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March 23, 2020
Deal Pulse: Central Ohio companies active in health care tech
Central Ohio companies were active last month in transactions involving health care tech. Copper Run Capital's Michael Shaw shares what deal activity he's seen throughout February 2020....
By Michael Shaw
March 19, 2020
Cori Care, Absolute Care purchased by Caregiver Inc.
Caregiver Inc., a Fort Worth, Texas-based provider of long-term care services and supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has acquired four companies in Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee, including Cori Care and Absolute Care in Columbus....
By Jayne Gest
March 18, 2020
Washington Prime Group reduces its common dividend
Due to the heightened uncertainty relating to the duration and potential impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Washington Prime Group Inc. plans to enhance its overall liquidity position, which includes a further reduction of the company’s cash dividend for common shares and operating partnership units....
By Jayne Gest
March 12, 2020
The art and science of letting go
Sunsetting your career isn’t an easy transition — and the emotional issues are usually tougher to navigate than the financial or business concerns. BriskHeat Corp. President Dominic Federico and advisers from Wells Fargo Private Bank discuss what happens post sale....
By Jayne Gest
March 11, 2020
Nexus purchased by Medicus IT
Medicus IT, a health care-focused managed services provider based in Alpharetta, Georgia, has acquired Nexus Practice IT Services, a Columbus health care managed IT services provider....
By Jayne Gest
March 9, 2020
DHL Supply Chain’s North American headquarters sold
Arch Street Capital Advisors and VEREIT have acquired DHL Supply Chain’s North American Headquarters in Westerville. The property, located within the recently developed Westar Place Business Park, is a new, build-to-suit, 145,000 square foot class A office building....
By Jayne Gest
March 6, 2020
Ancora, NY-Based Macellum Takes 11 Percent Stake In Big Lots, Calls For New Board
Citing a number of strategic mistakes, an investor group has issued an open letter to shareholders of Columbus-based retailer Big Lots Inc. calling for a new board that it believes can maximize and return shareholder value....
By Mark Scott
March 4, 2020
Intellinetics Completes Equity And Debt Financing, Buys Graphic Sciences
Intellinetics Inc., a cloud-based document solutions provider, has closed an equity and debt private placement financing and raised a total of $5.5 million....
By Mark Scott
March 3, 2020
Hy-Tek Material Handling buys Johnson Stephens Consulting
Hy-Tek Material Handling Inc. has acquired Atlanta-based Johnson Stephens Consulting Inc., a supply chain operations consultancy serving retailers, wholesalers and distributors nationwide. With the transaction, a Hy-Tek consulting division was formed....
By Jayne Gest
March 3, 2020
Rev1 Ventures participates in Upshift’s $3.7M funding round
Cincinnati-based startup Upshift raised $3.7 million of Series A venture funding in a deal led by Indeed, according to PitchBook. Columbus startup studio Rev1 Ventures participated in the round....
By Jayne Gest
March 2, 2020
Installed Building Products buys Royals Commercial
Installed Building Products Inc. has acquired Royals Commercial Services Inc. in Millersville, Maryland. With approximately $10 million of annual revenue, the transaction expands IBP’s presence in the greater Baltimore and mid-Atlantic markets....
By Jayne Gest
March 2, 2020
Rocky Brands to repurchase shares
Nelsonville, Ohio-based Rocky Brands Inc.’s board has approved a new share repurchase program of up to $7.5 million of the company’s outstanding common stock....
By Jayne Gest
March 2, 2020
Veeam sale to Insight Partners completed
New York VC and PE firm Insight Partners has completed its acquisition of Veeam Software, a provider of backup solutions that deliver cloud data management, which has its Americas headquarters in Columbus. The company plans to move its headquarters to either Columbus or Atlanta....
By Jayne Gest
February 27, 2020
Michael Redd: Applying lessons from the NBA to the venture world
Michael Redd is often more concerned about the leaders than the product; if the product isn’t right, the company can pivot. The angel investor and venture partner shares what he's learned about investing and how his experience as a professional athlete in the NBA frames it....
By Jayne Gest
February 27, 2020
Greif to divest consumer packaging group
Greif Inc. has agreed to sell its consumer packaging group business for $85 million in cash to Atlanta-headquartered Graphic Packaging Holding Co. The Delaware, Ohio company expects to use the proceeds for debt repayment....
By Jayne Gest
February 26, 2020
Deal Pulse: Investors Back Columbus Tech Firms
Recently, investors made significant investments into Columbus-based tech companies that are forward thinking and utilizing new technologies in the marketplace. Copper Run Capital's Michael Shaw shares what deal activity he's seen throughout January 2020....
By Michael Shaw
February 26, 2020
Crash Champions buys Auto Body Collision & Glass
Crash Champions, a Chicago-based collision repair group, will acquire Auto Body Collision and Glass, a three location collision group in Columbus. Crash Champions will begin operations at these locations on March 2. The transaction marks the first out-of-state acquisition for the organization....
