Blog
Andrew Newton
Cerula Care: Why We Invested

Cerula’s platform uses patient stratification and clinical workflow automation to ensure timely and effective support. By embedding mental health care into the cancer treatment journey, Cerula significantly enhances patient outcomes and quality of life.

Cerula Care: Why We Invested
Blog
Andrew Newton
Kento Health: Why We Invested

The Kento app, a proprietary AI-powered platform, offers personalized clinical exercise, nutrition and behavioural health plans, via expert clinical coaching and real-time continuous vitals monitoring. Its comprehensive heart disease management platform replaces or supplements traditional in-person care, and guides people through their recovery journey, all from the convenience of their home.

Kento Health: Why We Invested
Blog
Andrew Newton
Lyteflo: Why We Invested

Lyteflo's emergence represents a significant advancement in addressing these market inefficiencies. Their comprehensive EV intelligence platform introduces sophisticated solutions to longstanding industry challenges.

Lyteflo: Why We Invested
Blog
Andrew Newton
Lyteflo Closes $3 Million Seed Round to ...

Lyteflo Closes $3 Million Seed Round to Revolutionize Electric Vehicle Sales

Lyteflo, a new electric vehicle (EV) merchandising solution, today announced $3 million in Seed funding.

Lyteflo Closes $3 Million Seed Round to Revolutionize Electric Vehicle Sales
Blog
Andrew Newton
Planetary Technologies: Why We Invested

Planetary offers a scalable, natural alternative to engineered carbon removal solutions by enhancing the ocean’s existing ability to absorb CO2. The ocean already absorbs 31% of global CO2 emissions, and by adding alkalinity, Planetary increases this capacity while neutralizing ocean acidity. The process, called Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE), stores carbon as stable salts within the marine ecosystem for thousands of years, making it a low-energy, cost-effective, durable solution. Early tests in controlled environments confirm successful CO2 removal, and ongoing open-ocean trials show no measurable negative impact on marine habitats.

ThinkLabs AI is a specialized AI development and deployment company focused on advanced engineering systems. With their flagship product, ThinkLabs Copilot, using proprietary physics-informed AI digital twins, ThinkLabs AI is well positioned to transform the way grids operate, rich of clean data and predictive power.

Planetary Technologies: Why We Invested

Mental Health Benefits Startup Inkblot Secures $1M+ in Seed Funding

Investment led by Amplify Capital with additional participation from Good & Well, Active Impact Investments, and others

TORONTO, Jan. 23, 2020 /CNW/ - Inkblot Technologies Inc. ("Inkblot") announced today that it closed on the first tranche of capital in seed round funding led by Amplify Capital. Inkblot provides modern mental health solutions — effective and accessible employee care — to Canadian and US companies. This funding will accelerate Inkblot's sales, channel-distribution strategies, platform development, and their continued expansion into the United States.

"We are proud to lead this round of fundraising and support the team at Inkblot as they provide solutions to the mental health crisis here in Canada and abroad," said Kathryn Wortsman, managing partner of Amplify Capital. "Inkblot's comprehensive platform has dedicated applications built to improve the lives of those running companies, their people, and the counsellors providing care. We have seen a number of mental health ventures, but Inkblot stands out as the only data-driven solution that demonstrates improved mental health outcomes and a healthier mental state in both the workplace and outside of work."

Inkblot offers a confidential online video solution for mental health counselling. The product uses advanced technologies for intelligent therapist matching, effectiveness monitoring, and maximizing the human connection between care providers and clients. By providing access to qualified counsellors coast to coast Inkblot removes barriers posed by the shortage of mental health therapists available outside of major metropolitan areas.

Inkblot's clients include organizations that recognize that improved access to mental health support in the workplace leads to employees who feel better and are more productive. Inkblot has also established partnerships with the leading national providers of group benefits on mental health platforms.

"Inkblot has built strategic mental health offerings for a range of companies of varying sizes and internal benefits landscapes," said Luke Vigeant, co-founder and CEO of Inkblot. "The additional capital we've received, and the caliber of investors we have attracted on this round will be instrumental in supporting our continued team and sales growth across a number of customer channels, and most importantly, the tens of thousands of people covered by Inkblot Mental Health Plans today".

In addition to Amplify Capital, Good & Well and Active Impact Investments participated in this Seed round. Inkblot has the option to close on an additional $450,000 of additional capital prior to February 14, 2020.

