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.
uSamp has closed a new Series D round of financing for $15 million from OpenView Venture Partners and DuPont Capital Management. uSamp's institutional investors include Greycroft Partners and DFJ Frontier. uSamp is a provider of technology and survey respondents used to obtain consumer and business insights.
3 min read · 15 July 2013
Nautic Partners has acquired Applied Consultants. Financial terms weren't announced. Applied's management also invested. Longview, Texas-based Applied provides inspection services to the oil and gas pipeline infrastructure industry. Fifth Third Bank and Triangle Capital Corporation provided financing.
3 min read · 15 July 2013
Focus Financial Partners said Monday that Centerbridge Partners has agreed to invest $216 million. The transaction is expected to close in third quarter. Focus and management will continue to retain a majority stake while Focus, Summit Partners and Polaris Ventures will remain shareholders. New York-based Focus is partnership of independent wealth management firms with more than $250 million in revenue.
3 min read · 15 July 2013
The Royalty Exchange said Monday it secured $2.1 million in Series A capital funding from Grotech Ventures. Raleigh, N.C.-based The Royalty Exchange is an online platform for the valuation and sale of music royalties.
4 min read · 15 July 2013
The U.S. retail sector produced the second lowest number of deals this year, according to data from Thomson Reuters. There have been 164 U.S. retail transactions this year, totaling $12.7 billion.
2 min read · 12 July 2013
Centerbridge Partners has acquired National RV Communities, which owns and operates 61 destination recreational vehicle resorts and senior manufactured housing communities. Almanac Realty Investors was the seller. Financial terms were not announced. As a result of the deal, Centerbridge has formed Carefree Communities to own and operate destination RV resorts and senior MH communities. Carefree has completed three more deals: Sun-N-Fun RV Resort in Sarasota, Fla., Sherkston Shores RV Resort in Port Colborne, Ontario, and Regency Heights in Clearwater, Fla.; and acquired a leasehold interest in a fourth property, Tropical Palms RV Resort in Kissimmee, Fla. Carefree now has an aggregate asset value of approximately $650 million. KeyBank Capital Markets provided financial advice to NRVC. GE Capital, JP Morgan Chase & Co. and KeyBank NA provided financing to Carefree.
4 min read · 12 July 2013
Preqin said Friday that George Siguler has joined the firm's board, effective July 9, as a non-executive director. Siguler is a managing director and founding partner of Siguler Guff. Preqin is a data provider to the alternative asset industry.
1 min read · 12 July 2013
Tsinghua Holdings has agreed to buy Spreadtrum Communications for $1.78 billion or $31 per ADS. Spreadtrum's board has approved the merger. Spreadtrum, of China, is a fabless semiconductor company that develops mobile chipset platforms for smartphones, feature phones and other consumer electronics products. Tsinghua Holdings is backed by Tsinghua University in China.
5 min read · 12 July 2013
To start your Friday, we have lessons from Pebble, Defcon organizers tell the Fed to stay home and most rappers aren't as rich as they say they are.
1 min read · 12 July 2013
Transom Capital Group has acquired ONE Industries. Financial terms weren't announced. ONE Industries produces protective gear, helmets, gloves, graphics, and racewear for hardcore motocross and mountain bike riders. Partnership Capital Growth advised Transom.
3 min read · 11 July 2013
