Iris Dorbian
Austin, Texas-based Luxe Minerals LLC, which focuses on acquiring mineral and royalty interests in oil and liquids-rich basins in the U.S., has raised about $254 million in funding. The investors were NGP Natural Resources and Luxe Mineral's management.
First Read starts the week with news that Sears stock continues its rally, surging more than 17 percent, bitcoin crashes after the SEC rejects the Winklevoss twins' ETF application, and SoundCloud has been trying to raise $100 million since last summer without success.
Vista Equity Partners has raised over $10 billion for its sixth fund, according to three Form D filings, topping the $8 billion target as previously reported in Buyouts, citing Oregon Investment Council documents.
Birch Hill Equity Partners has acquired a majority stake in Des Plaines, Illinois-based Cozzini Bros. Inc, a knife sharpening rental and exchange company. No financial terms were disclosed. Lincoln International advised Cozzini. As a result of the transaction, Audax Private Equity will exit its stake in Cozzini.
NewSpring Capital has closed its third mezzanine fund at $257.4 million, beating its $200 million target. NewSpring Mezzanine Capital III's investors included banks, insurers and financial institutions. NSM III will focus on mid-sized companies in the business services, healthcare, information technology and specialty manufacturing sectors.
In Second Opinion, Dalian Wanda group's $1 billion deal to buy Dick Clark Productions has been scrapped, Twitter finally debuts an anti-trolling tool and Trump's travel ban is discouraging international tourists from visiting the U.S.
Littlejohn & Co has acquired a majority stake in Total Safety, a provider of safety equipment and services for workplace settings. No financial terms were disclosed.
Waud Capital Partners has hired Timothy J. Cremieux as vice president. The appointment becomes effective immediately. Previously, Cremieux worked at GenNx360 Capital Partners where he served as a vice president.
Longford Capital has raised $118.4 million for its sophomore fund, according to an SEC filing. The Chicago-based private investment firm invests in commercial litigation that it believes to be "high value and meritorious."
James McIntire, the former Washington State Treasurer and chairman of Washington State Investment Board, has joined Star Mountain Capital as a strategic investor and senior adviser. McIntire is also the former president of the National Association of State Treasurers.