Firm exceeds $300 million target with Fund V; expands its base of limited partners; announces promotions of Dennis McWilliams and Omar Khalil to Managing Directors

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 2, 2026 — Santé Ventures, a leading early-stage healthcare and life sciences investment firm, today announced the close of its fifth fund with $330 million in committed capital, exceeding its $300 million target. Fund V will continue the firm’s focus on investing in innovative biotechnology, medical technology, and digitally enabled healthcare companies addressing significant unmet medical needs. This marks Santé’s largest fund to date and reflects a growing and increasingly diversified investor base.

“Fund V represents a continuation of our mission to partner with exceptional entrepreneurs driving breakthrough science and transformative healthcare solutions,” said Kevin Lalande, Founding Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer at Santé. “We are deeply grateful for the support of our limited partners, who share our conviction that innovation at the intersection of science, medicine, and technology can fundamentally improve patient outcomes.”

Since its founding in 2006, Santé Ventures has established a strong track record of identifying, building, and supporting companies that deliver meaningful advances across the healthcare landscape. The firm has served as lead venture investor in numerous successful exits, including Laminar (Johnson & Johnson), Farapulse (Boston Scientific), AbVitro (Bristol Myers Squibb), and Explorys (IBM Corp), among others.

Fund V will follow Santé’s established approach of thematic investing, rigorous scientific diligence, and hands-on company creation. The firm will continue to focus on early-stage opportunities with the potential to fundamentally improve patient care, particularly in areas characterized by clinical complexity, capital inefficiency, or outdated care delivery models. The close of Fund V also reflects an expansion of Santé’s limited partner base across both domestic and international markets, further validating the firm’s long-term strategy and performance.

In conjunction with the close of Fund V, Santé also announced the promotion of Dennis McWilliams and Omar Khalil to Managing Directors. Both have played integral roles in shaping the firm’s investment strategy and supporting portfolio company development.

“Dennis and Omar have been instrumental to our success and embody the collaborative, science-driven approach that defines Santé,” said Lalande. “Their leadership meaningfully strengthens our ability to partner with world-class founders and build companies that make a lasting impact on healthcare.”

About Santé Ventures
Founded in 2006, Santé Ventures is a specialized healthcare and life sciences investment firm with over $1 billion in capital under management. The firm invests in early-stage companies developing innovative new medical technologies, biotechnologies, and digitally enabled healthcare services. Recent Santé successes include Laminar (Johnson & Johnson), Farapulse (Boston Scientific), Healthcare Highways – CerpassRx (Nomi Health), Claret Medical (Boston Scientific), TVA Medical (Becton Dickinson), Millipede Medical (Boston Scientific), Molecular Templates (MTEM), AbVitro (Bristol Myers Squibb), and Explorys (IBM Corp). Santé invests nationally and has offices in Austin, TX and Boston, MA. For more information, please visit www.sante.com.

Media Contacts
Santé Ventures Press and Community Relations
[email protected]
512.721.1200

Ryan Walker, R.J. Walker & Co.
[email protected]

SOURCE Santé Ventures

NEW YORK and PARIS, Feb. 2, 2026 — Blue Water Venture Partners, LLC, led by New York–based investor Joseph Hernandez, today announced that it has entered into a Letter of Intent to acquire JACADI Paris, the iconic Paris-based children’s fashion brand renowned for its heritage, craftsmanship, and timeless French elegance.

Founded in Paris, JACADI Paris is recognized globally as one of the most prestigious children’s brands, with a legacy built on tradition, refinement, and exceptional quality. For generations, the brand has dressed children of royalty, heads of state, and families around the world who value classic French style and enduring craftsmanship.

Blue Water Venture Partners, LLC is committed to preserving the brand’s French spirit, heritage, and identity. The firm intends to maintain JACADI Paris’s operations and workforce in France, recognizing that the employees and artisans based there are central to what has made the brand exceptional for decades.

“JACADI Paris is a generational brand that represents the very highest standards of class, tradition, and craftsmanship,” said Joseph Hernandez, Founder of Blue Water Venture Partners, LLC. “We are deeply honored by the opportunity for potential stewardship of this iconic French maison. Our intention is to protect its heritage, preserve its French roots, and support the talented teams in France who have made JACADI Paris what it is today. We look forward to finalizing the transaction in the coming weeks.”

Cédric Dardenne, Chief Executive Officer of JACADI Paris, said: “We are very pleased by the potential of this transaction and the opportunities it may create for JACADI Paris’s continued growth. We see strong potential for expansion in North America, while maintaining our deep commitment to our customers across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Demand for French-made children’s apparel remains strong around the world, and we are proud of the trust families place in JACADI Paris. We would be excited to partner with Joseph Hernandez and Blue Water Venture Partners as we expand the brand and build on its global success with our teams and partners.”

Entering into this Letter of Intent reflects Blue Water Venture Partners’ strategy of investing in iconic, globally recognized brands with enduring cultural relevance and long-term growth potential.

The parties anticipate closing in the coming weeks.

