Two Bit Circus
$6.5 Million
Type: Equity
Location: Downtown
Investors: Techstar Ventures, Foundry Group and Intel Capital
Description: Educational carnival producer Two Bit Circus has raised its first financing round to create more pyrotechnics, robots and laser shows for kids. The cash will be used to add a national carnival tour, develop original content for virtual reality and the Web, and to expand its business of providing entertainment to conferences and events.
PeerStreet
$6.1 Million
Type: Equity
Location: Manhattan Beach
Investors: Dr. Michael Burry, founder of Scion Capital and a leading character in the book “The Big Short,” Guggenheim Partners, City National Bank President Chris Warmuth and Wealthfront Chief Executive Adam Nash
Description: Rather than crowdfunding direct real estate loans or equity, PeerStreet is a platform for crowdfunding commercial and residential real estate-backed securities. PeerStreet bundles a diversified set of loans into a security after conducting its own due diligence process, part of which involves a proprietary, data-crunching underwriting software program.
PetNet
$4 million
Type: Equity
Location: Pasadena
Investors: Black River Ventures, Aspiration Growth, iRobot and Amazon Alexa Fund
Description: PetNet is a mobile app and automated pet food dispenser that allows users to feed their pets remotely. The app manages portion size, feeding times and recommends feed types for different animals. The company will use its money to commercialize its prototype and build out a supply chain.
Mobile Roadie
Undisclosed amount
Type: Acquisition
Location: Santa Monica
Buyer: Intellectsoft
Description: Mobile Roadie has an app builder program that customers can use to construct apps without coding knowledge. The platform uses pre-made themes, designs and features, such as push notifications, picture galleries and video players. Mobile Roadie’s clientele includes The San Diego Zoo, Taylor Swift and Wynn Las Vegas. In addition to Mobile Roadie’s customers, Intellectsoft said the acquisition would also boost its app development capabilities.
