Trusted Insighthttp://thetrustedinsight.com/2020-02-28T12:10:50.388018-05:00Trusted Insight, the world's largest platform for institutional investors with 40,000 LP investor professionals in 98 countries and territories around the globe. 30,000 institutional investors engage with Trusted Insight each week. They are actively investing in alternative assets, primarily private equity, hedge funds, real estate and private companies. Our users consist of pension funds, endowments, foundations, sovereign wealth funds, family offices, banks and insurance companies. 83% of Trusted Insight users continue to use the platform 6 months after initially signing up. Investors on the platform, on average manage in excess of $5 billion. We are a platform for qualified purchasers, not high net worth investors.
Pinterest Adds DoorDash Exec, Caviar Lead Gokul Rajaram To Its Board
2020-02-28T12:10:50.388018-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/pinterest-adds-doordash-exec-caviar-lead-gokul-rajaram-to-its-board-20200228454/
The company announced it’s appointed Gokul Rajaram, Caviar Lead at soon-to-go-public DoorDash to its Board of Directors and as a member of its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The addition signals Pinterest’s desire to bring more digital advertising expertise to its board, given Rajaram’s past experience.
Why 96% Of Companies Today Will Fail In 10 Years
2018-11-18T23:47:14.197764-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/why-96-of-companies-today-will-fail-in-10-years-20181118378/
“Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is I don't know which half.” The reality may be worse though, not just a half, but an absolute majority of marketing budgets is wasted on customers that don’t generate enough profitability.
Google Exec Leaves To Join VC Firm
2018-10-02T23:46:16.229560-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/google-exec-leaves-to-join-vc-firm-20181002204/
Google advertising chief Sridhar Ramaswamy is joining Greylock Partners, the venture capital firm announced. He will be replaced by Prabhakar Raghavan, formerly a vice president of engineering for Google's Cloud apps, with a strong background in AI research.
Will robots ever love us back?
2017-07-09T08:22:02.557865-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/will-robots-ever-love-us-back-20170709877/
<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">I search for the most irrational, most passionate, and most likeable — or unlikeable — person in the room. Maybe they’re the theoretical robot mole — that is, if the scientists are doing their jobs right.</span>
BSD Tech Weekly - June 16, 2017 - Black Swan Dexteritas, Inc.
2017-06-27T14:51:01.810872-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/bsd-tech-weekly-june-16-2017-black-swan-dexteritas-inc-20170627638/
The selloff started with a report on technology valuations from Goldman Sachs last Friday, and a report from Bloomberg News that upcoming iPhones will use modem chips with slower download speeds than...
An American Hedge Fund Is Advertising For A £124k Job That Offers To Freeze Employees Bodies' When They Die
2017-05-15T18:16:05.276588-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/an-american-hedge-fund-is-advertising-for-a-124k-job-that-offers-to-freeze-employees-bodies-when-they-die-20170515519/
The San Fransisco-based hedge fund Numerai is currently advertising for a full stack engineer. You would be paid pretty well -- $US130,000 to $US160,000 (or about £100,000 to £124,000) -- to develop the numer.ai stock market app, and work with the team of mathematicians and machine learning experts.
Tech Unicorn Ve Interactive's Valuation Slashed To £300M
2017-03-13T12:03:03.791989-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/tech-unicorn-ve-interactives-valuation-slashed-to-300m-20170313408/
Ve Interactive, the advertising technology company, was once valued at £1.5 billion, making it one of a handful of British “unicorns.” But a £3 million emergency cash injection agreed last week saw it valued at £300 million.
Paul Singer's Hedge Fund Dissolves Stake In Interpublic
2017-02-15T11:45:12.743892-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/paul-singers-hedge-fund-dissolves-stake-in-interpublic-20170215483/
Feb 14 (Reuters) - U.S. hedge fund Elliott Management Corp has dissolved its stake in advertising company Interpublic Group of Companies Inc, a regulatory filing showed on Tuesday.
Google Ventures-Backed Adelphic Acquired By Time Inc. For Undisclosed Sum
2017-01-24T10:42:48.521980-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/google-ventures-backed-adelphic-acquired-by-time-inc-for-undisclosed-sum-20170124735/
The acquisition, which is expected to close during the first quarter, is expected to boost the people-based advertising technology offered through Viant, a company Time Inc. acquired last year. Time Inc. is the publisher of more than 100 magazines, including Time, Sports Illustrated and Fortune. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Clairvest Scores Big Wins With Cieslok Exit, Rivers Casino Recap
2017-01-20T14:32:52.495605-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/clairvest-scores-big-wins-with-cieslok-exit-rivers-casino-recap-20170120658/
<p>Clairvest Group is seeing a lucrative payday following the private equity firm’s sale of a Canadian out-of-home advertising business and the refinancing of a U.S. casino.</p>
<p>This month Clairvest sold Cieslok Media, a Toronto operator of large-format digital and static billboards in cities across Canada. The buyer was Bell Media, a multimedia subsidiary of BCE.</p>
Canadian PE Firm Clairvest To Earn 92% Return From Sale Of Cieslok Media To Bell
2017-01-05T12:17:09.989661-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/canadian-pe-firm-clairvest-to-earn-92-return-from-sale-of-cieslok-media-to-bell-20170105160/
Canadian private equity firm Clairvest Group has sold its portfolio company Cieslok Media Ltd, a Toronto-based outdoor advertising business, to Bell Media Inc for an undisclosed sum. Clairvest, which partnered with Jörg Cieslok in a management buyout in 2013, said it realized cash proceeds equal to 7.8 times invested capital with the deal’s closing.
