Silicon Valley Wire

Santa Clara-Based Quellan Raises $20 Million in Third Round of Funding

Santa Clara, Calif. -- Quellan, a Santa Clara-based developer of analog signal processing and RF noise cancellation technology, said that it has raised $20 million in its third round of funding. New investors W.L. Gore & Associates, Harbinger Venture Management, JAFCO Ventures and Glynn Capital Management joined previous investors Menlo Ventures, Yamacraw Capital Seed Fund, Cordova Ventures, Samsung Ventures America and VentureTech Alliance in the round. The company, which plans to use the proceeds to develop new products for the consumer, industrial and communications markets, also said that Robert Dobkin, a co-founder and CTO of Linear Technology, has made an additional investment in the company, and will join its advisory board.
http://www.quellan.com/analog/press_releases/pr092707-20M-finance.html   
http://www.quellan.com/ 

Google Acquires Mobile Social Networking Service Zingku

Mountain View, Calif. - Mountain View-based Google has acquired certain assets and technology of Zingku, a developer of mobile social networking services targeted at teens and young adults, Computerworld reported on Friday. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Founded in 2005, Zingku's free service is currently in private beta. It offers users a personalized web site that can be used to shuttle content back and forth between a mobile phone, as well as to connect with friends via group messaging. The service supports standard text and picture messages, and does not require software installation. "We believe these assets can help build products and features that will benefit our users, advertisers and publishers," Google said in a statement.
http://www.zingku.com 
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9039698&intsrc=news_ts_head

Cupertino-Based Apple Names Daniel Cooperman as New General Counsel

Cupertino, Calif. -- Cupertino-based Apple on Friday named Daniel Cooperman as its new senior vice president, general counsel and secretary -- the same roles he has held at Redwood Shores-based Oracle. He is scheduled to begin at Apple on Nov. 1, replacing Donald Rosenberg, who is leaving the company after just 10 months for undisclosed reasons. Cooperman also currently serves as chairman of the board of the Software & Information Industry Association, the largest trade association in the software industry. Prior to Oracle, he as a partner with the San Francisco-based law firm of McCutchen, Doyle, Brown & Enersen (now known as Bingham McCutchen).
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2007/09/28cooperman.html 

3Com to be Acquired by Bain Capital for $3.3 Billion

Marlborough, Mass. -- 3Com, a Massachusetts-based provider of voice and data networking products, with an office in San Jose, has agreed to be acquired by affiliates of Bain Capital for $2.2 billion in cash, the company said on Friday. As part of the transaction, Huawei Technologies will acquire a minority interest in 3Com and become a partner of the company. The deal is expected to be completed by the end of March. Shares in 3Com were up about 35% in Friday's late trading on the Nasdaq.
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=61382&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1056717&highlight=

AOL Releases First Major Update to Mac Desktop Software in Five Years

Dulles, Va. -- AOL said on Friday that it has released a beta version of its new desktop software for the Mac platform, which includes such features as tabbed browsing, integration with AOL's instant messenger and support for multiple email accounts. The new release marks the first major update to the company's software for the Mac in more than five years. AOL said that it also has launched its new Mac@AOL blog, which offers an open forum to discuss its software for the Mac.
http://beta.aol.com/projects.php?project=desktop_mac
http://macblog.aol.com/

San Francisco-Based Mashery Lands New Round of Funding

San Francisco -- Mashery, a San Francisco-based provider of services and software designed to help clients build web services, said on Thursday that it has raised an undisclosed amount of funding in a new round led by Formative Ventures. The Accelerator Group, First Round Capital and several angel investors also participated. Mashery said that it will use the proceeds to increase its sales and marketing activities, as well as to continue product and technology. In addition to the funding, the company announced several significant new customer wins, including FreeWebs, ZoomInfo, JamBase and Thumbplay, and now has a total of 16 clients.
http://www.mashery.com/
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070927/20070927005431.html?.v=1

Campbell-Based Focus Enhancements Raises $5.4 Million

Campbell, Calif. -- Focus Enhancements, a Campbell-based developer of wireless video technologies, said on Thursday that it has entered into agreements for $5.4 million in new funding, led by an undisclosed existing investor. In two separate deals, the company is selling a total of 6.1 million shares for $0.88 each, as well as warrants for another 1.5 million shares. Focus said that it plans to use the approximately $4.9 million in net proceeds for working capital and general corporate purposes. The company's Semiconductor Group develops chips for high-performance applications in the video convergence market, while its Systems Group develops video products for the digital media markets.
http://www.focusinfo.com/
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070927005208&newsLang=en

