With all the VC activity in the U.S. - most of it being thrown at cool Web 2.0 with, at best, uncertain business model - it is encouraging to see a Canadian high-tech company receive some love. Third Brigade Inc., which develops software to protect businesses from computer attacks and viruses, has raised $11.5-million from BCE Capital, Celtic House and BDC Venture Capital. This follows a $5-million round earlier this year. This deal is the latest in a string of financings made by BCE Capital, the investment arm of BCE Inc. Some of BCE Capital's deals are strategic to the corporate mothership but the VC has a mandate to pretty much invest where it wants in Canada and the U.S. That said, I wonder if they're still feeling the sting of passing on Skype in late-2003 because they couldn't see a business model? Lesson to be learned: the next time Niklas Zennstrom comes asking for some financing, get the check book out as quick before he changes his mind.