North America

VC-backed Minute Media buys The Big Lead

Minute Media, a global technology and publishing platform, has acquired The Big Lead, a sports and news digital publication. No financial terms were disclosed. Minute Media is backed by Battery Ventures, Dawn Capital, Gemini Ventures, North Base Media, ProSieben, Qumra Capital, Goldman Sachs, La Maison, Vintage Investments and Remagine Ventures.

Accel raises $1.025 bln for two funds, targets $1.5 bln for growth fund: Corrected

Accel Partners has raised $1.25 billion for two new funds, including a fourteenth core fund, and is targeting $1.5 billion more for a growth fund, according to filings with the SEC.

FusionX Ventures collects over $20.5 mln for third fund

San Diego-based FusionX Ventures, an early-stage venture firm, has raised over $20.5 million for its third fund, according to an SEC filing. The target is $50 million.

Data startup Igneous lands $25 mln Series C

Seattle-based data startup Igneous Inc, has raised $25 million in Series C funding. WestRiver Group led the round with participation from other investors that included Madrona Venture Group, New Enterprise Associates, Vulcan Capital and Redpoint Ventures.

Surrozen picks up $50 mln Series B

South San Francisco-based Surrozen Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, has secured $50 million in Series B financing. The investors included Horizons Ventures, Hartford HealthCare Endowment, NS Investment and the Column Group.

Venture-backed Lightspeed wraps up IPO, raises $276 mln

Lightspeed POS (TSX: LSPD), a Montréal-based point-of-sale solution for retailers, restaurants and e-commerce businesses, has closed its initial public offering on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Lightspeed sold 17.25 million subordinate voting shares at $16 per unit for gross proceeds of $276 million, including the offering's greenshoe option. Founded in 2005 by CEO Dax Dasilva, Lightspeed raised more than $400 million from venture capital firms, according to Refinitiv data. At the time of the IPO, its investors included Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, Inovia Capital and Investissement Québec.

Artemis Health attracts $25 mln Series C

Salt Lake City-based Artemis Health, a benefits data analytics company, has raised $25 million in Series C funding. Bessemer Venture Partners led the round with participation from Maverick Ventures, F-Prime, Hearst Health Ventures and Rose Park Advisors.

Times Bridge backs Wattpad to grow storytelling app in India

Wattpad, a Toronto-based multi-platform entertainment company for original stories, has secured undisclosed financing from Times Bridge, the investment arm of Indian media business The Times Group. The investment forms part of a strategic partnership intended to expand Wattpad's operations in India. Working with Times Bridge, Wattpad will grow its Indian community of readers and writers, establish new partnerships, and create opportunities to turn stories into books, TV shows, films and digital projects. Led by CEO Allen Lau, Wattpad has raised more than $150 million from a range of Canadian and global venture capital firms.

TDF Ventures and Jump Capital backs UPshow

UPshow, a screen-based consumer engagement platform, has secured $6 million in Series A funding. TDF Ventures and Jump Capital led the round.

Makena Capital Management raises $292.5 mln toward fund

Makena Capital Management has raised $292.5 million toward a perpetual fund, according to a filing with the SEC.