VC fund briefs, week of Dec. 17, 2007

ARCH closes fund VII

ARCH Venture Partners has closed its seventh fund with $400 million in capital commitments.

The Chicago-based firm, which focuses on seed stage and early stage tech and life sciences companies, raised more than $350 million for fund VI in 2003.

ARCH is known for creating new companies based upon technology that emanated from universities, national labs and corporate research centers. The firm says that since it was founded in 1986, it has invested in more than 120 companies, most of them from the concept stage.

The co-founding Managing Directors are Keith Crandell, Robert Nelsen, Clinton Bybee and Steve Lazarus, who holds the title of emeritus managing director. Managing Directors are Patrick Ennis, Scott Minick and Steve Gillis.

DFJ expands fund IX

Draper Fisher Jurvetson closed its ninth early stage fund late last year with $600 million in LP commitments, but apparently that wasn’t quite enough.

The firm has since added $50 million, according to a regulatory filing.

Northern Light shines upon $236M for fund II

Northern Light Venture Fund has raised $236 million for its second fund, according to a regulatory filing.

Limited partners include Princeton University.

The China-focused VC shop was founded in 2006 by U.S. firms Greylock Partners and New Enterprise Associates, and closed its debut fund with $120 million.

VIA raises $225M

Venture Investment Associates has closed its sixth fund of funds with $225 million in capital commitments. The vehicle will be used to invest in between 20 and 25 venture capital, growth equity and buyout funds.

The Peapack, N.J.-based fund of funds manager raised about $185 million for its fifth fund in 2001.