US-listed software provider Microsoft has agreed to buy corporate venturing-backed business network Yammer for $1.2bn. Four-year-old Yammer, which has five million users of its private, in-company social networks, will become part of Microsoft’s Office unit under Kurt DelBene but will still be led by current chief executive and founder, David Sacks. Yammer has added about… Continue reading CrunchFund gains Yammer exit
Month: June 2012
Fosun preps $1bn fund
News provider Financial Times (FT) said Fosun had approached sovereign wealth funds among others to be its partner as it hunts for deals in the consumer, financial services, green energy and healthcare sectors.
Soladigm raises glass for $55m
Reinet Investments, a Luxembourg-listed investment vehicle formed in 2008 out of luxury goods maker Reinet, and venture capital (VC) firm NanoDimension (the first deal from its second fund) co-led the D round.
WPP creates Ventures unit
WPP, the world’s largest advertising and marketing services provider, has created a corporate venturing unit after buying AKQA for $540m. Tom Bedecarré (pictured), founder of AKQA, will run WPP Ventures alongside Mark Read, chief executive of WPP’s Digital division and who has previously handled its minority investments. As president of WPP Ventures and chairman of… Continue reading WPP creates Ventures unit
Tracelytics tracked down by Appneta
Tracelytics, a US-based software as a service company backed by Google’s corporate venturing unit, has been sold to AppNeta. In March Tracelytics raised $5.2m from venture firms Bain Capital Ventures, Google Ventures, Battery Ventures, and Flybridge Capital Partners as well as unnamed angel investors. In November Tracelytics secured $600,000 in seed funding. It was founded… Continue reading Tracelytics tracked down by Appneta
OATV reaches up to Jirafe
Jirafe, a US-based provider of analysis software for online retailers, has raised $7m in its series A round from a consortium including publisher O’Reilly Alpha Tech’s corporate venturing unit. Alongside O’Reilly Alpha Tech Ventures (OATV) in the round were venture capital firms Foundry Group, FirstMark Capital and First Round Capital. In December 2010, the company… Continue reading OATV reaches up to Jirafe
Google chews on Freshplum
Freshplum, a US-based developer of a digital commerce sales analysis software, has raised $1.4m in seed funding from a consortium including search engine Google’s corporate venturing unit. Alongside Google Ventures in the seed round were venture capital firms New Enterprise Associates, Greylock Partners and Charles River Ventures along with a number of undisclosed current and… Continue reading Google chews on Freshplum
Rose strikes his first Google deal
Rally had raised an undisclosed amount of seed funding at the end of 2010 from Floodgate Fund, Greylock Partners and SV Angel.
Google, IDG affirm Yesware’s $4m
Google Ventures and IDG Ventures are joined in the series A round for the e-mail tracking system by venture firms Foundry Group and Golden Venture Partners.
Skyonic bakes with $9m
Oil majors BP and ConocoPhillips, along with PVS Chemicals, venture capital firm Northwater Capital Management and angel investors Carl Berg and David Zachry (who runs his eponymous construction company), provided the money.
Intel takes Bromium to $26.5m
US-based semiconductor company Intel’s corporate venturing unit has helped Bromium, a micro-virtualisation company, raise $26.5m. Intel Capital was joined in the series B round, by venture firm Highland Capital Partners, which led the round, as well as other venture firms Andreessen Horowitz and Ignition Ventures. Sean Cunningham, director of Intel Capital, said: “Advanced Persistent Threats… Continue reading Intel takes Bromium to $26.5m
Intel shops for $38m KupiVIP
Intel Capital is joined bacing the Russia-based e-commerce company by Acton Capital Partners, the former corporate venturing unit of Hubert Burda Media, development agency the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development as well as venture firms Accel Partners and Balderton Capital.
Optus, Singtel launch Australia seed programme
Corporate venturing unit SingTel Innov8 has linked up with an Australia-based subsidiary of its parent to invest in Australian seed deals.
Shapeways moulds $6.2m
Shapeways, a 3D printing spin-out from Philips’ lifestyle incubator, has raised $6.2m in financing in a round led by venture firm Lux Capital. Lux was joined in the round by venture firms Union Square Ventures and Index Ventures. Shapeways said it has now printed more than 1 million 3D objects in its history and has… Continue reading Shapeways moulds $6.2m