led the round with participation from Goldman Sachs Private Capital Investing, Bain Capital Ventures, Viola Ventures and Dell Technologies Capital. In conjunction with the funding, Francisco Partners' Chief Investment Officer David Golob will join the Redis Labs board of directors while Operating Partner Eran Gorev will join as a board observer.

MCVS buys three infratech companies

Macquarie Capital Venture Studio, a platform launched by Macquarie Capital and R/GA Ventures, has acquired three infrastructure tech companies: AirMap Inc, Envoy Technologies and Teralytic Inc. No financial terms were disclosed.