10/6: Facebook to Build Huge Virginia Data Center; Will PayPal Get Paid…For Venmo?

Facebook to Build Huge Virginia Data Center (Telecom Ramblings)


Wall's fiber-optic hub connects the world, bets on giant data centers (Ashbury Park Press)

UPMC brings insurance plans to midstate, heightening competition (Central Penn Business Journal)

Statewide hackathon attracts hundreds of technologists from across Pennsylvania (Statescoop)

Will PayPal Get Paid…For Venmo? (Barron's Tech Trader Daily)



Google Fiber Drops Cable TV Package For New Cities
(Fortune)

Comcast launches Instant TV that will cost $68 to $100 a month after internet charges (Philly.com)








WorkWave to Be Acquired by IFS; Company Staying in New Jersey to Grow, CEO Says


WorkWave to Be Acquired by IFS; Company Staying in New Jersey to Grow, CEO Says





Esther Surden
Publisher & Editor, NJTechWeekly.com


Chris Sullens, CEO of Workwave | Esther Surden

WorkWave (Holmdel), a Software-as-a-Service cloud-based business that serves the field service, last mile delivery and logistics industries, has signed an agreement to be acquired by IFS , a global enterprise applications company. Details of the deal were not disclosed; however, a story in Reuters said that this was IFS’ biggest acquisition to date.

WorkWave will remain in New Jersey, and there will be no changes in its leadership team, location, or employee base, said president and CEO Chris Sullens in an interview.

“We are committed to New Jersey and are excited about growing in New Jersey,” Sullens said. “I think it is important to New Jersey that a tech company has grown significantly enough that a global industry leader like IFS decided that it was important to add it to their portfolio.” WorkWave plans to continue to grow, and hopes to double the size of its footprint over the next five years, he added.

The acquisition will help WorkWave accelerate its progress and create value through growth, versus creating value through consolidation, which is the object of some acquisitions, Sullens noted.

IFS develops and delivers enterprise software for customers around the world who manufacture and distribute goods, maintain assets, and manage service-focused operations in industries such as aviation, defense, energy, utilities, engineering, construction, oil and gas, and services, as well as the manufacture of automobiles and other products. Headquartered in Sweden, IFS has over 2,700 clients and 1 million users worldwide; and it maintains offices around the world.

“We actually will be a separate division within IFS,” Sullens said, adding that he will report to IFS’s CEO. IFS has an Americas division, but it only handles sales and marketing for the company’s own enterprise solutions so “they’ll maintain their headquarters and we’ll maintain ours.” The two divisions will work with each other when it makes sense, he said, noting that the products WorkWave sells and the market it serves are different from those of its new parent’s Americas division.

Sullens said that he sees several synergies with IFS. “We both feel strongly that the service industry is a very attractive vehicle to sell software. They have a large presence in the service industry software market, and the vast majority of our business is in the field service industry software market.” After the acquisition is finalized, WorkWave “will be the only company in the world that is able to solve the needs of service industry businesses, regardless of their location anywhere in the world and regardless of the complexity of the needs that they have.”

In addition, joining forces with IFS will help WorkWave expand its international footprint, Sullens said. “About 6 percent of our customers are outside of the U.S.; and for IFS, the vast majority of their enterprise customers are outside of the U.S. They have presence in more than 50 countries, with 93 offices around the world. As we expand, we will continue to focus on increasing our market share in the Americas, but as we have opportunities and customers outside of the U.S., we can leverage their brand, their infrastructure, their footprint and resources to be able to serve those customers much more cost-effectively than we could on our own.”

This was the right time to sell the company, he explained. “We were a private equity-backed business and we have grown very rapidly. I was looking to take the company to the next level. … A big part of our move to Bell Works was because we planned for significant growth and expansion in our business as well as our employee base.” In parallel, Sullens was taking strategic considerations into account.

“I was looking at our current partners from a banking perspective as well as a private equity perspective,” and asked if they would “continue to be there to support us as we continue to acquire companies, continue to invest in our team.” There were approaches that could have worked for a private equity-backed firm, but a strategic investor like IFS “had a set of resources that I felt would take us to the next level.

“Being part of an almost $500 million software business that has a great reputation and is a leader in the software space at the enterprise level allows us to become more aggressive in terms of how we invest the business.” Both businesses “come in with the same mentality. We are both software companies and we know what it takes to build product, to implement products with customers and serve our customers afterwards. There is much more alignment with someone such as IFS in terms of understanding what we need as a business to grow and them being excited about providing the funding to allow us to do that.”

