I've been a business reporter for a while. I've covered Wall Street, venture capital and now private equity. I'm always looking for a scoop or something to talk about. I'm the eternal optimist and am still waiting for the Chicago Cubs to win the World Series. Yes, I believe.
Laurel Solutions, a portfolio company of FFL Partners, said March 14 that it acquired Servelec Technologies. Financial terms weren’t announced. Servelec Technologies, of Sheffield, U.K., provides remote monitoring systems, secure SCADA systems, and business optimization software.
3 min read · 14 March 2019
Jeff Schumacher, founder and ex-head of BCG Digital Ventures, has launched 55 Catalyst Capital. He is joined by Juan Bruce, former managing partner of Ænigma Capital, and Jason Nolte, former venture partner at GM Ventures, in leading the firm. 55 Catalyst will focus on decentralized technology and digital assets.
2 min read · 14 March 2019
ISAI has acquired a minority stake in Legalstart.fr. Financial terms weren’t announced. Legalstart.fr provides online legal services that aims to help entrepreneurs and small businesses across all sectors manage their legal, administrative and accounting procedures.
3 min read · 14 March 2019
A joint venture between Ares Management Corp and EDF Invest has acquired the IKB office building from IKB Deutsche Industriebank. Financial terms weren’t announced. The property, located in Düsseldorf, Germany, comprises approximately 58,500 square meters of gross leasable area.
2 min read · 14 March 2019
2 min read · 13 March 2019
Brookfield Asset Management Inc said March 13 that it agreed to buy 62 percent of Oaktree Capital Group LLC. Press reports valued the deal at $4.8 billion. The two firms will have about $475 billion of assets under management and $2.5 billion of annual fee-related revenues. Both Brookfield and Oaktree will continue to operate independently. Howard Marks will continue as co-chairman of Oaktree and is also joining Brookfield’s board.
6 min read · 13 March 2019
Hercules Capital Inc said March 13 that effective immediately Manuel Henriquez has voluntarily stepped aside as its chairman and CEO. Hercules’ board elected Robert P. Badavas, currently an independent director to serve as interim chairman, while it elected Scott Bluestein, its chief investment officer, to be its interim CEO. Henriquez, along with his wife Elizabeth, was one of several executives charged in a nationwide college admissions cheating scandal, according to the New York Times.
4 min read · 13 March 2019
SNH Capital Partners said March 13 that it acquired Universal Background Screening and is merging it with its portfolio company PeopleFacts. Financial terms weren’t announced. Universal Background, of Phoenix, provides background screening products and services. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP acted as legal adviser while WhiteHorse Capital, the direct lending affiliate of H.I.G. Capital, provided financing to SNH.
2 min read · 13 March 2019
Strand Equity has invested in The Real Good Food Co LLC and has a minority stake. Financial terms weren’t announced. Real Good, of Glendale, California, provides high protein, low-carb comfort food made that it says are made simple, real Ingredients. BofA Merrill Lynch provided financial advice to Real Good.
3 min read · 13 March 2019
Hibob said March 13 that it raised $20 million in Series A funding from existing investors: Bessemer Venture Partners, Battery Ventures, Eight Roads, Arbor Ventures, and Presidio Ventures. Hibob, of Tel Aviv, provides an HR tech platform.
5 min read · 13 March 2019