How Google, Facebook Killed Funding For AdTech Startups
2017-01-03T11:19:26.493950-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/how-google-facebook-killed-funding-for-adtech-startups-20170103036/
The “Facebook-Google duopoly” has crashed funding for advertising technology start-ups to five-year lows, according to reports emerging this morning. All in all, there were 343 adtech venture deals in 2016 — a 17 percent drop compared with the 414 deals made in 2015. The value of the funding is down too – worth $3.2 billion in 2013, and only $2.2 billion in last year.
Top Chicago Venture Investors
2016-12-22T10:02:14.892151-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/top-chicago-venture-investors-20161222821/
In Chicago, contemporary Valley-inspired VC firms only got their start in the city fifteen years ago and Chicago’s angel investment ecosystem began to coalesce in 2007. Almost everyone we spoke with for this article, both on the record and off, used the term “robust” when describing the investment environment as it stands today.
Chinese Investors Inject $100M In Mobile Advertising Firm Yeahmobi
2016-12-21T14:53:35.906310-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/chinese-investors-inject-100m-in-mobile-advertising-firm-yeahmobi-20161221786/
<p>A number of Chinese private equity investors have invested RMB639 million (US$100 million) in Chinese mobile advertising platform Yeahmobi to help it expand globally, the company announced yesterday.</p>
<p>Beijing Bohai Tongxin Private Equity Fund injected RMB120 million, Nanjing Huawen Hongsheng Startup Investment Fund invested RMB100 million, and Shenzhen Qianhai Bochuang Private Equity Fund put in RMB60 million. Eleven unnamed investors injected the remaining amount.</p>
REA Group To Sell Europe Business For $190M To PE Firm
2016-12-21T14:41:23.324378-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/rea-group-to-sell-europe-business-for-190m-to-pe-firm-20161221778/
<p>REA Group has agreed to sell its European businesses for $189.7 million to the UK's Oakley Capital Private Equity.</p>
<p>The digital real estate advertising company, which owns Australia's realestate.com.au website, will sell atHome Group S.a r.l. and REA Italia S.r.l. which operate in Luxembourg, France, Germany and Italy.</p>
State Of Technology At The End Of 2016
2016-12-14T10:34:55.421627-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/state-of-technology-at-the-end-of-2016-20161214475/
Each of these epochs laid the ground work for what followed: PCs were where browsers ran, and browsers enabled the build-out of cloud services that made mobile so compelling.
100 Most Exciting Startups In New York City
2016-12-08T10:38:24.503772-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/100-most-exciting-startups-in-new-york-city-20161208215/
A panel of 40 judges, including Business Insider's Henry Blodget and Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, chairman of Spitzer Partners, chose the finalists.
KKR Provides Over $275M To Two European Companies
2016-11-30T10:59:34.331369-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/kkr-provides-over-275m-to-two-european-companies-20161130875/
KKR has closed two direct lending deals at over $275 million. The firm will provide financing to Roompot, an operator of holiday parks in Europe and Exterion Media, an outdoor advertising company based in the UK and Europe.
Julian Robertson Sucked Into Mozido's Lawsuit Against Former Director
2016-11-09T10:56:48.497140-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/julian-robertson-sucked-into-mozidos-lawsuit-against-former-director-20161109020/
Hedge fund titan Julian Robertson last year passed on an investment in one of the most highly valued U.S. financial-technology companies. Why he did so is now the subject of a legal battle between the company, Mozido Inc., and a former board member.
How Vinomofo's Wild And Existential $4.5M Advertising Campaign Was Born From A Dream
2016-10-21T13:34:49.779377-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/how-vinomofos-wild-and-existential-45m-advertising-campaign-was-born-from-a-dream-20161021026/
<p>Earlier this year wine e-retailer, Vinomofo, secured a whopping $25 million investment from Blue Sky Venture Capital. Cashed up and looking to continue their growth co-founders Andre Eikmeier and Justin Dry made the decision to “blow it” on a big, above-the-line advertising campaign.</p>
C1X Raises $8.5M For Its Advertiser And Publisher Tech
2016-10-12T13:34:24.868565-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/c1x-raises-85m-for-its-advertiser-and-publisher-tech-20161012502/
C1X has raised another $6.5 million in what it says is the first part of a Series B round of funding. The company was founded by Mukundu Kumaran (CEO) and Daisuke Nagayama (chief operating officer and chief global strategist) — Kumara, previously worked as an engineering director at Yahoo, and he told me that his goal is “to simplify how the basic advertising transaction works.
Baidu Launches $200M Venture Capital Unit Focused On Artificial Intelligence
2016-09-13T12:38:05.145693-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/baidu-launches-200m-venture-capital-unit-focused-on-artificial-intelligence-20160913036/
Baidu is betting big on AI technology as a fresh income stream amid a slowdown in its search and advertising business.
US Lawmakers Seek To Relax Private Equity Rules
2016-09-09T11:59:10.826425-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/us-lawmakers-seek-to-relax-private-equity-rules-20160909884/
Bill would limit fee disclosures made to certain investors, such as pension funds, and make advertising to wealthy investors easier
Mumbai-Born Brothers Sell Tech Co For $900M To Chinese Investors
2016-08-23T15:59:07.248315-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/mumbai-born-brothers-sell-tech-co-for-900m-to-chinese-investors-20160823119/
Two Mumbai-bred siblings turned billionaires on Monday when they sold their advertising technology startup to Chinese investors for $900 million.