Crimson Consulting Acquires Web Services Division of Specific Impulse

Los Altos, Calif. -- Crimson Consulting Group, a Los Altos-based provider of marketing strategy and implementation consulting services, said on Thursday that it has acquired the web services division of Alameda-based Specific Impulse, a provider of web development and information architecture services. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Crimson said that division will become a major component of its Interactive Services business unit. Crimson has worked closely with Specific Impulse for three years on major web projects for clients such as Seagate, HP and Verizon.
http://www.crimson-consulting.com/view_press_release_6.html 
http://www.si9.com/ 

San Mateo-Based Forterra Systems Lands Investment from In-Q-Tel

San Mateo, Calif. -- Forterra Systems, a San Mateo-based developer of software and services that allow clients to build their own virtual worlds, said on Thursday that it has received an investment as part of a larger technology advancement deal with Virginia-based In-Q-Tel, an investment firm backed by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The deal will allow Forterra to develop new collaboration and training capabilities for its core software platform.
http://www.forterrainc.com
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070927/20070927005293.html?.v=1

Report: AOL Advertising Unit Preparing for IPO in Early 2008

New York -- AOL parent Time Warner may be preparing to spin off its newly formed advertising unit through an initial public offering (IPO), TechCrunch reported on Thursday. AOL, which recently announced plans to move its headquarters from Virginia to New York, is combining its various ad companies, including Advertising.com, Tacoda, Third Screen Media, Lightningcast, and AdTech, into Platform A. TechCrunch, citing a "knowledgeable source," reported that "the decision has been made internally at Time Warner to try to spin off Platform A through an IPO sometime early next year." AOL has declined to comment.
http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/27/aol-is-gussying-itself-up-for-an-advertising-ipo/
http://www.aol.com

Foster City-Based Equinix Raises $750M in Concurrent Stock, Debt Offerings

Foster City, Calif. -- Equinix, a Foster City-based operators of data centers, said on Wednesday that it has completed concurrent stock and debt offerings, raising a total of $750 million. The company raised $354 million through the stock offering, selling 4.2 million shares for $84.05 each, and another $396 million through the offering of convertible notes due in 2014. Equinix said that it will use the bulk of the proceeds to fund its acquisition of IXEurope, a provider of colocation services in Europe. The deal, worth approximately $550 million, closed earlier this month.
http://www.equinix.com/press/press/2007/09_26_07.php
http://www.equinix.com/

Redwood City-Based Genelabs Technologies to Raise $23.7 Million

Redwood City, Calif. -- Genelabs Technologies, a Redwood City-based biopharmaceutical firm. said on Wednesday that it plans to raise $23.7 million through a stock offering. The company said that it has obtained commitments from several institutional investors to purchase 12.9 million shares of its stock, as well as warrants for another 2.6 million shares. The deal is expected to close on Oct. 1, with Genelabs using the proceeds to support its ongoing hepatitis C virus drug discovery programs.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070926/aqw082.html?.v=21 

San Mateo-Based Turn Lands $8 Million in Second Round

San Mateo, Calif. -- Turn, a San Mateo-Based developer of automatically-targeted advertising technology, has raised $8 million in its second round of funding, PEHub.com reported. Investors included Norwest Venture Partners, Trident Capital and Shasta Ventures. Turn has developed technology that automatically selects graphical or text ads for any placement. The company previously raised $18 million in financing last November.
http://www.pehub.com/article/articledetail.php?articlepostid=7784
http://www.turn.com 

San Francisco-Based Sugar to Acquire Los Altos-Based ShopStyle

San Francisco -- Sugar Publishing, a San Francisco-based online media network for women, said on Wednesday that it will acquire Los Altos-based ShopStyle, a social shopping web site focused on women's fashion. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. ShopStyle will continue to operate independently at ShopStyle.com, with Andy Moss, the company's founder and CEO, serving as the unit's general manager. The site allows women to cross-shop thousands of apparel, shoe and accessory brands from a number of different stores. Sugar also said that it plans to integrate ShpStyle's technology across its network. In a related move, Sugar Publishing announced plans to change its name to Sugar Inc., to better reflect the company's growing reach.
http://sugarinc.com/
http://www.shopstyle.com/
http://sugarinc.com/657186

