A Vancouver-based venture capital fund has slated $10 million for Manitoba startups.

Half the money — $5 million — comes from the Manitoba First Fund, a provincially-funded entity created to spur investment.

“We definitely look at Manitoba as an area of significant opportunity,” said Todd Tessier, chief financial officer of the Emend Vision Fund.

He and partners have been scouting Western Canada for startups — largely those in agriculture and advanced manufacturing.

Emend has fundraised over the past 2 1/2 years. It completed its first close, at $25 million, last spring.

It recently inked a deal with the Manitoba First Fund: MFF tabbed $5 million for pre-seed to Series A firms, and Emend will match the money.

The B.C. early-stage venture capital fund is eyeing two to three Manitoba c

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