Focus Media Leads $81M Venture Round In Chinese Esports Start-Up
2016-07-29T11:00:52.890972-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/focus-media-leads-81m-venture-round-in-chinese-esports-start-up-20160729779/
Chinese outdoor advertising firm Focus Media has led a RMB640 million (US$81 million) venture round in an eSports start-up, Sport of the Heroes, according to a securities filing.
Workspace Property Trust To Acquire Almost $1B In Real Estate Assets
2016-07-26T10:05:06.975441-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/workspace-property-trust-to-acquire-almost-1b-in-real-estate-assets-20160726520/
<span style="line-height: 20.8px;">ALM is realigning its business strategy and sales teams to remove silos and create new cross-industry opportunities for target audiences and advertising clients in insurance, finance, legal, management consulting and commercial real estate markets.</span>
Kiip Raises $12M To Further Its Moments-Based Advertising Platform
2016-07-19T11:31:38.856620-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/kiip-raises-12m-to-further-its-moments-based-advertising-platform-20160719179/
Kiip announced today that it has raised a $12 million Series C round that it will use to advance its moments-based ad platform. This latest investment was from new investors North Atlantic Capital and US Cellular, along with existing firms Relay Ventures, HWVP, Verizon Ventures, and True Ventures.
Verve Buys VC-Backed Roximity
2016-06-22T14:38:14.525200-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/verve-buys-vc-backed-roximity-20160622900/
Verve has acquired Denver-based Roximity, a location-based analytics and advertising platform. No financial terms were disclosed.
Mobile Ad Tech Firm Smaato Acquired By China-Based Group For $148M
2016-06-09T15:01:22.143591-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/mobile-ad-tech-firm-smaato-acquired-by-china-based-group-for-148m-20160609215/
Mobile advertising company Smaato is set to become the latest technology startup to be acquired by Chinese investors, after the San Francisco firm announced that Beijing-based Spearhead Integrated Marketing Communication has agreed to buy it for $148 million.
MTS Announces Closing Of A $700,000 Private Equity Financing
2016-05-19T15:57:08.270647-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/mts-announces-closing-of-a-700000-private-equity-financing-20160519900/
<span style="line-height: 20.8px;">Mer Telemanagement Solutions Ltd. (MTS) is a provider of video advertising solutions for online and mobile platforms through Vexigo, as well as a provider of innovative products and services for telecom expense management (TEM), enterprise mobility management (EMM), mobile virtual network operators and enablers (MVNO/MVNE) and an IOT/M2M enablement for mobile service providers. MTS shares are traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market (symbol MTSL).</span>
Pinterest Buys Deep-linking Startup URX
2016-05-04T15:39:19.929973-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/pinterest-buys-deep-linking-startup-urx-20160504834/
Pinterest has acquired mobile advertising startup URX, adding some of the team to its product management, engineering, and partnerships team.
Alabama’s One-Man Pension Show
2016-05-03T10:42:46.878384-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/alabamas-one-man-pension-show-20160503653/
The Montgomery real estate makes up just a small slice of RSA’s $33 billion in investments. But it highlights Bronner’s grand ambition to use the pension funds to transform the state’s economy, which...
China’s Real Estate Conundrum: The Big Property Bubble Vs. Ghost Towns
2016-04-19T17:24:38.800893-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/chinas-real-estate-conundrum-the-big-property-bubble-vs-ghost-towns-20160419052/
The road from the center of this midsize city in China’s Hunan province to the new high-speed railway station in its suburbs is lined with newly built and, in some cases, half-completed high-rise buildings — along with billboards advertising high-end real estate.
Venture Investor Kevin Park Joins Bang Holdings' Board Of Advisors
2016-04-13T16:44:49.368786-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/venture-investor-kevin-park-joins-bang-holdings-board-of-advisors-20160413898/
Bang Holdings Corp., a digital advertising company that provides content and its influencer-based marketing network to the cannabis industry, today announced the appointment of successful entrepreneur and business executive Kevin Park, 38, to its Board of Advisors.
UK’s Daily Mail In Talks With Private Equity For Yahoo Bid
2016-04-12T17:00:59.585737-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/uks-daily-mail-in-talks-with-private-equity-for-yahoo-bid-20160412845/
Britain’s Daily Mail is in talks with potential partners to mount a joint bid for Yahoo’s internet assets, eyeing a plan to buy the troubled internet pioneer to help boost advertising revenues from the Mail’s globally popular online news site.
Inmoji Raises $5M For “Branded Interactive Emojis”
2016-03-15T10:22:26.826587-04:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/inmoji-raises-5m-for-branded-interactive-emojis-20160315566/
Now that emojis have become a fundamental mode of communication in the mobile age, it’s no surprise that businesses are trying to capitalize. One such company, two-year-old advertising technology startup Inmoji, just grabbed $5 million to advance its business that connects consumers and companies via “branded interactive emojis” used in mobile messaging apps.
Quixey COO, CTO Depart As Mobile Startup Misses Revenue Targets
2016-03-10T13:30:16.123442-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/quixey-coo-cto-depart-as-mobile-startup-misses-revenue-targets-20160310315/
A wave of staffers, including two high-level execs, have recently left Quixey after the well-funded mobile startup missed its holiday quarter revenue targets, according to multiple sources. Quixey, which began as a search engine for apps, shifted its focus last year to in-app advertising products, but has fallen short of sales expectations, these sources said.
Mobile Ad-tech Startup NativeX Acquired By Chinese Advertising Company Mobvista For $24.5M
2016-03-10T13:00:22.243292-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/mobile-ad-tech-startup-nativex-acquired-by-chinese-advertising-company-mobvista-for-245m-20160310310/
NativeX, a startup that makes advertising for mobile games and apps, is being acquired by Chinese mobile ad platform Mobvista. In a statement today, the companies said that all-cash deal is valued at 160 million RMB (about $24.5 million).
