Is $300 million the new $100 million?

Over this past year, three Canadian tech companies have sold with a transaction value exceeding $300 million, marking the best liquidity cycle we’ve seen in more than a decade.

The roll continues with Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC) buying Waterloo-based application lifecycle management solution maker MKS in May in a deal valued at $303.5 million. (Prior to this deal, IBM bought Clarity Systems in Oct. 2010 and SalesForce.com acquired Radian6 in March 2011 for $326 million).

With 350 employees, MKS built a global customer base among manufacturers across multiple industries, including automotive, aerospace and defense, high tech electronics and medical devices.

This latest news should rally the Canadian technology community. It should also motivate entrepreneurs, management teams and investors to shoot higher,  build larger, better companies, invest in the longer term and avoid the quick flip.

These deals are definitely a collective sign that the investment community recognizes the potential of some of Canada’s entrepreneurs.