Verdex Capital

AVAC Ltd. is a Canadian venture capital firm based in Calgary, Alberta, established in 1997. It specializes in both direct investments and fund-of-funds, focusing on early-stage opportunities primarily in value-added agribusiness, information and communications technology, and life sciences. The firm typically invests up to $0.5 million in pre-commercial, growth, and early-stage companies, with a preference for those located in the Alberta region. AVAC also manages the Accelerate Fund, an angel co-investment fund, and has been involved in over 115 direct investments and four national venture capital funds, contributing more than $118 million to its portfolio. Its investment strategy emphasizes active participation in the management and governance of portfolio companies, and it may also provide grants to public research and not-for-profit organizations in the agrivalue sector. Through its Ag Tech brand, Verdex Capital, AVAC supports management of investments in agricultural technology, contributing to the growth of innovative business ventures.

Martin Vetter

CEO

11 past transactions

Enthrill Distribution

Seed Round in 2014
Enthrill Distribution Inc., based in Calgary, Canada, specializes in distributing ebooks for the publishing industry. It offers Endpaper, a comprehensive digital asset delivery system that caters to publishers, authors, retailers, and distributors, ensuring content reaches consumers across various devices. Additionally, Enthrill provides Endpaper Editor, an online tool for data access, and EnthrillBooks retail program, enabling publishers to offer digital formats alongside print books. They also facilitate ebook gift card sales through major retail chains and support services. As of 2017, Enthrill operates as a subsidiary of Firebrand Technologies Inc., serving retail stores and distribution companies.

Afinity Life Sciences

Seed Round in 2013
Afinity Life Sciences Inc., based in Edmonton, Alberta, is dedicated to researching, developing, and marketing natural-based therapeutics aimed at supporting healthy and active lifestyles. The company focuses on pioneering evidence-based natural health products under its Afinity brand, utilizing proprietary science to ensure premium quality. Its product line addresses specific health needs, including cardiovascular health, cognitive health, rheumatoid arthritis, and general wellness. Afinity is particularly recognized for its Omega-3 supplements, which are sourced from sustainably managed fish populations, ensuring compliance with responsible supply standards. The company is committed to expanding its product offerings to meet the evolving health needs of active aging consumers, with plans for a diverse pipeline of innovative solutions across various health domains.

iConnectivity

Venture Round in 2012
iConnectivity is a company based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, that specializes in developing innovative hardware and software products for the music industry. The company focuses on creating interfaces that allow musicians to connect various electronic musical equipment to mobile devices and computers, utilizing standards-based connections such as USB, MIDI, and Ethernet. By simplifying the process of music creation, recording, and exploration, iConnectivity helps musicians reduce complexity and costs associated with their setups. Its award-winning products are distributed worldwide through both physical and online music retailers, with additional sales, marketing, and support personnel located in the United States and Germany.

Cleankeys

Series A in 2011
Cleankeys Inc. was founded in 1988 as the result of an award-winning project that its founder, Randy Marsden, completed to help a friend with a spinal cord injury while attending Electrical Engineering at the University of Alberta. At that time, the company (then called Madentec Limited) was primarily focused on helping people with physical disabilities gain independence through access to the computer. Notable users included Muhammad Ali and Christopher Reeve.

Cleankeys

Venture Round in 2011
Cleankeys Inc. was founded in 1988 as the result of an award-winning project that its founder, Randy Marsden, completed to help a friend with a spinal cord injury while attending Electrical Engineering at the University of Alberta. At that time, the company (then called Madentec Limited) was primarily focused on helping people with physical disabilities gain independence through access to the computer. Notable users included Muhammad Ali and Christopher Reeve.

SinoVeda Canada

Venture Round in 2010
SinoVeda Canada Inc., founded in 2006 and based in Edmonton, specializes in the development of high-quality herbal supplements and nutraceuticals derived from botanical sources. The company offers a range of products, including ginseng capsules designed to enhance the immune system, increase stamina, and alleviate stress and fatigue, as well as echinacea capsules and ginkgo biloba capsules aimed at improving memory and mental alertness. Through its focus on natural ingredients, SinoVeda Canada aims to provide effective solutions for health and wellness.

Wedge Networks

Venture Round in 2010
Wedge Networks Inc. is a cybersecurity software vendor based in Calgary, Canada, specializing in real-time threat prevention for various sectors, including utilities, healthcare, government, and financial services. Founded in 2002, the company offers an extensive range of products designed to address the evolving cyber threat landscape, including Cloud Network Defense, Wedge Anti Virus App, Wedge Anti Spam App, and Wedge Data Loss Prevention App. Their technology platform, WedgeARP™, provides deep visibility into network data, enabling rapid detection of advanced threats across millions of endpoints in over 22 countries. Wedge Networks also develops solutions for mobile security, web filtering, and threat discovery analytics, supporting organizations in managing cybersecurity challenges associated with cloud computing and the Internet of Things. The company distributes its products through various partners and maintains a global presence with offices in Dallas, Beijing, and Manama. With numerous patents and industry awards, Wedge Networks continues to play a significant role in enhancing cybersecurity for enterprises and critical infrastructure operators worldwide.

