It was a light week for deals in the Northwest, but there were still some big investments in online advertising and social business software. (Not to mention we’re all trying to confirm the rumors of an Ontela acquisition of Photobucket.)
—Venture capital stats for the quarter ending Sept. 30 were released from multiple sources in the past couple of weeks. The latest report, from MoneyTree / PricewaterhouseCoopers / National Venture Capital Association / Thomson Reuters, says $242 million was invested in 30 Northwest companies. That marks a bit of a recovery for the region, as Seattle-area investors Andy Dale (Buerk Dale Victor), Thomas Hodge (Frazier Technology and Healthcare Ventures), and Scott Jacobson (Madrona Venture Group) told me about on Monday.
—Portland, OR-based Jive Software raised $12 million in Series B funding from the Silicon Valley venture firm Sequoia Capital. Sequoia had previously invested $15 million in Jive back in 2007. Jive Software makes social business software that helps companies and employees collaborate more effectively using social networks, as well as monitor and interact with online communities.
—Bellevue, WA-based AudienceScience confirmed it has raised $20 million from existing investors Mayfield Fund, Mohr Davidow Ventures, Integral Capital Partners, and Meritech Capital Partners. AudienceScience (formerly Revenue Science) makes software for targeted online advertising. Luke broke the funding news last week based on a regulatory filing.
—Bellevue, WA-based Visible Technologies, a maker of software that helps companies monitor social media and manage their reputations online, formed a strategic partnership with In-Q-Tel, the investment firm run by the CIA. Financial details weren’t announced, but the deal includes a technology development agreement. Last week, Visible Technologies said it had raised $2 million more from existing investors, bringing the company’s total funding to $23.5 million.
