Samsung suddenly seems a lot like a boxer whose every punch at the world champion, Apple, is bringing it closer to a legitimate shot at the title. Samsung’s handsets are hot. Late last year, Samsung’s Galaxy S III became…

Check out the latest news links after the weekend including why the emerging markets are experiencing private equity growth pains; a look at the consolidation of the traditional VC industry and why Doughty Hanson has stopped investing in venture and real estate.

This morning in First Read find out about Samsung’s funding boost; RRJ’s mega venture capital target and CVC’s second deal in South East Asia in less than a month.

Want to best understand the big data opportunities within reach of your portfolio companies? Then ask some of the world’s biggest enterprises about their most pressing needs. This was my goal in attending this year’s Sierra Ventures CIO Summit.

In this post election First Read, peHUB brings you four more years of challenges ahead for Obama; Benchmark’s minimalist online approach, Yahoo and Samsung getting into TV and the latest on European secondary buyouts.

Mike Taylor has joined Dallas-based Teakwood Capital as managing director for talent. Taylor has over 30 years’ experience in executive search and coaching within the BPO, Technology, and Software sectors, with both public and private companies. His past clients include Technology Crossover Ventures, Austin Ventures and Battery Ventures as well as corporate names such as [...]

As you take a break with your coffee this morning, FirstRead reveals Cisco’s $5b offer for NDS, a PE mission for a South Korean missile maker and a contender for the new kids’ Facebook.

Now You’ve Done It… The Deal Professor takes on LinkedIn’s IPO structure

Yes, But Was He a LolCats Fan? Osama still managed to elude investigators, and e-mailed top contacts

Inequality: Some EU nations’ surging economies will go to rehabbing less-healthy nations

On a Roll: Samsung, already taking Apple on in the handset market, may perform well against the tech titan with tablets, too

He’s Gonna Look Real Silly in Those Shirts: Ashton may replace Charlie on the no-longer-winning 2.5 hombres

This year is the year of the tablet computer at CES …and the year the war broke out among makers of tablet operating systems. The question I have is whether the chaos and conflict will create opportunities for startups. Most every major consumer electronics vendor has been talking up iPad-like tablets at the nation’s largest [...]