IFS, he said, was excited that WorkWave is going to focus on executing the five-year plan it already has in place. With the acquisition, WorkWave can look for opportunities to accelerate that plan. At a high level, Sullens said that the company will continue to invest in PestPac, its pest-control product; expand PestPac’s footprint; and improve the experience of it pest-control customers. This is the largest field service vertical WorkWave has. The company will also expand beyond the pest-control field service vertical to cleaning and janitorial franchise businesses; and to lawn and landscaping; plumbing; and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) businesses. “We are doing that through a product we are getting ready to launch in Q4.”

The company is also developing software to expand in the last mile logistics market for companies that do package delivery, food delivery and prepared meal delivery, a growing sector. “We have some exciting initiatives going on that will really differentiate our products in this market and allow us to grow even faster."



Esther Surden is Publisher and Editor of NJTechWeekly, and a contributor to Philly Tech News. This article originally appeared in NJTechWeekly, and is republished here with her permission.



Energage Receives $15 Million in Funding to Cement Position as Market Leading Employee Engagement Platform

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Energage Receives $15 Million in Funding to Cement Position as Market Leading Employee Engagement Platform

Trusted Workplace Survey Company Gives Talent Leaders the Power to Solve Employee Engagement Through Pulse Surveys, Workplace Insights, Coaching, and Recognition




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October 04, 2017 07:30 ET | Source: Energage
photo-release

Doug Claffey, CEO of Energage
EXTON, Penn., Oct. 04, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Energage, the employee engagement platform that unlocks potential and inspires performance, today announced a $15 million round of funding. Energage also unveiled its new name and launched a new technology platform to give talent leaders the ability to measure engagement and act on workplace insights.

The new employee engagement platform from Energage, formerly WorkplaceDynamics, builds on the company’s proven, core survey capabilities used by over 7,000 organizations a year, along with its rich insights and consulting expertise.

The new round of investment and strategic guidance from NewSpring Capital, along with additional financing from Bridge Bank, will support Energage to drive continued growth, specifically by focusing on sales, marketing, and product development. Previous investors Rittenhouse Ventures, also participated in this financing.

“This round of funding validates our vision to create meaningful conversations between managers and employees that inspire people and energize organizations to achieve profound results,” said Doug Claffey, CEO of Energage. “Our technology approach to employee engagement builds on our trusted survey products, adding new features such as social recognition to allow people to appreciate and celebrate their colleagues and their work.”

“Energage understands the evolving dynamics of today’s work environment and is creating solutions to address some of the most challenging issues being faced by employers and employees alike,” said Michael DiPiano, Managing General Partner of NewSpring Capital. “We are excited to partner with the Company and look forward to working alongside the team as they create better and more productive workplaces for their clients.”

With only one in three U.S. employees engaged in the workplace, talent leaders crave a solution to attract, retain, and inspire top talent to achieve great things. For more than a decade, Energage has built an unmatched reputation in workplace surveys (annual and pulse) and culture-building expertise. Energage is the trusted survey provider behind Top Workplaces, the respected program that recognizes good employers nationally and regionally, and it partners with major newspapers such as The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, and the Chicago Tribune to provide aspiring companies with actionable employee engagement insights.

Moving to the name Energage captures the spirit of the new platform and its rapid transition from measurement to action, energizing meaningful discussions and inspiring higher performance.

“Our mission is making the world a better place to work together,” Claffey said. “With the Energage platform, companies finally have a way to turn the potential of engagement into real action.”

###

About Energage

We are a HR Technology company based in Exton, PA and formerly known as WorkplaceDynamics. The Energage platform helps realize your workplace’s full potential by combining cutting-edge AI technology, Top Workplaces insights, and personalized guidance. We combine neuroscience, organizational development, and over 14 million survey responses into clear next steps for you to develop an employee-centric approach to success.

About NewSpring

Founded in 1999, NewSpring partners with the innovators, makers, and operators of high-performing companies in dynamic industries to catalyze new growth and seize compelling opportunities. The Firm manages approximately $1.7 billion across four distinct strategies covering the spectrum from growth equity and control buyouts to mezzanine debt. When NewSpring invests, they bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and resources to take growing companies to the next level and beyond. Partnering with management teams to help develop their businesses into market leaders, NewSpring identifies opportunities and builds relationships using its network of industry leaders and influencers across a wide array of operational areas and industries. Visit NewSpring at www.newspringcapital.com.

