Luisa Beltran

PE HUB First Read

To start your week, we find out what was President Obama thinks was the worst mistake during his presidency, you now have until April 18 to bid for Yahoo's businesses and Lin-Manuel Miranda, the star of Broadway show Hamilton, will appear on season 2 of Hulu series Hulu Difficult People.

Kelly, Kukhaneva join Seventure Partners

Seventure Partners said April 11 that Professor Denise Kelly has joined as an Investment Advisor, while Oxana Kukhaneva has been appointed Venture Partner. Kelly was previously at the Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen where she was a Professor of Immunology and Microbiology. Kukhaneva was with Inventages Venture Capital, where she was Investment Manager of the investment team. Seventure is a subsidiary of Natixis Global Asset Management.

AirMap raises $15 mln

AirMap said April 7 that it raised $15 million in Series A financing led by General Catalyst Partners. Lux Capital, which led AirMap's seed financing last year, has also made a significant additional investment in this Series A round. Other investors of the Series A include Social Capital, TenOneTen Ventures, Bullpen Capital and the Pritzker Group. Santa Monica, California-based AirMap provides airspace information and services for unmanned aircraft, and aviation safety stakeholders.

MedDay raises $38.5 mln

MedDay has raised 34 million euros ($38.5 million ) in a Series B round of financing led by Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners (EDRIP). Existing investors Sofinnova Partners and InnoBio participated as well as Bpifrance. MedDay, of Paris, is a biotechnology company focused on the treatment of nervous system disorders.

Diversis Capital buys Caligor Rx

Diversis Capital LLC said April 8 that it has acquired a majority of Caligor Rx Inc. Financial terms weren’t announced. Secaucus, New Jersey-based Caligor delivers strategic clinical trial supply and logistics services to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Tammy Bishop, previously managing director of Caligor, was named CEO of the Company.

Eloquii raises $15 mln

Eloquii Design Inc said April 7 that it raised $15 million in Series B funding led by Acton Capital Partners. Also participating were new investors including Wildcat Capital Management and Blue Sky Venture CapitaL, as well as existing investors Greycroft Partners, Daher Capital, and Female Founders Fund. New York and Columbus, Ohio-based Eloquii designs and sells fashion apparel for women in plus sizes 14 to 24.

Argonne recaps 10-unit Planet Fitness Franchisee

Argonne Capital Group LLC said April 7 that it recapitalized a 10-unit Planet Fitness franchisee located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Financial terms weren’t announced. Sellers include the Kindler family and Julie Morrison, the franchisee's director of Marketing and Community Outreach. They will retain a portion in the new entity, National Fitness Partners. Planet Fitness owns and operates fitness centers in the United States. King & Spalding, McGuireWoods LLP, Gray Plant Mooty and Asenti Diligence Partners advised Argonne Capital Group. The Mclean Group and DLA Piper advised the Kindler family and other selling shareholders.

Bain Capital announces new leadership positions

Bain Capital has decided that all of its businesses will operate under the Bain Capital name, according to a letter to investors obtained by Buyouts Insider. Sankaty Advisors will become Bain Capital Credit while Brookside Capital will be called Bain Capital Public Equity, the letter said. Bain also announced new leadership positions. John Connaughton and Jonathan Lavine were named Co-Managing Partners of Bain Capital, while Josh Bekenstein and Steve Pagliuca were named Co-Chairs, the letter said. Read the Bain Capital letter

Apollo-backed Claire's may restructure debt: Moody's

Kayne Anderson, NewRoad Capital form early stage growth fund

Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors LP and NewRoad Capital Partners LLC said April 7 they have partnered to form Kayne NewRoad Ventures Fund II LP. KNRVF II will invest in early-stage, technology-enabled businesses within retail and other large growth opportunities. The fund has received $90 million in total commitments from investors in NewRoad Ventures Fund I, the Arkansas Venture Development Fund, other local Northwest Arkansas-based investors, and Kayne Anderson’s high net worth and family office clients. Kayne and NewRoad are co-managing KNRVF II.