Low Carbon Accelerator has invested GBP500,000 in Vigor Renewables in the form of non-voting preference shares with rights over 90 per cent of the distributable profits. The ordinary shares are held by the management of Vigor, with rights over the balance of the distributable profits. Vigor is a new company formed to take advantage of UK feed-in-tariffs. It aims to partner with landowners, as well as commercial property owners and managers, to build, own and operate wind and solar power generating assets on sites across the UK. Each asset will be designed and built to qualify for the recently announced

DoubleVerify, a provider of online advertising verification, has closed a USD10m series B financing round led by Institutional Venture Partners.  The round included participation from existing DoubleVerify investors.    DoubleVerify provides a technology solution that delivers transparency and accountability for agencies, marketers, publishers and ad networks running online ad campaigns.  It allows marketers to accurately verify their campaigns for brand safety, delivery accuracy and regulatory compliance.    “We feel fortunate to experience such rapid growth in the past year, and this funding will help us continue expanding quickly and innovating for our customers,” says Oren Netzer, co-founder and chief executive

RJD Partners says it has seen a positive start to the first quarter of 2010 with its portfolio companies continuing to make good progress against their strategic plans. Ipes, its private equity fund administration business, had a successful first year following its buyout in late 2008 and forecasts further strong progress in 2010. Ipes has signed a number of important new clients and expects to complete the accreditation of a new office in Luxembourg shortly.                                        Stone Group, provider of technology solutions to the education sector, has just been appointed as a listed supplier by Buying Solutions, the national procurement partner

SeaWell Networks, a provider of internet video distribution products, has secured a USD7m series A round of investment, including the conversion of seed funding. Led by BDC Venture Capital, the round also included Northwater Intellectual Property Fund and Ontario Centres of Excellence. SeaWell will use the funds to expand the development and marketing efforts of its internet video streaming solutions. Streaming video and audio now account for roughly 27 per cent of global internet traffic, according to the top ISPs worldwide, and is expected to grow to over 60 per cent by 2013. SeaWell is currently developing a solution that

Sturgeon Ventures has seen the number of inquiries from City workers looking for help to set up their own businesses rise ten-fold in the last three months. Sturgeon, which specialises in helping entrepreneurs establish start-up financial services businesses in the institutional space, says City workers tired of bonus cuts and taxes as well as the restrictions of working in big organisations are finding more confidence to set up on their own this year as the shock of the financial crisis abates. It received around 25 inquiries in 2009 but it is now fielding around 20 or more a month, equating

DLA Piper has advised Elysian Capital and its portfolio company English Landscapes on the acquisition of Western Landscapes, trading as Wyevale Grounds Maintenance. Wyevale Grounds Maintenance provides hard and soft landscaping and grounds maintenance services. The company operates from ten sites around the country and has major contracts with the local authorities of the Isle of Wight, Lewes, Eastbourne, Stroud and North Somerset. Wyevale Grounds Maintenance has reported turnover of approximately GBP6m per annum over the last three years. The deal is an opportunity for Elysian to acquire a well known horticultural brand and strengthen its presence in the West