North America

Parade Ventures aims to march toward $25 mln target

Los Gatos, California-based Parade Ventures has filed to raise $25 million for its inaugural fund, according to a regulatory filing. The firm is led by Shawn Merani, an angel investor and a co-founder and partner at Flight Ventures. Merani was an investor in Dollar Shave Club and Cruise Automation, according to his AngelList profile. Parade's website at www.parade.vc features only a landing page.

KIP leads $15 mln Series A for AppOnboard

Korea Investment Partners (KIP) led a $15 million Series A funding for AppOnboard, a mobile technology platform that allows users to experience an app before downloading it. Other investors included Mirae Asset Management, Mantaray, MTG, Runa Capital, London Venture Partners, Troy Capital Partners and Ophir Capital Group. Since its founding, the company raised $20 million.

PSL Ventures raises $80 mln targeted for first venture fund

PSL Ventures has raised the full $80 million targeted for a maiden venture fund, according to a regulatory filing. Pioneer Square Ventures Fund I is managed by Aaron Singleton, Geoff Entress, Mike Galgon, Greg Gottesman, and Julie Sandler.

Aquaculture tech platform XpertSea closes $10 mln Series A

XpertSea, a Québec City-based developer of aquaculture technologies, has secured $10 million in a Series A financing. The round was led by Obvious Ventures and Aqua-Spark, as well as Real Ventures, which contributed to the company's seed funding. Launched in 2012, XpertSea uses artificial intelligence, computer vision and machine learning to help hatcheries, farms and research centres track and manage aquatic populations with greater speed, accuracy and insight. Led by CEO Valérie Robitaille, the company plans to use the proceeds of the Series A to expand its technology offerings and further build its team. XpertSea's other backers include edō Capital.

Fintech platform Mogo gains listing on Nasdaq

Vancouver-based digital finance company Mogo Finance Technology Inc (TSX: MOGO) has received approval from the Nasdaq Capital Market to list its common shares on the exchange. The shares are expected to begin trading on April 18 under the symbol "MOGO". Mogo President and CFO Greg Feller said the listing will give his company greater visibility with U.S. investors, improved liquidity, and a more diversified shareholder base. Mogo, which went public in Canada in 2015, raised an additional $40 million facility last September from longtime backer Fortress Investment Group.

Applitools raises $31 mln

Applitools said April 17 that it raised $31 million in Series C funding led by OpenView. Also participating were Sierra Ventures, Magma Venture Partners, iAngels, and La Maison. Applitools, of San Mateo, California provides an AI- powered visual testing and monitoring solution.

Instant Financial raises $14.3 mln in TTV-led Series A round

Vancouver-based financial technology startup Instant Financial has raised $14.3 million (US$11.4 million) in a Series A financing. The round, which brings total funding so far to $19.4 million, was led by U.S. venture capital firm TTV Capital. It was joined by ITC Partners Fund, Kinetic Ventures and Real Ventures, all existing investors. Founded in 2015 by CEO Steve Barha, CTO Kevin Falk and CRO Ryan Volberg, Instant helps more than 275,000 hourly wage employees access their pay daily while providing employers with savings. The funds raised will be used for customer acquisition, product innovation and growth of Instant’s market penetration.

PSL Ventures Fund I raises $80 mln

Pioneer Square Labs has launched PSL Ventures, an $80 million fund that will invests in early-stage technology companies in the Pacific Northwest region of the U.S.

Before you get disrupted, think like a VC

Founders Fund leads $28 mln funding in Harbor, a blockchain securities company

San Francisco-based Harbor, which provides a platform and compliance protocol to standardize the way private securities are issued and traded on blockchains, announced it has raised $28 million in new funding. Founders Fund led the funding round, which included participation from new investors Andreessen Horowitz and Pantera Capital, as well as existing investors Craft Ventures, Vy Capital and Valor Equity Partners. Other new investors in the round included Future Perfect Ventures, 1confirmation, Abstract Ventures and Signia Venture Partners. Individual investors in the round included Nicolas Berggruen of Berggruen Holdings, Napoleon Ta of Founders Fund and Kyle Samani and Tushar Jain of Multicoin Capital. The company was founded in 2017 and has now raised more than $40 million in funding.