US

Fort Ross Ventures raises $200 mln venture fund: Reuters

The venture capital firm aiming to bring more U.S. startups to Russia has raised a $200 million fund, hoping to use the fresh pool of money to help Silicon Valley companies deliver their services to Russia’s biggest corporations and its millions of consumers.

Valor Capital raises $56.8 mln toward second venture capital fund

Valor Capital Group has raised $56.8 million toward a $100 million second venture capital fund, according to a filing with the SEC.

1Huddle raise $3 mln

1Huddle Inc said April 18 that it raised $3 million in a Series A round led by NRD Capital Management LLC. Newark Venture Partners also invested. 1Huddle, of Newark, New Jersey, is an enterprise software platform that provides learning and training programs in the form of quick-burst mobile games.

RubiconMD raises $13.8 mln

New York-based RubiconMD, which provides a digital consult platform to connect primary care doctors with specialists, announced it has raised $13.8 million in a Series B round. HLM Venture Partners and Optum Ventures led the round, which included Centene Corporation and Blue Ivy Ventures, along with all participating investors from their Series A. RubiconMD, launched in 2013, raised a $4 million Series A round in mid-2016.

RealSelf raises $40 mln

RealSelf Inc said April 19 that it raised $40 million in a funding round led by Elephant. Other investors were not disclosed. Andy Hunt, Elephant co-founder, who also co-founded Warby Parker in 2010, will join the RealSelf board. RealSelf, of Seattle, is an online marketplace for people to learn and share experiences about elective cosmetic procedures.

British AI company BenevolentAI raises $115 mln at $2 bln valuation

London-based BenevolentAI, which applies artificial intelligence to develop new medicines to treat diseases, announced it has raised $115 million in new funding at a pre-money valuation of $2 billion. Not all investors were disclosed, but the company said backers in the latest round include existing investor Woodford Investment Management, as well as new investors from the United States. The company has now raised more than $200 million since it was founded in 2013.

Financial services provider Tala raises $65 mln to fuel expansion

Santa Monica, California-based Tala, maker of a smartphone app that provides credit scoring, lending and other personalized financial services for underserved consumers, has raised a $50 million Series C round led by Revolution Growth. Others participating in the round include existing investors IVP, Data Collective, Lowercase Capital, Ribbit Capital and Female Founders Fund. The company, founded by CEO Shivani Siroya in 2011, also recently raised an additional $15 million in debt as it aims to grow its business in Mexico and India. Tala has now raised a total of $105 million in financing. As part of the latest investment, Steve Murray, managing partner at Revolution Growth, has joined the board.

SquareFoot raises $7 mln

SquareFoot said April 18 that it raised $7 million in a series A round led by Rosecliff Ventures. Also participating were Triangle Peak Partners, RRE Ventures, Primary Venture Partners, Armory Square Ventures, Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator, among others. SquareFoot, of New York, is a commercial real estate technology company.

BeBop Sensors raises $10 mln

BeBop Sensors Inc said April 18 that it raised more than $10 million in a Series A round led by Bullpen Capital. BeBop, of Berkeley, California, provides smart fabric sensors.

SLK in Austin seeks $24.5 mln for inaugural fund

Austin, Texas-based SLK Venture Capital is seeking to raise $24.5 million for its inaugural fund, according to a regulatory filing. The firm, led by Steve Kuhn, invests in undercapitalized sectors and geographies, according to its website at www.slkventurecapital.com.