Acquisitions in California in 2014

CenturyLink, Inc. acquired Cognilytics, a San Jose–based provider of advanced predictive analytics and Big Data solutions, to bolster CenturyLink's IT services, cloud and managed analytics offerings. The acquisition brings Cognilytics' expertise in decision sciences, SAP HANA and Big Data deployments into CenturyLink's portfolio to help enterprise customers accelerate Big Data adoption and monetize data.

Sophos has acquired cloud security startup Mojave Networks to strengthen its cloud-managed and appliance-based security offerings. The deal will integrate Mojave’s cloud web- and mobile-security technology into Sophos Cloud and its network security appliances, bringing improved web filtering, hybrid deployment options and SMB-friendly management to Sophos customers.

Mumbai-based photo printing and personalized-gifting company ZoomIn Online has acquired San Francisco-based photography community and e-commerce site Photojojo. The acquisition is financed by a fresh Rs 50 crore funding round led by Lightbox Ventures with participation from First Round Capital and Gund Investments; Photojojo's ~20-person team will be integrated into ZoomIn as the combined business targets ~Rs 180 crore in revenue next fiscal.

BBX Sweet Holdings, a wholly owned subsidiary of BBX Capital Corp., has acquired the assets of Helen Grace Chocolates, a long-established premium chocolate maker headquartered in Lynwood, California. The deal is the fourth confectionery acquisition for BBX Sweet Holdings in the past year as the company continues to build a portfolio of chocolate brands and maintain Helen Grace's fundraising partnership with Innisbrook.

Frontenac Co. has recapitalized Cloud Star Corp., a San Luis Obispo–based maker of natural pet treats, grooming products and pet merchandise. The investment from Frontenac’s recently closed fund will support product development and growth; Olivier Amice was named CEO and advisers on the deal included SDR Ventures and Winston & Strawn LLP.

H-D Advanced Manufacturing, a holding company backed by The Riverside Company, Hicks Equity Partners and Weinberg Capital Group, has acquired Sungear, Inc., a San Diego-based manufacturer of precision gears for the aerospace industry. The deal is an add-on to H-D's gear products division and aims to expand the platform's capabilities and presence in the aerospace supply chain.

All Aboard America! Holdings, Inc. (AHI), a Celerity Partners portfolio company, has completed its acquisition of Sun Diego Charter, a Southern California motorcoach, bus and shuttle operator. The deal is an add-on for AHI — its fourth acquisition since the platform was created in July 2012 — and expands AHI's regional charter and shuttle capabilities in the San Diego area.

Vology, a North American technology solutions provider, has acquired the Irvine, California-based state, local and education (SLED) division of Govplace. The deal expands Vology's presence and capabilities in the California public-sector market as part of its multi-year growth strategy.

Bunzl plc completed three acquisitions at the end of 2013: U.S.-based SAS Safety Corp., Germany-based pka Klöcker GmbH and Brazil-based De Santis Distribuição Industrial Ltda. The purchases expand Bunzl’s safety product footprint across North America, Europe and Latin America and strengthen its distributor and end-user channels in workwear and PPE.