Signifyd Raises $20M In Series B
2016-03-06T18:00:18.784256-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/signifyd-raises-20m-in-series-b-20160306056/
Signifyd today announced it has closed $20 million in Series B funding led by Menlo Ventures.
What Does A Downturn Mean For Tech Regulation?
2016-03-06T17:30:18.181729-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/what-does-a-downturn-mean-for-tech-regulation-20160306054/
All it takes is a quick look at the market to see that we are in for a bumpy ride — and a longer-term downturn may be imminent. Tech is not immune to that, which means we’ll see a hit to valuations, VC funding and fundraising.
VCs Leave Sand Hill Road, Seek Out New Hot Spots In Palo Alto, San Francisco
2016-03-06T10:30:27.240111-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/vcs-leave-sand-hill-road-seek-out-new-hot-spots-in-palo-alto-san-francisco-20160306025/
Just as Rodeo Drive symbolizes movie-star glamour and Wall Street represents corporate money, Sand Hill Road has long been synonymous with the bundles of cash backing the tech industry. But the Menlo Park street that houses some of Silicon Valley's most prestigious venture capital firms and has funneled money into the likes of Facebook, Google, Twitter and Instagram, is no longer the VC mecca it once was. "I think, in my mind, there's sort of this mass exodus out of Sand Hill Road, for good reason," said T3 Advisors Managing Director David Bergeron.
Three SoCal Startups That Beat Snapchat To $100M In Revenues
2016-03-05T17:00:17.823832-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/three-socal-startups-that-beat-snapchat-to-100m-in-revenues-20160305012/
Venice-based Snapchat might be the darling of the technology startup scene, but there are at least three, privately held startups--and maybe, more--in Southern California who recently passed $100M in revenues, according to a look through recent announcements.
The Battle For Yahoo’s Board
2016-03-05T11:00:17.698374-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/the-battle-for-yahoos-board-20160305988/
Starboard Value, a hedge fund with a track record of winning board seats at large companies, is expected to wage a proxy battle for Yahoo. Who ends up controlling the board — Starboard or Yahoo’s management — will play a huge role in deciding the direction of the company, and Mayer’s fate.
The Hottest Startup Sectors In 2016
2016-03-04T12:00:11.946671-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/the-hottest-startup-sectors-in-2016-20160304935/
Which of the 16 major start of categories in information technology will reap disproportionate share of investment dollars in 2016? And which sectors are closely guarded secrets shielded by seed investors, that may have their breakout year this year? Using Crunchbase data, I analyzed share of dollars commanded by each of these 16 categories over the last five years to understand the trends in both the seed and series A fundraising markets.
Signifyd Raises $20M In Series B Funding To Ensure E-Commerce Merchants Never Pay A Chargeback Again
2016-03-04T09:30:11.638081-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/signifyd-raises-20m-in-series-b-funding-to-ensure-e-commerce-merchants-never-pay-a-chargeback-again-20160304923/
Signifyd today announced it has closed $20 million in Series B funding led by Menlo Ventures, with additional participation from Allegis Capital, IA Ventures, QED Investors, Bill McKiernan and Tim Eades. Pravin Vazirani, a general partner at Menlo Ventures, will also join its Board of Directors.
Greenspring Associates Joins $30M Funding Round For Namely
2016-03-02T12:30:11.329546-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/greenspring-associates-joins-30m-funding-round-for-namely-20160302812/
Namely, the modern all-in-one HR software platform for mid-market companies, today announced it has raised an additional $30 million
Twitter Ended Up Paying $479M For Ad Tech Startup TellApart, 10-K Reveals
2016-03-01T15:10:05.181975-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/twitter-ended-up-paying-479m-for-ad-tech-startup-tellapart-10-k-reveals-20160301771/
Twitter’s largest acquisition to date, of the adtech business TellApart, has turned out to be a little less big than originally thought. Back in April 2015, it was calculated that Twitter would pay nearly $533 million for TellApart based on the company’s share price at the time. But a 10-K report published today notes the final numbers: It was nearly $54 million lower, at $479.1 million, with $395 million of that recorded as goodwill.
Why Clayton Christensen Is Wrong About Uber And Disruptive Innovation
2016-02-29T11:00:34.067764-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/why-clayton-christensen-is-wrong-about-uber-and-disruptive-innovation-20160229682/
Silicon Valley has disrupted disruptive innovation, and Clayton Christensen isn’t happy about it. Christensen vaulted to rock-star status in the tech world in 1995 when he introduced the theory of disruptive innovation.
Qualia Media Lands $5.5M In Series B Funding
2016-02-28T18:30:10.025288-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/qualia-media-lands-55m-in-series-b-funding-20160228669/
Qualia Media, the leading SaaS-based marketing technology platform to target audiences based on multiple “consumer intent” signals, today announced it has secured $5.5 million in Series B funding.
The 'for Sale' Sign Is Up At Yahoo
2016-02-28T13:30:17.079649-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/the-for-sale-sign-is-up-at-yahoo-20160228651/
Stephen Lam/Getty Images(Reuters) - Yahoo officially launched the sale of its core business on Friday, a move seen as a positive step for frustrated investors but not enough to keep an activist hedge fund from pursuing a proxy fight against the struggling Internet company.