Redwood Shores' Reflex Photonics Lands $2 Million Venture Loan

Redwood Shores, Calif. -- Reflex Photonics, a developer of extreme high speed connectivity technology for semiconductor packaging and data transfer, with dual headquarters in Redwood Shores and Montreal, said that it has received a $2 million venture loan from MMV Financial. The company said that the loan is part of an undisclosed equity financing round. Reflex said that the financing will allow it to expand its sales and marketing activities, while also continuing to grow its technology development team and facilities
http://www.reflexphotonics.com/pressrelease69.htm
http://www.reflexphotonics.com

U.S. High-Tech Industry Adds 118,500 in First Half of 2007

Santa Clara, Calif. -- The U.S. high-tech industry added 118,500 jobs between January and June, down slightly from the number added the prior year, according to a new study by high-tech trade association AeA, which has dual headquarters in Santa Clara and Washington, DC. There are now about 5.94 high-tech jobs in the U.S. Most of the job growth occurred in the private sector. "This is the third straight year that the U.S. tech industry is adding jobs," said William Archey, the president and CEO of AeA. "It is also the first year since the bursting of the high-tech bubble that all four tech sectors are experiencing job growth." Among the four sectors, engineering and tech services led the way with 52,600 net new jobs, followed by software services (51,000), communications services (12,900) and high-tech manufacturing (1,800).
http://www.aeanet.org/Publications/idjj_midyear2007_overview.asp

EchoStar Communications to Acquire Foster City-Based Sling Media

Foster City, Calif. -- EchoStar Communications, the Colorado-based satellite TV company that runs DISH Network, said that it will acquire Foster City-based Sling Media, a developer of technology that allows users to access their home TV channels from any Internet-connected device, in an all-cash deal that values Sling at $380 million. EchoStar was an early investor in Sling, which was launched in 2004 and now has its Slingbox products distributed in more than 5,000 retail stores. Charlie Ergen, the CEO of EchoStar, said that the acquisition, expected to close by year's end, "paves the way for the development of a host of new innovative products and services." Blake Krikorian, the chairman and CEO of Sling Media, said that his company will be able to "rapidly expand our open multi-platform product offerings, not only for DISH Network subscribers, but for digital media enthusiasts around the globe."
http://us.slingmedia.com/object/pr-echostar-slingmedia.html
http://us.slingmedia.com/

Redwood City-Based NebuAd Raises $20.5 Million in Second Round

Redwood City, Calif. -- NebuAd, the Redwood City-based developer of a behavioral targeting network for the online advertising industry, said on Tuesday that it has raised $20.5 million in its second round of funding, increasing its total backing to more than $30 million. Previous investor Menlo Ventures joined new investor Sierra Ventures in the round, which the company will use to fund its acceleration into the online advertising market. NebuAd's network, made possible through partnerships with Internet service providers, is designed to anonymously observe and analyze consumer activity on the web, then match consumer interests with the most relevant ads. The company also raised $11 million in its first round, which closed in Oct. 2006.
http://www.nebuad.com
http://www.nebuad.com/company/press_releases/press_09_25_07.php

Santa Clara-Based Woven Systems Raises $20 Million in Second Round

Santa Clara, Calif. -- Woven Systems, a Santa Clara-based maker of Ethernet fabric switching products for data centers, said on Tuesday that it has secured $20 million in its second round of funding, led by Mohr Davidow Ventures. Previous investors Goldman Sachs and Palomar Ventures also participated in the round, which increased the company's total backing to $35 million. Woven said that it will use the proceeds to expand sales for its new Ethernet fabric switch, which recently completed customer trials and is now in production.
http://www.wovensystems.com/
http://www.wovensystems.com/news/press_releases/funding.html

