Alastair Goldfisher

It's an annual tradition: Tell is what you think is the story of the year

From seeds to mega-funds, many venture-related stories are vying for having the biggest impact in 2014

Rikert joins Next World Capital from AH

Samsung joins investment round for digital signature company DocuSign

DocuSign Inc announced on Thursday that Samsung Ventures has made a strategic investment in the company, Geekwire reported that Samsung Ventures, BBVA Ventures and the investment arm of the Singapore Economic Development Board are joining the previously announced Series E investment round, which now totals $115 million and includes Accel Partners, Google Ventures, Comcast Ventures, Ignition Partners, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Sapphire Ventures, Scale Venture Partners and others. San Francisco-based DocuSign has now raised about $240 million in total equity, with its most recent pre-money valuation at $1.6 billion, according to Thomson Reuters data.

Bullpen leads funding round for SendHub

SendHub, which provides a business phone system for mobile devices, announced a $5 million Series B round of funding led by Bullpen Capital. Kapor Capital, Menlo Ventures, Seraph Group and Eric Ries also participated in the round. The Menlo Park, Calif.-based company has now raised $10 million in total funding.

500 Startups launches mobile fund

500 Startups announced the launch of 500 Mobile Collective, a $10 million microfund focused on mobile investments and managed by new 500 investing partner Edith Yeung.

‘Category Kings’ are better than unicorns

Dominant companies are ruling the startup landscape, as speed of market cap growth escalates, according to a study by Play Bigger Advisors

Apio calls up Series A funding led by Verizon Ventures

Apio Systems, which provides a mobile-based transportation safety platform, announced it has raised a $5 million Series A round led by Verizon Ventures, the investment arm of Verizon Communications. Additional investors include Lerer Hippeau, Transdev and East Rock Capital. Apio Systems, which has offices in Crystal City, Va., and Warwick, N.Y., has now raised more than $6 million in total funding.

'Category Kings' are better than unicorns

So-called Category Kings dominate the startup landscape, as speed of market cap growth escalates.

Chobani dishes up food incubator in New York

Chobani, a maker of Greek yogurt, announced today the launch of its Chobani Food Incubator in New York. The incubator said it is looking to support entrepreneurs looking to provide better food accessible to all. Chobani said it is now accepting applications for up to 10 companies to join its first class. Chobani said it will also invest in each of the startups selected and provide access to top chefs and food leaders in the industry.

VC-backed ApplePie launches with nearly $4 mln in funding

San Francisco-based ApplePie Capital, a provider of a marketplace lending platform for franchise entrepreneurs, announced its launch today and disclosed that it has raised $3.77 million in funding. Investors include Freestyle Capital, QED Investors, Signia Venture Partners and angel investors. The company, which was founded in 2013, said it raised the funding in July 2014.