Mark Boslet
The National Venture Capital Association is adding an office hours event to its annual meeting on May 14 in San Francisco. The event, for entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, will guarantee entrepreneurs at least two meetings with venture investors.
Livefyre said it raised a $15M Series C investment in a deal led by U.S. Venture Partners and joined by existing investors Greycroft Partners, Cue Ball, HillsVen Group, and ff Venture Capital. The money will support new growth and expansion into new markets.
Upstream Commerce said it raised an additional $3 million in funding from YL Ventures, Bright Capital and other private investors. The money will go toward product and technology development.
Spredfast said it raised $18 million in a round led by OpenView Venture Partners and joined by existing investors Austin Ventures and InterWest Partners. The company said it saw 400% revenue growth in 2012 and a doubling of employee headcount.
Hailo said it raised $30.6 million in a deal led by Union Square Ventures. The taxi app network also said it added Tom Barr, former head of the coffee business at Starbucks, as its new president and COO USA. The company has now raised $50 million.
Samsung Electronics unveiled a $100 million seed fund to support innovation in components and subsystems related to its broad product line of televisions, cell phones, computers and other digital devices. The Korean manufacturer also said it plans to increase its corporate venture investing this year
Piston Cloud Computing Inc. said it raised $8 million in a Series B funding supported by Cisco Systems, Data Collective, Swisscom Ventures, Divergent Ventures, Hummer Winblad and True Ventures. The money will go to product development and company growth.
UTIMCO’s recent investments in 2011 and 2012 vintages show cause for hope
Norwest Venture Partners is apparently preparing to open a New York office, eager to expand its presence in the Big Apple’s Internet startup scene, sources say.
The Latin American Private Equity & Venture Capital Association is still compiling figures for 2012. But Executive Director Cate Ambrose said during a Silicon Valley appearance this week that fundraising is likely to be down significantly from 2011.