Moffett Field-Based Apprion Lands $12 Million in Second Round

Moffett Field, Calif. -- Apprion, a Moffett Field-based provider of wireless application network systems and services to the process manufacturing industry, said on Tuesday that it has raied $12 million in its second round of funding, led by Anvil Investment Associates. New investor CTTV Investments and previous investors Advanced Technology Ventures and Allegis Capital also participated in the round, which the company plans to use to expand its sales, marketing and product development efforts. Apprion's ION System allows plant managers and their engineering and IT organizations to deploy and manage wireless-enabled applications. The system is designed to enhance the manageability and performance of wireless devices, systems and networks within plants.
http://www.apprion.com/press/070925.asp
http://www.apprion.com

WSJ: Microsoft in Talks for 5% Stake in Palo Alto-Based Facebook

Palo Alto, Calif. -- Microsoft is in talks to buy a stake in Palo Alto-based online social network Facebook that could see the company valued at over $10 billion, The Wall Street Journal reported. The potential deal -- which would likely cost in the range of $300-$500 million -- could give Microsoft an up to 5% stake in Facebook. Google also has expressed interest in investing in Facebook, The Journal reported, adding that discussions are preliminary and Facebook may opt not to accept investments from either company. Microsoft signed an exclusive deal with Facebook last year to provide online advertising on the social network, which claims over 40 million users.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119065193646437586.html (subscription required)
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g9NMswp5pV5GRs8MDZkpn1CeCAuw http://www.facebook.com

Apple Warns Unlocking iPhone Causes Damage, Voids Warranty

Cupertino, Calif. -- Under assault from outside software developers intent on "unlocking" its iPhone for use on any network, Cupertino-based Apple has issued a warning that some of those commercially available programs can "cause irreparable damage" to the device. The company said that many of the modified iPhones will become "permanently inoperable" once the user later downloads an Apple-supplied iPhone software update. The company added that users who make "unauthorized modifications" to the software "violate their iPhone software license agreement and void their warranty." Several small companies recently began selling software that allows the iPhone to operate -- although in a limited capacity, without features like visual voicemail -- on networks other that AT&T. Apple also said it plans to release its next iPhone software update later this week, which will bring "many new features," including support for the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070924/aqm208.html?.v=5
http://www.apple.com/iphone/

Sunnyvale-Based NetApp Breaks Ground on $61M Engineering Lab

Sunnyvale, Calif. -- Network Appliances (NetApp), a Sunnyvale-based developer of data management software, said that it has broken ground on a new $61 million engineering lab at its technology center in North Carolina. The 124,000-square-foot facility will be home to 2,160 racks of data-processing equipment, the company said. NetApp will use the facility to expand its engineering and development efforts, including research initiatives to create more energy-conscious data centers.
http://www.huliq.com/34729/netapp-breaks-ground-on-new-engineering-lab-facility

San Jose-Based ArrayComm Raises $30M from Merrill Lynch PCG and Ygomi

San Jose, Calif. -- ArrayComm, a San Jose-based developer of multi-antenna signal processing software for wireless networks, said on Monday that it has landed $30 million in new equity investments from Merrill Lynch PCG and Ygomi. Under the deal, each firm purchased about $15 million in company equity, with an option for an additional $10 million. The company did not disclose its uses for the proceeds, other than helping clients "capitalize on the growth opportunities in the wireless broadband marketplace." ArrayComm's software is designed to improve coverage, client data rates and capacity in wireless networks.
http://www.arraycomm.com/
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070924/20070924005479.html?.v=1

Redwood City-Based RingCentral Lands $12 Million in New Funding

Redwood City, Calif. -- RingCentral, a Redwood City-based developer of a web-based service that unifies the phone, mobile, fax and email communications of small businesses, said on Monday that it has landed $12 million in a new round of funding from Sequoia Capital and Khosla Ventures. The company, which has about 40,000 customers, also has named Dinesh Lathi as its CFO. Lathi previously served as a vice president at eBay. RingCentral combines a toll-free or local number with call management, PBX, voicemail and Internet fax capabilities. The service allows clients to set up multiple extensions with voicemail, automatically screen, forward and place calls, fax and receive message alerts. Plans start at about $120 a year.
http://www.ringcentral.com/
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070924/20070924005218.html?.v=1 

Cupertino-Based Xangati Raises $10.7 Million in Second Round

Cupertino, Calif. -- Xangati, a Cupertino-based maker of appliances that help IT organizations rapidly respond to application and network performance problems, said on Monday that it has raised $10.7 million in its second round of funding, led by Walden International. Previous investor Alloy Ventures also contributed to the round, which increases the company's total backing to about $18 million. Xangati said that it will use the fund to expand its engineering team and expand its  marketing and sales efforts. Alan Robin, the CEO of Xangati, called the funding "a significant milestone."
http://www.xangati.com
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070924/20070924005405.html?.v=1

