DPG Investments Scores with New Advisory Partners for Global Multi-Strategy Investment and Advisory Platform

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–DPG Investments, LLC, and affiliates are building bench strength with the addition of three well-known executives and operating partners to the DPG advisory team. The new team members bring defined, proven skill sets with significant track records and extensive global networks to assist the continued growth of DPG’s private equity and merchant-banking platform.
A.C. Green, three-time NBA Champion and All-Star, brings his leadership and mentorship qualities in addition to his significant network and global business platform to DPG’s partnerships. Prior to his financial career, Mr. Green spent 16 seasons in the NBA and won three world championships with the Los Angeles Lakers. A.C. Green played in more consecutive games than any other player in NBA history, and only missed three games in his professional basketball career. His current ventures include the A.C. Green Youth Foundation, which helps kids build character, strong bodies and minds, and teaches winning and losing with dignity, teamwork and sacrifice.
Tom Blinten, founder of Panamax Capital, adds his 25 years of experience with over $12 billion in executed transactions to DPG Investments. Mr. Blinten has a proven track record as a global dealmaker and financier across a multitude of sectors, along with significant capital market distribution capabilities. His experience supports DPG and its affiliate’s growth initiative to expand their diversified, multi-strategy merchant-banking platform into Latin American and Asia. The addition of Mr. Blinten is expected to provide immediate opportunities for DPG’s Alternative Investment practice, which focuses on cross-border M&A, capital advisory and capital formation strategies, with an emphasis on international large-scale energy and infrastructure project financing. DPG also has ongoing participation in the Panamax Capital platform.
Ziad Abdelnour, founder and CEO of Blackhawk Partners, brings yet another seasoned deal maker, trader, financier and merchant banker extraordinaire to the DPG team. Mr. Abdelnour’s 25 years of industry experience and $10 billion in transaction volume provide key enhancements to the existing DPG Corporate Private Equity practice. This practice specifically focuses on lower/middle market management-led and leveraged buy-outs, special-situation investing, renewable energy and large project financing. Mr. Abdelnour’s leadership provides a solid foundation for the growth of DPG’s Corporate Finance and Buy-Out practice. Mr. Abdelnour’s most recent book, “Economic Warfare,” is quickly becoming a must-read for anyone interested in the underpinnings of the U.S. economy. Daniel P. Galvanoni will serve as special partner to the Blackhawk Partners platform.
DPG Investments and its affiliates provide global alternative investment management and advisory services. With offices in Arizona and California, DPG specializes in the allocation of capital across various asset classes on behalf of its select high net worth and ultra-high net worth family offices and institutional private equity managers. DPG’s current focus in the alternative investment sector includes real estate lending and acquisition, renewable energy and natural resources, corporate private equity, asset management, fund-to-fund advisory and venture capital. Through its solid platform and disciplined approach, DPG maintains a predominant foothold in the capital markets, trafficking significant and high-quality opportunities on a consistent basis.
Currently, DPG works principally and in conjunction with its numerous domestic and international capital partners, which service a diverse scope of transactions on a co-investment and allocation basis. These partners include, but are not limited to, hedge funds, REITS, equity portfolios, private merchant banks, pension funds and life insurance companies. DPG maintains a strong focus on ultra-high net worth family office partnerships throughout the U.S., Asia, Latin America and Europe.
The statements contained herein may include statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on management’s current views and assumptions, and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. In addition to statements which are forward-looking by reason of context, the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” or “continue” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.
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BIA Digital Partners Makes Growth Capital Investment in Cooking.com, Inc.

CHANTILLY, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–BIA Digital Partners II LP (“BIA DP”), a private investment firm focusing on expansion stage companies, announced it has led a $13,500,000 growth capital financing for Marina del Ray, Calif.-based Cooking.com, Inc. (the “Company”). The financing consisted of subordinated debt and a new round of preferred equity. Azure Capital Partners, the Company’s lead equity investor, provided a significant participation in the financing. Proceeds from the investment will be used to further the growth of the Company’s flagship site www.cooking.com and to accelerate the build-out of the Company’s “Powered By Cooking.com” enterprise-level ecommerce solution. In conjunction with the financing, Damien Dovi, Partner at BIA DP, has joined the Company’s board of directors as an observer.

