Private Equity
The San Francisco Chronicle today profiled Joanna Rees, the politically ambitious founder of VSP Capital, a San Francisco-based venture firm whose doors opened in late 1996. Rees began exploring a run for mayor early last year. She has since launched a website describing her accomplishments, held at least one meet-and-greet and according to the newspaper, spoken with “well-placed people to determine whether she’d have a shot” in the November 2011 election. The story, which isn't yet available online, describes Rees as a “venture capital star” who waged “a bruising battle to break into the cutthroat male-dominated world” of venture capital. “Rees finds herself in much the same position now,” reads the article. “Once again, she wants to break into a blood sport dominated by men where she has no experience. And once again, she’s shooting straight for the top.”
2 min read · 08 March 2010
Each year, the New England Venture Capital Association hosts a fundraiser at F-1 Racing, a popular go-kart facility in suburban Boston. Teams of venture capitalists compete for the checkered flags, with winning teams getting the $4,500 in event proceeds donated to the charity of their choice. The most recent event took place this past Monday night, with 90 participants. Tom Reardan of WestView Capital taking first place for Citizen Schools. Coming in second was Battery Ventures' Michael Brown, who was racing for Partners in Health. Placing show was Kevin Bitterman of Polaris Venture Partners, who chose Boston Children's Hospital. Get photos of the winners after the jump...
1 min read · 04 March 2010
Holger Reithinger has stepped down as a partner with Global Life Science Ventures, according to VentureWire. No word yet on his future plans. The European venture firm is planning to restart an earlier attempt to raise €150 million for its third fund.
2 min read · 03 March 2010
Rick Anderson, a managing director with PTV Sciences, has been named interim CEO of Cardiva Medical Inc., a Mountain View, Calif.-based developer of vascular closure devices. The move follows the resignation of company founder and CEO Augustine Lien. Cardiva has raised around $49 million in VC funding from PTV, Galen Partners, Sycamore Ventures, Amkey Ventures, Lexli Investment and Eminent Venture Capital.
2 min read · 03 March 2010
Susan Barnes has been named chief financial officer for Pacific Biosciences, a VC-backed company focused on DNA gene sequencing. She is a onetime managing director in the private equity group of Jefferies & Company.
2 min read · 03 March 2010
1 min read · 01 March 2010
1 min read · 28 February 2010
Brian Barnum has joined Mayfield Fund as an entrepreneur-in-residence. He is the former president of RH Donnelley Interactive.
1 min read · 25 February 2010
1 min read · 25 February 2010
1 min read · 25 February 2010
