The Toronto-based robo-adviser is close to finalizing a raise of over US$76 million from a group of investors including California-based TCV, according to people with knowledge of the situation. (Bloomberg)

Talking point: The raise would be a premium on Wealthsimple’s current US$743-million valuation, and potentially a significant one. According to The Globe and Mail, which reported the potential raise last month, that US$1-billion valuation would be prior to the startup receiving the cash, making its post-money valuation higher. Investors are partially interested in Wealthsimple’s digital stock-trading platform, which accounted for 18 per cent of new trading accounts in Canada in the second quarter, up from 12 per cent in the first. It’s one of a number of commission-free trading platforms, including Robinhood, that have attracted a growing number of users during the pandemic.