NTE RAISES $53 MILLION IN PRIVATE EQUITY FINANCING

   The National Transportation Exchange Inc., a privately held business-to-business e-commerce company, said it has raised $53 million in a fourth round of private equity financing.
   Generation Partners was the lead investor. Other investors included Hummer Winblad Venture Partners, AT&T Ventures, CrossPoint Venture Partners, Bessemer Venture Partners, divine interVentures Inc., Weiss Peck & Creer and Dell Computer Corp. It marked the second round of financing NTE has closed in six months.
   The company intends to use the financing to continue to expand sales, develop additional e-commerce technology products, increase is business-to-business marketing efforts and address global growth opportunities, said James K. Davidson, president and chief executive officer.
   The company’s exchange executes automated buy and sell transactions between shippers and freight carriers and has more than 500 members.