About Bridge Bank

Bridge Bank is a division of Western Alliance Bank, Member FDIC, the go-to bank for business in its growing markets. Bridge Bank was founded in 2001 in Silicon Valley to offer a better way to bank for small-market and middle-market businesses across many industries, as well as emerging technology companies and the private equity community. Geared to serving both venture-backed and non-venture-backed companies, Bridge Bank offers a broad scope of financial solutions including growth capital, equipment and working capital credit facilities, sustainable energy project finance, venture debt, treasury management, asset-based lending, SBA and commercial real estate loans, ESOP finance and a full line of international products and services. Based in San Jose, Bridge Bank has eight offices in major markets across the country along with Western Alliance Bank’s robust national platform of specialized financial services. Western Alliance Bank is the primary subsidiary of Phoenix-based Western Alliance Bancorporation. One of the country’s top-performing banking companies, Western Alliance ranks #4 on the Forbes 2017 “Best Banks in America” list. For more information, visit bridgebank.com.

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c7edc9ba-c705-4c18-af87-8499263c6f68

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cbb32de7-414c-4840-884f-cdbf7d47516a




9/30: Former Uber CEO Names Two Directors Without Consulting Board; Universal Display Rides ‘Apple Effect’ to Top Tech Index Return

Former Uber CEO Names Two Directors Without Consulting Board (Bloomberg)
How inconsiderate of him!

Alibaba is leading a $27M investment in open source database startup MariaDB (TechCrunch)

Why Amazon should buy Twitter (Recode]




Magazine Mogul S.I. Newhouse Dies At 89 (NPR)


Universal Display Rides ‘Apple Effect’ to Top Tech Index Return (Bloomberg)


Apple's TV Strategy Becomes Clearer as Top Stars Jockey for Shows (Hollywood Reporter)

Disney, Altice Reach Agreement in Principle (Mutichannel News)


PayPal Is Finding a Profitable Niche In Other Corners of the World (Barron's Next)

The Marketing Clouds Are Growing Apart (AdExchanger)


Oracle Plans To Reinvent Data Management By Focusing On Its DMP’s Strengths (AdExchanger)

Oracle launches 18c, its autonomous database and automated cybersecurity system (ZDNet)









9/29: SoftBank's Thorny Uber Deal; eMoney Adds Advisor Marketing Tools To Financial Planning Platform




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Walmart’s Jet.com site to launch its own line of groceries (NY Post)

How Walmart turned its $3.3 billion acquisition of Jet.com into its greatest weapon against Amazon (Business Insider)


JEFFERIES: Amazon is going to dominate the toy industry this holiday season (AMZN) (Business Insider)


"a source close to the deal puts the price tag south of $75 million [on TaskRabbit's sale to Ikea]. TaskRabbit had raised around $50 million in VC funding"
Axios Pro Rata



N.J. college tweaks name of new building after infamous 'body slam' by donor (NJ.com)



SoftBank's Thorny Uber Deal
(Bloomberg)






eMoney Adds Advisor Marketing Tools To Financial Planning Platform (Wealth Management)

Roku IPO valuation doubles in fewer than two sessions (MarketWatch)


Data Center Spending Is Off The Charts This Year
(Fortune)


Resort management software company raises $420K ahead of ski season
(BusinessDen)
PA connection.




9/28: Ikea has bought TaskRabbit; A new Amazon plant stalled in the Philly suburbs




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Ikea has bought TaskRabbit (Recode)
First Round Capital was a seed funder of TaskRabbit; Ikea USA is based in Conshy, though its not purely a US acquisition.

"Last September, CEO Brown-Philpot said TaskRabbit was cash flow positive in its cities, and close to reaching profitability overall."

Behind Ikea’s purchase of Taskrabbit, Amazon looms (San Francisco Chronicle)

Ikea is buying TaskRabbit because America’s DIY spirit is dying (Quartz)


A new Amazon plant stalled in the Philly suburbs (Philly.com)
"Harrisburg, which wants to put Amazon in an ex-psychiatric hospital;"

Roku skyrockets on opening day of trading—jumps more than 50% (CNBC)

Roku IPO: Shares jump 68% as investors bet the firm can fend off Amazon, Apple and Google (LA Times)


Here are all the cities near Philly vying for Amazon's new HQ (Curbed Philly)

How David Vey’s technology investment led to a slew of financial and legal problems (Greater Baton Rouge Business Report)
Louisiana real estate guy has had big problems since investing in King of Prussia-based software firm Sedona.

USI Insurance Services Acquires Exton-based David M. Banet & Associates (Insurance Journal)



NewSpring Holdings Completes Series B Round Driving Continued Growth and Scale to Platform Companies (Press Release0

NewSpring
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NewSpring Holdings Completes Series B Round Driving Continued Growth and Scale to Platform Companies
NEWSPRING HOLDINGS

September 27, 2017

Radnor, PA – September 27, 2017 – NewSpring (“the Firm”), a family of private equity strategies providing growth and expansion capital, announced today that NewSpring Holdings LLC (“Holdings”), the Firm's dedicated buyout strategy, has completed a Series B financing round of preferred investment led by 17Capital. Proceeds from the round will go toward the strategic growth and expansion of NewSpring Holdings’ four existing platform portfolio companies and the acquisition of additional platforms.