Additional information on Inkblot's Corporate Mental Health Benefits Plans can be found at: business.inkblottherapy.com

About Inkblot

Inkblot is a VC and Techstars backed Toronto-based company offering corporate mental health programs, with a focus on secure video counselling that is available any time, any place to make mental health support readily accessible. Using a proprietary algorithm, employees are matched to the best counsellors for their specific needs and preferences. Uniquely, Inkblot monitors clinical effectiveness and client satisfaction session-to-session. With Inkblot, employees can get the help they need when they need it. Inkblot's mission is to create affordable, accessible and innovative services and technologies to improve the psychological health of individuals and organizations. Inkblot is a proud alumni of the 2019 Techstars Toronto Accelerator program as well as the DMZ Growth Accelerator program in Toronto.

About Amplify Capital

Amplify Capital, formerly the MaRS Catalyst Fund, is a seed-stage venture fund investing in highly scalable technology companies solving for social and environmental market gaps. Amplify believes that a thriving economy is one of reduced inequality based on a foundation of affordable clean energy, quality education and healthcare.  Amplify Capital is based in Canada and invests in Canadian mission-driven businesses... https://www.amplifycapital.ca/

About Good & Well

Good & Well is a boutique impact investment firm based in Toronto, Canada that partners with early-stage social purpose businesses. Their mission is to help catalyze a more purposeful, sustainable economy for all.
https://www.goodandwell.ca/

About Active Impact Investments

Active Impact Investments is a certified BCorp based in Vancouver, BC that manages a limited partnership fund with $10M in assets under management. They exclusively invest in small private companies that solve an important environmental or social problem and they provide extensive post-investment support. https://www.activeimpactinvestments.com/

SOURCE Inkblot

For further information: For Additional Information on Inkblot: Luke Vigeant, Co-Founder and CEO at Inkblot, lukev@inkblottherapy.com

MARS CATALYST FUND REBRANDS TO AMPLIFY CAPITAL, TARGETS $30 MILLION FUND II MaRS Catalyst Fund is rebranding to Amplify Capital and launching a second seed-stage impact tech venture fund, with a target of $30 million CAD – six times

Betakit profiles Amplify Capital’'s fund 2 launch.

Amplify’s new fund will be spun out independently from MaRS when the fund makes its first close, with initial capital commitments expected to finalize early next year. The firm plans to co-invest or lead in about 20 deals total, with a focus on the health, education, and cleantech.

Impact Investing becoming Mainstream in Canada For many Canadians, it’s important that their investments reflect their personal values. A first step may be to avoid investing in companies whose business they see as unethical, such as w

Industry News:
Impact Investing becoming Mainstream in Canada

For many Canadians, it’s important that their investments reflect their personal values. A first step may be to avoid investing in companies whose business they see as unethical, such as weapons manufacturers, tobacco and fossil-fuel companies. But an increasing number of people are looking to go further. They want to invest in firms that are working actively to make the world a better place.

Classcraft Secures $10 Million CAD Series A

Financing to Help Educators Motivate Students Investment to fuel company’s AI research and development initiatives, including a partnership with Thierry Karsenti, University of Montréal professor and Canada Research Chair on Technologies in Education

Defining Impact Tech Extract from Chapter 2: The Rise of Impact Tech This article features an extract of our report  The Frontiers of Impact Tech: moonshots worth taking in the 21st century,  published in June 2019. Downl

The Rise of Impact Tech

With a myriad of different concepts regularly used to describe the intersections between technology and society, it was not easy to pick one term for this report. Existing terms include tech for good, impact tech, social tech, cleantech, responsible tech, positive tech, transformative tech, humane tech, ICT for development, digital social innovation, factor-4 innovation, and more. Some relate to social good, others to sustainability. Some emphasize avoiding harm, others creating solutions. Yet others focus on specific sectors like civic tech, health tech, peace tech, and carbon tech. All of them have been used to describe projects featured in these pages.

MaRS Catalyst Fund Invests In InVivo AI To Improve The Efficacy Of Drugs Coming To Market Using Machine Learning

InVivo AI, a Montreal-based startup using machine learning to improve the generation, screening, and optimization of new medications, has announced a pre-seed financing with MaRS Catalyst Fund, Real Ventures, Panache Ventures, and Brightspark Ventures, among others.

MaRS Catalyst Fund Invests In Inkblot To Make Mental Health Services More Affordable, Accessible And Effective

Inkblot Therapy, a Toronto-based startup that makes mental health services affordable, accessible and more effective, announced a seed-stage financing round with MaRS Catalyst Fund and Active Impact Fund.

MaRS Catalyst Fund’s ChallengeU Investment Helping High School Dropouts Complete K-12 Diploma In North America

ChallengeU, a Montreal-based online education platform that makes it easier for students to obtain their high school diploma without having to return to brick and mortar schools, announced a financing round of $2M with Real Ventures, MaRS Catalyst Fund and LaSalle International Inc.