North America

Connected Robotics nets Series A

Connected Robotics, a Japanese developer of specialized robot systems for cooking in restaurant kitchens, has raised 850 million yen (about $7.8 million) in Series A funding. The lead backer was Global Brain Corporation.

MaRS promotes Jon Dogterom to senior VP of venture services

Canadian innovation hub MaRS Discovery District has appointed Jon Dogterom as senior vice president of venture services. Dogterom replaces Salim Teja, who earlier this year joined Radical Ventures as a partner and general manager. Dogterom was previously managing director of MaRS Cleantech. In the new role, he will lead MaRS' strategy of helping Canadian startups and scale-ups grow and enter new markets, and manage the organization’s stakeholder relations globally. Dogterom joined MaRS in 2010. Before then, he was director of business development at Toronto-based hydrogen systems maker Hydrogenics Corp.

Lance Armstrong's Next Ventures rakes in over $24.5 mln for $75-mln targeted fund

Next Ventures has raised over $24.5 million for its new fund, according to an SEC filing. The target was $75 million. Next Ventures is led by Lance Armstrong.

DriveNets racks up $117 mln Series A

DriveNets, an Israeli networking software company, has raised $117 million in Series A funding. The investors included Steve Luczo, chairman of the board of Seagate and its former CEO; Mark McLaughlin, former CEO of Palo Alto Networks; John Thompson, chairman of the board of Microsoft; and C4 Ventures.

42CAP wraps up sophomore fund

42CAP, a German venture firm, has closed its second fund at 50 million euros. The fund's investors include European Investment Fund, KfW Capital and Isomer Capital. 42CAP makes seed investments in B2B software in Europe.

European scooter startup Dott rides off with $34 mln: Reuters

Dott, a European scooter startup, has raised $34 million in funding, reported Reuters. EQT and Naspers led the round. Axel Springer and Felix Capital also participated in the round.

Next47 leads Series B round for 15Five

15Five, a provider of continuous performance management solutions, has raised $30.7 million in Series B funding. Next47 led the round with participation from other investors that included Matrix Partners, PointNine Capital, LAUNCH Fund, Newground Ventures, Bling Capital, Chaifetz Group and Origin Ventures.

Brandable nabs Series B

Beverly Hills, California-based Brandable, a technology-enabled consumer packaged goods platform, has raised an undisclosed amount of Series B funding. Cota Capital led the round with participation from other investors that included Lightspeed Venture Partners, Advance Venture Partners, Pentland Ventures and Fields Texas.

Kaleidoscope Labs picks up $4 mln seed

New York City-based Kaleidoscope Labs, a newly launched functional wellness and CBD brand, has secured $4 million in seed funding. RRE Ventures led the round with participation from Barry Rosenstein, founder of JANA Partners.

MedaRed snags $6.5 mln seed

MedaRed Inc, a biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing new therapeutics targeting fibrin, has raised $6.5 million in seed financing. The lead investors were Dementia Discovery Fund and Dolby Family Ventures.