Alastair Goldfisher

Mercury Fund seeks $125 mln for fourth fund

Mercury Fund, an early-stage investor that backs startups in the middle of the United States, is seeking to raise $125 million for its fourth fund, according to a regulatory filing. The firm was formerly known as DFJ Mercury, but rebranded in 2012 before raising $105 million for its third fund, which closed in 2013.

Travel activities site Peek raises $23 mln for international expansion

San Francisco-based Peek, which develops software for tour operators and travel activity providers, has raised $23 million in Series B funding round, the company said. Cathay Innovation, the venture fund of private equity firm Cathay Capital, led the round.Other investors include Kayak co-founder Paul English. Peek, founded in 2012 by Ruzwana Bashir and Oskar Bruening, has now raised about $40 million in total financing and is using the latest backing to expand to Europe and China.

On the Bleeding Edge: VCJ wins four writing awards from SIPA

Benchmark leads funding in Benchling

San Francisco-based Benchling, provider of a data management and collaboration platform for life sciences research, announced it has raised a $14.5 million Series B round of funding. Benchmark led the financing and General Partner Eric Vishria will join the company board. Also joining the round are F-Prime Capital, which is a firm associated with Fidelity Investments, and returning investor Thrive Capital. The company has now raised more than $27 million since it was founded in 2012.

Eleven Ventures seeks $20 mln

Palo Alto, California-based Eleven Ventures is seeking to raise $20 million, according to a regulatory filing. the early-stage firm, launched last year by serial entrepreneurs Michael Howse and Greg Ballard, seeks to invest in consumer and enabling tech startups in VR/AR, digital gaming and e-sports.

New York-focused seed investor Primary Venture Partners raises $100 mln for second fund

AI company Jane.ai launches, announces Series A funding

St. Louis-based Jane.ai officially launched today and announced it has raised $8.4 million in Series A funding from a Midwest network of private and angel investors. The company, founded by former Answers.com CEO David Karandish, aims to develop an AI-based platform to increase workplace productivity. The company was founded in early 2017.

Govtech evangelist Bouganim raises $25 mln Fund II, eyes international expansion

IVP leads $60 mln funding of Podium

Lehi, Utah-based Podium, provider of a customer communication platform for local businesses, announced it has raised a $60 million Series B round of funding. IVP led the round, which include participation from Accel, Summit Partners, GV and Y Combinator. The company, which launched in 2014, previously raised about $33 million in funding.

Israeli cybersecurity company DocAuthority raises $10 mln

Ra'anana, Israel-based data management company DocAuthority announced it has raised $10 million in Series A funding. Raine Ventures led the round, which included Greycroft, ff Venture Capital, Differential VC, as well as 2B Angels and Plus Ventures in Israel. The company was founded by Ariel Peled and Itay Reved in 2013.