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.
To start your Friday, we have news on Yahoo's talks to buy Tumblr, health care costs tumble and Biz Stone's new startup.
1 min read · 17 May 2013
The Beekman Group said Thursday that it has recapped NorthStar Alarm Services. Financial terms were not announced. NorthStar’s founder, Jason Christensen, and the current management team, which will continue to lead the company and maintain a stake, took part, Beekman says. Orem, Utah-based NorthStar is a security alarm company.
3 min read · 16 May 2013
SimpleTuition said Thursday it has closed a $4 million Series D funding round. The round was led by previous investors Atlas Venture, Flybridge Capital Partners and North Hill Ventures. Boston-based SimpleTuition provides tips, advice, and interactive tools to help students pay less for college-related expenses.
2 min read · 16 May 2013
Tramec, which is backed by MacLean Investment Partners, has acquired both Sloan Transportation Products and HEBCO Products. The seller was Qualitor. Financial terms weren't announced. Holland, Mich.-based Sloan provides original equipment quality air and electrical components to the heavy-duty tractor and trailer industry. HEBCO, based in Bucyrus, Ohio, makes screw machined brass fittings for vehicular applications. Angle Advisors provided financial advice to Qualitor.
3 min read · 16 May 2013
Active Life Scientific has raised a $500,000 Follow On Series A round of financing. New and existing investors, including follow on investment by members of Tech Coast Angels, filled the round. Santa Barbara, Calif.-based Active Life Scientific is a life science research and diagnostic tools company.
3 min read · 16 May 2013
San Francisco-based awe.sm said Thursday that Fred McIntyre has joined the company as CEO. Jonathan Strauss, awe.sm's co-founder and founding CEO, has taken on the role of head of product development. Strauss will continue to lead the company’s product, strategy, and engineering efforts. The company’s software is designed to allow developers to add social-media performance tracking to their websites and online applications.
2 min read · 16 May 2013
Atlas Venture collected $265 million for its most recent fund, a source tells peHUB. The VC announced Thursday that Amgen Ventures and Novartis are new LPs of fund IX.
1 min read · 16 May 2013
AGY Holding Corp., which is backed by Kohlberg & Co., has reached an agreement in principle with its senior lenders, bondholders and metal lessor to restructure and recapitalize its capital structure. Aiken, S.C.-based AGY produces fiberglass yarns and high-strength fiberglass reinforcements. Craig Marcus, Steve Rutkovsky and Eric Elfman of Ropes & Gray provided legal advice for AGY/Kohlberg. John Pollack, Adam Harris, Ronald Risdon and Kurt Rosell of Schulte Roth & Zabel was the attorney for the majority bondholders.
7 min read · 16 May 2013
Vista Equity Partners is out raising its second Foundation Fund, according to an SEC filing and a placement source.
1 min read · 16 May 2013
H.I.G. Capital announced Wednesday the final close of H.I.G. Bayside Loan Opportunity Fund III (Europe). The pool, which will invest primarily in debt obligations of small and medium-sized European companies, exceeded its $1 billion target.
3 min read · 15 May 2013
