Kirk Falconer
7shifts, a Saskatoon-based provider of restaurant employee scheduling solutions, has secured $7.9 million (US$6 million) in financing. Napier Park Financial Partners, which led the company's $13.4 million Series A round earlier this year, also led the supplementary round. It was joined by existing investor Relay Ventures and new investor Conexus Credit Union. 7shifts will use the new funds raised to expand its North American restaurant footprint.
Canadian impact venture capital firm Renewal Funds has closed its latest fund, Renewal4, at $145 million. The fund was backed by more than 140 investors, including BDC Capital, The Co-operators and the clean technology stream of Ottawa's Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative (VCCI). Based in Vancouver, Renewal Funds invests in environmental technology and sustainable consumer products across North America. The fundraising brings the firm's total assets under management to $240 million.
Georgian Partners is targeting nearly $1 billion (US$750 million) for its fifth growth equity fund, according to an SEC filing. The filing confirms a June report by the Globe and Mail. Toronto-based Georgian has a North America investment strategy focused on applied analytics, as well as applied artificial intelligence, conversational business, and security in software design. The firm closed Georgian Partners Growth Fund IV last year at its $715 million (US$550 million) hard cap.
Patchell Brook Equity Analytics, a Miramichi, New Brunswick-based provider of valuation analysis technology, has secured $360,000 in financing. New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF) invested $150,000 in the round. The balance was accounted for by Miramichi Technology Fund, Technology Venture Corp and several angel investors. Founded in 2013 by CEO Brian Donovan, Patchell Brook has developed software, called StockCalc, and other tools that help customers determine the equity valuation of publicly-traded businesses and investment funds. The company will use the round's proceeds for additional product development and growth initiatives.
She helped launch Facebook's Workplace in 2016 and for nearly three years served as a global director.
Sherbrooke, Québec-based education technology provider Classcraft has raised C$10 million in a Series A financing. The round was led by Investissement Québec, an investment arm of the Québec government. It was joined by Whitecap Venture Partners, Brightspark Ventures and MaRS Catalyst Fund, all of which backed Classcraft’s C$2.8 million financing in 2017. Launched in 2013 by CEO Shawn Young, President Devin Young and CFO Lauren Young, Classcraft uses technology, games and storytelling to enhance student motivation in the K-12 education sector.
Trulioo, a Vancouver-based identity verification platform, has secured $70 million in new funding, including $60 million in Series C financing. Goldman Sachs Growth Equity led the Series C, with participation from American Express Ventures, Citi Ventures and Santander InnoVentures. The other $10 million came from early investors Blumberg Capital and BDC Capital. Trulioo provides an application programming interface that gives electronic identity and verification coverage for five billion consumers and more than 250 million businesses in a range of global industries. Led by Founder and CEO Stephen Ufford, the company will use the funds raised for scaling up operations in new markets, new hires and other growth initiatives.
Sherbrooke, Québec-based education technology provider Classcraft has raised $10 million in a Series A financing. The round was led by Investissement Québec, an investment arm of the Québec government. It was joined by Whitecap Venture Partners, Brightspark Ventures and MaRS Catalyst Fund, all of which backed Classcraft's $2.8 million financing in 2017. Launched in 2013 by CEO Shawn Young, President Devin Young and CFO Lauren Young, Classcraft uses technology, games and storytelling to enhance student motivation in the K-12 education sector. It serves more than 6 million students and teachers worldwide. The company will use the funds raised to further scale its platform.
Lift & Co Corp (TSX-V: LIFT), a Toronto-based cannabis media and technology platform, has closed a $3.5 million private placement offering. The financing, consisting of senior secured convertible debentures and common share purchase warrants, was backed by U.S. cannabis private equity firm Gotham Green Partners and others. Founded in 2014 by Chairman Tyler Sookochoff, Lift provides cannabis-related trade shows, online data and product reviews, and educational resources. It will use the deal's proceeds for working capital, repaying debt and other priorities. Lift, which went public last year, secured $3 million in a Series A financing in 2017.
Montréal-based digital health company Aifred Health has secured more than C$490,000 in financing. The round was backed by Anges Québec, other angel investors based in Ontario and the United Kingdom, and Consortium MEDTEQ. Founded in 2017, Aifred specializes in clinical decision support for the treatment of depression and other mental conditions. It is developing an artificial intelligence-enabled tool to help physicians visualize a patient’s data and support the decision process. The financing’s proceeds will be used to validate Aifred’s business model and launch its first application in partnership with local hospitals.