BDC Capital is behind the launch of a $200-million Deep Tech Venture Fund that will invest in early stage companies in quantum information science, photonics, electronics, foundational artificial intelligence—all sectors that have been underfunded in Canada.
Organization: BDC Capital
The Short Report – April 21, 2021: SIF gets $7.2 billion in 2021 federal budget, BC budget invests in new strategic fund, Biden’s funding surge, a boost for the Stem Cell Network, and more
The 2021 federal budget gives a big boost to the NRC’s Industrial Research Assistance Program, BC budget provides $500 million to new fund for tech startups, US President Joe Biden proposes funding surge for federal research agencies, Canada’s Stem Cell Network to receive $45 million dollars for regenerative medicine therapies, and more.
The Short Report – March 17, 2021: Canadian government invests heavily to bolster biomanufacturing, D-Wave Systems gets funding for quantum tech, Canada’s largest study on aging gets a top-up, and more
The Government of Canada seeks to bolster Canada’s biomanufacturing capacity, D-Wave receives $40 million to accelerate Canada’s quantum technology development, the federal government invests in Canada’s longest-ever study on aging, Quebec’s Lion Electric gets ready to break ground on a new battery manufacturing plant, and more.
The Short Report – Dec. 9, 2020: New funding for pandemic preparedness in LTC homes; a first-of-its-kind biofuel plant for Quebec, and more
Michael Sabia is the new deputy minister of Finance; a consortium of food-based businesses will test new applications for pulse flours; British-based Hg Capital will spend $1.1 billion to assume majority control of Calgary-based Benevity; Canada’s top 50 research universities posted a combined research income of $8 billion in fiscal 2019.
Q&A: BDC Capital shares the philosophy and strategy behind its new $160-million IP fund
In July, BDC Capital announced that it is committing $160 million to finance intellectual property (IP) development in Canada with the hopes to fill the gap in capital financing for scaling companies with intangible assets. We spoke with Patrick Latou about what they plan to achieve and why this type of fund is so overdue.
Canada’s innovation sector secures new federal emergency support for startups
The federal government is providing $1.2 billion in emergency funding to help startups and rural businesses survive the COVID-19 crisis. Participants in Canada’s innovation sector say government could also help by providing tax incentives, matching funding and loans for angel investment.
The Short Report, December 11, 2019: Wexit spooks Wattpad; Montreal’s swelling video-game sector; North promises better next time
The Toronto-based e-publisher Wattpad has chosen to open its second headquarters in Halifax rather than Calgary, due to concerns about Western separatism and the elimination of Alberta tax credits supporting companies in the innovation economy. Five business tax credit programs were cut, including the Investor Tax Credit introduced by the previous NDP government, which provided a 30%…
Growing scaleups into world champions takes more than money, Canadian entrepreneurs say
Canada’s innovation ecosystem needs major cultural and structural changes to adequately support mid-tier firms with the potential to be global champions.
Reports: Q1 2018 records strong VC interest, but PE growth ‘slow’
Investments in innovative companies were up in the first quarter of 2018 (Q1/18) across several sectors with venture capital funds leading the way, according to two new reports on Canadian activity. However, when it comes to private equity investments, one report indicates that investments were relatively slow but still bigger in value.
Biofuel firm gets $12M in new round of investment
Quebec’s agtech firm, Agrisoma Biosciences, Inc., has received $12 million from a new round of investors, including Desjardins Capital, a first-time investor. The company, which produces biojet fuel for the aviation industry, has recently struck deals with some global biofuel players, and the new round of funding will help them deploy their commitments and further…