SUNNYVALE, Calif. – Frontier Communications, one of the nation’s largest long distance carriers, became one of the latest corporations to seize the burgeoning venture capital market for Internet investments when it formed Frontier Internet Ventures Inc. in late February. While Frontier Communications, a subsidiary of Rochester, N.Y.-based Frontier Corp., has been quite active on the […]
MADISON, Wis. – Signaling a possible shift toward more traditional early-stage venture capital investing, the Wisconsin State Investment Board at press time was readying a proposal to its board of trustees to create a $50 million health-care and biotechnology vehicle geared toward local deals. Wisconsin at press time had committed only to later-stage private equity […]
NEWARK, N.J. – Plagued by Wall Street’s downturn in the last two quarters of 1998, the venture-backed secondary public offering market recorded just 64 issues after a first-half total of 52, according to Venture Economics Information Services (VEIS), a data company affiliated with Venture Capital Journal. Last year’s output marked the industry’s worst performance since […]
SIMSBURY, Conn. – Continuing its evolution from secondary investor to full-service private equity shop, Landmark Partners Inc. in early March announced the appointment of a new managing partner to lead the firm’s foray into direct investment. Francisco Borges, the former treasurer of Connecticut and most recently a managing director at Financial Guaranty Insurance Co., will […]
Try having a conversation about the current trend in mergers and acquisitions without using the word “growth” or any form of “consolidate.” It could be difficult, as venture capitalists who were asked to discuss increased sales of VC-backed companies found out. Consolidation in a diversity of industries, ranging from networking to medical devices, motivated buyers […]
POPALO ALTO, Calif. – Feeling overly dependent on mezzanine funds and private placements to feed their expansion-stage portfolio companies, four venture firms have banded together to launch a $1 billion-targeted fund to support businesses in the six to 18 months leading up to their initial public offerings. Accel Partners, Brentwood Venture Capital, Oak Investment Partners […]
BOSTON – Gene Hill, who recently departed Accel Partners as its remaining health-care specialist, is slated to become a partner at Schroder Ventures. Mr. Hill, who starts his new job April 1, will help manage Schroder Ventures International Life Sciences Fund II, a $200 million-targeted vehicle that was approaching a wrap at press time (VCJ, […]
SAN FRANCISCO – Joining the growing ranks of venture capitalists adding new partners with operating experience, Weiss, Peck & Greer Venture Partners in mid-February toasted the arrival of new Venture Partner Skip Glass, a veteran executive of start-up and entrepreneurial companies. Mr. Glass will help the information technology and health care-focused Weiss, Peck & Greer […]
WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. – Peter Sears, a co-founder of SmithKline Beecham’s venture subsidiary, S.R. One Ltd., will retire in late May as the firm’s president. Mr. Sears, a 36-year veteran of the company, will end his day-to-day involvement with S.R. One but will continue to represent the firm on the board of four of its […]
PORTLAND, Ore. – Entrepreneur and venture consultant Bill Kallman and venture capitalist Jeffrey Tung are marketing an inaugural fund from their newly formed Timberline Ventures L.L.C., a venture firm focused on the Pacific Northwest. Timberline Venture Partners L.P. is targeting $60 million and likely will be capped at $75 million, Mr. Tung said. The new […]