LegalZoom raises massive $500 million round
LegalZoom, a platform that gives users access to professional legal advice, announced a secondary $500 million investment on Tuesday. Francisco Partners, GPI Capital, Franklin Templeton Investments funds and Neuberger Berman led the funding, which will be used to continue fueling its fast-clip expansion. This latest round brings the company to a $2 billion valuation. [Built In LA]
SteelHouse adds its first chief customer officer
Adtech startup SteelHouse has named Rory Mitchell as chief customer officer. Prior to this appointment, Mitchell was VP of client success at the company and brings more than 17 years of sales experience to the role. “Rory has transformed the way we partner with our most valuable clients. He brings boundless energy and expert problem-solving skills to every conversation,” SteelHouse CEO Mark Douglas said in a recent statement. SteelHouse’s cloud-based marketing platform provides businesses with the tools to build and launch marketing campaigns. [Press release]
Meg Whitman invests in Immortals, joins board of directors
E-sports league Immortals recently announced that former Hewlett Packard CEO Meg Whitman has made a major investment and will join the company’s board of directors. In addition to her time at Hewlett Packard, Whitman was previously president at eBay Inc. Immortals counts Tinder Inc., Mountain Dew, and Microsoft Corp as sponsors. [Press release]
Stamps.com snags MetaPack for $230M
Stamps.com has acquired London-based MetaPack, an e-commerce shipping software provider, for $230 million in cash, according to reports from the Los Angeles Business Journal. For the time being, the current MetaPack management team will remain in place and the company will continue to operate independently. Stamps.com provides postage online and shipping software. [Los Angeles Business Journal] [Press release]
West Hollywood gets The RealReal
The RealReal, an online consignment market for luxury items, will launch a physical store in LA. The store will be located in West Hollywood and is the company’s second brick-and-mortar venture, with a current location in SoHo. “We're excited to give shoppers and consignors in LA and surrounding areas access to our omnichannel business, unique brick-and-mortar experience and services, and team of experts,” The RealReal CEO and founder Julie Wainwright said in a recent statement. [Press release]
Broadvoice buys YipTel
LA-based Broadvoice, which provides VOIP services for businesses, said Wednesday that it has acquired cloud communications services provider YipTel, gaining the company's customer base through the acquisition. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Broadvoice will run the companies separately, and its current leadership team including CEO Robert Brown will continue in their roles. [Press release]