San Francisco-Based Donnerwood Media Lands $5.4 Million

San Francisco -- Donnerwood Media, a San Francisco-based online entertainment company whose products include 3D avatar-building software, has raised $5.4 million in its third round of venture capital financing from Battery Ventures and Transcosmos, PEHub.com reported. Donnerwood recently launched the beta version of Meez, its consumer software for creating 3D online avatars. The company also publishes the online casual game "Tringo," which was created within the virtual world "Second Life."
http://www.pehub.com/article/articledetail.php?articlepostid=7722
http://www.donnerwood.com
http://www.meez.com   

CompuDyne Completes $59.1 Million Sale to The Gores Group

Pleasanton, Calif. -- CompuDyne, a Maryland-based developer of public security technology which bases its public safety and justice unit, Tiburon, in Pleasanton, said that it has completed its $59.1 million sale to The Gores Group, a Los Angeles-based private investment firm. CompuDyne is now a unit of Gores Patriot Holdings, and its stock has ceased trading on the Nasdaq. Martin Roenigk, the chairman and CEO of CompuDyne, said last month that the move was in the best interest of the company, given its "relatively small size, complex structure and the inordinate costs of being a public company."
http://www.compudyne.com/   
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=62198&p=irol-newsArticle&t=Regular&id=1054408&

Palo Alto-Based HP Completes Acquisition of Sunnyvale-Based Opsware

Palo Alto, Calif. -- Palo Alto-based Hewlett-Packard (HP) said on Friday that it has completed its  $1.6 billion acquisition of Sunnyvale-based Opsware, giving the company a strong foothold in the growing market for data center automation software. The deal was first announced in July, with HP completing its tender offer a week ago. Opsware is now a unit of HP, with CEO Ben Horowitz now leading the company's Business Technology Optimization organization.
http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2007/070921xa.html

Foster City-Based Equinix Prices Concurrent Stock, Debt Offerings

Foster City, Calif. -- Equinix,a Foster City-based operators of data centers, said on Friday that it will raise about $308 million through a new public offering, selling nearly 3.7 million shares for $84.05 each. Concurrently, the company said that it will sell another $350 million in debt, due in 2014. Equinix said that it will use the bulk of the proceeds to fund its acquisition of IXEurope, a provider of colocation services in Europe. The deal, worth approximately $550 million, closed last week.
http://www.equinix.com/press/press/2007/09_21_07.php

Palo Alto-Based Caring.com Launches Site with $6 Million in Funding

Palo Alto, Calif. -- Caring.com, a Palo Alto-based web site with community and content features for people caring for aging parents, said on Friday that it has launched a beta version of its site and landed $6 million in its first round of funding from DCM and Split Rock Partners. The company said that it will use the proceeds to further develop its site and add employees to its editorial and development teams. Caring.com, a free, ad-supported site, offers original "how to" guides, time saving information and access to experts, in addition to community features. Founders include CEO Andy Cohen, as well as CTO Steve Fram and editor-in-chief Jim Scott. The latter two both previously spent eight years building a web site for BabyCenter. "We’re launching Caring.com to help people figure out what they need to consider in caring for their parents, and also offer connections to others going through the same situation, to make a difficult journey a little bit easier," said Cohen.
http://www.caring.com 

Burlingame-Based MeeVee Raises $3.5 Million in Funding

Burlingame, Calif. -- MeeVee, a Burlingame-based provider of personalized video search services, has raised $3.5 million in its fourth round of venture capital financing, PEHub.com reported. The company's investors include the Bay Area Equity Fund, Defta Partners, FCPR Israel Discovery Fund, Labrador Ventures, Rothschild Ventures and WaldenVC. MeeVee, which has raised more than $23.5 million since its inception, lets users create personalized video guides that combine both TV shows available online and Internet videos, and also offers TV news and gossip.
http://www.pehub.com/article/articledetail.php?articlepostid=7721
http://www.meevee.com 

