Best Buy
Best Buy is a multinational retailer specializing in technology and entertainment products and services. Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Litchfield, Minnesota, the company operates a diverse portfolio of brands, including Best Buy, Geek Squad, and Magnolia Audio Video, among others. With over 155,000 employees, Best Buy engages customers through retail locations, online platforms, and various in-home services. Its extensive product range includes consumer electronics such as televisions, cameras, and audio systems, as well as mobile devices, computers, and appliances. Best Buy also offers services like product repair, service contracts, and installation for home theater and mobile audio systems. The company has seen significant growth in its e-commerce segment, which has become an increasingly important part of its sales strategy, accounting for a substantial share of its revenue. Best Buy maintains a strong presence in North America, with a market share that positions it as a leading player in the consumer electronics space.
21 past transactions
Current Health
Acquisition in 2021
Current Health Limited is a healthcare technology company based in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, that specializes in wearable devices for monitoring patient vitals. Founded in 2014 and originally known as Snap40 Limited, the company rebranded in December 2018. Current Health's devices are designed to measure critical health indicators such as oxygen saturation, respiration rate, pulse rate, temperature, motion, activity, and posture, enabling early identification of potential health issues. Their patient monitoring platform facilitates the management of patients at home by collecting and analyzing data to detect and predict health deterioration. This allows patients to share daily activities, report symptoms, and complete structured questionnaires, ultimately helping healthcare providers reduce risks and costs associated with patient care.
Critical Signal Technologies
Acquisition in 2019
Critical Signal Technologies, Inc. is a health services company based in Novi, Michigan, specializing in remote patient monitoring services aimed at empowering older adults, individuals with disabilities, and those managing chronic illnesses to live independently. Established in 2006 by Jeffery S. Prough, the company offers a comprehensive suite of services, including personal emergency response systems, telehealth solutions, wellness coaching, and chronic disease management. Critical Signal Technologies distinguishes itself as a leading independent provider in the field of personal emergency response systems and telehealth monitoring, utilizing a proprietary social work model that focuses on addressing the diverse needs of patients. This approach enhances care, improves health outcomes, and reduces costs, ensuring that clients receive user-friendly devices and support tailored to their circumstances.
Swirl Networks
Acquisition in 2019
Swirl is a provider of an in-store mobile marketing platform aimed at helping retailers enhance consumer engagement during the shopping experience. The company utilizes proprietary micro-location technology to deliver targeted messages, content, and offers to shoppers' smartphones based on their specific locations within the store. By integrating patent-pending indoor location beacons with cloud-based marketing campaign management services, Swirl enables retailers to create a personalized in-store mobile experience. Additionally, their software development kit allows retailers to incorporate these capabilities into existing mobile applications, ultimately increasing store traffic, customer engagement, and sales conversions.
Lively
Acquisition in 2018
Lively, a subsidiary of Best Buy, specializes in mobile health and safety solutions tailored for older adults and their caregivers. The company offers a range of products designed to promote independence and well-being among seniors, including the Lively Mobile and Lively Wearable devices, as well as the Jitterbug Smart2 and Jitterbug Flip phones. Its suite of mobile applications includes services such as Urgent Care, GreatCall Link, MedCoach, and 5Star, which provide medical assistance, medication management, and emergency response capabilities. With a focus on ease of use, Lively’s products feature senior-friendly hardware and one-touch connectivity to trained agents who can assist with emergencies and other needs. The company serves over 900,000 subscribers across the United States, aiming to enhance the quality of life for aging consumers through innovative technology and dedicated customer care.
AddStructure
Seed Round in 2017
AddStructure Inc. is a technology company based in New York, founded in 2014, that specializes in developing an artificial intelligence-powered search and discovery platform. The company offers innovative products such as Signal, which enhances search relevance through machine learning and natural language processing; Path, which generates search engine optimized landing pages to boost organic traffic; and Scaffold, an API that serves as a foundational tool for various search projects. AddStructure's platform enables retailers and brands to implement conversational commerce solutions, streamlining the way consumers interact with products through features like review summarization and intelligent digital assistants. By leveraging its technology, AddStructure aims to increase revenue for its clients by improving product visibility and engagement without necessitating significant investments in engineering resources. As of February 2018, AddStructure operates as a subsidiary of Bazaarvoice, Inc.
