Archives

Morgan Stanley To Buy EquityZen, Expanding Its Private Markets Ecosystem

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

Morgan Stanley announced that it has agreed to acquire New York-based EquityZen, a leading marketplace for private shares. The acquisition is expected to strengthen Morgan Stanley’s position in private markets by enhancing its end-to-end service offerings for private companies, employees, and investors.

Uncommon Equity Buys Michigan-Based HopCat Casual Dining Chain

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

Uncommon Equity (UEQ), a Chicago-based private investment partnership, has acquired Grand Rapids-based Project BarFly, the parent company of the HopCat restaurant group. The deal expands UEQ’s portfolio with one of Michigan’s most recognizable casual dining brands. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

SocialNext Buys Marketing News Canada, Expanding National Media Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

SocialNext, one of Canada’s leading marketing conference series and professional communities, has announced the acquisition of Marketing News Canada (MNC), a national media platform known for its podcasts, industry news, and storytelling. The acquisition brings together two major brands that share a mission to strengthen and celebrate Canada’s marketing industry nationwide.

Coats: Acquisition Of OrthoLite Completed To Expand Global Footwear Capabilities

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

Coats Group, a leader in apparel and footwear components, announced that it has completed the acquisition of OrthoLite, a market leader in footwear materials and the top brand in premium insoles. The move represents a significant milestone in Coats’ long-term strategy to strengthen its position in the global footwear industry through expansion into the premium insole market.

InterDigital Buying AI Startup Deep Render To Advance AI-Native Video Compression

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

InterDigital, a research and development company specializing in mobile, video, and AI technologies, has acquired London-based Deep Render, an artificial intelligence startup pioneering video and image compression technologies. The acquisition enhances InterDigital’s leadership in video compression and expands its AI talent pool, reinforcing the company’s long-term strategy to lead in next-generation video and wireless innovation.

Boyd Group To Buy Joe Hudson’s Collision Center In $1.3 Billion Deal

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

Boyd Group Services has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Joe Hudson’s Collision Center (JHCC) from TSG Consumer Partners LP for approximately $1.3 billion. The acquisition, which adds 258 collision repair locations across 18 U.S. states, will bring Boyd’s total network to 1,273 locations across North America.

Ares Management To Buy BlueCove, Creating Ares Systematic Credit Strategy

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

Ares Management announced that one of its affiliates has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the entire outstanding share capital of BlueCove Limited, a London-based systematic fixed income manager. The deal, expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, will form a new integrated business known as Ares Systematic Credit.

Cicor Technologies To Buy TT Electronics In £287 Million Deal

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

Cicor Technologies, a global provider of full-cycle electronic solutions for the healthcare technology, industrial, aerospace, and defense sectors, has announced its firm intention to acquire UK-based TT Electronics plc, a London Stock Exchange-listed engineered electronics company serving performance-critical applications. The Board of Directors of TT Electronics has unanimously supported the offer, and TT shareholders are expected to vote on the transaction in December 2025.

BRKZ: $30 Million Growth Debt Raised From Stride To Advance Saudi Arabia’s Construction Sector Expansion

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

BRKZ, a leading B2B managed marketplace for building materials in Saudi Arabia, has secured up to $30 million in growth debt financing from Stride Ventures. The new facility aims to strengthen BRKZ’s ability to offer flexible payment solutions for contractors and partner factories, supporting the rapid expansion of the Kingdom’s construction sector amid a surge in mega and giga-projects.

Emerald AI: $18 Million Seed Extension Raised To Advance Power-Flexible AI Infrastructure

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

Emerald AI, a fast-growing innovator at the intersection of artificial intelligence and energy infrastructure, announced that it has raised an additional $18 million in seed extension funding, bringing its total funding to $42.5 million. The new capital will accelerate the company’s mission to transform AI data centers into flexible grid assets that can dynamically adjust their energy use to support grid stability and resilience.