By Jayne Gest
February 25, 2020
READY Robotics closes Series B round with $23M in additional funds
Columbus-based READY Robotics Corp. has closed its Series B round with an additional $23 million in funding. The round was led by Canaan Partners, with participation from RRE Ventures, Eniac Ventures, Emerald Development Managers and Drive Capital, as well as new investors Micron Ventures and Greenhawk Capital....
By Jayne Gest
February 25, 2020
Pacejet sold to 3Gtms
3Gtms LLC, a global provider of Tier 1 transportation management software, has acquired Pacejet, a Columbus-based provider of enterprise cloud-based, multi-carrier shipping software....
By Jayne Gest
February 24, 2020
Green Growth Brands to sell CBD business
The BRN Group Inc. has agreed to acquire Green Growth Brands Inc.’s cannabidiol business. GGB and an affiliate of BRN have executed a “stalking horse” asset purchase agreement, where the BRN affiliate will acquire all assets and assume the current liabilities and certain other obligations of the CBD business....
By Jayne Gest
February 24, 2020
Condado Tacos takes on new investor, The Beekman Group
Condado Tacos is partnering with The Beekman Group LLC, a private equity firm based in New York City, for its next chapter of growth. The build-your-own taco concept plans to use the funds to optimize its expansion into new markets....
By Jayne Gest
February 21, 2020
GBQ buys Weber Clark in Toledo
GBQ Partners LLC, a Columbus-headquartered tax, accounting and consulting firm, has joined forces with Weber Clark Ltd. The transaction is part of GBQ’s strategy for expanding and strengthening market presence....
By Jayne Gest
February 21, 2020
Mettler-Toledo purchases D.C. Martin & Son Scales
Columbus-headquartered Mettler Toledo International Inc. has acquired D.C. Martin & Son Scales of Grand Rapids, Michigan, according to Calder Capital LLC....
By Jayne Gest
February 20, 2020
Washington Prime Group sells interest in eight outparcels
Columbus-based Washington Prime Group Inc. has executed a letter of intent with Spirit Realty Capital Inc. for the sale of the fee interest or leasehold interest in eight outparcels for approximately $14.2 million....
By Jayne Gest
February 20, 2020
Victoria’s Secret, Pink to be sold to Sycamore Partners
L Brands Inc. plans to position Bath & Body Works as a standalone public company, separating Victoria’s Secret Lingerie, Victoria’s Secret Beauty and PINK into a privately-held entity. New York PE firm Sycamore Partners will purchase a 55 percent majority interest for approximately $525 million. Les Wexner will step down and become chairman emeritus of L Brands....
By Jayne Gest
February 18, 2020
Volvo industrial building in Lewis Center purchased
An affiliate of Covington Group Inc., a Dallas commercial real estate company, has purchased a 583,000-square-foot bulk distribution warehouse at 8355 Highfield Drive in Lewis Center, Ohio. The building, on a 31-acre site, is occupied by Volvo Group North America....
By Jayne Gest
February 14, 2020
Investing in Ohio’s medical marijuana industry
The cannabis space is an interesting investment opportunity that comes with a variety of risks, but as Ohio’s medical marijuana cultivators and dispensaries slowly gain ground, the nascent industry should pick speed in 2020....
By Jayne Gest
February 14, 2020
$7.6M in addition funding for Navidea Biopharmaceuticals
Navidea Biopharmaceuticals has sold its Ohio court judgment for $4.2 million and raised an addition $3.4 million in equity, which represents $7.6 million in additional funding....
By Jayne Gest
February 13, 2020
S4 Medical raises additional funding
S4 Medical Corp., a Columbus-based medical device company focused on protecting the esophagus from thermal damage during catheter ablation procedures, has completed an oversubscribed round of funding following its successful human study....
By Jayne Gest
February 12, 2020
WW Williams purchases CP Company
W.W. Williams Co. has completed its acquisition of CP Company, which does business as CT Power and Iceberg Enterprises. The transaction should strengthen W.W. Williams with additional independent truck maintenance locations and broaden its trailer parts and related product lines....
By Jayne Gest
February 10, 2020
Vertiv closes GS Acquisition Holdings merger, becomes publicly traded
Columbus-headquartered Vertiv Holdings Co. has completed its business combination with GS Acquisition Holdings Corp. GS Acquisition Holdings Corp. has been renamed Vertiv Holdings Co. and will trade on the New York Stock Exchange....
By Jayne Gest
February 6, 2020
Rea & Associates buys W.J. Ubbing and Associates
Rea & Associates, a regional accounting and business consulting firm based out of New Philadelphia, Ohio, will merge in clients from Columbus CPA firm W.J. Ubbing and Associates, which primarily works with construction companies....