Zubie
Seed Round in 2012
Zubie is a connected vehicle services company that offers a platform designed to deliver essential vehicle health, location, and safety information to both consumers and businesses. By utilizing a simple plug-in device known as the Zubie Key, users can effortlessly monitor critical vehicle data, such as fuel efficiency and driving behavior, via mobile applications for iOS and Android, as well as an online web portal. This service not only helps individual consumers keep track of their vehicles but also provides businesses with a low-cost fleet management solution aimed at enhancing vehicle maintenance, preventing accidents, and optimizing fleet operations.
mindSHIFT Technologies
Acquisition in 2011
mindSHIFT Technologies specializes in managed IT services and cloud solutions tailored for small and medium-sized organizations. The company offers a comprehensive range of services, including information technology outsourcing, voice-over-internet protocol, off-site data backups, help desk support, remote access, and hosted exchange services. Additionally, mindSHIFT provides software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions, e-business applications, managed hosting, archiving, server monitoring, and management. With a focus on creating affordable and proactive IT environments, mindSHIFT is accredited by the MSP Alliance and recognized as one of the leading managed services providers globally.
Partsearch Technologies
Acquisition in 2011
Partsearch Technologies operates an online platform specializing in replacement parts for consumer electronics and home appliances. Founded in 2000 and based in Litchfield, Minnesota, the company maintains an extensive catalog of parts and accessories, covering categories such as major and small appliances, computers, wireless devices, outdoor power equipment, and home improvement products. In addition to retailing these components directly to consumers, Partsearch Technologies offers parts procurement services to retail partners, warranty administrators, and their customers. The company also supports independent contractors and small businesses with web-based solutions, thereby serving a diverse clientele that includes the service, in-warranty, extended warranty repair, retail, and consumer markets. Through its technology-driven approach, Partsearch Technologies aims to provide a wide range of quality products at competitive prices.
SiBEAM
Funding Round in 2010
SiBEAM is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in the development of intelligent millimeter wave technologies and high-speed wireless communication platforms. It is recognized for being the first to create 60 GHz chipsets using CMOS technology, catering to the growing demand for high-bandwidth services. SiBEAM designs RF CMOS semiconductors for various applications, including wireless high-definition transmitters and receivers for devices such as DVD players, set-top boxes, and media center PCs. The company also offers low power transmitter and receiver chipsets and a WirelessHD Development Kit to facilitate integration into wireless communications product lines. Its innovative solutions are utilized in a range of products, including A/V receivers and home theater systems, thereby enhancing the wireless communication capabilities across consumer electronics.
Five Star Appliance
Acquisition in 2009
Five Star is the third largest retailer of consumer electronic appliances in China and is headquartered in Nanjing. Its sales revenue was 23 billion yuan in 2008. Five Star has opened 170 stores in seven provinces across China (Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, Shandong, Henan, Sichuan and Yunnan) and employs more than 8,000 people.
Dealtree
Acquisition in 2008
Dealtree is a technology company that specializes in providing software products and services related to the management of consumer returns, trade-in programs, and liquidation channels. Acquired by Best Buy in 2008, Dealtree serves as the technology backbone for Best Buy's operations in these areas. Its software solutions facilitate online auctions and streamline logistics and returns processing for used goods, helping customers effectively navigate the product trade-in process. Through its innovative offerings, Dealtree enhances the efficiency of managing second-hand products, supporting both retailers and consumers in their transactions.
Napster
Acquisition in 2008
Napster is a provider of subscription-based digital music services that offers its members advertisement-free access to millions of songs. The company specializes in creating interactive music experiences, allowing users to discover, share, acquire, and enjoy music at any time and from various devices, including web browsers, smartphones, and home entertainment systems. With its platform, Napster enables users to access a diverse array of music, alongside personalized features such as playlists, reviews, and original content like videos and radio stations. Operating in the United States, Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom, Napster is dedicated to delivering an intuitive music experience tailored to individual preferences. The company is a fully owned subsidiary of Best Buy, Inc.
