From startup investments and exits to grants and acquisitions, Dallas Innovates tracks what’s happening in North Texas money.
Homebuilder acquires public water resources firm focused on sustainable supply in $291M cash deal
An Arlington homebuilding giant has scooped up a public firm to help conserve water in houses across the Southwest.
D.R. Horton announced acquiring Nevada-based Vidler Water Resources, a water resources firm that focuses on sustainable water supplies, in a $291 million all-cash deal that will see Vidler leave the Nasdaq to become a separate division of D.R. Horton.
Vidler focuses on acquiring and developing water rights in states like California, Arizona, and New Mexico, converting them to municipal and industrial uses. D.R. Horton has operations in 32 states and closed on more than 81,600 homes last year through its brands, which include Emerald Homes, Express Homes, and Freedom Homes.
“Vidler owns a portfolio of premium water rights and other water-related assets in the southwestern United States in markets where D.R. Horton operates that require water for development, but face a lack of adequate supply,” D.R. Horton said. “Vidler’s highly experienced management team has a proven track record of accessing, developing, and realizing value for premium water assets while expertly navigating local regulations and working with governmental entities.”
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Photo: Traitov/iStock
Cybersecurity firm lands $215M growth investment
⟫ A Plano firm that says its mission is “delivering badass cybersecurity” services aims to accelerate its growth with a new, massive investment.
Critical Start, which focuses on managed detection and response (MDR) solutions, announced raising a more than $215 million strategic growth investment from Austin firm Vista Equity Partners at a time when it says the “threat landscape” is escalating across the globe.
With the new funding, Critical Start says it will continue its growth trajectory by investing in its tech, product, and services offerings, in addition to reaching a broader range of large and mid-sized enterprises. It also said it plans to grow its headcount. The company currently has a team of about 250, and aims to increase that by about 35%.
The last time Critical Start raised funding was 2019, when it landed a $40 million minority investment from growth equity firm Bregal Sagemont, which helped it expand into offices in Los Angeles and New York City, adding to the 14 other markets Critical Start operates in.
Illustration: HundredX
Addison startup raises Series D funding to help nonprofits raise money
⟫ An Addison-based company is on a mission to give consumer insights to brands while helping nonprofits fill their coffers.
HundredX, a data analytics firm focused on market share strategy, announced landing a Series D round that brings its total funding to more than $80 million from big-name investors, including billionaire Charles Schwab, as it looks to build out its platform.
In addition to Schwab, who’s acting as an individual investor and not as part of his role as chairman of the financial firm, the latest funding round for HundredX includes previous backer Clark Hunt, the chairman and CEO of FC Dallas and the Kansas City Chiefs. Hunt said that HundredX has helped FC Dallas youth teams raise hundreds of thousands for scholarships and equipment. HundredX also counts John Hayes, former CMO at American Express, as a previous backer.
Fort Worth biotech VC raises nearly $35.4M
⟫ Fort Worth biotech-focused venture capital firm Bios Partners reported raising nearly $35.4 million from 78 investors for a new pooled investment fund titled Bios Special Opportunity Fund, LP. The firm counts 16 companies in its portfolio, including North Texas startup Actuate Therapeutics and publicly traded firms Lantern Pharma and Taysha Gene Therapies.
Dallas nonprofit accelerator raising new $20M fund to help underrepresented founders
Benjamin Vann, founder and CEO of Impact Ventures [Photo: Impact Ventures]
⟫ Impact Ventures wants to make Dallas a hub for “underestimated” founders by providing funding that helps break down the structural barriers to raising capital for women and people of color. Using non-traditional funding routes to democratize access to capital and creating community wealth, the Dallas-based nonprofit accelerator is targeting a $20 million goal for its Dallas Inclusive Capital Fund.
With an underwriting process based on relationships and with part of its return on investment measured in things like enterprise health, economic justice, and community impact, the integrated capital fund already has between $3 million and $4 million in soft commitments. Ultimately, Impact Ventures will seek to make pre-seed investments of $100,000 and seed-stage investments between $250,000 and $500,000, along with loans between $50,000 and $250,000.
Irving energy firm raises $2M
⟫ Blitz Ventures, an Irving-based firm focused on energy brokerage services for commercial businesses, reported raising $2.1 million in equity from a single investor for a new fund. The firm is owned by Sierra Energy Holdings, which itself is owned by Dallas’ Vistra Energy. Based on previous filings, Blitz last reported raising $5 million in 2018.
