North America

500 Startups wraps up oversubscribed Vietnam fund

500 Startups, which operates worldwide micro-funds, announced it has raised $14 million in an oversubscribed Vietnam-focused fund. The fund, launched in 2016, had targeted initially to raise $10 million. In a blog post, 500 Startups said it has already invested nearly $3 million in 36 companies to date, with a focus on companies serving the Vietnam market or leveraging Vietnamese talent. The fund is led by Eddie Thai (a Vietnam-based entrepreneur) and Binh Tran (co-founder and former CTO of Klout).

Fan engagement platform Trufan raises $500k from angels

Trufan, a Vancouver-based fan engagement software provider, has raised $500,000 in a pre-seed financing. The round was backed by angel investors, including Manny Padda, managing partner of New Avenue Capital, Andrew D'Souza and Michele Romanow, co-founders of Clearbanc, Jason Robins, CEO of DraftKings and Eagle Rock Wealth Management. Trufan was founded this year by CEO Swish Goswami and COO Aanikh Kler to help influencers, brands and agencies discover, engage and reward their top fans. It will use the funds raised to launch its web platform and expand across Canada and the United States.

Jump Technologies lands $2 mln

Eagan, Minnesota-based Jump Technologies, a hospital supply chain solutions provider, has secured $2 million in funding, bringing its total Series B round to $5.5 million. Black Granite Capital led the round with participation from other investors that included Mount Sinai Ventures.

HR tech startup Enboarder snags $4 mln in Greycroft-led round

Enboarder, a Sydney, Australia-based human resources tech startup, has secured $4 million in funding. Greycroft led the round with participation from Our Innovation Fund.

USV leads $40 mln round for plus-sized retail startup

Plus-sized retail startup Dia&Co has secured $40 million in Series C funding. Union Square Ventures led the round with participation from previous backer Sequoia Capital. In addition to the funding, Rebecca Kaden of USV will join Dia&Co’s board of directors.

Cibus files to go public

San Diego-based Cibus Ltd, a provider of advanced plant-breeding technologies, has filed for an IPO. The number of shares that will be sold as well as the stock's pricing terms have yet to be set. Cibus is planning on listing the stock on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol "CBUS." Morgan Stanley and BofA Merill Lynch are the lead underwriters. The company's backers include Fidelity Management and Research Company, Alexandria Venture Investments and Cormorant Asset Management.

Camel-IDS takes in Series A funding

Camel-IDS, a Belgian developer of cancer-targeted radiopharmaceuticals, has secured 37 million euros in Series A funding. V-Bio Ventures and Gimv led the round with participation from other investors that included HealthCap, Novo Seeds, Pontifax and BioMedPartners.

VR orthopaedic solution Precision OS closes $2.3 mln Series A

Precision OS Technology, a Vancouver-based provider of virtual reality (VR) orthopaedic software, has raised $2.3 million in a Series A financing. The round was led by AO Invest, a Swiss medical technology venture capital firm, and joined by other investors. Led by CEO Danny Goel, who co-founded the company last year, Precision OS' software allows surgeons to perform simulated procedures in a digital operating room and offers feedback to help improve techniques. The round's proceeds will be used to develop distribution partnerships, create content for trainees, and craft VR education and preoperative planning tools.

Cleantech engineering company Lightfoot grabs funding

UK-based Lightfoot, a cleantech engineering company, has secured 3.2 million pounds in funding, according to an announcement. The investor was BGF.

Item 9 Labs procures $7.7 mln

Item 9 Labs, a provider of cannabis products and delivery platforms, has secured $7.7 million in funding. The investor was VIRIDI Group.