Mydeo
Series A in 2007
Mydeo is the social video site which now serves as the architecture for Best Buy's video sharing service. Best Buy Video Sharing is a subscription-based service for users to upload their personal videos for storage, but also allows them to share select videos on web sites and blogs, while controlling who views the video. Out of all the social video sites in America, Best Buy chose Mydeo which operates in Wimbledon Britain. Mydeo's foundations in Microsoft Movie Maker suggest that there was possibly an introduction between Mydeo and Best Buy from Microsoft. Best Buy owns a minority share as by terms of their partnership. Best Buy, the largest electronics retailer in the US, sells around a third of all video cameras sold each year. Significantly, a large percentage of those are sold to Mydeo's target audiences of families and small businesses, who tend to use Movie Maker.
Avnera
Series C in 2007
Avnera Corporation is a fabless semiconductor company based in Beaverton, Oregon, established in 2003. It specializes in designing and developing analog system-on-chip (ASoC) technology products tailored for the consumer audio industry. Avnera's products integrate various functions, such as RF, power management, audio data converters, host interfaces, and programmable DSPs, onto single silicon chips, leading to high performance at a reduced system cost. The company's offerings encompass wireless audio ASoC products for gaming headsets, home theater systems, and microphones, as well as sound processor ASoC products for soundbars and Bluetooth speakers. Avnera serves a diverse clientele, including prominent names in the audio and electronics sectors, such as Logitech, Panasonic, and Vizio. As of 2018, Avnera operates as a subsidiary of Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
Speakeasy
Acquisition in 2007
Speakeasy is a prominent provider of broadband voice, data, and IT services, focused on supporting small businesses in enhancing their operations. Based in Seattle, the company has been delivering award-winning customer service since its establishment in 1994. Speakeasy offers a variety of connectivity options, including DSL and Bonded T1 services, designed to simplify communication and data management for its clients. By providing comprehensive voice and data solutions, Speakeasy aims to improve customer experiences, boost employee productivity, and reduce operational costs. In April 2007, the company became part of the Best Buy family, collaborating with Best Buy For Business to promote technology solutions tailored for small businesses across the United States.
Jiangsu Five Star Appliance
Acquisition in 2006
Jiangsu Five Star Appliance Co., Ltd. is a prominent retailer of household appliances and consumer electronics in China, ranking as the fourth-largest in the sector. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Nanjing, the company operates a chain of retail stores that offer a diverse range of products, including air-conditioning units, audio and video equipment, and digital communication devices. In addition to its physical retail presence, Jiangsu Five Star Appliance also maintains an online platform and implements loyalty programs to enhance customer engagement and satisfaction. As of 2020, it functions as a subsidiary of JD.com, Inc.
Pacific Sales
Acquisition in 2006
Pacific Sales Kitchen and Bath Centers, the nation's 10th largest white-goods dealer.
Geek Squad
Acquisition in 2002
Geek Squad is a prominent provider of technology support services, operating as a 24-hour task force dedicated to addressing a wide range of technology challenges. With a team of approximately 20,000 skilled technicians, including computing agents, home entertainment installers, AutoTechs, and appliance repair specialists, Geek Squad offers comprehensive IT maintenance services across the United States. The company operates within Best Buy stores, at standalone locations, and through various service centers, delivering round-the-clock support to assist customers with both hardware and software issues. Their services include tailored assessments and on-site repairs, ensuring effective solutions for diverse technology needs.
Magnolia Hi-Fi
Acquisition in 2000
Magnolia Hi-Fi is a retailer specializing in audio, television, and video equipment, along with furniture and home integration solutions. The company offers a range of products designed to enhance home entertainment experiences, including various accessories that complement their core offerings. By focusing on quality and customer service, Magnolia Hi-Fi aims to provide comprehensive solutions for individuals looking to create immersive audio-visual environments in their homes.
Musicland Stores Corporation
Acquisition in 2000
Minnesota-based Best Buy is the leading consumer electronics retailer in the United States, far outpacing archrival Circuit City Stores
Simplexity
Series B in 2000
Simplexity provides wireless services and a platform that simplifies the telecom marketplace for buyers and carriers. Through its XACT architecture and online resources, the company helps customers learn about and compare thousands of telecom options, and enables carriers to interact directly with small and medium businesses, a fast-growing yet highly fragmented segment. It offers wireless service capabilities along with operations services such as inventory and rate plan management, order processing, automated activation, online merchandising, and customer care, aiming to streamline telecom purchasing and execution for SMBs and carriers.
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