PALO ALTO, Calif. – Another player has entered the corporate venture capital fray, and this time it is a company that received its own venture financing not too long ago. Online investment brokerage E*Trade Group Inc. in March formed a $150 million captive venture capital unit headed by Thomas Bevilacqua, the company’s former independent counsel […]
While Social Security reform isn’t exactly the sexiest topic of discussion among venture capitalists, it might benefit them to pay the issue a little more heed. As Senior Writer Shawn Neidorf tells us (story page 37), if paying Social Security dues becomes mandatory for public employees, it could significantly diminish the amount of capital that […]
SAN FRANCISCO – Annette Bianchi, a general partner at Weiss, Peck & Greer Venture Partners, has departed the firm after seven years to become a managing director at Pacific Venture Group, a Southern California health-care venture group. Ms. Bianchi, who is a medical technology investor, said the transition was a “natural progression” for her, noting […]
Lawyers are sometimes chided for dwelling on distinctions that strike the uninitiated as arcane. Accordingly, the distinction that a distribution of portfolio company stock from a venture fund to its limited partners in kind is just that – a “distribution” rather than a sale – probably will excite a venture fund’s counsel much more than […]
STAMFORD, Conn. – Priceline.com Inc., an online auction site, held an initial public offering March 29. The stock priced at $16, well above the $12 to $14 price range. The company offered 10 million shares. Underwriters include Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc., Merrill Lynch & Co., Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc., BancBoston Robertson Stephen Inc. […]
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) will renew its contract with general consultant, Wilshire Associates. The $153 billion pension at press time was negotiating the terms and fees for the evergreen deal. Wilshire has served as CalPERS general consultant for 17 years, and the firm’s current five-year, $3 million contract expires […]
SAN FRANCISCO -Sofinnova Venture Partners IV was slated for a final wrap on about $73 million in mid-April. Launched in late 1997, the $60 million-targeted fund was raised in Europe and the United States and held multiple closes (VCJ, November 1998, page 14). European backers – mostly French – put up about two-thirds of the […]
MENLO PARK, Calif. – Mayfield Fund’s newly-hired venture partner, Todd Brooks, recently closed two communication-technology deals. The companies, Avanex Inc. and Qtera Corp., develop photonic components and systems for the telecommunications industry. Mayfield in late March led Avanex’s $6 million Series C round with a $2.25 million commitment, followed a few days later by a […]
NEW YORK- As pensions in the New York City system get set to become some of the largest investors in private equity in the next several years, they are considering adding gatekeepers and internal professionals to help manage their private equity programs. The four city pensions that invest in private equity – New York City […]
GREENWICH, Conn. – Catterton Partners in March began marketing its fourth fund, which, targeted at $350 million, is more than twice the size of its previous vehicle. Catterton Partners IV will tap a mix of institutional investors, such as gatekeepers, endowments, funds-of-funds and high-net-worth individuals. The firm expects an initial close in June, said Michael […]