Groupon has had a heck of a ride in 2011 (as has the whole daily deals business). It kicked off the year with a mega-round at a mega-valuation, and thanks to investors’ interest, some secondary market hype and an alphabet’s worth of clones, Andrew Mason’s daily deals titan rode a wave of investor euphoria all the way to a $20 billion valuation. But as it reached that crest, things started to head south. And, sideways. The daily deals industry has inflated to a phenomenal size, but no one knows what it precisely threatens to do with all its clout. Three months ago, consumers said they felt inundated through their inbox with daily deals offerings—which means that, as the industry goes from e-mail to mobile phone, competitors will have to keep up with the trend shift or get left behind. Already, some players in the space (some notable recent entrants, to boot) have felt the pains of a growing industry. What’s next….
Chicago-based private equity firm Winona Capital Management has acquired an undisclosed stake in Petsense, a national chain of specialty pet supply retail stores. Terms of the deal were not released. The company said that Winona’s investment would allow it to build more than 100 new stores across the US. Petsense currently has 50 company-owned stores across 16 states. With offices in Chicago and Seattle, Winona Capital manages roughly $125 million.
Match.com, the online dating site owned by IAC, acquired a 20% stake in Chinese matchmaking site Zhenai Inc. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Six-year-old Zhenai provides online and telephone matchmaking services, and has more than 30 million users.
Gamebreaker: Google adds flight search D’oh! Early losses foreshadow tough November for the Dems Do You See What Happens, Danny? 12 pro teams with negative outlooks Elbowing to the Front: The White House pushed for Solyndra loans Frank the Tank: How Qatalyst got Motorola the most I See… US futures headed for mixed open
Buyout firm Oaktree Capital Management Funds sent a letter to toymaker Jakks Pacific Tuesday outlining its intention to buy the company for $670 million, Reuters reported Wednesday. Los Angeles-based Oaktree first made the offer in March and has been rebuffed by the company repeatedly. Oaktree said it would raise its offer if Jakks could "demonstrate to us further value over the course of our due diligence process," Reuters wrote, quoting the letter.
Kansas City-based private equity firm Great Range Capital has acquired specialty transportation company LLL Transport. Terms of the deal were not released. LLL Transport is based in Brookfield, Mo., and employs roughly 130 people.
REUTERS: Shares in Irish financial services group IFG has ended talks with Bregal Capital over a 231 million euros ($314 million) takeover after the private equity group said it was no longer prepared to table an offer at 1.80 euros per IFG share, sending its stock down nearly 30 percent. IFG, which provides financial advice […]
GrandBanks Capital co-founder Ryan Moore will join Atlas Venture as a partner. Moore spoke with peHUB, and said his move would come in November, after he completed a variety of responsibilities he has ongoing with more than a half-dozen portfolio companies. With Atlas, he’ll help the VC recruit entrepreneurs and executives in residence. The news was reported earlier today by Fortune.
Savio Tung returns to global investment firm Investcorp as CEO of North America. Tung returns to a full time role at Investcorp, where he was one of the founding partners and served from 1984 until 2009, from 1995 until 2000 as Head of Corporate Investment, North America and from 2005 to 2009 as Head of Technology Investment.
ImpactRx, the medical marketplace data analytics firm, is buying TargetRx. Terms of the deal were not publicized. ImpactRx President and CEO, Gregory Ellis, will lead the combined company. ImpactRx is backed by Symphony Technology Group.