Luisa Beltran
Provident Healthcare Ventures, of Boston, has launched with $25 million in committed capital that will invest in healthcare sectors like homecare, hospice and infusion therapy. The fund includes an incubator for early-stage start-up funding as well traditional seed funding for larger investments. Investments will range from $250,000 to $3 million. The principals of Provident Healthcare Ventures are providing the capital. Two of the principals of the healthcare fund include Bob Ciardi, Managing Partner of Provident Healthcare Partners, the Boston investment bank, as well as William Shepard, managing director of Provident Healthcare Ventures.
It’s been a few days since the Quebec City conference ended and I’ve learned that a survey found attendees are more positive about increased deal flow in fourth quarter, while a sale to a strategic is now the preferred exit route.
More than one-fifth, or 22%, of those attending the conference expect to see a 50% surge in M&A during fourth quarter compared to the same time period in 2009, according to Thomson Reuters. Nearly half, or 47%, think M&A will increase by 10% in the fourth quarter. Another 24% expect deal flow to remain flat in fourth quarter. Amazingly, 2% of attendees think deal flow will jump by 100%, while 5% believe deal flow will drop in fourth quarter.
Embanet Corp., which is backed by Technology Crossover Ventures, is merging with Compass Knowledge Group. Financial terms weren't disclosed. Embanet, of Toronto, provides online learning services to postsecondary educational institutions. Orlando, Fla.-based Compass also offers online learning support services including market research, program marketing, student recruitment as well as instructional design and technology. Technology Crossover Ventures provides growth capital to tech companies. Berkery Noyes, an investment bank, provided financial advice to Compass.
Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers announced Thursday the sFund, a $250 million pool to invest in social web entrepreneurs. Ten Kleiner partners will work on the fund including Chi-Hua Chien, John Doerr, Eric Feng, Bing Gordon, Lila Ibrahim, Randy Komisar, Aileen Lee, Matt Murphy, Ellen Pao, and Ted Schlein. Another four Kleiner partners in Shanghai will extend the sFund’s reach in China, according to a statement. Kleiner Perkins is a VC firm with offices in Menlo Park, Calif., Shanghai and Beijing.
Off & Away said Wednesday that it had received follow-on funding of $2 million led by Madrona Venture Group. Seattle-based Off & Away is a luxury hotel auction site. Madrona is a VC firm, also based in Seattle.
MK Capital led a $10.7 million Series B funding round for Kontiki, a Sunnyvale, Calif.-based provider of enterprise video services. New World Ventures and Cross Creek Capital, an affiliate of Wasatch Advisors, joined in the round. MK Capital is a VC firm with offices in Chicago and Los Angeles.
Hayneedle said Tuesday that Chairman Doug Nielsen, and Carter Cast, president and CEO, are switching executive management roles. Nielson, who co-founded Hayneedle, will become president and CEO while Cast will become chairman. Hayneedle, of Omaha, is an online retailer of home furnishings and lifestyle products. The company is funded by Insight Venture Partners and Sequoia Capital.
EcoSMART Technologies said Tuesday that it has closed a $2 million equity investment from Greenmont Capital Partners, an early stage investment firm from Boulder, Colo. EcoSMART said it also received another $2 million under a credit facility with Western Technology Investment, a venture debt firm. Atlanta-based EcoSMART produces pesticide products derived from natural plant oils.
Travel Ad Network said Tuesday that it had closed a $15 million Series C funding round led by StarVest Partners. Rho Ventures and Village Ventures, existing investors, also participated, according to a statement. New York-based Travel Ad Network is digital media company in the travel space. StarVest Partners is a New York VC firm. PRESS […]
Gridsum Technology completed a Series A funding round led by Steamboat Ventures, a VC firm affiliated with Walt Disney Co. Gridsum is a Chinese provider of web, video and search analytics services.