Menlo Park-Based VCs Lead $32 Million Round for Cornerstone OnDemand

Menlo Park, Calif. -- A pair of Menlo Park-based venture capital firms, Bessemer Venture Partners and Bay Partners, have co-led a new $32 million round of funding for Santa Monica-based Cornerstone OnDemand, a developer of web-based talent management software and services. The company, which is profitable, said that it will use the proceeds to expand into new markets, including internationally. Cornerstone's software helps clients such as Aon, Barnes & Noble, DIRECTV, Honda, Pitney Bowes and Smith Barney to optimize workforce productivity and increase employee engagement. The software includes tools for automating learning, performance, succession and compliance management. Byron Deeter, a partner with Bessemer, and Neil Sadaranganey, a partner at Bay, will join Cornerstone's board of directors.
http://www.cornerstoneondemand.com/nr_2007/9.17.2007.html 

SoundExchange Reaches Royalty Deal with Small Webcasters

Washington, DC -- SoundExchange, the music industry entity that collects and distributes digital royalties, said that 24 small webcasters have signed an agreement that extends the "below-market" music royalty rates they have received since 1998 through the year 2010. All of the webcasters earn less than $1.25 million in annual revenues. "Giving small webcasters more time to build their businesses with below-market rates is something members of Congress wanted us to get done, and we have," said John Simso, the head of SoundExchange. While just 24 of the hundreds of small webcasting businesses signed the deal, SoundExchange said that others are in the process of signing, adding that some opted not to sign "because their business models benefit more from the regular commercial rates," while others "operate via webcast aggregators who handle payments on their behalf." SoundExchange is still negotiating royalty rates with larger commercial webcasters, like Yahoo, Live365 and Pandora.
http://www.soundexchange.com   
http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20070918/pl_usnw/small_webcasters_embrace_soundexchange_offer_on_discounted_rate

S.F.-Based Keibi Launches Business; Raises $5 Million

San Francisco - Keibi Technologies, a provider of moderation and classification services for managing user-generated content, said that it has officially launched its business after raising more than $5 million in funding from Catamount Ventures and Hunt Ventures. Founded in late 2006, Keibi has developed a service that allows social networks and other providers of user-generated content to monitor content for appropriateness. The company announced Piczo, a photo-centered social network for teens, as its first customer. Paul Remer, the company's CEO, said that Keibi's services are designed to help social networks, content publishers and advertisers "to protect their members and advertising brands and ultimately improve the monetization of this fast-growing [user-generated content] medium." said Keibi CEO Paul Remer.
http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=771377
http://www.keibitech.com 

Sunnyvale-Based Ariba to Acquire Atlanta-Based Procuri

Sunnyvale, Calif. -- Ariba, a Sunnyvale-based developer of spend management software and services for companies, said on Thursday that it will pay $93 million in cash and stock to acquire Atlanta-based Procuri, a provider of web-based supply management software. The deal is expected to close by year's end. Bob Calderoni, the CEO of Ariba, said that the acquisition will accelerate his company's growth and strengthen its position in the fast-growing mid-market. Procuri has more than 300 clients, including ConAgra Foods, Domino's Pizza, JetBlue Airways, Sun Microsystems and United Parcel Service of America.
http://www.procuri.com/
http://www.ariba.com/company/news.cfm?pressid=2680 

Celera to Acquire South San Francisco-Based Atria Genetics

South San Francisco -- In its second acquisition this month, Maryland-based Celera, a provider of molecular diagnostics services, said on Thursday that it will pay $33 million in cash for South San Francisco-based Atria Genetics. Atria has developed a line of testing products that are used for identifying potential donors in the matching process for bone marrow transplantation. The deal is expected to close by year's end. Earlier this month, Celera said that it would pay $195 million to acquire Berkeley HeartLab (BHL), a California-based provider of cardiovascular healthcare tests and disease management services.
http://www.celera.com/celera/pr_1190248957

Cupertino-Based Apple to Nearly Double iPhone Production

Cupertino, Calif. -- Cupertino-based Apple plans to nearly double production of its iPhone in the fourth quarter, TheStreet.com reported, citing people familiar with the company. The report said that Apple now plans to produce 2.7 million iPhones in the quarter, nearly double the 1.5 million previously expected. In related news, Apple announced that Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile will be the official iPhone carrier in Germany. The 8GB iPhone will cost about $557 when it goes on sale there on Nov. 9. German iPhone owners will also be able to browse and purchase music from the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store; T-Mobile operates 8,600 Wi-Fi HotSpots in Germany.
http://www.thestreet.com/_dm/video/index.html?clipId=1373_10380229&channel=Market+Strategy&cm_ven=&cm_cat=&cm_ite= http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2007/09/19iphone

