The Ontario government is doing something truly unique and laudable says John Albright of JLA Ventures. Last week Ontario's Ministry of Research and Innovation announced a new $205-million fund to help stimulate the province's early-stage ventures.

According to a University of Laval Professor, Canada's Labour Sponsor Funds kill innovation rather than create it. Read the press release here.

MediaScrape lands new venture round of $3.2 million. Chris Dingle has been appointed President and Chief Technology Officer. Mr. Dingle was the founding CTO of 24/7 Real Media which sold recently to WPP for $637 million.

University Technologies International (UTI) - IGNITE - announces the closing of two first-round financings for two IGNITE companies, Profero Energy Inc. and Circle Cardiovascular Imaging Inc.

Kleer Inc. based in California but with a plant in Ottawa landed a $28 million round for its wireless audio product development.

The Ottawa Citizen ran this story a few days ago. We've been saying this for years now. When will the public sector make it easier for investment in the province's tech sector?

Rick Nathan of the Canadian Venture Capital Association has an optimistic view of the current credit crunch.

MSBi Capital announces the addition of two new partners François Gauvin and John Elton.

Celtic House Venture Partners of K-W invested in Dublin-based RedMere last week.

Rogers Media and CTVglobemedia Inc. announce that Rogers Broadcasting will acquire certain Canadian conventional and specialty television services from CTVglobemedia Inc.