Catalyx Space: $5.4 Million Seed Funding Closed To Advance Orbital Logistics Infrastructure

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

Catalyx Space, a San Francisco-based space infrastructure company developing end-to-end hardware, software, and operations for orbital logistics, has closed an oversubscribed $5.4 million Seed funding round led by Outlander VC. The round follows a $1.7 million pre-seed raise in January, which culminated in Catalyx’s first successful capsule drop test within just six months.

Helex: $3.5 Million Seed Funding Closed To Advance Non-Viral Gene Therapies for Genetic Kidney Diseases

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

Helex, a therapeutics company pioneering targeted non-viral gene therapies for kidney diseases, has raised an oversubscribed $3.5 million Seed round led by pi Ventures, with participation from Bluehill Capital, SOSV, and a global syndicate of investors. The new funding brings Helex’s total capital raised to over $6 million.

Starr To Buy IQUW Group, Becoming Ninth-Largest Lloyd’s Agency

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

Starr, a global investment and insurance organization, announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire IQUW Group. This move will expand its underwriting classes and strengthen its position across international markets. Once completed, the acquisition will make Starr’s managing agency the ninth-largest operating agency at Lloyd’s.

Convey Expanding Utility Engagement Capabilities With Acquisition Of Powerley

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

Convey, formerly known as Message Broadcast, has announced the acquisition of Powerley, a SaaS pioneer in AI-powered home energy management and real-time appliance-level insights. The deal strengthens Convey’s position as a leading customer engagement platform for utilities and regulated industries while enhancing its suite of intelligent communication and energy analytics tools.

Jensen Partners Buying Baier Associates To Enhance EMEA Executive Search Capabilities

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

Jensen Partners, a leader in executive search and advisory for capital raising, announced the acquisition of Baier Associates (UK), an award-winning executive search and consulting firm specializing in alternative investments. The transaction marks a significant milestone in Jensen Partners’ continued expansion across EMEA, enhancing its global capabilities in capital formation, investments, and strategic advisory services.

Supreme Group: Olly Johnston Named As EVP For Driving Platform Growth

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Supreme Group, a Trinity Hunt Partners–backed platform specializing in healthcare and life sciences marketing and communications, has appointed Olly Johnston as Executive Vice President, Platform Growth & Transformation. The appointment reinforces the company’s focus on expanding its integrated capabilities and accelerating value creation for clients across the healthcare and life sciences sectors.

Syracuse University Launches Nation’s First Center For The Creator Economy

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Syracuse University has announced the establishment of the Center for the Creator Economy, marking the first academic center in the United States dedicated to studying and advancing the creator-driven economic landscape. Formed through a collaboration between the Martin J. Whitman School of Management and the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, the initiative places the University at the forefront of preparing students for the evolving world of digital entrepreneurship, media, and commerce.

BioCardia’s CardiAMP HF II Phase 3 Trial Reaches Milestone With First Patient Enrollment At University Of Wisconsin

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

BioCardia, a leader in cellular and cell-derived therapeutics for cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, announced that the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health has enrolled its first patient in the company’s ongoing Phase 3 CardiAMP HF II clinical trial. The trial evaluates BioCardia’s CardiAMP cell therapy for patients with ischemic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who continue to show elevated markers of heart stress despite optimized medical therapy.

Figma Buying Weavy For Advancing AI-Native Media Creation

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Figma has announced the acquisition of Weavy, an AI-driven media creation platform that integrates generative AI with professional editing tools. The newly formed entity, Figma Weave, will expand Figma’s creative ecosystem to include image, video, animation, motion design, and visual effects editing, all within a collaborative, browser-based environment.

EagleNXT Selling eBee VISION Drones To U.S. Army Battalion In Germany For Supporting Multinational Training Missions

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

AgEagle Aerial Systems, operating as EagleNXT, announced the sale of three eBee VISION drones to the U.S. Army’s 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment (1-4 IN), stationed at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) in Hohenfels, Germany. The deal highlights EagleNXT’s growing role in delivering advanced unmanned aerial solutions for defense and coalition training operations.

