Luisa Beltran

AbSci raises $5.1 mln

AbSci said April 25 that it raised $5.1 million in Series A financing led by Phoenix Venture Partners. Portland, Oregon-based AbSci provides a protein expression platform for use in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

Tado raises $23 mln from Inven Capital

Tado said April 26 it closed $23 million in funding from Inven Capital, the VC arm of Čez Group. Tado provides home climate control solutions like thermostats and AC controls.

Z Capital Partners buys Twin-Star International

Z Capital Partners LLC, the private equity management arm of Z Capital Group LLC, has acquired Twin-Star International Inc. Financial terms weren’t announced. Delray Beach, Florida-based Twin-Star designs, makes and markets a line of electric fireplaces, heaters, home furnishings and consumer electronics.

Zenith Energy buys Amsterdam liquids storage and handling facility

Zenith Energy, a portfolio company of Warburg Pincus, has closed its buy of the liquids storage and handling facility located in the international port of Amsterdam. BP plc is the seller. Zenith said it plans to invest $100 million in the Amsterdam terminal, which is located on the North Sea Canal in the Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Antwerp region.

Azeti Networks raises $4 mln

Azeti Networks AG said April 25 that it closed a $4 million dollar round of funding led by Wim Elfrink. Berlin-based Azeti provides remote asset management software serving the IoT market.

PE HUB First Read

To start your morning, Ant Financial Services Group closes the world’s largest private fundraising round for an Internet company at $4.5 billion, Nokia buys Withings for $192 million and today marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear accident that sent radiation spewing across Europe.

Veritas Capital to buy Verisk Health for $820 mln

Veritas Capital has agreed to buy the healthcare service business of Verisk Analytics Inc for $820 million. Waltham, Massachusetts-based Verisk Health provides data services, analytics, and advanced technologies that aim to inform smarter business decisions and reduce risk. The purchase price consists of $720 million of cash and a $100 million long-term subordinated promissory note. Morgan Stanley and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey provided financial advice to Verisk Analytics while McCarter & English LLP and Davis Polk & Wardwell was their legal advisor. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom is acting as legal advisor to Veritas.

Auris Surgical to buy Hansen Medical

Auris Surgical Robotics Inc agreed to buy Hansen Medical Inc for about $80 million. Mountain View, California-based Hansen Medical develops intravascular robotics technology. Certain Hansen stockholders have also agreed to invest about $49 million into Auris. PJT Partners provided financial advice to Auris while Morrison & Foerster LLP was their legal advisor. Perella Weinberg Partners LP advised Hansen’s Special Committee of the Board of Directors while Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP was their attorney. Sidley Austin LLP served as legal adviser to Hansen.

Ares Management's fifth flexible capital PE fund closes at $7.85 bln

Ares Management LP said April 25 that its fifth global flexible capital PE fund raised $7.85 billion, surpassing its $6.5 billion target. The $7.85 billion included $250 million of GP commitments mainly from employees and $7.6 billion from third parties. Ares Corporate Opportunities Fund V LP will invest mainly in North American and European businesses.

PE HUB First Read

To start your morning, a plane has flown across the Pacific using only Solar power, Yahoo is expected to narrow the field of bidders as soon as this week and British astronaut Tim Peake completed the London marathon in space.