By Jayne Gest
February 6, 2020
Two Labs buys CEEK Enterprises
Two Labs, a Powell, Ohio-based pharmaceuticals services company, has acquired CEEK Enterprises, a Boston management consultancy dedicated to supporting clients in the biopharma and medical technology industries. The transaction will significantly expand Two Labs’ suite of integrated offerings....
By Jayne Gest
February 3, 2020
MSF Real Estate Capital sold to Walker & Dunlop
Walker & Dunlop Inc. expanded its debt brokerage team to Columbus, with the acquisition of MSF Real Estate Capital, an independent commercial real estate finance firm in Dublin....
By Jayne Gest
February 3, 2020
122-unit multifamily community sold
New York-based Sapphire Partners has acquired a 122-unit multifamily community in Columbus, adding it into its owned portfolio with a long-term, value-add investment. The property, previously known as Roundtree Rentals, is to be rebranded as Parkside at Maple Canyon....
By Jayne Gest
January 29, 2020
Randy Gerber: Why raising capital might not be your best option
Many entrepreneurs believe raising capital is the best way to attain growth. Randy Gerber, who works with first-generation entrepreneurs, sees bootstrapping the business as a better way....
By Randy Gerber
January 28, 2020
First Ohio Planning sold to Mercer
Denver-headquartered Mercer Global Advisors Inc. has acquired First Ohio Planning LLC, a wealth management firm located in Columbus. The transaction will expand Mercer’s wealth management services in Ohio....
By Jayne Gest
January 27, 2020
Marc Hawk: Take on investors with care, great care
With no collateral and a high-powered growth strategy, RevLocal had to utilize angel and equity investing to grow. CEO Marc Hawk shares how the digital marketing company selected the right investors....
By Jayne Gest
January 27, 2020
SCA Sweeping buys Contract Sweepers
Cleveland-headquartered SCA Sweeping Corporation of America, the largest self-performing power sweeping company in the U.S., has acquired Columbus-based Contract Sweepers & Equipment Co....
By Jayne Gest
January 27, 2020
SpeechIQ sold to LiveVox
LiveVox, a San Francisco-headquartered provider of customer service and digital engagement tools, has acquired SpeechIQ, an AI-driven speech analytics and quality assurance platform that should enable LiveVox to strengthen its WFO application suite....
By Jayne Gest
January 24, 2020
Nationwide invests in Vesta Healthcare, KINETIC
Nationwide Ventures has invested in the $30 million Series A round for Vesta Healthcare, while also partnering with KINETIC. This is part of Nationwide’s commitment to invest more than $100 million of venture capital in customer-centric solutions....
By Jayne Gest
January 22, 2020
Dave Enright breaks down the capital stack
Dave Enright has a lot of experience in the "wild, wild west" of buying — deals that are below $5 million EBIDTA. The senior vice president and commercial banker at S&T Bank digs into the financing behind buying companies in the lower middle market....
By Jayne Gest
January 22, 2020
382 acres in Rickenbacker Industrial Park purchased
CT Realty and Walton Street Capital have purchased 382 acres of industrial land in Columbus, for the development of 5.7 million square feet of large scale warehouse and distribution space....
By Jayne Gest
January 21, 2020
Drive Capital closes fund with $300M raised
Columbus venture capital firm Drive Capital recently closed its OverDrive Fund I, PitchBook reports. The fund targeted $400 million in its original paperwork but closed with $300 million....
By Jayne Gest
January 21, 2020
Ohio Transmission Corps buys second Arizona company
Columbus-headquartered Ohio Transmission Corporation has acquired Laron Inc. The purchase of the service provider of mechanical and electric motor repair will further OTC’s expansion into the Southwest....
By Jayne Gest
January 21, 2020
Kinetics Noise Control sold to Arkansas company
The Stephens Group LLC finalized its acquisition of Dublin-based Kinetics Noise Control Inc., and formed a new company, Catalyst Acoustics Group, which will serve as a platform for a group of acoustic, seismic, vibration and noise control companies....
By Jayne Gest
January 21, 2020
The Shops at Worthington Place has a new owner
Dallas Investment company Direct Retail Partners has purchased The Shops at Worthington Place for a reported $19.8 million....
By Jayne Gest
January 17, 2020
Victor Thorne takes a smarter, more disciplined approach to investing
Victor Thorne was bit by the entrepreneur bug early. In his mid 20s, he started his first company with his older brother. Today, the partner at Origin Malt is still enthusiastic about investing and entrepreneurship, but his focus has changed....
By Jayne Gest
January 14, 2020
JetSelect Aviation sold to Jet Edge
Van Nuys, California-headquartered Jet Edge International has acquired Columbus-based JetSelect Aviation to create one of the most diverse fleets of aircraft based throughout the U.S....
By Jayne Gest
January 13, 2020
Thomas A. Stewart: Change favors the prepared mind
Middle-market companies most likely will undergo a major transition over the next five years. While they often can be unexpected, companies shouldn't be surprised. Thomas A. Stewart of the National Center for the Middle Market discusses deal preparation....
By Jayne Gest
