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.
Aptos Inc., the former Epicor Retail Solutions, launched Wednesday as independent company and new brand. In May, Epicor Software said it would spin-off its Retail Solutions business into a separate, privately-held company. Noel Goggin, formerly EVP and GM of Epicor Retail Solutions, is CEO of Aptos. Both Aptos and Epicor are backed by Apax Partners.
5 min read · 18 June 2015
Univar Inc. on Wednesday priced its IPO at 35 million shares at $22 each via joint book runners Deutsche Bank Securities, Goldman, Sachs & Co. and BofA Merrill Lynch. Univar, a chemical distributor, is selling 20 million shares while certain stockholders are offering 15 million. Univar shares will trade on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “UNVR” later today. Univar is a portfolio company of CVC Capital Partners.
3 min read · 18 June 2015
Hongyi Zhou, the Chairman and CEO of Qihoo 360 Technology Co. Ltd., is leading an investor group to buy the mobile antivirus software maker, according to a June 17 non-binding proposal letter sent to the company’s board. The consortium, which includes Citic Securities Co. Ltd., Golden Brick Capital Private Equity Fund I L.P., China Renaissance Holdings Ltd. and Sequoia Capital China I LP, has offered to buy Quihoo for $77.00 per ADS, the letter said. Qihoo’s board has formed a special committee to consider the bid. Beijing-based Qihoo 360 is a leading Internet company in China.
7 min read · 17 June 2015
Deutsche Telekom is in talks with U.S. cable company Comcast about a potential sale of T-Mobile US, German Manager Magazin reported on Wednesday, citing sources.
1 min read · 17 June 2015
Vista Equity Partners has agreed to buy EagleView Technology Corp. Finanacial terms weren’t announced. Bothwell, Washington-based EagleView provides aerial imagery, data analytics and GIS solutions. William Blair & Company LLC advised EagleView.
3 min read · 17 June 2015
Constitution Capital Partners said Wednesday that it closed its third fund at $823 million in commitments. Ironsides III Private Equity Partnership/Co-Investment Funds will focus on investments in primary funds with $200 million to $1.5 billion in commitments and direct co-investments with enterprise values between $100 million and $1 billion. So far, Ironsides III has closed seven direct co-investments and three fund investments. Boston-based Constitution Capital targets North American small to mid-cap buyouts.
2 min read · 17 June 2015
Brightwheel said Wednesday that it raised $2.2 million in seed funding led by RRE Ventures and Eniac Ventures. CrossLink Capital, Golden Venture Partners, Red Swan Ventures and Sherpa Ventures also participated. San Francisco-based Brightwheel provides a mobile SAAS platform for early education providers, including daycare, preschool, and afterschool programs.
3 min read · 17 June 2015
Tute Genomics said Tuesday that it raised over $3.9 million in funding from a strategic group of investors. They include Intermountain Healthcare, Healthbox and China-based Tencent. Prior investors include Peak Ventures and UK-based Eurovestech. Provo, Utah-based Tute provides cloud-based analytics, interpretation, and reporting for clinical sequencing.
4 min read · 17 June 2015
SunEdison Inc. said Tuesday that has agreed to buy Globeleq Mesoamerica Energy (GME). Financial terms weren't announced. SunEdison is buying 70 percent in GME from Actis and 30 percent from Mesoamerica Power Limited. Costa Rica-based GME is a wind energy provider in Central America.
5 min read · 17 June 2015
Altegris said Tuesday that Chief Investment Officer Jack Rivkin will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of Altegris Advisors. Ken McGuire, Chief Operating Officer, and Matthew Osborne, Head of Marketing and Business Development, will become Co-Presidents reporting to Mr. Rivkin. Jon Sundt, founder of Altegris who has been CEO since 2002, will continue as Chairman and will continue to lead Altegris' distribution arm, Altegris Investments. Altegris backed by which is owned by Aquiline Capital Partners and Genstar Capital Management.
4 min read · 17 June 2015