About Blue Water Venture Partners, LLC

Blue Water Venture Partners, LLC is a global investment firm led by New York–based investor Joseph Hernandez, focused on acquiring and growing high-quality businesses across consumer brands, luxury, healthcare, and strategic industries, with a long-term, stewardship-oriented investment approach.

For further information on Blue Water Venture Partners, LLC, visit: https://www.bluewaterventurepartners.net/

About JACADI Paris

Founded in Paris, JACADI Paris is a world-renowned children’s fashion house celebrated for its timeless designs, exceptional craftsmanship, and commitment to French elegance. JACADI Paris has 293 points of sale worldwide (stores and websites).

For further information on Jacadi, visit: https://www.jacadi.com/

CONTACT:

Blue Water Venture Partners, LLC
Stephanie Mercier
[email protected]

SOURCE Blue Water Venture Partners, LLC

BENGALURU, India, Jan. 28, 2026 — Bengaluru-based aerospace components manufacturer JJG Aero has secured $30 million in Series B funding from Norwest. The capital will be deployed primarily to build and add capacity at its upcoming facility in North Bangalore, drive further vertical integration, and support other strategic initiatives. This round brings the total funding raised to $42 million and includes the $12 million Series A led by CX Partners in April 2024.

Established in 2008, JJG Aero specializes in manufacturing high-precision machined components with in-house special process finishing capabilities, serving the aircraft systems and engines segment. The company also operates a subsidiary that serves auto component and industrial segments. JJG Aero’s client roster includes American and European OEMs and Tier-1 vendors such as Collins Aerospace, Safran, GE Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, Woodward, and Liebherr.

“The last five years have witnessed exponential growth for companies such as ours that possess the capabilities, processes, compliance standards, and customer relationships to meet global aerospace demand. The opportunity is immense. From having two small one-acre sites, we are now building a massive Unit 3 on a 10-acre site with further backward and forward integration, and space to expand into adjacencies at the opportune time,” said Anuj Jhunjhunwala, CEO of JJG Aero. “The aerospace supply chain is facing an all-time high demand from aircraft manufacturers, which legacy vendors in the Western world are struggling to meet. With our strengths and value proposition, we see ourselves as a key player for precision-machined components in the aerospace ecosystem. India has emerged as an attractive destination for sourcing components and parts by global leaders, and we are excited to be selected by so many marquee clients as a strategic growth vendor.”

“We are thrilled to invest in JJG Aero, our first investment in this segment. JJG Aero has demonstrated remarkable growth, with a CAGR of 35% over the last three years. This investment will enable JJG Aero not only to continue its growth trajectory through capacity addition but also to upgrade the quality of earnings by focusing on higher value-added components,” said Shiv Chaudhary, Managing Director at Norwest. “Indian businesses have a proven ability to provide high-quality products and services as an outsourcing partner to customers around the world. With strong industry tailwinds, we believe that aero-parts and component manufacturing is emerging as an important segment in India’s manufacturing outsourcing story. We believe JJG Aero is well-positioned to capitalize on these opportunities and further solidify its presence in the market.”

From simple 2-axis to complex 5-axis machining, JJG Aero offers a comprehensive range of manufacturing services, complemented by over 30 NADCAP-approved special processes, including electroplating, anodizing, paint, and NDT. The company also performs mechanical assemblies, testing, and other value-added services to its esteemed client base.

Veda Corporate Advisors acted as the sole transaction advisor on the deal.

About JJG Aero

Established in 2008, JJG Aero is a Bengaluru-based aerospace components manufacturer specializing in high-precision machined components with in-house special process finishing capabilities for the aircraft systems and engines segment. The company offers comprehensive manufacturing services from simple 2-axis to complex 5-axis machining, complemented by over 30 NADCAP-approved special processes, including electroplating, anodizing, paint, and NDT. JJG Aero serves a prestigious roster of American and European OEMs and Tier-1 vendors, including Collins Aerospace, Safran, GE Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, Boeing, Woodward, and Liebherr. With a CAGR of 35% over the last three years, the company is expanding its capabilities through a new 200,000 sq ft facility on 10 acres in North Bangalore, targeting ₹1,000 Crore in annual revenue by 2032-33. JJG Aero also operates a subsidiary serving auto component and industrial segments. For more information, visit www.jjgmachining.com

About Norwest

Norwest is a global venture and growth equity investment firm managing more than $15.5 billion in capital. Since its inception, Norwest has invested in more than 700 companies and currently partners with more than 250 companies in its venture and growth equity portfolio. The firm invests in early- to late-stage businesses across key sectors with a focus on enterprise, healthcare and consumer. The Norwest team offers a deep network of connections, extensive operating experience, and a wide range of impactful services to help CEOs and founders scale their businesses. Norwest has offices in Menlo Park and San Francisco, Calif.; Mumbai, India; and Tel Aviv, Israel. In India, Norwest has a successful history in partnering with innovative companies across Financials, Industrials, Technology, Internet, Healthcare & Pharma and Consumer sectors. Some of the firm’s most notable investments in India include Swiggy, Sila, Regency Health, Amagi, Infinx, and Veritas Finance. For more information, please visit www.norwest.com.

SOURCE JJG Aero