VCJ Staff

Northern Light VC Promotes Pair

Northern Light Venture Capital, a China-focused VC firm, has promoted Elton Jiang to managing director and Lixin Li to venture partner.

Ember Raises $8 Million

Ember Corp., a Boston-based provider of wireless “smart meter” technologies, has raised $8 million. Chevron Technology Ventures and Stata Venture Partners were joined by return backers include Polaris Venture Partners, GrandBanks Capital, RRE Ventures, Vulcan Capital, DFJ ePlanet Ventures, New Atlantic Ventures and WestLB Mellon Asset Management. The company has now raised $89 million in total VC funding.

Southwest Windpower Raises $10 Million

Southwest Windpower Inc., a Flagstaff, Ariz.-based maker of residential-scale wind generators, has raised $10 million in Series C funding. General Electric was joined by return backers NGP Energy Technology Partners, Altira, CTTV Investments and Rockport Capital Partners.

Socialcast Raises $1.4 Million

Socialcast, a San Francisco–based provider of on demand social business communication software, has raised $1.4 million in Series A funding. True Ventures led the round, with venture partner Om Malik joining the company’s board of directors. True invested $1 million, while the remainder came from individual angels.

OPX Biotech Raises $17.5 Million

OPX Biotechnologies Inc., a Boulder, Colo.-based company focused on improving the viability and cost-effectiveness of biofuels and biorefined chemicals, has raised $17.5 million in Series C funding. Braemar Energy Ventures led the round, and was joined by Altira Group and return backers Mohr Davidow Ventures and X/Seed Capital. peHUB had previously reported on the round, based on a regulatory filing.

A123 To Make Batteries for Chrysler Electric Cars

NuView Systems Raises Growth Equity

NuView Systems Inc., a Wilmington, Mass.-based provider of HR and payroll software, has raised an undisclosed amount of growth capital from Petra Capital Partners. Madison Park Group served as placement agent.

BuyVIP Raises Third Round

BuyVIP, a Madrid, Spain-based fashion and lifestyle ecommerce company, has raised €14.9 million in third-round funding. Kennet Partners led the round, and was joined by return backers Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments, 3i Group and Molins Capital inversion.

MedAptus Raises $6 Million

Velocity VC Promotes, Raising Fund Capital

Velocity Venture Capital has promoted Farid Dibachi and Henry Montgomery to general partner. Montgomery also will retain his CFO role. The Folsom, Calif.-based firm also has held a first close on its $60 million-targeted third fund, according to VentureWire. www.velocityvc.com