NetScout to Acquire San Jose-Based Network General for $205 Million

San Jose, Calif. -- NetScout Systems, a Massachusetts-based provider of network and service assurance systems, said on Thursday that it will acquire San Jose-based Network General, a developer of technology designed to simplify IT troubleshooting and management, in a deal worth $205 million. Under the deal, NetScout will pay 6 million shares of its stock, as well as $50 million in cash and $100 million in debt. Network General employees will join NetScout, which said that the acquisition will accelerate its recently announced entry into the wireless service provider segment.  The deal is expected to be completed by early November.
http://www.netscout.com
http://www.networkgeneral.com/
http://www.netscout.com/news/07/0920.asp

Evotech to Acquire South San Francisco-Based Renovis for $151.8 Million

South San Francisco -- Evotech, a German biopharmaceutical firm, said on Wednesday that it will acquire South San Francisco-based Renovis in an all-stock deal worth about $151.8 million. Renovis develops drugs for the treatment of neurological and inflammatory diseases. Evotech said that the deal will give it three clinical candidates, a strong late stage preclinical pipeline and pro-forma cash of approximately $175 million. Once the deal is completed, Michael Kelly, currently Renovis' senior vice president of research and development, will become the president of Evotec's U.S. operations. Corey Goodman, the current president and CEO of Renovis, and John Walker, its chairman, will be appointed to Evotec's supervisory board.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070919/20070918006810.html?.v=1
http://www.renovis.com/

Palo Alto-Based Intalio Raises New Round of Funding

Palo Alto, Calif. -- Intalio, a Palo Alto-based developer of open source business process software, said on Wednesday that it has raised an undisclosed amount in a new round of funding, led by Partech International. Previous investors 3i, Cargill Ventures, Sippl MacDonald Ventures, Woodside Fund and XML Fund also participated. The company said that it will use the funds to finance for its next phase of growth, extending its network of more than 75 reselling partners and deploying a global telesales organization with offices in North America, Europe and Asia. Intalio said that it has expanded its client roster from 12 to more than 200 over the past 18 months.
http://www.intalio.com/news/press-release/?release=20070920-Partech
http://www.intalio.com/

Santa Clara-Based PlaySpan Raises $6.5 Million in First Round

Santa Clara, Calif. -- PlaySpan, a Santa Clara-based provider of in-game commerce applications for publishers, formerly known as Tradeits, said on Wednesday that it has raised $6.5 million in its first round of venture capital financing, led by Easton Capital. Menlo Ventures, STIC and Novel TMT Ventures also participated. PlaySpan has developed in-game search, commerce and micropayment technologies that game publishers can use to increase their revenues. The company has not yet launched its platform, but has so far signed up seven multiplayer game publishers, PaidContent reported.
http://www.playspan.com 
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070919/20070919005346.html?.v=2

Apple iPhone to Launch in U.K. With O2, Carphone Warehouse

Cupertino, Calif. -- Cupertino-based Apple said that wireless carrier O2, a unit of Spain's Telefonica, will be the exclusive U.K. carrier of the iPhone when it launches there on Nov. 9. In addition, the company said that the iPhone will be available exclusively from retailer Carphone Warehouse's web site and retail locations, as well as O2 stores and its own retail and online stores. Only the 8GB model will be offered in the U.K., where it will cost about $540. Customers will have to sign up for an 18-month contract with O2, with monthly charges ranging from about $70-$110. Apple did not announce other European iPhone partners, although the company is expected to partner with T-Mobile in Germany and Orange in France.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070918/aqtu135.html?.v=15 
http://www.o2.co.uk/

Facebook Backers Launch $10M Fund for Application Developers

Palo Alto, Calif. -- Facebook, the Palo Alto-based online social network, said that several of its investors have created a $10 million "fbFund," which will be used to provide grants to Facebook application developers. Venture capital firms Accel Capital and The Founders Fund will provide grants of between $25,000 and $250,000 to developers. The firms will not require an equity stake in return, and developers are free to seek other outside venture financing. Since launching its application platform in May, Facebook said that hundreds of companies and groups have created more than 4,000 applications for Facebook users, many of which can also be migrated to other sites.
http://www.facebook.com/press/releases.php?p=1319
http://www.facebook.com 

