Exit watch, Sept. 24, 2007

Yahoo buys Web email company Zimbra

Yahoo Inc.

has agreed to buy Zimbra Inc., a San Mateo, Calif.-based maker of open-source email server software, for about $350 million. No other financial terms were disclosed for the deal, which is expected to close in Q4. Zimbra has raised $28.5 million since 2004 from such firms as Accel Partners, Benchmark Capital, DAG Ventures, Redpoint Ventures and Presidio STX.

Allergan scoops up Esprit Pharma

Allergan Inc.

(NYSE: AGN) has agreed to buy Esprit Pharma Inc., an East Brunswick, N.J.-based drug developer focused on women’s health care. No pricing terms were disclosed for the all-cash transaction, which is expected to close within 30 days. Merrill Lynch advised Esprit, with Cowen & Co. serving as co-advisor. Esprit has raised more than $220 million in VC funding since 2002 from Domain Associates, New Enterprise Associates, Apax Partners, Montagu Newhall Global Partners, Oak Investment Partners and clients advised by Performance Equity Management.

Cisco to buy wireless network manager

Cisco Systems Inc.

(Nasdaq: CSCO) has agreed to acquire Cognio Inc., a Germantown, Md.-based provider of wireless spectrum analysis and management for wireless networks, which reduces radio frequency interference. No financial terms were disclosed. Cognio has raised more than $30 million in VC funding since 2001 from such firms as ABS Ventures, North Bridge Venture Partners and Avansis Ventures.

Nextance sold to Versata

Versata Enterprises Inc. (OTC BB: VATA) has acquired Nextance Inc., a Redwood City, Calif.-based provider of enterprise contract management solutions. No financial terms were disclosed. Nextance has raised about $50 million in VC funding from El Dorado Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Onset Ventures and Palo Alto Venture Partners.

Vestar-backed company sold for $170M

Kohlberg & Co. has agreed to buy Hoffmaster from Solo Cup Co., a portfolio company of Vestar Capital Partners. The deal is valued at $170 million, with leveraged financing committed by National City Bank and GE Antares. The deal is expected to close within 45 days. Hoffmaster makes specialty napkins, plastic placemats and other items for restaurants and hotels. Goldman Sachs advised Solo, which is minority-owned by Vestar.

Hearst acquires RealAge

Hearst Magazines

, a unit of Hearst Corp., has agreed to acquire RealAge Inc., a San Diego-based consumer health media company and provider of personalized health information and management tools. No financial terms were disclosed for the deal, which is expected to close within the week. RealAge was founded in 1999 and raised about $14.6 million in VC funding from Camelot Ventures, Broadview Capital Partners, Dain Rauscher Corp. and individual investors.

Nokia buys Enpocket

Nokia Corp.

has agreed to acquire Enpocket Inc., a Boston-based mobile advertising and marketing company. No financial terms were disclosed for the deal, which is expected to close by the end of the year. Enpocket had raised about $17.5 million in VC funding since mid-2002 from such firms as Bru Venture Capital, Dolphin Equity Partners, GrandBanks Capital and BlueRun Ventures (f.k.a. Nokia Venture Partners).