Nextreme raises $13 million, will expand

After nearly four years spent developing and fine-tuning tiny devices that cool electronics, Nextreme Thermal Solutions is ready to mass-produce -- and it has the money to do it. The Durham company has raised $13 million in funding and plans to expand production.

The company's investors include Chart Venture Partners of New York; RTI International, the Research Triangle Park think tank; and In-Q-Tel, a venture-capital firm started by the CIA. Nextreme, which now employs 38 people, sells tiny refrigerators that also act as power generators. The devices cool processing equipment used in a variety of electronic products, which helps them run longer, faster and more efficiently. By absorbing energy from the heat, they also generate power.

"Customer demand is strong, we have a fantastic team and now we've got money," said Nextreme CEO Jesko von Windheim. Since it started in 2004, the company has raised $27 million.

Nextreme will initially focus on the telecommunications market, but von Windheim said the company also will help make military night goggles more mobile by cooling infrared sensors, allowing them to last longer and perform better.

Deals

Magellan Transport Logistics, which provides transportation services, warehousing and supply-chain management, opened an office in Raleigh. The Raleigh team includes Sean Hizey, branch manager; Chris Dovichak, logistics manager; and James Isaacs, logistics sales and operations.

The Atlanta law firm of Troutman Sanders, which has an office in Raleigh, is merging with Ross, Dixon & Bell of Washington. The merged firm will have offices in 15 cities and be called Troutman Sanders LLP. It will be headquartered in Atlanta. The merger takes effect Jan. 1.

The Center for Chiropractic & Wellness in Raleigh has added animal chiropractic to its human services. Dr. Darcy Ward with the center earned certification from the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association to treat animals using chiropractic therapy. He can now treat dogs, cats and horses.

Szostak Design of Chapel Hill has been selected to provide design services for a master plan and major renovation to the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art in Winston-Salem.

Adam & Eve, which has doubled its franchise stores in the past two years, has plans to open 12 more in 2008. The retail chain is based in Hillsborough and sells romance, lingerie and adult novelty items at 27 stores in nine states.

Talecris Plasma is opening a donor center Aug. 12 at 446 Grove St. in Fayetteville.

Curamericas Global, a Raleigh nonprofit organization, received funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development to begin a project in Ganta, Liberia. Curamericas Global will partner with the Ganta United Methodist Hospital to provide emergency obstetric care and treat malaria, HIV/AIDS, diarrhea and pneumonia. Curamericas Global will also assist with rebuilding wells and latrines in surrounding communities.

Chas H. Sells, an engineering and design firm with an office in Cary, is changing its name to WSP-Sells effective Friday. The name change is a result of the New York company's October merger with the WSP Group, a consulting engineering firm based in the United Kingdom.

ClickCulture, a Raleigh marketing firm specializing in technology, designed and launched a Web site for Kanki, a Japanese steak and sushi house with three locations in the Triangle.

Construction has began on Farmington Square Shopping Center at 2800 Rock Quarry Road in Raleigh. The project is scheduled for completion in 2008. The development will include a Family Dollar, a barber shop, nail salon, insurance agency, day care center, restaurants, dry cleaners and grocery shops.