Managers

Chinese mega-unicorn Tencent readies IPO as music wars heat up

PivotNorth to raise "early" venture fund

PivotNorth Capital has set out to raise an "early" venture-capital fund, according to a filing with the SEC.

Ground transportation-focused Autotech seeks $225 mln for second fund

Menlo Park, California-based Autotech Ventures, is seeking to raise $225 million for its second fund, according to a regulatory filing. The firm said last year it raised $120 million for its inaugural fund. The firm is headed up by Managing Directors Alexei Andreev, Quin Garcia and Daniel Hoffer. Autotech Ventures focuses on connected, autonomous, shared and electrified vehicles and related mobility services.

VC-backed Moderna Therapeutics goes public

Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Moderna Therapeutics, a developer of messenger RNA therapeutics and vaccines, has raised $604.3 million for its IPO after pricing its over 26.2 million shares at $23 per share. The stock began trading December 7, 2018 on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol "MRNA." Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan are the lead underwriters. Moderna's pre-IPO backers include Sequoia Capital China, Fidelity Management & Research Company, Pictet, Viking Global Investors, ArrowMark Partners and Alexandria Venture Investments.

Demeter Group rakes in over $14 mln for sophomore fund

San Francisco-based Demeter Group, which invests in luxury wine and spirit brands, has raised over $14 million for its second fund, according to an SEC filing. No target was listed on the document.

Agtech on track for record year with $1.6 bln invested so far

Costanoa raises $75 mln for opportunity fund

Palo, Alto, California-based Costanoa Ventures, an early-stage venture firm focused on tech startups that solve "real-world business problems," has raised $75 million for its opportunity fund. In September 2017, the firm closed its third fund at $175 million, as previously reported by PE HUB.

Morro Ventures amasses nearly $17 mln for initial fund

Morro Ventures has raised almost $17 million for its debut fund, according to an SEC filing. The target is $40 million. Based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Morro Ventures is an early-stage venture firm that invests in tech companies in Puerto Rico, Latin America and the U.S.

Impel NeuroPharma scores $67.5 mln Series D

Seattle-based Impel NeuroPharma, a developer of therapies that treat central nervous system disorders with unmet medical needs, has raised $67.5 million in Series D financing. KKR and Norwest Venture Partners led the round with participation from return backers Vivo Capital, 5AM Ventures and venBio Partners.

Building Ventures collects $53 mln for maiden fund

Building Ventures has raised $53 million for its oversubscribed inaugural fund. Boston-based Building Ventures is an early-stage venture firm focused on sustainable companies.