Luisa Beltran

ETF outfit F-Squared goes on the block

F-Squared Investments Inc, the ETF strategist that paid $35 million to settle SEC fraud charges last year, is up for sale, two sources said.

Aperion, Leeds Novamark invest in BrandShare

Aperion Management LLC and Leeds Novamark Capital have recapitalized IDR Marketing Partners LLC d/b/a BrandShare. Financial terms weren’t announced. Management will retain a significant stake in the company and will continue to run the day-to-day day. Brian Martin, who owned a majority of BrandShare, is the seller. Ocean Avenue Capital Partners LP is also investing with Aperion and Leeds in BrandShare, an eCommerce media network. Steven Trepp will be executive chairman of the company going forward and he will also have a stake, a spokesman said. Trepp and Aperion also announced the launch of AT Media Group LLC, which will focus on investments in digital media and marketing services. Sanjay Chadda of Petsky Prunier LLC advised BrandShare.

Ninox raises $10 mln

Ninox Medical said Wednesday it raised $10 million in a Series B round led by Mérieux Développement and Pitango Venture Capital. Xenia Venture Capital, a current investor, also participated. Ninox, of Jerusalem, is developing a wearable device to treat obstructive sleep apnea.

CRISPR Therapeutics raises $64 mln

CRISPR Therapeutics said Wednesday it raised $64 million in financing, including $35 million in a Series A and $29 million in a Series B. Strategic investors, SR One and Celgene Corp., led the rounds while new investors New Enterprise Associates and Abingworth, alongside the Company’s founding investor, Versant Ventures, also participated. CRISPR Therapeutics, of Basel, Switzerland, is a biopharmaceutical company.

Avista Capital to sell Amored AutoGroup for $1.4 bln

Spectrum Brands Holdings Inc. said late Tuesday it agreed to buy Armored AutoGroup Parent Inc. for $1.4 billion in cash and debt. The seller is Avista Capital Partners. Armored AutoGroup is a consumer products company comprised mainly of two brands, ArmoredAll and STP. Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank and Jefferies are providing debt financing. Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and Deutsche Bank AG provided financial advice to Spectrum while J.P. Morgan Securities LLC advised Armored AutoGroup.

Parrish named 2nd Watch's CFO

2nd Watch said Tuesday that it named Scott Parrish to the CFO position. Parrish was most recently CFO of Azaleos Corp. 2nd Watch said it also added Justin Jaschke to its board. Seattle-based 2nd Watch is a public cloud management company.

Bitcoin Shop to merge with Spondoolies-Tech

Bitcoin Shop Inc. said Tuesday it has signed a Letter of Intent to merge with Spondoolies-Tech Ltd. Financial terms were not announced. In October, Spondoolies-Tech, of Israel, reportedly raised $5 million in funding from investors including Agile Wings, BRM Group and Genesis Partners. Spondoolies-Tech is a bitcoin mining manufacturer.

Extreme Venture Partners, BDC Capital invest in SensorSuite

SensorSuite Inc. said Monday that it closed a round of funding from Extreme Venture Partners, BDC Capital, and private angels. Financial terms weren’t announced. Mississauga, Ontario -based SensorSuite provides wireless monitoring and energy saving solutions for multi-residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.

Kam named CFO of Sonneborn

Sonneborn LLC said Tuesday that Gregg Kam was named CFO effective March 30. Kam previously served as CFO of International Specialty Products and The Newark Group. Parsippany, New Jersey-based Sonneborn, which makes and supplies high quality white oils and specialty hydrocarbon, a is portfolio company of One Equity Partners.

Pulskamp named DTT's President

DTT said Tuesday that Dan Pulskamp was named President while Mark Simson has joined at CFO. Pulskamp was previously EVP of Global Sales at March Networks Corp., while Simson was CFO of World Wide Security Group. Los Angeles-based DTT, a portfolio company of BV Investment Partners, provides digital video surveillance solutions to the hospitality and specialty retail industries.