VENTURE CAPITAL POST

Wellington, New Zealand-based tech startup Loomio launched a $100,000 crowdfunding campaign on its own website to develop a mobile version of its open-source collaborative decision making tool.

Ridgeville, US-based biotech forestry firm ArborGen purchased Southland, New Zealand-based seedling grower Edendale Nursery for an undisclosed amount to tap the markets in the North and South Islands of New Zealand.

Auckland, New Zealand-based point-of-sale software provider Vend pocketed $20 million in a funding round led by Valar Ventures and Square Peg Capital to expand to North America and Europe.

Dublin, Ireland-based over-the-counter (OTC) drug manufacturer Perrigo Company PLC picked up a set of products being marketed in Australia and New Zealand from South African firm Aspen Global Inc in a $51-million cash deal.

New Zealand Venture Investment Fund Chief Executive Officer Franceska Banga thinks that the rule change permitting equity crowdfunding in New Zealand is a positive development, Fairfax NZ News reported.

New York, US-based hedge fund Libra Advisors will pick up a $7.2% stake in Auckland, New Zealand-based business developer Rubicon to support that latter's future forestry biotech project.

San Mateo, California-based Internet startup AVOS Systems is laying off 80% of its workforce because of the lack of traction, according to sources familiar with the situation.

Limerick, Ireland-based environmental software developer AMCS Group closed €23.5 million in a funding round led by Highland Capital Partners Europe (HCPE) for its expansion into Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the Americas.

Australia-based property and aged-care developer Aveo Group is planning to sell about $500 million worth of residential and office assets this year in a bid to become

Melbourne, Australia-based real estate classified service REA Group Ltd bought rental application service 1Form Online Pty Ltd in a deal valued at $15 million as part of its strategy to link its customers with property-related services.

Massachusetts, US-based video hosting solutions firm Brightcove acquired Arizona-based Internet video solutions provider Unicorn Media Inc in $49-million acquisition deal to facilitate easier distribution of ad-supported video.

The Old Ghost Road cycle trail, which is developed by Mokihinui-Lyell Backcountry Trust, received $800,000 from the Department of Conservation of New Zealand to complete the project.

Veritas Investments, the owner of the Mad Butcher business in New Zealand, is poised to spend $3.4 million in combined cash and shares to acquire a stake in the local Burger King patty supplier Kiwi Pacific Foods.

US-based private equity firms Carlyle Group and KKR & Co and Australian investment firm Archer Capital have advanced in the sale of Transpacific Industries Group's waste management business. The three firms are working with banks to put together loan packages to back their bids.

Insurance Australia Group Ltd (IAG) bought the Australian and New Zealand underwriting business of Western Australia's farmers' cooperative Wesfarmers Ltd for $1.845 billion.