CoolIT Systems

Series A in 2009
CoolIT Systems Inc., based in Calgary, Canada, specializes in designing, engineering, and manufacturing direct contact liquid cooling technologies for data centers, servers, and desktops. The company offers a variety of cooling solutions, including CPU and GPU coolers, liquid-to-liquid heat exchanges, liquid-to-air heat exchanges, and all-in-one liquid CPU coolers. Its products cater to high-performance computing, cloud, and enterprise markets, serving industries such as finance, oil and gas, research, and big data. CoolIT Systems focuses on delivering next-generation cooling products that meet high standards for reliability and maintenance-free operation, utilizing patented split-flow technologies to enhance rack densities, component performance, and power efficiency. The company collaborates with engineering groups, including AMD, to provide reference cooling solutions for advanced video cards. Founded in 2001, CoolIT Systems continues to innovate in the cooling technology sector both in Canada and internationally.

Mobovivo

Seed Round in 2009
MoboVivo Inc. is a software company based in Calgary, Canada, that specializes in providing solutions for the distribution and marketing of branded video content across various platforms. Founded in 2005, MoboVivo offers a cloud-based service known as Mobovivo MiScreens, which allows producers, broadcasters, and media companies to publish content on mobile, tablet, and connected TV devices. Additionally, the company develops the Mobovivo Sports Game Engine, designed to enhance audience engagement through interactive games, thereby increasing revenue and viewing time for teams, leagues, and broadcasters. MoboVivo also has a white-label platform, StayTuned, which incorporates real-time synchronization, gamification, and social features to boost viewer interaction with TV programming. The company has collaborated with notable entities such as ESPN and Time Warner Cable, leveraging its technology to enhance viewer experiences across various media formats.

Tynt

Series A in 2009
Tynt is a company that provides hosted solutions for online publishers and content creators, enabling them to enhance user engagement through a unique technology. By allowing users to automatically insert a page URL when they copy content, Tynt helps over 600,000 publishers improve their search engine optimization, increase site traffic, and gain valuable content insights. This innovative approach not only boosts brand attribution but also revolutionizes the measurement of user engagement, benefiting both publishers and advertisers. Tynt's core product, Tracer, tracks user actions and ensures that links to original content are included when text or images are pasted, thereby enhancing the overall value of web content. Tynt operates as part of 33Across.

Sembiosys Genetics

Venture Round in 2002
SemBioSys Genetics Inc., a Canadian biotechnology company, announced today that it has signed a feasibility agreement with Dow AgroSciences LLC, of Indianapolis, Indiana, for the Stratosome(TM) Biologics System and its application to animal health biologics. Under the terms of the agreement, SemBioSys and Dow AgroSciences will engage in collaborative research with the aim of determining if the Stratosome(TM) Biologics System can enable the commercialisation of a Dow AgroSciences plant-made vaccine. Under the terms of the agreement, SemBioSys will receive upfront and milestone payments. Further terms of the agreement were not disclosed. " We believe that our Stratosome(TM) Biologics System, with its economic and functional benefits, makes it an outstanding platform for animal health products. We are extremely pleased to be working with Dow AgroSciences in developing their vaccine," said Andrew Baum, president and CEO of SemBioSys. "We are very pleased to be working with SemBioSys in evaluating the Stratosome(TM) technology and its application to plant-made biologics for the animal health industry," stated Butch Mercer, Global Business Leader, Animal Health and Nutrition for Dow AgroSciences This is the third funded development agreement announced by SemBioSys in the last six months. In December, SemBioSys announced that it had executed a development agreement with Martek Biosciences Corporation (Nasdaq: MATK) to co- develop value-added specialty oil products (DHA containing safflower oil) with potential pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. In February, SemBioSys announced that it had entered into an agreement with Syngenta for access to SemBioSys' proprietary oilbody based Stratosome(TM) Biologics and StratoCapture(TM) Purification Systems for the development of Syngenta's biologic products. About SemBioSys Genetics Inc. (www.sembiosys.com) Calgary, Alberta-based SemBioSys Genetics Inc. is a privately held biotechnology company focused on the development of therapeutic proteins and oils using its proprietary oilbody-based technology - the Stratosome(TM) Biologics System. Spun out of the University of Calgary in 1994, the company's investors include Bay City Capital, Dow AgroSciences Canada, Inc., Ventures West Management Inc., BDC Venture Capital, University Technologies International Inc., RBC Capital Partners and Maurice Moloney Ph.D. scientific founder and chief scientific officer. In addition to these investors, SemBioSys has received repayable contributions of CAD$5.5MM from Technology Partnerships Canada, an agency of Industry Canada, and CAD$4.9MM from AVAC Ltd. SemBioSys has partnerships with Syngenta Participations AG and Martek Biosciences for the use of its Stratosome(TM) technology for the development of therapeutic products.
Spot something off? Help us improve by flagging any incorrect or outdated information. Just email us at support@teaserclub.com. Your feedback is most welcome.