North America

Jungle Ventures targets $200 mln for third fund

Jungle Ventures is seeking to raise $200 million for its third fund, according to an SEC filing. The Singapore-based venture firm that makes mostly Series A investments in the Southeast Asian region.

SeventySix Capital adds ex-NFL player Westbrook to athlete venture group

SeventySix Capital, a sports-focused venture firm, has added ex-NFL player Brian Westbrook as an investor to its athlete venture group. SeventySix Capital’s athlete venture group allows professional athletes to invest, learn and work directly with sports tech startups and entrepreneurs. During his career, Westbrook played for the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers.

SoftBank backs ParkJockey

Miami-based ParkJockey, a parking technology solutions provider, has secured funding from the SoftBank Group. Also, ParkJockey and Mubadala Capital have acquired Atlanta-based Citizens Parking Inc, a parking management operator. And, both ParkJockey and Mubadala have agreed to acquire Imperial Parking Corporation, a parking management company in North America, from a subsidiary of Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan. No financial terms were disclosed. The Impark deal is expected to close in the first half of 2019.

Analytics Ventures launches AlphraTrAI

Analytics Ventures, which is focused on creating and building venture companies that harness the power of artificial intelligence technologies, has launched AlphaTrAI, an AI-based equity trading platform. No financial terms were disclosed.

AI startup Zesty.ai nabs $13 mln Series A

Oakland, California-based Zesty.ai, an artificial intelligence startup, has raised $13 million in Series A funding. Blamar led the round with participation from other investors that included Plug & Play Ventures.

Venture-backed SceneDoc acquired by Tyler Technologies

Tyler Technologies Inc (NYSE: TYL) has acquired SceneDoc Inc, a Toronto-based mobile-first, software-as-a-service platform for law enforcement agencies. Terms weren't disclosed. Tyler, a Plano, Texas-based public sector software company, said the acquisition enables its entry into the digital evidence market and enhances its offerings. Founded in 2011 by CEO Alex Kottoor and COO-CTO Adrian Bubalo, SceneDoc will become part of Tyler’s public safety unit. SceneDoc raised several venture capital financings, including a 2017 round led by Responder Ventures, Motorola Solutions Venture Capital and iGan Partners. Its other backers included MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund.

Medical apparel brand Jaanuu grabs $15 mln

Medical apparel brand Jaanuu has secured $15 million in financing. JMK Consumer Growth Partners led the round with participation from other investors that included the Nordstrom family and David Kessenich, managing partner and co-founder of Excellere Partners.

NavVis snags funding

Munich-based NavVis, a provider of indoor spatial intelligence solutions for businesses, has secured funding, raising a total tally of $35.5 million. Digital+ Partners led the round with participation from Kozo Keikaku Engineering Inc, MIG, Target Partners and BayBG.

Pure Alumina looks to buy venture-backed Polar Sapphire

Pure Alumina Ltd has entered into negotiations to acquire Polar Sapphire Ltd, a Toronto-based maker of high-purity alumina (HPA). The parties are working to agree on the formal terms of a potential deal on or before January 31, 2019. Founded in 2013 by CEO Scott Nichol, Polar's low-cost HPA product is used in LED lighting, lithium batteries for electric vehicles, and other applications. The company's backers include ArcTern Ventures, Crux Capital Corp, MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund and Sustainable Development Technology Canada. Based in Melbourne, Australia, Pure Alumina is an HPA supplier.

Good Money raises $30 mln

Good Money said Dec. 10 that it raised a $30 million Series A round led by Galaxy Digital. Other investors include Breyer Capital, Blocktower Capital, Boost VC, Ken Howery, BlockChange Ventures, Cross Culture Capital, Troy Carter, Mitch Kapor, Peter Diamandis, Blake Mycoskie, Justin Rosenstein, and others. Good Money, of Los Angeles, is an online lender that offer two percent FDIC savings accounts, free ATMs nationally, no-overdraft fees and low consumer loan rates. Also, every customer who opens an account with Good Money gets equity in the company.