Mountain View-Based Google Launches AdSense for Mobile

Mountain View, Calif. -- Mountain View-based Google has announced the launch of a version of its contextual ad service, AdSense, for mobile phones. AdSense for Mobile will initially be available in the U.S., U.K., France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Ireland, Russia, Netherlands, India, China and Japan. The service will let publishers who have created web sites specifically for mobile browsers automatically add contextual ads to their sites, and earn money when users click on the ads.
http://www.google.com/intl/en/press/annc/20070917_mobileads.html
http://adsense.blogspot.com   

Funds Focused on Emerging Markets Raise $21.5M in First Half of '07

Washington, DC -- One hundred seven private equity funds focused on investing in the emerging markets of Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa raised $21.5 billion during the first half of this year, compared with $33.2 billion in all of 2006, according to a new report by the Emerging Markets Private Equity Association (EMPEA). "The pace of fundraising in the first six months of this year is evidence that investor interest in these markets is still growing," said Sarah Alexander, president of the EMPEA. "A number of funds held significant closes later in the summer, and several large funds are expected to close by year's end." The organization estimates that at least an additional $7.7 billion was raised in July and August, bringing the yearly total to more than $28 billion.
http://www.empea.net 
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070919/20070918006736.html?.v=1   

Cupertino-Based Ecrio Raises $24 Million in Third Round

Cupertino, Calif. -- Ecrio, a Cupertino-based developer of real-time communications and commerce software for mobile phones, said that it has raised more than $24 million in its third round of funding. New investors CSK, JAIC, Nomura Securities, Aplix, NTT DoCoMo and Visa joined previous investor Noventi/CIR Ventures in the round. Ecrio supplies its software to phone manufacturers and mobile operators, enabling such services as instant messaging, Voice-over-IP, push to talk and mobile barcode redemption. Clients include ASUSTeK, NEC, NTT DoCoMo and Panasonic.
http://www.ecrio.com/news/2007/ecrio_press_091807.html
http://www.ecrio.com/

San Mateo-Based BlueRoads Raises $9 Million in New Funding Round

San Mateo, Calif. -- BlueRoads, a San Mateo-based developer of software designed to help clients with complex, multi-dimensional channels market and sell more effectively, said that it has secured $9 million in a new round of venture capital funding. The company, whose investors include ArrowPath Venture Capital, Cardinal Venture Capital, El Dorado Ventures and The Halo Fund, said that it will use the proceeds to extend its reach to a larger audience of companies that sell through indirect channels. BlueRoads' clients include Avaya, Polycom and Juniper.
http://www.blueroads.com
http://www.blueroads.com/news/pr_0917_07.html

Sunnyvale-Based Yahoo to Acquire San Mateo-Based Zimbra for $350 Million

Sunnyvale, Calif. -- Sunnyvale-based Yahoo said that it will pay $350 million to acquire San Mateo-based Zimbra, a developer of email and collaboration software. Yahoo said that the deal will allow its to extend its core email offerings by allowing clients to host email, on or off premises, with their own domain. Following the acquisition, Zimbra will become a subsidiary of Yahoo, with Satish Dharmaraj continuing to lead the company from Yahoo's Sunnyvale headquarters. The deal is expected to close by year's end.
http://www.zimbra.com
http://yhoo.client.shareholder.com/press/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=264388

San Jose-Based Cisco to Acquire Wireless Technology Firm Cognio

San Jose, Calif. -- Cisco, the San Jose-based network equipment giant, said on Tuesday that it will pay an undisclosed sum to acquire Maryland-based Cognio, a developer of wireless spectrum analysis and management technologies for wireless networks. Cognio's spectrum technology is designed to enhance the performance and security of wireless networks by weeding out sources of radio frequency (RF) interference. Cisco said that the acquisition will expand its offerings in unified wireless networking. Upon the close of the deal, expected by the end of October, Cisco said that it plans to integrate Cognio into its Wireless Networking Business Unit.
http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/2007/corp_091807.html?CMP=ILC-001 
http://www.cognio.com/