Luisa Beltran

Blackstone nearly doubles target of minority stakes fund: New York Post

Blackstone Group has nearly doubled the target of its fund that takes stakes in hedge funds, real estate and other buyout firms to $6 billion, the New York Post reported April 17. The original projected size of the pool was roughly $3.3 billion, the story said.

Mastercard buys Vyze

Mastercard said April 16 that it acquired Vyze. Financial terms weren’t announced. Vyze, of Austin, connects merchants with lenders, helping them to offer customers credit options online and in-store. Vyze has raised about $50 million in funding from VCs including Austin Ventures, Fathom Capital and Starvest Partners, PitchBook said.

Five Questions with General Atlantic's Aaron Goldman

New Mountain weighs Equian sale: Bloomberg

New Mountain Capital is considering whether to sell Equian LLC, a healthcare payments company, Bloomberg reported. A sale of Equian could fetch about $3.5 billion, the story said.

Sverica Capital invests in Stream Cos

Sverica Capital Management LP said April 17 that it invested in Stream Cos LLC. Financial terms weren’t announced. Stream, of Malvern, Pennsylvania, is a marketing solutions provider primarily serving the automotive industry.

PathAI raises $60 mln

PathAI said April 17 that it raised $60 million in Series B funding led by General Atlantic. General Catalyst invested in the round and other existing investors. PathAI, of Boston, provides artificial intelligence-powered technology for pathology.

Verdemed raises $12.7 mln

Verdemed Holdings Inc, a Canadian medical cannabis company that aims to improve the health of patients in Latin America, said April 16 that it raised $12.7 million in funding. The $12.7 million includes $650,000 in seed funding secured in late 2018, an initial capital installment of $6 million in convertible debt and a second installment of $6 million equity.

Marquee Brands to buy Martha Stewart, Emeril Lagasse brands

Marquee Brands LLC, which is backed Neuberger Berman, has agreed to buy the Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse brands and all related intellectual property from Sequential Brands Group. Financial terms weren’t announced. Martha Stewart is joining the Marquee Brands team and continue to guide the brand she founded. The Emeril Lagasse brand has used by home cooks and professional chefs since Lagasse, a chef, opened Emeril's Restaurant in 1990.

Outreach raises $114 mln

Outreach said April 17 that it raised $114 million in a Series E financing round led by Lone Pine Capital. Participating in the round were Meritech Capital Partners and new investor Lemonade Capital, Allison Bhusri's investment fund. Existing investors DFJ Growth, Four Rivers Group, Mayfield, Microsoft Ventures, Sapphire Ventures, Spark Capital and Trinity Ventures also joined the round, bringing Outreach's total funding to date to $239 million. Outreach is a sales engagement platform.

Shore Capital healthcare fund III raises $293 mln

Shore Capital Partners said April 17 that its third institutional healthcare private equity fund closed on $293 million, while its debut food and beverage pool collected $148 million. Shore Capital Healthcare Partners Fund III surpassed its original $250 million target and will invest primarily in control buyouts, focusing on microcap healthcare businesses. Shore Capital Food & Beverage Partners Fund also surpassed its $125 million goal and will invest in food & beverage manufacturing, distribution, packaging, and related B2B service companies.