James Cutchin

Gender Parity Remains a Work in Progress for LA Businesses

Gender diversity is one of the most intractable issues in the global economy.

Cannabis Businesses Back Ballot Initiatives

Cannabis is on the ballot in six Los Angeles-area cities this November.

Tiltify Raises $6.5 Million For Fundraising Platform

Charity fundraising platform Tiltify Inc. has raised $6.5 million in Series A funding.

Levine Leichtman Closes Second European Fund

Beverly Hills-based Levine Leichtman Capital Partners has closed a $544 million European investment fund.

Wilshire Associates Founder Tito to Retire After Acquisition

Santa Monica-based technology and advisory company Wilshire Associates Inc. has agreed to be acquired by two New York-based private equity firms

PE Firm Corridor Capital Looks Toward Tech-Enabled Businesses

Despite its sometimes opaque and immutable image, private equity is a constantly evolving field.

EP Wealth Acquires $1 Billion Management Firm

EP Wealth Advisors, a Torrance-based registered investment adviser, or RIA, has acquired Salt Lake City-based Insight Group Inc. and Financial Insight Center.

Telehealth Platform TigerConnect Raises $45 Million

Santa Monica-based telehealth platform TigerConnect Inc. has raised $45 million in Series D funding.

MediaAlpha Files for $100 Million IPO

Downtown-based insurance marketing company MediaAlpha Inc. plans to raise $100 million in an initial public offering, according to a preliminary prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Cathay Names Liu as CEO

Chang Liu has officially assumed the role of chief executive at Cathay General Bancorp, effective Oct. 1. The Chinatown-based bank’s new leader replaces Pin Tai, who had held the CEO role since 2016.

8 OVER 80: Donald Friese, 80

Donald Friese is the billionaire former owner and chairman of Vernon-based glass products company C.R. Laurence.

PE Firms to Acquire Wilshire Associates

Santa Monica-based technology and advisory company Wilshire Associates has agreed to be acquired by two private equity firms.

Cannabis Logistics Company M7 Goes Public

Commerce-based cannabis logistics company ManifestSeven Holdings Corp., or M7, has listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange.

Liquid Death Raises Additional $23 Million

Santa Monica-based canned water company Liquid Death has raised $23 million in Series B funding.

Riot Ventures Files for $75 Million Fund

Venice-based Riot Ventures is officially aiming to raise $75 million for its second fund.

Gores Hits Record With $16 Billion Deal

Gores Group, the Beverly Hills-based investment firm founded by billionaire Alec Gores, has announced plans to merge its fifth special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, with mortgage lender United Shore Financial Services Inc.

Goat Raises $100 Million for Expansion

Culver City-based 1661 Inc., doing business as Goat Group, has raised $100 million in Series E funding from New York hedge fund D1 Capital Partners.

Venture Funds Look to Health

Other more broad-based funds, like downtown-based TenOneTen Ventures, have increased their focus on health care investments.

Struck Capital, DiCaprio Team for New Fund

Adam Struck, founder of Santa Monica-based venture firm Struck Capital, has always been bullish on Los Angeles’ startup ecosystem.

Boosted Raises $87 Million to Acquire Ecommerce Companies

Culver City-based Boosted Ecommerce Inc. has raised $87 million to grow its portfolio of ecommerce businesses.

Medical Education Startup Secures $30 Million

West L.A.-based online education company SketchyMedical has received a $30 million investment from TCG.

SPAC Attack: Investment Vehicles See Surge in Popularity

Special purpose acquisition companies, or SPACs, are in the midst of their biggest moment yet.

Fitness App Maker Zwift Secures $450 Million in Funding

Zwift Inc., the Long Beach-based maker of a popular at-home cycling and running app, has raised $450 million in Series C funding.

Incentify Raises $4.25 Million for Tax Credit Tech

El Segundo-based tax credit and incentives platform Incentify has received $4.25 million in equity investment from Ryan LLC.

Flying Eagle Sets Deal for Mobile Gaming Company Skillz

Flying Eagle Acquisition Corp., a Century City-based special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, plans to merge with mobile gaming platform Skillz Inc.

Mesa West Capital Is Poised to Thrive Amid Pandemic

Having survived one major recession and seen long-term growth in its wake, Mesa West Capital believes the aftermath of Covid-19 could create similar opportunities in their space.

Inglewood Bitcoin Firm to Expand In-Person Centers

After months of webinars and Zoom meetings, Crypto Blockchain Plug Inc. is coming back to the physical world.

Broadway Financial Merger Makes History

Hancock Park-based Broadway Financial Corp. is set to become the largest Black-led bank in American history.

Bonfire Ventures Raises New $100 Million Fund

Santa Monica-based Bonfire Ventures, which focuses on investments in business-to-business software companies, has raised $100 million for its second venture fund.

Upfront Backs Glendale Cloud Security Firm

Cybersecurity company Britive Inc. has raised $5.4 million in late seed stage funding.

Musk Leads 2020 LA Billionaires Thanks to Massive Gain

Despite a global pandemic and one of the most tumultuous economic environments in modern history, U.S. billionaires have done surprisingly well in the past year.

Colony Capital Issues $113 Million Repurchase Offer

Downtown-based real estate investment company Colony Capital has offered to repurchase any or all of its outstanding 3.875% convertible senior notes due in 2021.

Entertainment Payroll Startup Wrapbook Raises $4 Million

Entertainment payroll and insurance platform TakeOne Network Corp., doing business as Wrapbook, has raised $3.6 million in seed funding.

Digital Security Firm Signal Sciences Sells for $775 Million

Culver City-based online security company Signal Sciences Corp. has agreed to be acquired by Fastly Inc. in a $775 million deal.

Local VC Firms Drive Diversity Pledge Effort

A group of 10 venture capital firms, including Santa Monica-based Act One Ventures and Marina del Rey-based Fifth Wall Ventures, have pledged to include diversity riders in their term sheets.

LA County Banking Jobs Show Strength

Amid this grim picture, banks appear to be something of a bright spot. The sector was one of the few to add jobs during the pandemic, according to state data.

Film Tax Credit Programs Face Uncertain Future

Lending against California’s film tax credits has emerged as a niche industry in recent years. Some industry insiders say this practice will thrive, but others predict the film tax credit space may be in for rough times ahead.

Broadway Financial Forms Country’s Largest Black-Led Bank

Hancock Park-based Broadway Financial Corp. and CFBanc Corp. have announced plans to merge into a $1 billion institution.

New Union Bank President Seibly Rises to the Challenges

Greg Seibly stepped into his current role as president of MUFG Union Bank at one of the most difficult economic moments in modern history.

Canoo to Go Public in $600 Million SPAC Deal

Deal will give EV maker a valuation of $2.4 Billion

Torrance-based electric vehicle developer Canoo Inc. has announced plans to go public through a reverse merger in a deal designed to provide $600 million in total capital.

Stories by James

Deal will give EV maker a valuation of $2.4 Billion