KKR Acquires 9.95% Of Max Financial Services
2016-02-27T13:30:12.792059-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/kkr-acquires-995-of-max-financial-services-20160227611/
<p>KKR today announced that it has acquired an approximate 9.95% stake in Max Financial Services (BSE:500271), the newly demerged entity of the Max Group that owns an approximate 72% stake in Max Life, India’s fourth-largest private life insurance player. KKR acquired its stake from a sponsor group led by Analjit Singh, Chairman Emeritus of the Max Group.</p>
Middleland Capital Joins $5.3M Series B For ZeaKal
2016-02-19T17:00:19.985469-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/middleland-capital-joins-53m-series-b-for-zeakal-20160219254/
ZeaKal, a biotechnology startup focused on improving agricultural productivity, today announced a $5.3 million
Columbia Capital Closes Venture Fund At $500M Hard Cap
2016-02-19T16:30:23.581855-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/columbia-capital-closes-venture-fund-at-500m-hard-cap-20160219253/
<span style="line-height: 20.8px;">Columbia Capital</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;"> announced that during the fourth quarter of 2015 the Firm closed its latest venture capital fund, </span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">Columbia Capital Equity Partners VI </span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">at </span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">$500 million</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">.</span>
Campbell Soup Dives Into Food Funding
2016-02-19T15:00:20.741848-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/campbell-soup-dives-into-food-funding-20160219246/
Campbell Soup CEO Denise Morrison said Wednesday that her company is making a big bet on finding and funding food startups as it tries to branch out into new areas for growth.The company, which has acquired a variety of food businesses to expand beyond its soup heritage, will be the sole limited partner in the new fund, Acre Venture Partners.
This NYC AdTech Startup Raised $8.5M
2016-02-19T09:30:18.026799-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/this-nyc-adtech-startup-raised-85m-20160219214/
<span style="line-height: 20.8px;">When you are putting up an ad you have your options. But above all what you want is optimal placement. What is my ad in proximity to? Is it hitting my target audience? With questions like these in mind you can’t just rely on your intuition. What you need is </span>Grapeshot<span style="line-height: 20.8px;">. </span>
Boston Tech Watch: Disney, DraftKings, Carbon Black, MassChallenge
2016-02-19T09:30:10.543802-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/boston-tech-watch-disney-draftkings-carbon-black-masschallenge-20160219213/
This week, we’re tracking the latest news about DraftKings, Disney’s local research lab, startup funding announcements, and layoffs at tech companies.
Puerto Rico Woos US Investors With Huge Tax Breaks As Locals Fund Debt Crisis
2016-02-18T16:30:17.593061-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/puerto-rico-woos-us-investors-with-huge-tax-breaks-as-locals-fund-debt-crisis-20160218202/
Schools and hospitals are at breaking point but the governor is offering hedge fund billionaires ‘unparalleled incentives’ to move to the Caribbean territoryLast week, billionaire New York hedge fund manager John Paulson invited hundreds of financiers to swap the bitter chill engulfing Wall Street for the sunny beaches of Puerto Rico for the weekend, if not for good. Related: Puerto Rico power utitility debt deal collapses after missed deadline Continue reading...
Apollo Global To Buy Security Services Company ADT For $7B
2016-02-18T10:15:41.337886-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/apollo-global-to-buy-security-services-company-adt-for-7b-20160218150/
<span style="line-height: 18.9091px;">Electronic security services provider </span><span style="line-height: 18.9091px;">ADT Corp</span><span style="line-height: 18.9091px;"> (ADT.N) said it had agreed to be acquired by funds affiliated with private equity firm </span><span style="line-height: 18.9091px;">Apollo Global Management LLC</span><span style="line-height: 18.9091px;"> (APO.N) for $7 billion.</span>
The McLean Group's Franchising Practice Advises Excel Fitness Holdings On Its Acquisition By Altamont Capital Partners
2016-02-18T10:15:03.335640-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/the-mclean-groups-franchising-practice-advises-excel-fitness-holdings-on-its-acquisition-by-altamont-capital-partners-20160218149/
<span style="line-height: 18.9091px;">Excel Fitness Holdings, Inc.,</span><span style="line-height: 18.9091px;"> the largest </span><span style="line-height: 18.9091px;">Planet Fitness </span><span style="line-height: 18.9091px;">franchisee in Texas, was acquired by </span><span style="line-height: 18.9091px;">Altamont Capital Partners</span><span style="line-height: 18.9091px;">. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.</span>
Zenefits's Regulatory Headaches Are All Too Common In Silicon Valley
2016-02-17T18:30:10.034806-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/zenefitss-regulatory-headaches-are-all-too-common-in-silicon-valley-20160217139/
Silicon Valley has a healthy distaste for regulators preventing them from disrupting old-line industries, but government officials are giving many startups a run for their money.
8tracks, Internet Radio Startup, Grabs $25M In Investor Interest
2016-02-13T15:00:19.812178-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/8tracks-internet-radio-startup-grabs-25m-in-investor-interest-20160213004/
Internet radio startup 8tracks has quickly generated over $25 million in indicated interest from investors under Regulation A+ on SeedInvest.
India Funding Roundup: A Wedding Marketplace And More
2016-02-10T14:30:12.099032-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/india-funding-roundup-a-wedding-marketplace-and-more-20160210847/
A roundup of funding news and announcements from India's tech startup ecosystem.
Centrica, EIG Sell Wind Farms To Black Rock, UK Green Investment Bank
2016-02-09T15:06:09.799385-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/centrica-eig-sell-wind-farms-to-black-rock-uk-green-investment-bank-20160209775/
Centrica and its 50% joint venture partner EIG Global Energy Partners have agreed a joint sale of the Glens of Foudland, Lynn and Inner Dowsing wind farms to a consortium comprising the UK Green Investment Bank Offshore Wind Fund and funds managed by BlackRock. for an Enterprise Value of £423 million.
