As a founder equity tends to be one of the most cherished assets at your startup.  I’ve now been involved in a healthy volume of equity related startup equations (~10), I’ve participated in some and passed on others (I’m passing more these days).  My perspective is not from a VC funding perspective – but from the very early stage (pre-funded and angel funded) – the phase that matters most to founders because it can cause so many problems at times when you don’t need to be slowed down (IMHO).  For many of us, it is ONE of the drivers of entrepreneurship – to own our businesses and have a shot at real wealth creation (wealth is different than rich – you can get rich in corporate America). 

Have you noticed how some entrepreneurs look at getting funding as the ultimate sign of success? Not only is funding not the finish line, but the mistakes you make when you get investors can cost you when you finally do get to the finish line and are ready to sell your company. Brandon has done stints as an operator at all stages of the funding cycle, and at Soros Private Equity, investing over $70M in technology deals. Brandon Watson came to Mixergy to talk about how he raised money for his startup, how he grew it, and why he had to sell it. The two most powerful

Los Angeles-based SolarReserve, a developer of utility scale renewable energy solar power plants, has scored an investment from Argonaut Private Equity. SolarReserve recently raised $140M in a funding round from Citi, Credit Suisse, Good Energies, Nimes Capital, PCG Clean Energy & Technology Fund, and US Renewables Grou Argonaut said Thursday it is expanding its stake in SolarReserve, but did not detail the amount of the additional investment in the firm. SolarReserve is developing thermal solar energy plants based on molten salt and heliostats.

Los Angeles-based private equity firm Vicente Capital Partners announced today that the firm has held a final close on its Growth Equity Fund, bringing the total commitment to the fund to $165M. Vicente Capital had announced the new funding in October with $150M in commitments. Tags: vicente partners venture funding capita The firm said that new capital commitments came from Credit Suisse and the State of Connecticut. In addition to the final close, the firm also said it has made an investment in South Carolina-based MedBridge,a provider of sleep diagnostic

In the second post I argued that as of September 2009 the pace of VC investments has increased rapidly (at least for software / Internet investments – the only sector on which I’m competent to comment), but only for those remaining VCs who have new enough funds and aren’t plagued by “the triage problem.” Consumer spending is 70% of the economy and will continue to be stretched – We can look all we want at tech innovation, VC funding cycles and hot M&A deals, but ultimately growth and therefore investment must be underpinned by revenue.  In the first post in this three part series I described why I believe the VC market froze between September 2008 – April 2009 .  In

Los Angeles-based venture fund Craton Equity Partners announced today that it has led an investment in Sacramento-based Propel Fuels , a retailer of alternative fuels for motor vehicles. Propel raised $12M in equity and $8M in debt in its funding round, which it says will go to expand its network of stations in California. ...Tags: Tags: craton equity partners Propel runs a number of alternative fueling stations in both Seattle and Sacramento selling biofuels and E85 ethanol. Craton said it invested $8M in Propel, alongside Nth Power and @Ventures.

Los Angeles-based Vicente Capital Partners said Wednesday that the investment fund has raised $150M for the firm's Growth Equity Fund. The firm said its new fund will invest between $5M and $15M in equity in expansion capital or buyout deals, to companies who have $2M to $25M in revenues and up to $5M in EBITDA. Limited partners in the new fund include CalPERS, Fairview Capital, JP Morgan Asset Mgmt. & Affiliates, LACERS, LA Fire and Police Pensions, New Mexico ERB, New Mexico State Investment Council, New York Common and Teachers' Retirement System (IL). The

San Diego-based Tioga Pharmaceuticals said today that it has raised $18M in a new equity funding. The funding came from Forward Ventures, New Leaf Venture Partners, BB Biotech Ventures, and Genesys Capital Partners. According to Tioga, the new funding will go to fund a Phase 3 trial of its compound for treating irritable bowel syndrome. Tioga said it is expecting to kick off trials at 120 sites in the Untied States next month. READ MORE>> ...Tags:

Tags: stratacare venture capital software workers comp compensation private equit Irvine-based StrataCare , a provider of Internet-based software for managing worker's compensation payments, announced this morning that an investment group has acquired an ownership stake in the firm. According to StrataCare, the group, led by Paul Glover, is backed by SV Life Sciences Advisors LLp and Beecken Petty O'Keefe & Company.

Los Angeles-based Hello Music , a new startup looking to help identify musicians and help them distribute their music, said Friday that it has raised $4M in a private equity funding. The funding came from KVG Partners. Tags: hello music distribution musician private equity venture capital fundin According to the firm, the company was founded by Zack Zalon and Brendon Cassidy. Zalon was co-founder and managing partner of Wilshire Media Group, and also previously was at Virgin Digital and Farmclub.com.