Led · Debt Financing · Apr 2013

mBlox is the largest global provider of application-to-person (A2P) mobile messaging and is described as the industry’s most experienced Tier One SMS aggregator. The company specializes in large-scale mobile messaging programs and carries mission-critical traffic for customers. It positions itself as providing reliable, uncompromising connections that help clients create positive brand experiences and build loyal customers. mBlox said it will be aggressive in making strategic investments to reaffirm its leadership position and drive the industry forward. To fund continued growth of its global business, the company completed a $43.5 million capital raise. Armentum Partners advised mBlox during this round of financing. mBlox is a Sunnyvale, CA-based mobile messaging company providing mobile engagement solutions to help brands, agencies and enterprises create connections with customers on mobile devices. Its network reaches more than 800 mobile operators worldwide and enables businesses to reach 6 billion devices. The company raised a $14M venture loan from NXT Capital Finance to fund strategic growth initiatives. mBlox said it intends to use the proceeds for growth and is hiring. Leadership includes CEO Tom Cotney and CTO Jonas Lindeborg. Its venture capital investors include Norwest Venture Partners, Scale Ventures, Novus, Trident, Avanti and new partner EDBI. mBlox operates a global mobile transaction network that accelerates mobile payments and enables rich mobile interaction and communication between brands and consumers. The company manages a network spanning more than 180 countries with over 650 mobile operator connections. In 2010 mBlox performed 4.4 billion mobile transactions, demonstrating significant scale of operations. Founded in 1999, the company positions itself as the world’s largest mobile transaction network. mBlox plans to use new funding to enhance geographic coverage through acquisitions and by establishing new territories, with a particular focus on the Asia‑Pacific region. The firm intends to leverage Singapore as an Asian hub and to develop new capabilities and services for international markets.

Led · Debt Financing · Mar 2013

Vantrix develops software platforms that optimize video and message traffic for carriers, ISPs and enterprises, enabling dynamic adjustment of video to meet network constraints while maintaining end-user quality. Its solutions combine bandwidth optimization, deep network traffic intelligence, and granular policy enforcement to reduce congestion from video, web content, and internet audio. Vantrix positions its technology to help operators monetize growing video traffic and balance user experience with cost-effective network usage. The company reports deployments to more than one billion subscribers across 75+ mobile networks on five continents. Vantrix will use growth capital from the financing to fund strategic growth initiatives and pursue near-term profitability goals. The company is backed by investors including Summerhill Venture Partners, Tudor Growth Equity, BDC Capital and JK&B Capital. Vantrix provides policy-controlled content optimization and delivery solutions for mobile network operators, focused on video and image transcoding, network and messaging optimization, and content traffic intelligence. Its flagship offering, Vantrix Bandwidth Optimizer, delivers configurable control and traffic insight to address congestion, quality of experience, cost savings, and revenue growth. The company says its solutions are configurable, scalable, and were developed to address video challenges beyond first-generation mobile optimization platforms. Vantrix reports deployments in over 75 networks, serving over 1 billion subscribers worldwide, and lists customers including Bell Canada, Sprint, Orange, Telefonica and T-Mobile. The company is headquartered in Montreal with offices in the United States and London. It plans to use proceeds from the recent funding to meet demand from its growing global presence in network optimization and content delivery. Vantrix Corporation is a Montreal-based provider of mobile video optimization and delivery solutions. Led by President and CEO Allan Benchetrit, the company's technology is designed to ensure content is delivered cost-effectively and with the best possible user experience across services, devices, and networks. Its solutions are deployed in over 70 networks and customers include Sprint, Orange, Telefonica, T-Mobile, TeliaSonera, MTS, Etisalat, Saudi Telecom Company and Tata Telecom. Vantrix has offices in London, Hong Kong, and Dubai. Financially, the company received a $3M venture debt financing from Wellington Financial LP. The proceeds are intended to help the company expand into new markets worldwide. Vantrix provides mobile video optimization and delivery solutions for streaming, browsing and messaging through its Mediadvance platform. The platform is currently used by major carriers including Sprint, Orange, Telefonica, T-Mobile, TeliaSonera, MTS, Etisalat, Saudi Telecom Company and Tata Telecom. The company completed a US$14m Series C financing to support its expansion strategies. The round was led by Tudor Ventures with participation from existing investors. In conjunction with the funding, Dan MacKeigan of Tudor Ventures joined Vantrix’s board. Vantrix is based in Montreal and also operates offices in London, Hong Kong and Dubai. Vantrix offers a mobile-focused rich media delivery platform and delivery tools that allow video to be easily viewed on cellphones. The platform helps content providers and carriers overcome device, screen size, codec, content format, media player and network fragmentation. Vantrix positions itself as an online platform delivery specialist for rich media on mobile. The company emphasizes removing technical barriers so carriers and providers can deliver ubiquitous and compelling new mobile services. Vantrix plans to use recent funding to expand operations globally and to invest in infrastructure and R&D to support its growing customer base. The company announced a $12 million Series B financing led by JK&B Capital as part of its current financial update.

