The Globe and Mail reports in its Monday edition that Janet Bannister, one of Canada's best-known start-up financiers, has exceeded the target for her first solo venture capital fund. The Globe's Sean Silcoff writes that Ms. Bannister's Staircase Ventures last week completed raising its first fund, bringing in more than $34-million -- topping her $30-million goal -- adding Northleaf Capital, Vancouver City Savings Credit Union and Intact Financial's venture capital arm as investors. They join earlier backers Royal Bank of Canada and tech entrepreneurs who will also advise Staircase companies including PointClickCare co-founder Mike Wessinger. Ms. Bannister has already backed three companies, including Biossil, a drug discovery start-up led by Anthony Mouchantaf, former director of venture capital with Royal Bank of Canada's innovation banking unit. Ms. Bannister says, "It's never easy to raise a fund, particularly a first time fund, but I was confident in my ability to do it." Her fundraising success is "pretty rare" for a new firm, says Northleaf director Ian Carew. "It's a testament to the strength of her story that she was able to get this done in such a quick timeline in this fundraising environment."