Daily Deal Activity 05/03/13

Digital Media/Commerce

classifieds/auctions/p-to-p

Denmark-based Mascus, an electronic marketplace for trucks, heavy machinery, and equipment, is being acquired by Vortex Capital Partners, a Dutch based venture and expansion capital firm focused on technology companies. The company is being sold by Finland-based publishing and digital services businesses Alma Media (HLSE:ALN1V), for $14.5 million, or 2.2x revenue for 2012.

social media/apps, niche content

Tunigo, an app that curates playlists and suggests them to users based on genre, theme, and mood, was acquired by music streaming and discovery platform operator Spotify. Terms were not disclosed.

Digital Advertising

local search

Vimbly, which operates a site that helps people discover and book acticities where they live or travel, has raised $0.54 million in seed funding from individual angel investors. Vimbly launched its site in 2012, and currently employs 10 full time in New York.

vertical search

CruiseWise, an online cruise-booking company, has been acquired by TripAdvisor (NasdaqGS:TRIP) subsidiary Cruise Critic, which operates an interactive community where users can plan, research, and sharing their cruises. Terms were not disclosed. New Enterprise Associates and PROfounders Capital include CruiseWise as a portfolio company.

Marketing Technology

analytics/reporting, online targeting/optimization

Metric Science, an online advertising analytics and optimization company, has been acquired for an undisclosed amount by OnScroll, a leader in ad viewability and responsive advertising. Metric Science’s optimization technology offers both advertising buyers and sellers more insight into their online media performance.

commerce management

NimbleCommerce, which offers a white-label local commerce platform that enables publishers and media companies to offer their branded local commerce/group-buying service, is merging with Group Commerce, the venture-backed provider of an eCommerce platform for publishers. Founded in 2010, Group Commerce had raised approximately $40 million from investors including Carmel Ventures, Jafco Ventures, Lerer Ventures, and Spark Capital. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

content management, analytics/reporting

LinkSmart, which offers tools to help publishers grow audiences through in-text links, has raised  $5 million in Series B funding led by Foundry Group and Costanoa Venture Partners. There are three main aspects to its technology: analytics, to show publishers which pages could use more links and which they should link to; management tools to redirect links; and even technology to automatically add links to stories if publishers choose to use it.

crm

Doorsteps, which operates a website that provides tools and resources to consumers looking to purchase a house, was acquired by Move (NasdaqGS:MOVE), a company operating an online network of Websites for real estate search, finance, and moving and home enthusiasts. The company’s tool enhances the relationship between buyers, agents, lenders, and service providers by helping consumers decide whether to buy and how to prepare for the purchase.

sfa/lead management

Marketing technology company ContactUs.com has completed its seed financing, led by PeopleFund and ContactUs.com founders Brad Seiler and Howard Yeh. Founded in November, ContactUs.com operates a suite of online marketing tools for small businesses to create contact forms and lead-management technology for their website and wherever they have a Web presence.

Traditional media

cable & satellite television

AS Starman, which operates as a cable television network based telecommunication company in Estonia, was acquired by Sweden-based investment firm East Capital Explorer (OM:ECEX). AS Starman sold a 75 percent stake for $38 million, giving the company an enterprise value of $50.7 million and valuation of 1.4x and 3.0x EBITDA.

Software

software development tools

GemTalk Systems has acquired the VMware GemStone/S Platform for developing, deploying, and managing enterprise applications. The GemStone/S technologies, which VMware acquired in May 2010, and team will form a new company, GemTalk Systems. Terms were not disclosed.

Information & Business Services

it consulting/systems integration

TriTek Solutions, an IBM-focused enterprise content management and business process management consulting firm, has been acquired by Perficient, an information technology consulting firm. TriTek recorded revenues of $19 million in 2012. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

it consulting/systems integration

Surf Investments, (dba CPU), a company offering full life-cycle mobile computing services, is being acquired by E-Waste Systems (OTCPK:EWSI), which provides waste electric and electronic equipment processing services. The company was sold for an undisclosed amount by Murex Investments.

financial information, market research

JRDS, a provider of U.K.-listed company data and specialist research services, was acquired by Dealogic, which develops communications and analytical products for the investment banking industry.

staffing

Augmentum Consulting, an executive search firm based in the U.K., has been acquired by CTPartners Executive Search (AMEX:CTP), which provides retained executive search services worldwide. The combination of the two firms will provide a strong competitive advantage and enhanced opportunities in the U.K. market and globally. Terms were not disclosed.

staffing

Locum Leaders, a staffing company serving healthcare systems and physician practice management organizations throughout the US, is being acquired by OGH, a provider of workforce solutions for the healthcare and technology sectors. OGH is backed by Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe. Terms were not disclosed.