Participated · Series C · Jul 2021

Virsec provides the Virsec Security Platform (VSP), which stops sophisticated attacks at their first point of insurgence and prevents adversaries from gaining dwell time in software. The platform delivers in-depth visibility across entire workloads and detects and blocks known and unknown threats that can evade heuristic and endpoint solutions. VSP maps the expected performance of each application on a workload, protects the memory applications use to execute, and ensures application components are correct and unmodified before execution; deviations are treated as threats. Led by CEO Dave Furneaux, the company intends to use newly raised funds to expand operations and its business reach. The raise brought the company’s total funding to $137M. Virsec has developed a technology platform that protects critical applications from the inside, safeguarding processes in memory and pinpointing attacks in real time. Its patented Trusted Execution™ technology maps acceptable application execution and instantly detects deviations caused by attacks. The solution has been deployed and gone through extensive validation with early-adopter customers in critical infrastructure, defense, financial services, and healthcare. The company holds a portfolio of patents with more than 20 applications filed and 12 already granted. Virsec is led by CEO Atiq Raza. It plans to use the new funding to accelerate product innovation and global expansion.

Participated · Equity · Oct 2019

PeerNova, Inc. is a San Jose, Calif.-based enterprise software company founded in 2013 that provides the Cuneiform Platform to financial institutions. The Cuneiform Platform perpetually synchronizes data across multiple internal and external systems to guarantee data and process integrity. This perpetual synchronization simplifies reconciliation, automates exception processing, and provides end-to-end operational visibility across workflows in real time. The company is led by President and CEO Gangesh Ganesan and has sales offices in New York and London. PeerNova raised $31M in growth funding, bringing total fundraising to $74M. It will use the financing to increase market penetration and extend the functionality and use cases of its Cuneiform Platform. PeerNova is a San Jose, California-based developer of distributed trust systems built on blockchain technologies. Led by President and CEO Dr. Naveed Sherwani, the company focuses on enterprise products for data security and financial applications. PeerNova intends to use the proceeds to accelerate development of two core enterprise products and to build product and business development teams. The company completed the second tranche of its Series A financing with online retailer Overstock.com investing in the round. It had announced an $8.6M first tranche in December 2014 and has raised $19M in equity and debt financing to date. The article does not disclose the size of the second tranche or other participating investors. PeerNova develops distributed trust systems using Blockchain technologies and is led by CEO Dr. Naveed Sherwani. The company is building a SaaS platform and intends to launch multiple applications in 2015. It is working on two application categories: registry applications for decentralized storage of records or assets of value, and transmit/exchange applications to enable secure movement of digital assets. The platform is intended to handle digital assets such as currency, loyalty programs, coupons, medical records, and DNA. PeerNova is based in San Jose, California. The company plans to use recent funding to invest in R&D and to grow sales, marketing, and support to expand service delivery capabilities. PeerNova develops distributed financial applications and transaction processing technology. Led by CEO Dr. Naveed Sherwani, the company also offers advanced bitcoin mining hardware and cloud services. It is advancing peer-to-peer applications and secure platforms for the digital currency and e-commerce markets. The company raised a Pre‑Series A investment of undisclosed size from Pierre Lamond. PeerNova says it will use the funds to validate its vision and product roadmap. It plans to bring blockchain-based applications to both consumer and enterprise markets.

Participated · Equity · Aug 2012

My Damn Channel produces original comedy content for the web, distributing series both on its own site and through partner platforms. Its lineup includes series such as Wainy Days, Horrible People, and You Suck at Photoshop. The company is positioned among firms creating professionally produced content specifically for online audiences. According to a regulatory filing, it has raised $1.0M as part of an ongoing $3.0M funding round. Details on the new funding tranches and terms have not been announced. The firm has previously raised capital from Intuitive Venture Partners, Okapi Venture Capital, and Sunshine Wireless, who appear to be involved in the current round. My Damn Channel produces original, celebrity-driven web video focused on comedy and music, and partners with brands to create sponsored content. Its programming has featured Keanu Reeves, Jonah Hill, Sarah Silverman and a music series from Don Was. Corporate branding is a primary revenue driver—IKEA is the sole sponsor of the original series “Easy to Assemble,” which drew 13 million page views in its most recent season. The company is investing in marketing and social media to grow audiences and plans to roll out paid-for premium content in the fourth quarter. It launched in 2007 and operates sales and management teams in Los Angeles and New York. The site is directing resources to expand its sales personnel and add management hires following a new funding infusion. MyDamnChannel is a comedy video website launched by former MTV executive Rob Barnett. The site publishes original comedy content including parodies and pop-culture spoofs and has enlisted talent such as Andy Milonakis and Harry Shearer. Shearer contributes impersonations of President George Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney in some skits. The site aims to compete with FunnyOrDie and to take a different approach to content discovery than other large video platforms. Its stated revenue model splits advertising profits 50-50 with content owners. Okapi Venture Capital is providing funding to help get the site off the ground.

Led · Equity · Feb 2011

Dr. Sears Family Essentials is an Irvine, CA-based functional food and beverage company offering doctor-formulated, kid-approved natural snacks, beverages and supplements. Led by CEO Tom Hicks, the brand focuses on providing essential daily nutrients to help children grow healthy and strong. Its product portfolio is dedicated to children’s health and wellness and to combating childhood obesity and Nutritional Deficit Disorder. Products are sold nationwide at The Vitamin Shoppe, Whole Foods, independent natural health retailers and regional grocery chains including H-E-B, Meijer and Fred Meyer, and online at the company website. The company secured $5.6M in funding from Intuitive Venture Partners, LLC. The new capital will be used to support branding initiatives aimed at accelerating awareness for its product line.