The B.C. government’s $500-million strategic investment fund said it has provided $5 million to Clarius Mobile Health, which makes a handheld, wireless ultrasound scanner, as well as $10 million each into funds run by Amplitude Ventures and Pender Ventures. (The Logic)
Talking point: Amplitude’s fund focuses on early-stage life sciences and biotech firms, while Pender’s fund invests in companies between the commercialization and scale-up stages working in healthtech. InBC also co-led a $17.5-million round in Salmon Arm, B.C.-based 4AG Robotics, the maker of a mushroom harvesting robot, that was announced Wednesday. The investments align with InBC’s triple-bottom-line approach that considers financial returns, in addition to environmental, economic and social impact, said chief investment officer Leah Nguyen in a statement.