VentureBeat

Folks, here’s a quick summary of the numerous deals going down. We’ve been posting slower than usual lately; we’re doing maintenance. Back to full speed shortly….

Force10 Networks, the San Jose provider of latest-generation network and switching gear, has raised $50 million. Remember, this is the company that is pitching carriers on its 10-gigabit ethernet gear, and signaled beginning last year that it was thinking of going public this year. Light Reading now says the company is valued at $455 million after this investment. Force10 has raised at least $328 million in total VC funding, and perhaps more. The details are sketchy, but it is another one of these dollar-monster start-ups backed by New Enterprise Associates (we will provide more perspective on this theme shortly).

Groxis, the SF developer of a funky visual search technology that presents results in sphere-like categories, has raised $4 million more. We’ve mentioned this company several times, but haven’t heard much from it — perhaps because it is focused on sales to companies, as opposed to consumers (though it did break down its subcription wall for a limited free version). This is its second round of funding. Return backer Draper Fisher Jurvetson led the deal, and was joined by Jackson Boulevard Capital Management.
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