Launched in 2013 and uniquely structured as a holding company, NewSpring Holdings was formed to execute a buy and build strategy with up to six platform investments in the tech-enabled services sector. Holdings’ capital structure enables the team to execute in a manner similar to that of a traditional private equity fund, but with a differentiated horizon model that allows for enhanced flexibility to maximize portfolio value.

Since inception, NewSpring Holdings has raised two rounds of capital with over $140 million in AUM to date and is projected to grow to over $350 million in consolidated revenue by year-end. With this latest capital raise, Holdings will continue to execute on its strategy to provide significant financial backing to accelerate continued growth and broaden the scope of its portfolio companies’ offerings.

“The NewSpring Holdings team has extensive operational experience to help support fast growing businesses in an impactful way,” commented Robert de Corainville, Partner and Head of 17Capital’s New York office. “We are pleased to partner with this dynamic team as they continue to build businesses and add value for their existing investors.”

To date, NewSpring Holdings has completed four platform and eight add-on acquisitions. Its portfolio includes Vertical Management Systems, one of the nation’s leading providers of data, financial networking, and account aggregation technology; Magna5, a nationwide provider of cloud-based communications and hybrid network solutions; USPack, a national logistics company focused on providing same-day and next-day delivery services to Fortune 500 corporations across the U.S.; and Wealthcare Capital Management, a pioneer of goals-based, wealth-management technology that provides wealth advisors with a solution to help clients clarify their goals and risk preferences.

“We look to grow our companies through organic and acquisitive means,” said Skip Maner, NewSpring Holdings Partner. “By teaming up with a great partner like 17Capital, we will be in a strong position to accelerate these growth initiatives.”

About NewSpring Holdings
NewSpring Holdings, NewSpring’s buy-and-build strategy focused on control buyouts and platform builds, brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and resources to take profitable, growing companies to the next level through acquisitions and proven organic methodologies. Founded in 1999, NewSpring partners with the innovators, makers, and operators of high-performing companies in dynamic industries to catalyze new growth and seize compelling opportunities. The Firm manages approximately $1.7 billion across four distinct strategies covering the spectrum from growth equity and control buyouts to mezzanine debt. Partnering with management teams to help develop their businesses into market leaders, NewSpring identifies opportunities and builds relationships using its network of industry leaders and influencers across a wide array of operational areas and industries. Visit NewSpring at www.newspringcapital.com.

About 17Capital
17Capital is a leading, global, private equity specialist with one focus: financing successful investors in private equity. The firm provides capital to investors in the form of preferred equity or unsecured loans, with a view to helping them build their portfolio or generate liquidity for their shareholders. It has pioneered its market and, with over 35 transactions executed and over $1 billion invested in the last 3 years, has arguably built a strong leadership position. 17Capital was formed in London in 2008 and opened an office in New York in 2016. It has raised €2 billion since inception in four successive funds in 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2017. The team of 23 professionals focuses on investment opportunities in Europe and North America from $10 million and to more than $500 million. Visit 17Capital at www.17capital.com.

NewSpring



9/27: Roku sets IPO price that values company at $1.3 billion; SoftBank Deal Is Said to Ensure Limits on Kalanick’s Power




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SALESFORCE TRIES TO GIVE PUBLISHERS' DATA NEW APPEAL TO MARKETERS (Ad Age)

Guess Who’s King of Cloud Revenue Growth? It’s Not Amazon or Microsoft (Fortune)

USAmazon! Report says that the tech giant created more jobs last year than 46 states
(GeekWire)

Amazon Who? This Fast-Growing, Teen-Focused Retailer Breaks Out (IBD)
Five Below continues to perform well.



The whole credit score model is 'ridiculous' (CNBC / Commentary)


SoftBank Deal Is Said to Ensure Limits on Kalanick’s Power (Bloomberg)


Hulu’s new deal with NBCU brings ’30 Rock’ and other shows to its on-demand service (TechCrunch)

Comcast seeks $153M damages award in patent fight with Sprint (FierceCable)
A Pennsylvania jury (in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania) didn't help Comcast out much.

Roku sets IPO price that values company at $1.3 billion (CNBC)


At this Angel Venture event, I won't be asking, 'Where are all the women?' (Philly.com)

TaskRabbit’s founder has joined a VC firm, as the company continues to explore a sale (Recode)