North America

Sprout Social rallies $40.5 mln

Chicago-based Sprout Social, a provider of social media marketing, analytics and advocacy solutions for business, has secured $40.5 million in funding. The investors were Future Fund, Goldman Sachs and New Enterprise Associates.

CPPIB to invest up to $1 bln in venture capital funds: report

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) is planning to put $500 million to $1 billion to work in the venture capital market, according to a report by The Logic. The $368 billion pension fund is hiring a senior principal to focus on investments in the space, the report said. The investment pro will be responsible for committing capital to 10 to 15 venture capital funds in North America and Europe. CPPIB Managing Director Shane Feeney, who heads global private equity, told The Logic the pension fund could make investments "with more direct VC exposure" in the future. CPPIB joined the initial close of Northleaf Capital Partners' second Canadian venture capital fund of funds, announced this week.

SDVentures backs women's health startup Flo Health

Flo Health, a women’s health startup, has secured funding from SDVentures. No financial terms were disclosed.

BacklotCars drives off with $8 mln Series A

BacklotCars, a online used car marketplace for automotive dealers, has secured $8 million in Series A funding. Origin Ventures led the round with participation from other investors that included Revolution's Rise of the Rest Seed Fund, Pritzker Group Venture Capital, KCRise Fund, Royal Street Ventures and Chaifetz Group.

Malta gains $26 mln Series A

Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Malta Inc, a provider of energy storage solutions, has secured $26 million in Series A funding. Breakthrough Energy Ventures led the round with participation from other investors that included Concord New Energy Group and Alfa Laval.

Biotech startup Neuraptive Therapeutics seals $11.5 mln Series A

Neuraptive Therapeutics Inc, a biotech startup based in Colorado and Pennsylvania, has raised $11.5 million in Series A funding. New Rhein Healthcare Investors LLC led the round.

Cumulus Digital Systems amasses $4.5 mln seed

Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Cumulus Digital Systems, which is building an internet of tools-powered platform for industrial facilities, has raised $4.5 million in seed financing. Brick & Mortar Ventures led the round with participation from Shell Ventures and Castor Ventures.

Hospitality brand AvantStay books $5 mln

AvantStay, a hospitality brand focused on group travel, has secured $5 million in funding. Bullpen Capital led the round with participation from other investors that included F-Prime Capital, Zeno Ventures, Convivialité Ventures, Abstract Ventures and Presidio Bay Ventures.

Swiss startup Scailyte reels in about $2.8 mln seed

Scailyte AG, a Swiss single-cell tech startup, has raised CHF 2.75 million (approximately $2.8 million) in seed funding. The investors were Swisscom Ventures and and Zürcher Kantonalbank..

Zigg Capital to raise $100 mln venture fund

Zigg Capital has set out to raise a $100 million venture-capital fund, according to a filing with the SEC.