Led · Debt Financing · Jul 2012

SkyCross designs and manufactures high-performance antenna solutions for a variety of wireless devices, including mobile phones, personal entertainment and computing products. The company is led by CEO Ben Naskar and is based in Fremont, California. SkyCross received a $3.5M subordinated venture loan from NXT Capital. The company intends to use the proceeds to support its global growth efforts. SkyCross is backed by TL Ventures, Investor Growth Capital, Intel Capital, Gabriel Venture Partners and DOCOMO Capital. No operating metrics were disclosed in the article. SkyCross develops and manufactures high-performance 4G MIMO antenna and RF system solutions for smartphones, tablets, multiband USB modems, home entertainment, and computing devices. The company bundles antenna technology with RF system-level expertise and provides regional support from design centers in the United States, South Korea, China, and Taiwan. SkyCross emphasizes creative 3D design and manufacturing techniques to meet growing device requirements for multiple antennas and MIMO functionality. The company announced an $11 million first tranche of a Series E to support rapidly increasing business in Asia and the United States and to accelerate rollout of 4G/LTE in consumer electronics. DOCOMO Capital joined as a new strategic investor alongside existing backers, and proceeds are intended to fund operational milestones and expansion.

Led · Debt Financing · Jun 2012

Cayenne Medical is a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based maker of medical devices used in knee and shoulder reconstruction surgeries. Its Quattro GL suture anchor received FDA 510(k) clearance in August 2013. According to a regulatory filing, the company is nearing a $6 million fundraising goal and is $1 million short of that target. Nine unnamed investors have contributed a collective $5 million through an equity and options sale, per the filing. The filing does not name the investors or provide additional financial details. No revenue, user metrics, past rounds, or founding year are disclosed in the article. Cayenne Medical is a privately held medical device company based in Scottsdale, Arizona, founded in 2005. The company develops soft-tissue reconstruction products for knee ligament reconstruction and meniscal repair, including the AperFix II, CrossFix II and iFix systems, and recently launched the Quattro Shoulder System for rotator cuff and labral repairs. Cayenne focuses on applying advanced technology through minimally invasive techniques to transform traditional soft tissue repair procedures. The company is backed by Split Rock Partners, Investor Growth Capital, Fletcher Spaght Ventures and Memphis Biomed Ventures. Management said it recently completed an equity financing and sought additional debt to provide capacity to invest in sales and marketing and fund working capital. The new financing is intended to strengthen the balance sheet and support commercialization and growth of its product portfolio. Cayenne Medical is a private sports medicine device company based in Scottsdale, Arizona, founded in 2005 and led by President and CEO David Springer. It develops and markets systems for knee ligament reconstruction and meniscal repair, including the AperFix II System, the CrossFix II System and the iFix System. The company is launching the Quattro Shoulder System for rotator cuff and labral repairs. Cayenne recently closed a $10M equity financing to support growth. Proceeds will be used to enhance sales and distribution and to expand its portfolio of sports medicine orthopedic solutions. Investors in the round include new investor Fletcher Spaght Ventures alongside existing backers Split Rock Partners, MB Venture Partners and Investor Growth Capital.

Led · Debt Financing · Jun 2012

GreatCall Inc. is a San Diego, CA-based developer of health and wellness wireless services focused on the mature population. The company provides cell phone handsets and apps, including The 5Star™ and The Jitterbug™, sold nationwide at retailers such as Wal‑Mart, Best Buy, Sears, Meijer, Radio Shack Dealer Franchise, Fry’s Electronics and ShopKo. Its services provide coverage across the U.S. and Canada. GreatCall is backed by Charles River Ventures, Court Square Ventures, Nauta Capital, Steelpoint Capital Partners and Sumitomo. The company received a $7m subordinated venture loan from NXT Capital Venture Finance. It intends to use the additional capital to expand its portfolio of services for consumers. GreatCall builds the Jitterbug phone as a counterpoint to feature-rich smartphones, targeting users who primarily want to make voice calls. The device features large, easy-to-see keys, a backlit display with large dialing numbers, powerful speakers for loud volume, and 24-hour operators who can dial calls and add contacts. Service for the phone starts at $10 a month, and coverage is available in the U.S. and Canada. Jitterbug is sold through retailers including Best Buy, Sears, select CVS locations, Beltone Hearing Centers, and wireless retailers nationwide. The company launched the phone in 2006 and is led by founders Marty Cooper and Arlene Harris, both noted figures in wireless history.