Kalaari Capital Launches Kstart, A Unique Seed Program For Early Stage Startups
2016-02-08T14:00:20.794069-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/kalaari-capital-launches-kstart-a-unique-seed-program-for-early-stage-startups-20160208705/
Kalaari Capital, a leading Indian venture capital firm, on Friday launched Kstart, a unique seed program for the next generation of Indian entrepreneurs with disruptive ideas.
Guardian Media Group And Its Private Equity Partners Heading For £100M Payday By Floating Magazine Business On London Stock Market
2016-02-08T11:41:23.965530-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/guardian-media-group-and-its-private-equity-partners-heading-for-100m-payday-by-floating-magazine-business-on-london-stock-market-20160208689/
<span style="line-height: 18.9091px;">Guardian Media Group and its private equity partners Apax are heading for a £100 million payday this week as they float their magazine business Ascential on the London stock market.</span>
MMC Leads $6M Series B For Admedo
2016-02-07T16:30:11.831772-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/mmc-leads-6m-series-b-for-admedo-20160207660/
MMC Ventures, the award-winning venture capital fund, has led a Series B funding round into Admedo, aiming to bring greater transparency to the programmatic advertising industry.
New USF Research Shows Uptick In VC Confidence Levels
2016-02-07T12:00:12.330074-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/new-usf-research-shows-uptick-in-vc-confidence-levels-20160207642/
<p>Silicon Valley Venture Capitalist Confidence Index® Ends Three Quarter Decline in Q4.</p>
NEA Joins $10M Series C For FiscalNote
2016-02-07T11:00:19.057602-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/nea-joins-10m-series-c-for-fiscalnote-20160207639/
FiscalNote, a technology startup building a revolutionary platform for analyzing government risk, today announced $10 million in Series C funding. This brings the two-year-old company’s total funding to over $30 million.
Electra Private Equity Sold Daler-Rowney To The FILA Group
2016-02-05T11:09:53.988649-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/electra-private-equity-sold-daler-rowney-to-the-fila-group-20160205540/
<span style="line-height: 18.9091px;">Electra Private Equity PLC</span><span style="line-height: 18.9091px;"> is pleased to announce the sale of its interest in fine art materials producer Daler-Rowney to the</span><span style="line-height: 18.9091px;"> FILA Group</span><span style="line-height: 18.9091px;">, a Milan-listed producer of writing instruments and art supplies.</span>
HIG Closes Sale Of Media Properties Stake
2016-02-04T10:09:23.309496-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/hig-closes-sale-of-media-properties-stake-20160204473/
<span style="line-height: 18.9091px;">H.I.G. Growth Partners (“H.I.G. Growth”), the dedicated growth capital investment affiliate of H.I.G. Capital (“H.I.G.”), a leading global private equity investment firm, announced the sale of its holdings in Media Properties Holdings (“MPH”) to private equity backed Cannella Response Television (“CRT”), a major innovator in long-form direct response (DRTV) television media. MPH operates the nation’s top automated TV advertising platformAdMore, as well as TV commercials provider REVShare and its proprietary network of more than 1,700 local broadcast stations, national cable networks and cable systems.</span><br style="line-height: 18.9091px;" />
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Firsthand Technology Value Fund Holding Tapad To Be Acquired By Telenor
2016-02-03T12:00:20.274242-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/firsthand-technology-value-fund-holding-tapad-to-be-acquired-by-telenor-20160203420/
Telenor, a public company with a $24 billion market cap, announced its intention to purchase Tapad for $360 million in cash.
Twitter's Shares Rise On Acquisition Reports
2016-02-02T10:54:09.136599-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/twitters-shares-rise-on-acquisition-reports-20160202333/
<span style="line-height: 18.9091px;">This is not the first time that the company has been subject to acquisition rumors. Its stock, which had been flailing for some time, rebounded last month after rumors of an acquisition by News Corp. </span><span style="line-height: 18.9091px;">did rounds of the market. The media giant later refuted those rumors.</span>
Rocky Markets Test The Rise Of Amateur ‘algo’ Traders
2016-02-01T16:57:12.881612-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/rocky-markets-test-the-rise-of-amateur-algo-traders-20160201303/
University student Spencer Singleton is among a growing band of amateurs turning to computer-driven automated stock trading – until now the preserve of hedge funds and mega brokers – and says he’s beating the market. Texas-based Singleton won a contest last July run by an algorithmic investing website to write trading programmes. The site, Quantopian, gave him $100,000 to put his model into action for six months and told him to keep any profits.
Citigroup Will Buy Back Tribeca HQ From SL Green For $2B
2016-01-30T12:30:28.334517-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/citigroup-will-buy-back-tribeca-hq-from-sl-green-for-2b-20160130238/
<span style="line-height: 20.8px;">The banking giant will buy back the 2.7 million-square-foot office complex it sold to a partnership between SL Green and Ivanhoe Cambridge for nearly $1.6 billion in 2007. The bank signed a $1 billion lease renewal for its 2.7 million square feet at the properties in 2013 – a deal that came with the $2 billion buyback option.</span>
NEA Joins $35M Series B For Branch Metrics
2016-01-30T10:00:22.145299-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/nea-joins-35m-series-b-for-branch-metrics-20160130228/
New investor Founders Fund led the round with participation from all existing investors, including New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Pejman Mar Ventures, Cowboy Ventures, Zach Coelius, and Ben Narasin, and new investor Madrona Venture Group.
