The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is investing $100 million in a subscription commerce platform company.
The investment in AppDirect Capital will be used to accelerate the growth of the AppSmart Invest program, a recently launched business-facing online technology marketplace that connects buyers with expert advisors. The marketplace is designed to help subscribing technology companies start and scale businesses with recurring revenue models.
In a press release, Martin Laguerre, executive vice-president and head of private equity and capital solutions at the Caisse, said AppSmart Invest is on the forefront of innovation in the commerce platform space. He also described the AppDirect Capital as having a high-value client base.
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“With this new investment, CDPQ’s focus on performing technology-driven companies that accelerate the competitiveness of today’s businesses is magnified by our ability to deliver innovative and flexible alternative financing as part of our capital solutions strategy.”
In other news, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board is pursuing a joint venture to construct four office buildings in London.
Both the CPPIB and its partner, the Australian development firm Lendlease Group, voted in favour of a confidence motion to embark on a 50/50 joint venture to develop four new office buildings in London. This is the fourth joint venture involving both organizations, which have previous projects based in Australia, Italy and the U.K.
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The new project is expected to have a total development area of about 150,000 square metres. Work will begin in 2022 with the construction of the Turing Building, which is expected to cost the developers £215 million. Once complete, the Turing Building will house about 35,000 square metres of office space. The design also includes space for ground-level retail businesses and a boutique cinema.
“This relationship extends to several joint ventures globally and we are delighted to undertake our second partnership here in the U.K., bringing further investment and development activity to London,” said Tom Jackson, managing director and head of U.K. real estate at the CPPIB, in a press release.
“Our partnership with Lendlease forms part of our strategy to align with best-in-class delivery partners and our wider commitment to deliver steady, long-term returns for CPP contributors and beneficiaries.”