Soylent raises $50 million, plans in-store sales, Leaf Group acquires home goods e-retailer Deny Designs for $12 million, and Snap Inc. hires media companies to produce original shows for Snapchat

Soylent Raises $50 Million, Plans In-Store Sales

Meal-replacement drink manufacturer Rosa Foods Inc., known publicly as Soylent, announced on Thursday that it had raised a $50 million Series B round led by GV (formerly Google Ventures) with participation from Tao Capital Partners, and prior investors Lerer Hippeau Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz, reports the Business Journal. The Series B round will be used to fund rapid expansion, including sales through brick-and-mortar retailers.

Leaf Group Acquires Home Goods E-Retailer Deny Designs for $12 Million

Leaf Group announced on Thursday that it had acquired home goods e-retailer Deny Designs in a cash and stock deal worth $12 million, according to a press release. Deny Design’s collection of home goods and relationships with retail distribution partners strengthen Leaf Group’s position within the home décor sector, the company said.

Snap Inc. Hires Media Companies to Produce Original Shows for Snapchat

Snap Inc. has signed deals with NBC Universal, Turner, Discovery, ESPN, Vice Media, and the NFL to produce original mini-TV shows for Snapchat, reports Ars Technica. The mini-TV shows will exist in the Stories section of Snapchat, which displays collections of photos and videos shot recently by users.

Send tips on L.A. tech companies and startups to reporter Garrett Reim via [email protected]. Follow @garrettreim on Twitter for the latest in L.A. tech news.