Rakuten Ventures Launches New $85M Fund Targeting Japanese Advanced Tech & Business Models
2016-01-30T10:00:13.524322-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/rakuten-ventures-launches-new-85m-fund-targeting-japanese-advanced-tech-business-models-20160130227/
Rakuten Ventures, the venture capital (VC) and investment arm of Japan-based Rakuten Inc, has launched the JPY 10 billion ($84.2 million) fund focussed on on technology startups.
Apollo Global Sells Stake In Ahuja Towers
2016-01-26T15:00:08.445867-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/apollo-global-sells-stake-in-ahuja-towers-20160126006/
<span style="line-height: 18.9091px;">NYSE-listed global private equity fund </span><span style="line-height: 18.9091px;">Apollo Global Management</span><span style="line-height: 18.9091px;"> has made an exit from super-luxury residential project</span><span style="line-height: 18.9091px;"> Ahuja Towers</span><span style="line-height: 18.9091px;"> of Mumbai-based Indian real estate company Ahuja Constructions’ at approximately </span><span style="line-height: 18.9091px;">69.35 Million </span><span style="line-height: 18.9091px;">USD (conversion rate as on date of exit: Rs 460 crores).</span>
Yahoo Reportedly Rejected 'Several' Offers To Buy Its Core Business
2016-01-26T14:57:00.907137-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/yahoo-reportedly-rejected-several-offers-to-buy-its-core-business-20160126005/
<p>Yahoo is reported to have rejected "several" offers to take over its core internet business. It said the potential buyers included a private-equity firm, citing three anonymous sources.</p>
All In The family: Graham Holdings’ New CEO Has Tough Act(s) To Follow
2016-01-26T12:05:40.395052-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/all-in-the-family-graham-holdings-new-ceo-has-tough-acts-to-follow-20160126986/
I have wondered since Donald E. Graham orchestrated the sale of The Washington Post to Jeffrey P. Bezos for $250 million three years ago what would become of the rest of the publicly held company....
Fintech Startup BlueVine Grows 12x In 2015, Raises $40M In Funding Led By Menlo Ventures
2016-01-22T17:00:21.013482-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/fintech-startup-bluevine-grows-12x-in-2015-raises-40m-in-funding-led-by-menlo-ventures-20160122940/
PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BlueVine, a leading online provider of working capital financing to small businesses, announced today it has closed $40 million in funding, bringing the company’s total funding to $64 million to date. This Series C funding was led by an investment from Menlo Ventures, with additional participation from new investor Rakuten FinTech Fund, follow-on investments from Lightspeed Venture Partners, 83NORTH, Correlation Ventures and private investors, as well as a ne
Wealth-X And WSJ Recount Hedge Fund History For "Billions"
2016-01-15T15:30:23.569715-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/wealth-x-and-wsj-recount-hedge-fund-history-for-billions-20160115614/
Researcher and consultancy Wealth-X and WSJ. Custom Studios, part of The Wall Street Journal Advertising Department, have partnered to tell the story of the “gaming of the American Dream.” The article, “Gaming the American Dream,” charts the rise of the U.S. hedge fund billionaire, from “Fortune” magazine associate editor Alfred Winslow Jones’ decision in 1949 to pool investors’ private money and bet on stocks to drop and fall to the $3 trillion value reached by hedge funds in the third quarter of 2015 that occurred in the spotlight amidst insider-trading cases. Although the feature serves as an advertisement for the upcoming...
Changsi Advertising Completes $15M Funding Round
2016-01-14T13:26:22.321167-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/changsi-advertising-completes-15m-funding-round-20160114559/
Beijing-based mobile in-app advertising start-up Changsi Advertising has completed its first round of financing of around, securing RMB100 million (US$15 million) from Chenghui Venture Partners and Greenwoods Investment, according to a company announcement.
Sport-oriented Courtside Ventures Launches With $35M Fund
2016-01-13T11:38:48.778625-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/sport-oriented-courtside-ventures-launches-with-35m-fund-20160113510/
Bruin Sports Capital, the media, sports, marketing and branded lifestyle venture launched in 2015 by George Pyne has established a strategic partnership with WPP in relation to its new venture capital (VC) unit Courtside Ventures, a $35 million fund investing across early stage technology and media companies with a focus on sports.
SmashFly Technologies Pulls In $22M
2016-01-13T11:35:17.363223-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/smashfly-technologies-pulls-in-22m-20160113507/
SmashFly Technologies, the leading Recruitment Marketing Platform provider, today announced it has raised $22 million in Series B funding led by Bessemer Venture Partners.
PE Firm Apollo Global In Talks To Buy Apollo Education
2016-01-12T10:18:36.109183-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/pe-firm-apollo-global-in-talks-to-buy-apollo-education-20160112403/
<p style="line-height: 20.8px;">Private equity firm Apollo Global Management LLC (APO.N) is in advanced talks to buy for-profit education provider Apollo Education Group Inc(APOL.O) for about $1 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported. Shares of Apollo Education, valued at about $714 million as of Friday, rose 21 percent in extended trading on Monday after the WSJ report.</p>
Roche Leads A $175M Investment In Flatiron Health
2016-01-07T14:05:55.807488-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/roche-leads-a-175m-investment-in-flatiron-health-20160107216/
Just a few days into 2016, Flatiron Health, a start-up that gathers and analyzes data on cancer treatments and sells software based on those insights, said it had raised $175 million in a funding round led by the pharmaceutical giant Roche. Flatiron declined to disclose its valuation.