AscendantFX Buying FTNI For Enhancing Global Payables And Receivables Capabilities

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

AscendantFX Capital announced the acquisition of Financial Transmission Network, Inc. (FTNI), a leading provider of integrated receivables and payment processing solutions. The deal combines Ascendant’s cross-border payment expertise with FTNI’s automation platform, creating a unified suite of financial tools that streamline how businesses and financial institutions manage both incoming and outgoing payments.

Brookfield And Uni-China Form Cold Storage Joint Venture With Acquisition of Tsing Yi Industrial Site

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Brookfield, the New York–based global investment firm with over $1 trillion in assets under management, has entered into a joint venture with Māori Capital, the investment arm of Hong Kong’s Uni-China Group, to acquire a prime industrial site in Tsing Yi from Swire Properties. The collaboration marks the launch of a new cold storage platform designed to meet the growing demand for temperature-controlled logistics across Asia.

Ioffice Buying United Spaces To Create Sweden’s Largest Flexible Workspace Group

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Ioffice Business Group, a Swedish provider of flexible workspaces, has acquired United Spaces from real estate company Castellum, forming the largest coworking and serviced office group in Sweden. The combined entity now manages approximately 67,500 square meters of flexible office space nationwide.

Karman Space & Defense Buying Five Axis Industries For $88 Million To Expand Engine Subsystem Capabilities In Commercial Space Sector

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Karman Space & Defense, a leading U.S. developer of next-generation systems for space and defense applications, has acquired Five Axis Industries, a Washington-based manufacturer specializing in advanced engine subsystems for commercial space programs. The $88 million deal comprises $83 million in cash and approximately $5 million in Karman common shares.

Presidio Expanding European Presence With Acquisition Of Ergo

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Presidio, a leading global technology services and solutions provider, announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Ergo, an Ireland-headquartered IT solutions and managed services firm. The transaction, expected to close by the end of 2025 pending regulatory approval, represents a significant expansion of Presidio’s presence in Ireland and the UK, strengthening its position as a global digital transformation partner.

Steven Bartlett’s Steven.com Hits $425 Million Valuation Following Investment Round

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Steven Bartlett’s company Steven.com has reached a $425 million valuation following a significant new investment round led by Slow Ventures and Apeiron Investment Group. Other notable backers in this round include Philipp Freise (KKR), Second Sight Ventures, Tom Profumo (Active Partners), Magnus Grimeland (Antler), Gary Vaynerchuk, Kevin Rose (founder of Digg), Will Ahmed (Founder of Whoop), Bryan Johnson, Alex Hormozi, and Codie Sanchez. The raise marks what is believed to be Europe’s largest funding round for a creator holding company.

Grant Thornton Stax: Chen Liu Named As Partner To Support Growth Across Technology And Education Practices

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Grant Thornton Stax, a global strategy consulting firm and part of Grant Thornton Advisors, has appointed Chen Liu as Partner in its Chicago office. The move signals the firm’s continued expansion in advising private equity and corporate clients in the technology and education sectors.

VentureMed: $28 Million Series C Raised For Advancing FLEX VP System And Global Vascular Care Expansion

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

VentureMed Group, a Minnesota-based medical device innovator focused on vessel preparation and access management technologies for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and arteriovenous fistulas and grafts (AVF, AVG), announced the completion of a $28 million Series C financing round. The funding was led by S3 Ventures, with participation from existing investors, including Endeavour Vision.

Protective Life To Buy Portfolio Holding, Expanding Dealer Wealth and F&I Capabilities

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Protective Life, a U.S. subsidiary of Japan’s Dai-ichi Life Holdings, has agreed to acquire Portfolio Holding and its subsidiaries from private equity firm Abry Partners.

Sensor Tower: Strategic Investment Raised From Shinhan Securities

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Sensor Tower, a leading provider of competitive intelligence across the digital economy, announced it has secured a strategic investment from Shinhan Securities, one of South Korea’s largest securities brokerage and investment banking firms, and a subsidiary of Shinhan Financial Group. The investment will support Sensor Tower’s ongoing product innovation, particularly in web and generative AI datasets.