CNinsure brokers a hot IPO

CNinsure (Nasdaq: CISG) upped its offering range twice — $11- $13 to $13-$15.  But that was still too low.  That is, the company priced its IPO at $16.  And so far in today’s trading, the stock is up 61% to $25.80.
Why all the excitement?  Well, this is a Chinese company (need I say more?)
More importantly, [...]

Maxcom’s IPO cash call

Despite a tough market today, Maxcom Telecommunications (NYSE: MXT) pulled off a successful IPO.  The offering price came at the top of its $15.50-$17.50 price range and the shares are trading about $18.70. The company raised about $200 million.
Maxcom is a telecom services provider based in Mexico.  From 2002 to 2006, the company’s voice lines [...]

Giant Interactive IPO will be ginormous

Giant Interactive announced the initial terms of its public offering.  The price range is $12-$14 and the firm plans to sell 57.2 million shares.  Yes, the company may raise as much as $800 million.  In fact, the market cap will be in excess of $3.3 billion.
Giant is a top operator of online games in China (and [...]

Biz Lessons from TranS1

It’s a good day for the folks at TransS1.  The company has pulled off a successful IPO, with the stock price surging more than 60%.
What’s even more impressive is that the company is in a sector that’s out-of-favor:  healthcare.
So what makes TranS1 different?
Well, the company certainly has strong technology (medical devices to help with back surgery).  And [...]

Biz Lessons from Compellent

Yesterday, Compellent Technologies (NYSE: CML) had a supercharged IPO, with the stock price rising 43.90% to $24.19. 
The company develops sophisticated storage technologies primarily for the small to medium size business (SMB) segment.  In fact, revenues have more than doubled over the past year.
So how does Compellent standout from its rivals, like IBM (NYSE: IBM), EMC (NYSE: [...]

Ron Paul, Web 2.0 startup guru

Ron Paul, who is a Texas Congressman, has been dismissed as a fringe candidate.  But according to a recent Wall Street Journal/NBC poll, he has about 2% of the vote. 
Basically, Paul is leveraging the amazing power of the Net.  In fact, he is experiencing a “network effect”; that is, the more exposure he gets, the [...]

Biz Lessons: Constant Contact

Last week, Constant Contact (Nasdaq: CTCT) had its IPO and the stock surged more than 70% on its first day of trading.  The company provides an on-demand service that allows businesses to manage email marketing campaigns (such as newsletters, promotions, surveys and so on).
What are some of the takeaways?
Constant Contact lives up to its name.  [...]

Looking for a hot IPO?

Scott Reeves, a writer for Minyanville, has an excellent piece on investing in IPOs.  He also graciously quoted me and mentioned DealProfiles.  Check it out here.

It’s the Team, Stupid

Last night, I was at a swanky dot-com event. 
One of the guests said to me:  “In a startup, the team is the most important thing.  The value of the product is about 40% and 70% is the team.”
True, he was hammered – but that doesn’t detract from his advice. 
For example, at the same event, I [...]

Latest Deals

Venture Capital Fundings:
EverPower Renewables ($55 million):  A developer of utility-grade wind projects
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23andMe (N/A):  An early stage personal genetics company
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M&A
EMC buys Berkeley Data Systems, which develops data protection solutions.  Price was not disclosed.
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eBay buys ViA-Online GmbH, which develops auction management software.  Price was not disclosed.
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