Hedge Fund Is Sick Of Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer
2016-01-07T14:00:21.051954-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/hedge-fund-is-sick-of-yahoo-ceo-marissa-mayer-20160107214/
<p style="line-height: 20.8px;">Starboard Value, an activist investing firm that owns a stake in Yahoo, wrote a scathing letter Wednesday to Mayer, Yahoo chairman Maynard Webb and the rest of the company's board.</p>
<p style="line-height: 20.8px;">He added that "to be successful, dramatically different thinking is required, together with significant changes across all aspects of the business starting at the board level, and including executive leadership."</p>
<p style="line-height: 20.8px;">This is not the first time that Smith has attacked Yahoo. He has written several letters to Yahoo since Starboard first acquired a stake in the struggling Internet company in the third quarter of 2014.</p>
Google Loses Robotics Chief To Toyota's $1B Research Lab
2016-01-06T10:52:22.276934-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/google-loses-robotics-chief-to-toyotas-1b-research-lab-20160106075/
James Kuffner, the head of Google's robotics division and one of the original team of ten who started its self-driving car work, has left the company for a job at Toyota's $1 billion research institute in Silicon Valley.
Google Paid $380M To Buy Bebop, Executive Diane Greene Donating Her $148M Share
2016-01-05T17:26:31.733434-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/google-paid-380m-to-buy-bebop-executive-diane-greene-donating-her-148m-share-20160105064/
Greene, who sits on Alphabet’s board of directors and is now in charge of Google’s cloud businesses as a result of the acquisition, isn’t keeping a huge percentage of the money Bebop is receiving as a result of the deal. In fact, she’s giving it up to charity.
Outlook for the US Wealth Management Industry: The Predictive Analytics Era
2016-01-05T11:00:45.866150-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/outlook-for-the-us-wealth-management-industry-the-predictive-analytics-era-20160105013/
As advisers introduce a wider range of sophisticated strategies to audiences that are unfamiliar and naturally skeptical of sector practices, investors are often confronted with a confusing array of ...
This Company Says It’ll Beat Amazon To $1T In Yearly Sales, By Selling Through Facebook
2015-12-30T09:55:50.805588-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/this-company-says-itll-beat-amazon-to-1t-in-yearly-sales-by-selling-through-facebook-20151230911/
Last year, analysts estimate Amazon did about $180 billion in gross merchandise volume. But a startup selling cheap smartwatches and knockoff watches thinks it can beat the e-commerce giant to selling $1 trillion of merchandise a year by using smarter advertising and targeting shoppers Amazon may miss.
Dentsu Announces Its Corporate Venture Capital Fund
2015-12-29T16:27:01.548121-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/dentsu-announces-its-corporate-venture-capital-fund-20151229894/
Dentsu Ventures was established in April of this year with the objectives of investing in ambitious start-up companies that will create an as yet unseen future and furthering open innovation across the Dentsu Group through collaboration with investees.
The World's Richest People Got Poorer This Year
2015-12-29T10:59:00.163928-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/the-worlds-richest-people-got-poorer-this-year-bloomberg-business-20151229856/
The richest people on Earth became a bit poorer this year.
The world’s 400 wealthiest individuals shed $19 billion in 2015, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Falling commodities prices and signs of a slower-growing China spooked investors around the world leading to the first annual decline for the daily wealth index since its 2012 debut.
Innovid Raises $12.5M Venture Debt
2015-12-29T09:53:37.617850-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/innovid-raises-125m-venture-debt-20151229828/
Leading video platform announced it has raised $27.5M in funding. $12.5 million of the financing was received as debt financing from Silicon Valley Bank and TriplePoint Capital.
Innovid Grabs $15M Series D Round
2015-12-28T09:16:10.019730-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/innovid-grabs-15m-series-d-round-20151228756/
According to Globes, Innovid has raised $27.5 million in a Series D financing round. Investors in this round include New Spring Capital, Sequoia Israel, Genesis Partners, Cisco Ventures and T-Venture and the financing included $12.5 million in debt from Silicon Valley Bank and Triple Point Capital.
Class Action Suit Filed Against Coral Gables Ad Agency That Laid Off 62 Workers
2015-12-21T15:00:16.774022-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/class-action-suit-filed-against-coral-gables-ad-agency-that-laid-off-62-workers-20151221496/
Commonground/MGS laid off 62 workers with no noticeSuit alleges employees should have been given 60 days warning of their terminationFounder of private equity firm that controls company is major donor to Ted Cruz … Click to Continue »
‘Emerging Trends’ Study Details Key Markets, Investor Opportunities For 2016 (Part 1)
2015-12-19T10:30:13.592486-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/emerging-trends-study-details-key-markets-investor-opportunities-for-2016-part-1-20151219434/
What trends is the commercial real estate industry likely to see in 2016? PWC's and ULI's new report has some answers. read more
Zheshang Venture Capital Joins Government To Launch $1.6B Internet Fund
2015-12-17T15:44:37.723323-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/zheshang-venture-capital-joins-government-to-launch-16b-internet-fund-20151217322/
Zheshang Venture Capital Co., Ltd. has joined two government entities to launch an Internet industry investment fund with RMB 10 billion (US$1.6 billion) in total capital commitments, according to Chinese media reports.
What I Learned During My Day With A Venture Capitalist
2015-12-11T16:21:53.017371-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/what-i-learned-during-my-day-with-a-venture-capitalist-20151211954/
Ever wonder about the conversations that go down once a startup secures funding? Our takeaways from a day at Metamorphic Ventures.
New venture capital fund targets Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality
2015-12-11T11:25:01.024342-05:00https://www.thetrustedinsight.com/investment-news/new-venture-capital-fund-targets-virtual-reality-augmented-reality-20151211908/
<span style="line-height: 20.8px;">A group of gaming and VR tech veterans Thursday launched a venture capital fund solely targeting AR/VR investments.</span>