Series A
Observable Networks, which provides network security technology, has raised $2.45 million in Series A funding. The round was led by DH Capital and prior backer Vectis II fund also participated. The company will use the funds to expand and strengthen sales, marketing and product development. The company’s cyber security main offering is a cloud-based network security-as-a-service.
Touch technologies companyQeexo has closed a $2.3 million Series A funding round led by Sierra Ventures. The company will use the money to accelerate adoption of its FingerSense mobile software, which can distinguish touchscreen input from a fingertip, knuckle, nail or stylus.
Series C
Travel planning company Hipmunk has announced a $20 million Series C financing round led by Oak Investment Partners. Existing investors Institutional Venture Partners, Ignition Partners also participated. Hipmunk will use the funds to accelerate its cross-platform strategy, among other things.
Funding
Salsa Labs, the marketing and fundraising platform for nonprofits, has raised $5 million in new funding, led by Edison Ventures and the Maryland Venture Fund. Salsa has helped over 2,000 organizations and 15,000 campaign managers to date. The company’s client list includes the Sunlight Foundation and the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids.
Grove Labs, which seeks to offer people the technology to grow food inside their homes, has raised $2 million in seed funding. The investment round was led Upfront Ventures with participation from Felicis Ventures, Galvanize VC, Gary Vayner RSE and author Tim Ferriss. The company, which is yet to complete its product, will use the funds to hire new employees.
M&A
Morningstar, an independent investment research provider has acquired HelloWallet, an online financial wellness company, for $52.5 million. The transaction will end up costing Morningstar $39 million as the company currently has a minority stake in HelloWallet worth $13.5 million.