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.
L Catterton said Jan. 17 that it agreed to buy Leslie's Holdings Inc. Financial terms weren’t announced. GIC is also investing. Leslie’s, of Phoenix, is a retailer of swimming pool and spa supplies, with more than 890 retail stores in 35 states. Nomura Securities served as financial advisor to L Catterton. Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as legal advisor to L Catterton and Sidley Austin LLP served as legal advisor to GIC.
5 min read · 17 January 2017
Letgo said Jan. 17 that it raised $175 million in new funding from investors such as Naspers, Accel, Insight Venture Partners, New Enterprise Associates, 14W and other investors. With offices in New York and Barcelona, Letgo provides a mobile marketplace to buy and sell locally.
3 min read · 17 January 2017
Serena Capital said Jan. 17 that it has launched Serena Data Ventures, a fund dedicated to investing in big data and artificial intelligence in Europe. Institutional investors and large corporate groups have committed close to 80 million euros ($85.7 million) to Serena Data Ventures. The new fund will invest between 500,000 and 3 million Euros in the first financing rounds. Serena Data has invested in Heuritech, a French startup that specializes in deep learning technologies.
3 min read · 17 January 2017
Ares Management LP and Kaplan Management Company said Jan. 17 that they have formed a joint venture to buy the District at the Quarter. Financial terms weren’t announced. District at the Quarter, of Scottsdale, Arizona, will consist of 612 for-rent residential units and 7,000 square feet of commercial space upon completion.
3 min read · 17 January 2017
Quad-C Management Inc said Jan. 17 that it agreed to sell Worldwide Express to Ridgemont Equity Partners. Financial terms weren’t announced. Worldwide Express, of Dallas, provides asset-light logistics services, including small parcel shipping, less-than-truckload and full truckload freight brokerage services. Fidus Partners and Harris Williams & Co provided financial advice while White & Case LLP acted as legal adviser to Quad-C and Worldwide Express.
3 min read · 17 January 2017
L Catterton is in talks to raise a 500 million euro ($531 million) buyout fund targeting Europe-based companies in the consumer sector, Dow Jones reported. The fund will invest in midmarket companies in Europe across a number of consumer subsectors including food, retail, fashion, consumer products and services, the story said.
1 min read · 16 January 2017
Goldman Sachs has acquired a minority stake in ArcLight Capital Partners, the Wall Street Journal reported Jan. 13. Goldman Sachs Asset Management's Petershill program invested in ArcLight, along with Wafra Investment Advisory Group Inc and a family office, the story said, which cited an investor letter. ArcLight, of Boston, is an energy-focused private equity firm that targets opportunities in midstream, power and production.
1 min read · 16 January 2017
D.light said Jan. 16 that it raised another $10.5 million in funding. The company said $5 million came from Norfund, while Beyond the Grid and Shell Foundation provided $5.5 million in grant funding D.light, of Nairobi, Kenya, makes and distributes solar lighting and power products in emerging markets, with a focus on Africa and Asia.
3 min read · 16 January 2017
Spaces Inc said Jan. 13 that it raised another $6.5 million in funding led by Songcheng Performances Development Co Ltd. Comcast Ventures and other VC groups also participated. Spaces, of Los Angeles, is a virtual reality and mixed reality company.
2 min read · 16 January 2017
ABRA Auto Body & Glass, a portfolio company of Hellman & Friedman, said Jan. 13 that James Kessler was named Chief Operating Officer, while Scott Krohn was promoted to Chief Process & Quality Officer. Toan Nguyen was named Chief Information & Strategy Officer.
2 min read · 16 January 2017
