GeoLearning Inc., an Iowa-based provider of managed learning services, has secured $31 million from Fidelity Ventures. The funds represent the first institutional investment for GeoLearning. Fidelity Ventures Partner Roger Hurwitz has joined GeoLearning's board. www.geolearning.com
Erasmic Venture Fund, a venture capital fund backed by Google Inc. (Nasdaq: GOOG), has invested in Bangalore-based fast food chain Kaati Zone. Kaati Zone is promoted by Kiran Nadkarni. Business Standard reported that Nadkarni is widely considered the father of the Indian venture capital industry. The terms of Erasmic's investment into Kaati Zone weren't disclosed. […]
Peak8 Solutions LLC, a Boulder, Colo.-based provider of technical support services, has secured $5 million in funding from Lacuna Venture Capital and other firms. Existing investors also participated in the round. www.peak8solutions.com
Affomic Corp., a New Haven, Conn.-based biotechnology firm, has raised $7 million in a first round of financing. Connecticut Innovations, Elm Street Ventures, and Four Seasons Ventures participated in the round.
Nistica Inc, a Bridgewater, N.J.-based supplier of agile optical modules that simplify, automate and make affordable the delivery of high-bandwidth applications, has closed a Series B financing round at $9 million. Battelle Ventures LP, and its affiliate fund, Innovation Valley Partners, led the financing. www.nistica.com
Trupanion, has received $22 million in financial backing led by Maveron LLC. Trupanion is a Seattle-based company that makes pet insurance easier for owners. www.trupanion.com
Delphi has agreed to sell its North American bearings business to a unit of Hephaestus Holdings Inc., a maker of forged parts for the North American automotive industry. Hephaestus is a portfolio company of KPS Capital Partners. PRESS RELEASE Hephaestus Holdings, Inc. (“HHI”), the leading independent manufacturer of, today announced that its indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary […]
Water Street Healthcare Partners is gearing up to raise its second fund with a $600 million target, as first reported by Buyouts Magazine. The Chicago-based firm closed its debut fund with $400 million in 2006, and focuses on mid-market healthcare companies. Limited partners include Goldman Sachs, Adams Street Partners, Allianz Group and PPM America. www.waterstreetcapital.com
Comedy.com, an online comedy content startup, has raised an undisclosed amount of first-round funding. Walden VC led the deal, and was joined by Prism VentureWorks. Comedy.com was founded by Dean Valentine, former president and CEO of United Paramount Network and, before that, president of Walt Disney Television. www.comedy.com
Ausra, a Palo Alto, Calif.?based developer of a utility-scale solar thermal power plant, has secured $30 million in venture debt, according to CNet. It also is planning to raise $15 million in follow-up funding from shareholders Khosla Ventures and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, prior to putting together a round that could be worth […]