Iris Dorbian
Airware has received a $10.7 million round of financing led by Andreessen Horowitz. Google Ventures also participated. Also, Chris Dixon, a partner at Andreessen Horowitz, will join Airware's board. Airware, which is based in Newport Beach, Calif., which develops autopilots for drones.
Avenue Capital Group said Wednesday it has provided a loan to support H.I.G. Europe's buy of Freedom Finance Nordic. Avenue Capital also made a minority equity investment in Freedom. The debt facilities provided by Avenue closed in early May. H.I.G. Europe announced yesterday it had acquired Freedom, a prime consumer loan broker operating in Sweden, Norway and Finland
Spire Capital Partners said on Wednesday that it so far collected $100 million for its third fund which has a $375 million target. Spire Capital, which has offices in New York City and Pennsylvania, is a private equity firm that focuses on companies in a variety of sectors that include media, education, information services and communications.
Advent International has named Michael Ming-Yue Zhu as an operating partner. Zhu is country general manager of Solvay China. Advent has also tapped William Tsao as an industry advisor for China's chemical sector. Advent International is a global private equity firm with offices in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia
DeLille Cellars has received "significant" growth capital from Bacchus Capital Management. Financial terms were not disclosed. DeLille Cellars is a winery based in Woodinville, Washington.
Wind Point Partners said Wednesday that two of its portfolio companies, Hearthside Food Solutions and Ryt-way Industries, will be merging in late May. The transaction will create a contract food producer in North America with over $1 billion in sales and 19 facilities in seven states. Based in Downers Grove, Ill., Hearthside Food Solutions is the largest independent bakery in the U.S. Ryt-way, which is in Lakeville, Minn., is a provider of packaging equipment solutions to food and consumer brands.
Pinebridge Investments has named Wael Aburida as its CIO. Aburida will helm PineBridge's MENA private equity team. Previously, Aburida was a director of M&A at Waha Capital.
The National Venture Capital Association has elected Josh Green to serve as its 2013-2014 chairman of the board of directors. Green is general partner of Mohr Davidow Ventures. Also VCA added the following as new directors to its board: Scott Kupor, Andreessen Horowitz; Sue Siegel, GE healthymagination; John Backus, New Atlantic Ventures; Art Pappas, Pappas Ventures; Mark Leschly, Rho Capital Partners; and Jim Healy, Sofinnova Ventures. And NVCA also named Scott Sandell, general partner at New Enterprise Associates, as chair-elect for the 2014-2015 year.
IdX has received a $35 million loan from LBC Credit Partners. IdX, a portfolio company of ACON Investments, is a producer of retail display fixtures. It is based in St. Louis, MO.