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Follow the Money
News on capital raises, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and grant funding across Dallas-Fort Worth. From early-stage funding to public exits, here’s a look at deals making business news in the region.
GameSquare CEO Justin Kenna [Photo: GameSquare]
Jerry Jones- and John Goff-Backed GameSquare Esports Merges With Streaming Platform
by David Seeley | Dec 13, 2022
Toronto-based GameSquare announced a merger agreement last week with Engine Gaming & Media, a data-driven gaming, media, and influencer marketing platform company. The all-stock deal could give the combined company "an audience and reach as large as any gaming and esports company currently in the market," management said.
Jerry Jones and John Goff will continue to be the largest investors of the combined entity, with the Jones family and Goff Capital holding "significant" board representation.
by Lance Murray |
Dec 9, 2022
Dallas-based global tax services and software provider Ryan has acquired Kane, McKenna, and Associates Inc., a specialized consulting firm focused on delivering economic development solutions and providing municipal financing strategies for development projects.
Ryan said that the strategic acquisition will further strengthen its expertise in tax increment financing and expand the service offerings in the Firm’s Credits and Incentives practice....
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by Lance Murray |
Dec 8, 2022
Southlake-based Renibus Therapeutics—a clinical-stage biotech company developing innovative products for cardiorenal diseases—has received $33 million in bridge financing to help it advance three drugs in its pipeline. The drugs are currently in various phases of trials.
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by Lance Murray |
Dec 7, 2022
As the demand for renewable energy solutions continues to increase, Dallas-based Hover Energy is proactively positioning itself in the market. With its strategic acquisition of Shine Development Partners—a firm with decades of experience financing solar and battery storage projects—Hover plans to expand on its patented wind-powered microgrid technology ahead of scale production rollouts.
CEO Chris Griffin notes that this move enables them to manage growth effectively by providing "depth of value and expertise" around worldwide Microgrid development initiatives.
CEO Chris Griffin notes that this move enables them to manage growth effectively by providing "depth of value and expertise" around worldwide Microgrid development initiatives.
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Photo: NRD Capital Management, LLC
Fort Worth-Founded Fuzzy’s Taco Shop Chain Acquired for $80M
by David Seeley | Dec 5, 2022
Dine Brands Global—the parent company of IHOP and Applebee's Grill + Bar—acquired the fast casual Fuzzy's Taco Shop chain, which serves Baja-style Mexican cuisine in "a fun, energetic atmosphere." Since the first Fuzzy's was founded in 2003 near TCU, the chain has grown to 138 locations in 18 states.
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by Lance Murray |
Dec 1, 2022
Stellar's platform leverages AI and machine learning to reimagine home maintenance. The startup partners with property managers and contractors to take care of homes and people—with a "mission of delivering hassle-free maintenance done right."
"We have caught lightning in a bottle," Founder and CEO Dustin Marx said of the new raise.
"We have caught lightning in a bottle," Founder and CEO Dustin Marx said of the new raise.
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by David Seeley |
Dec 1, 2022
Cogwear's headband directly measures a user's engagement, emotion, and memory straight from the brain, GlassVIew says. The company plans to use 5,000 of the devices to test digital ad content, using the feedback to help customers fine-tune their ads.
"From now on, emotion will be the most important metric in advertising.," says GlassView's founder and CEO. "With neuro-data we can shape campaigns and truly connect with people at scale."
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by Quincy Preston |
Nov 30, 2022
“Mastercard has an interest in the future of commerce, specifically at the intersection of "Creator Economy" and "Fintech" and that’s where XR Sports lives,” said XR Sports founder and CEO Kedreon Cole.
XR Sports is one of five startups added to the fintech giant's program.
XR Sports is one of five startups added to the fintech giant's program.
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[Photo: IgorBukhlin/iStockphoto]
Ever.Ag Adds Dalex To Its Portfolio of AgTech Companies
by Lance Murray | Nov 30, 2022
Frisco-based AgTech provider Ever.Ag announced that Dalex, a pioneer in animal nutrition technology, has joined its portfolio, expanding the company’s range of on-farm offerings for livestock and dairy producers.
“Most livestock producers spend more on feed than on anything else, so we are proud to expand our on-farm solutions with industry-leading technology that allows them to maximize efficiency,” Ever.Ag...
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by Lance Murray |
Nov 29, 2022
IT services and consulting company Cognizant announced it has agreed to buy AustinCSI, a Dallas-based digital transformation consultancy specializing in enterprise cloud and data analytics advisory services....
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by Lance Murray |
Nov 28, 2022
Liteye develops, integrates, and manufactures Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems that neutralize hostile drone threats. The acquisition follows Highlander's forming of High Point Aerotechnologies, which focuses on the rapidly evolving C-UAS and UAS industries.
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by Lance Murray |
Nov 28, 2022
Six members of the North Texas Angel Network invested in Gardenuity via AngelList, an investment platform that allows individual NTAN members to invest as a single entity in startups.
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Island Co-founder & CEO Mike Fey [Source images: Island; MKJ Photography/Island]
Dallas-Based Island Extends Series B Funding With $60M Investment for Its Desktop Disruptor—a Browser Built for Enterprise
by Lance Murray | Nov 14, 2022
Island, a Dallas-based unicorn that emerged from stealth last February, was valued at $1.3 billion in March. It continues to attract big investments for its Enterprise Browser, which protects companies' SaaS tools and internal web apps from data leaks with a long list of security features.
"Being able to further validate our valuation, even with the headwinds facing the broader market, is an honor,” Island CEO and co-founder Mike Fey said.
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by Lance Murray |
Nov 14, 2022
SMU researchers aim to help address problems in the broad area of computational mathematics for sustainability—such as the management of the energy grid under intermittent renewable power. The research is aimed at developing new algorithms for materials design, bioengineering, and power grid applications.
Researchers will use SMU's high-performance computing system—enhanced with an NVIDIA DGX SuperPODTM—as well as the supercomputing resources at Argonne National Laboratory.
Researchers will use SMU's high-performance computing system—enhanced with an NVIDIA DGX SuperPODTM—as well as the supercomputing resources at Argonne National Laboratory.
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‘It’s a Different World Out There’: Investors Share Their Insights on the Changing Funding Landscape
by Kevin Cummings |
Nov 14, 2022
At the recent Venture Dallas conference, a panel of leading investors talked market trends and shared insights to help those on both sides of the cap table. Here are key takeaways—from tips for fundraising founders to what startups need to offer to what makes Dallas an exciting place to invest.
“As an entrepreneur, just hustle. Don't take ‘No’ for an answer. You're going to get a lot of ‘No’s,’ so just keep at it," said Pialy Aditya, chief strategy officer at Republic.
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by Dallas Innovates | Staff Report |
Nov 10, 2022
Glorious started out by making mousepads after finding most gaming equipment to be low-quality and high-cost. Its product lineup now includes ultra-lightweight gaming mice, custom keyboards, and other accessories. Now, with its first strategic growth investment, it plans to continue building its gaming peripherals, grow into adjacent product categories, and grow its geographic footprint.
As a result of the deal, Glorious’ founder and CEO, Shazim Mohammad, will move to a "significant" equity holder role as Glorious' chief visionary. New CEO Pat Wachendorf comes from a previous COO post at a Danish gaming peripherals company that sold for $1.25B this year.
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