Photo: Alstom
DFW Airport inks multimillion-dollar deal with SkyLink operator
⟫ Dallas Fort Worth International Airport has inked a more than €200 million ($216 million) 10-year contract with French mobility company Alstom for it to provide operation and maintenance services for its SkyLink automated people mover system. Alstom has been working with the airport since 2000 and helped it open SkyLink in 2005. The airport was recently named the second busiest in the world by the Airports Council International, with the SkyLink system carrying more than 20 million passengers per year.
Kids entertainment firm makes new education acquisition aimed at teens
⟫ Unleashed Brands, the Dallas-based owner of entertainment and engagement experiences for kids, is making a new acquisition aimed at teens. The company announced acquiring Kentucky’s Class 101, a franchise business focused on helping high schoolers plan for college, for an undisclosed amount. Class 101 will join other companies under the Unleashed umbrella, including Urban Air, Premier Martial Arts, Snapology, and The Little Gym. Unleashed launched last year as a youth enrichment platform aimed at creating “fun and enriching environments to help kids learn, play, and grow.” It’s led by Michael Browning Jr., a board member of the International Franchise Association.
Addison architecture firm merges with HED
⟫ Addison’s VAI Architects is merging with Michigan-based Harley Ellis Devereaux (HED), the architecture and engineering firm behind places like Ford Motor Company’s Robotics Building at the University of Michigan, in a move that will combine VIA’s staff with HED’s Dallas office—one of eight it has across the country. And it says it’s planning to hire more to further build out the combined team. The two firms have a shared commitment “to create positive impact for clients and the greater community,” said HED CEO Peter Devereaux, who expects the move to create new opportunities across a number of market sectors. VAI focuses on areas including the civic, transportation, and education sectors.
Energy storage company lands $220M credit facility
⟫ Bridgelink Power, a 10-year-old Fort Worth firm focused on developing and operating utility-scale energy storage projects, announced landing a senior secured revolving credit facility for up to $200 million from New York firm Crayhill Capital Management. In addition to helping fund late-stage projects Bridgelink has under development, the money will help fund strategic acquisitions and capital expenditures prior to beginning construction.
Design firm lands new investor with plans for new acquisitions
Christopher M. Huckabee, CEO of Huckabee & Associates [Photo: Huckabee & Associates]
⟫ Huckabee & Associates, a Fort Worth-based provider of architecture, engineering, and consulting services focused on the education industry, announced receiving a “strategic investment” from lower mid-market private equity firm Goodspeed Capital Management.
While terms of the deal were not disclosed, Godspeed says it is a control investor and targets companies with between $3 and $30 million in EBITDA. Huckabee will continue to be led by CEO Chris Huckabee, as the firm says it plans to grow organically and through acquisitions in the future.
TPG makes two deals
⟫ TPG, the Fort Worth- and San Francisco-based alternative asset management giant, was involved in two big deals this week.
At the beginning of the week, the firm joined Insight Partners, Temasek, and Sixth Street in funding the $6.2 billion all-cash acquisition of Connecticut-based Datto, a software and security services firm, by Miami IT management software company Kaseya.
TPG followed that by leading a $200 million Series F funding round for Boston-based Salsify, a commerce experience management platform, through its TPG Tech Adjacencies fund, bringing Salsify’s valuation to $2 billion. As part of the move, TPG Managing Director Arun Agarwal will join Salsify as a board observer.
Plano founder joins prestigious impact accelerator
Aideé Granados
⟫ Beating out more than 1,400 applicants from more than 100 countries, Aideé Granados, the founder and CEO of Plano-based organization ROSAesROJO, which focuses on providing health and wellness education to Hispanic women, has been tapped as one of 18 to join Echoing Green’s fellowship program, which helps support social impact-focused entrepreneurs. In addition to joining the ranks of other fellows including Michelle Obama, Granados will receive an $80,000 stipend to support ROSAesROJO’s growth. Echoing Green was launched in 1987 by growth equity firm General Atlantic.
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Read more in Kevin Cummings’ recent Follow the Money deal roundup:
Applied Blockchain, Inc. CEO and Chairman Wes Cummins [Video still: Applied Blockchain, Inc.]
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