“Our investment will support Tracy and her team at Cooking.com to further cement and grow its connections with consumer enthusiasts and enterprise partners.”

Tracy Randall, co-founder and CEO of Cooking.com commented, “We have been rigorously focused on leveraging our position as the category-leader in the specialty food and kitchenware segment to bring scalable, low-to-no-risk ecommerce solutions to our channel partners. The investment from BIA Digital Partners allows us to continue to scale and grow our portfolio of partner sites while providing an excellent consumer experience.” Randall further said, “BIA Digital Partners was quick to understand our strategy, and with a deep understanding of the media and enthusiast content segment, was able to offer helpful insights during the due diligence process. Their financing solution was unique and unlike any other option the Company considered.”
Mike Kwatinetz, General Partner at Azure Capital Partners said, “We are very pleased to welcome BIA DP as a new investor. We have already seen their ability to add strategic value as Cooking.com executes on its plan to become a significant player in online commerce, by creating branded stores relevant to buyers of cooking products.”
“Cooking.com merges two of our investment focus areas, quality content and technology-enabled services,” stated BIA DP’s Scott Chappell. “Our investment will support Tracy and her team at Cooking.com to further cement and grow its connections with consumer enthusiasts and enterprise partners.”
“BIA Digital Partners is focused on investing in category leaders. For more than 10 years, Cooking.com has built its reputation on being a content and product-rich ecommerce destination for those seeking high quality kitchenwares and specialty foods. The ‘Powered By Cooking.com’ network is a testament to the Company’s reputation in the marketplace, as they currently power many of the most respected brands in the industry,” said BIA DP’s Dovi. “We are delighted to add Cooking.com, Inc. to our investment portfolio.”
About BIA Digital Partners
BIA Digital Partners is a private investment firm, managing approximately $280 million. Financing is available for acquisitions, organic growth, recapitalizations and leveraged/management buyouts among other purposes. BIA Digital Partners maintains a focus on expansion-stage companies operating in the media, telecommunications, consumer Internet and technology-enabled business and consumer services segments. Investments range from $5 to $18 million and are typically in the form of subordinated debt with warrants or preferred equity. For more information, visit www.biadp.com.
About Cooking.com
Cooking.com is transforming online shopping in the food and cooking space by going to customers and building innovative, entertaining shopping experiences with trusted brands. Cooking.com operates several uniquely branded websites including: Rachael Ray Store, Paula Deen Store, Calphalon Store, Betty Crocker Store, Pillsbury Store, Steamy Kitchen Store, Good Bite Store, and Marley Coffee. ‘Powered By Cooking.com’ delivers high touch, branded e-commerce solutions and category expertise, enabling partners to attract consumers, drive membership and build new revenue opportunities.
Cooking.com offers its customers access to over 60,000 products for the kitchen as well as recipes, menus, collections and a growing library of member-submitted cooking content. The company is committed to providing its customers with an exceptional experience and is the recipient of numerous awards for customer satisfaction. Cooking.com was founded in 1998 and is based in Marina del Rey, Calif.
About Azure Capital Partners
Azure is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm with over $650 million under management. The firm invests in early stage technology companies that are at the forefront of a transformative opportunity for growth. Azure has invested in and served as trusted advisors to some of the most successful and important technology companies created in the last decade including VMWare (NYSE: VMW), Bill Me Later (acquired by eBay), Calix (NYSE: CALX), Top Tier (acquired by SAP) and World Wide Packets (acquired by Ciena). The Azure team is recognized for industry thought leadership, a broad network of powerful industry relationships and a unique professional investment approach to venture investing. For more information, visit http://www.azurecap.com/.

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