Seattle-based Banyan Branch, a media agency that provides end-to-end marketing services for the leading brands, has secured $1.7 million in growth funding from a group of private investors. The company plans to use the capital to accelerate growth and continue investment in scalable social media processes, media buying and technology for its clients. A group of elite investors and entrepreneurs participated in the Series A growth round, including, among others, Bob Gay, CEO and co-founder of Huntsman Gay Global Capital; Bill Bryant, venture partner at Draper Fisher Jurvetson and Geoff Entress, venture partner at Voyager Capital.

CalPERS, like many LPs, turned hesitant toward venture during the recent global recession. But the pension fund followed more free spending ways just prior to the slowdown, with commitments in 2006, 2007 and 2008 doubling or more. These mid-decade vintage years saw the California Public Employees’ Retirement System — the nation’s largest public pension fund [...]

ViVOtech has raised $24 million in an extension to its Series C financing. New investors EDBI, SingTel Innov8 and Motorola Solutions Venture Capital participated in the round. Current backers Alloy Ventures, Citi Ventures, Draper Fisher Jurveston, DFJ Gotham, First Data Corporation, Miven Ventures, Motorola Mobility, Nokia Growth Partners and NCR also participated. ViVOtech, a Santa Clara, Calif.-based provider of wireless payment software and chips, will use the money to expand its international reach.