Iris Dorbian

Micross Components, a portfolio company of Insight Equity Holdings LLC, has bought Minco Technology Labs LLC. No financial terms were disclosed. Based in Austin, Texas, Minco is a provider of semiconductor solutions for the military, aerospace and other specialty markets.

Aqua Capital has made an undisclosed investment in Brazilian wine retailer Grand Cru. No financial terms were disclosed.

New York-based middle market private equity firm Harvest Partners has opened an office in Palo Alto, California. Andrew Schoenthal, managing director at the firm, has been named to lead its West Coast business.

Riverside Partners has made an investment in R&D Altanova, a provider of turn-key test interface solutions for the semiconductor sector. No financial terms were disclosed.

FFL has made an undisclosed investment in Midwest optometry chain Clarkson Eyecare. HPC Puckett & Company provided financial advice to Clarkson Eyecare on the transaction while Golub Capital provided financing.

Victory Park Capital has increased its investment in Upstart from $100 million to $500 million. Based in Palo Alto, California, Upstart is a lending platform that aims to finance people based on signs of their potential including employment history and academic performance.

Marlin Equity Partners has bought Barometer Inc, a provider of integrated IT portfolio analysis SaaS solutions. No financial terms were disclosed. Also, Marlin has merged barometerIT with portfolio company Changepoint BV.

Law firm Pillsbury has named partners Kimberly Mann and Ildiko Duckor to co-lead the firm's investment funds and investment management team. Mann joined Pillsbury in 1997 while Duckor has almost 20 years’ experience in investment management regulation, specializing in hedge funds. Also, Pillsbury has promoted André Brewster to partner.