North America

Optina Diagnostics pulls in funding in Zoic Capital-led round

Montreal-based Optina Diagnostics Inc, which specializes in the early detection of Alzheimer through the use of artificial intelligence and spectral retinal imaging, has raised C$4 million in funding. Zoic Capital led the round with participation from other investors that included Desjardins Capital, DigitalDx Ventures, Pallasite Ventures and Barney Pell.

Mission Secure nabs Series A funding

Charlottesville, Virginia-based Mission Secure Inc, a control system cybersecurity company focused on energy, defense, and transportation, has raised an undisclosed amount of Series A financing. Energy Innovation Capital and Chevron Technology Ventures led the round.

VC-backed GLyPharma Therapeutic acquired by Therachon

Swiss clinical-stage biotechnology company Therachon AG has acquired GLyPharma Therapeutic Inc, a Montréal-based developer of a drug for short bowel syndrome and other rare gastrointestinal diseases. Terms weren't disclosed. With the deal, Therachon acquires the rights to apraglutide, originally discovered by Ferring Pharmaceuticals and licensed to GLyPharma. Since its launch in 2012, GLyPharma has been backed by Canadian life sciences venture capital firm CTI Life Sciences Fund, Ferring and Fonds de solidarité FTQ. In August, Therachon raised a US$60 million financing led by Novo Holdings and joined by multiple other investors.

Kentucky LED startup Lumenari raises $3 mln

Lexington, Kentucky-based Lumenari, provider of LED phosphors for LCD displays, announced it has raised a $3 million Series A round of funding from TJ Rodgers, Jeremy Blank, Revolution’s Rise of the Rest Seed Fund and Hanover Partners. The company, founded in 2013, previously raised $1.3 million in seed funding. As part of the latest round, Rodgers and Blank have joined the board.

Foundry College locks in $6 mln from Learn Capital

Foundry College, an online school focused on teaching middle skills to working adults, has raised $6 million in funding. The investor was Learn Capital.

Storyflow secures $500k in Ripple Ventures-led seed funding

Storyflow, a Toronto-based interactive voice entertainment hub, has raised $500,000 in a seed-stage financing. The round was led by Canadian venture capital firm Ripple Ventures, which closed its $10 million debut fund last month. Founded in 2017 by CEO Braden Ream, Creative Lead Michael Hood and Product Lead Andrew Lawrence, Storyflow's technology helps individuals and organizations create, distribute and monetize interactive voice entertainment, allowing content creators to publish directly to voice apps on smart speakers. The company will use the funds raised to acquire new talent and scale its platform.

RiverVest Venture Partners rakes in over $167 mln for fourth fund

RiverVest Venture Partners has raised over $167 million for its fourth fund, according to an SEC filing. With offices in St. Louis, Cleveland and San Diego, the venture firm invests in life science companies.

GoWork procures $10 mln Series A

Indonesian coworking space provider GoWork has raised $10 million in Series A funding, according to an announcement on its site. Gobi Partners and Indonesian Paradise Property led the round.

Once Upon a Farm inks $20 mln Series B

Berkeley, California-based Once Upon a Farm, a provider of organic, cold-pressed baby food, applesauce and smoothies, has raised $20 million in Series B financing. CAVU Venture Partners led the round.

CNEX Labs picks up $23 mln Series D

CNEX Labs Inc, a developer of a transformative architecture for solid state drive controllers, has raised over $23 million in Series D funding. Dell Technologies Capital led the round.