Capital Buzz

Venga is led by D.C. entrepreneur Winston Bao Lord, tech executive Reg Stettinius and former private equity investor Sam von Pollaro. They have raised more than $300,000 from restaurateurs and local angel investors.

"It's fully customizable for the consumer so they only receive the specials they want," Lord said. "For example, if you have no children, you can opt out of any kids-related specials."

Lord said he expects to expand nationally.

It will be available on your smartphone as well as at www.govenga.com.

THE BUZZ HEARS:

* Towson, Md.-based Doctors Express recently opened a franchise at 4167 Merchant Plaza in Woodbridge. The walk-in medical center promises a face-to-face with a physician in less than 20 minues. It has three physicians, six staffers and one marketing person and offers a range of treatments and services. The franchisees are owned by Fredericksburg-based entrepreneurs Rhonda and Keith Pellicano. The Pellicanos own a real estate investment company called Edgeworth Holdings LLC. They also owned the Huntington Learning Center, one of the highest-grossing franchises of its brand, before selling it in 2007.

* Washington Post colleague Howard Schneider reports that this year's Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular has a Washington financial angle. Schneider said the performance he attended last week featured a 3D film of Santa Clause flying to New York -- and speeding by Capital One Bank signs as he heads for the kiddies.

* Marriott International chairman and chief executive John Willard "Bill" Marriott Jr. , 78, is staying in shape with Pilates classes two days a week. He attends a "Core Essentials" class that is open to all employees.

* Munish Gandhi's Hy.ly, based in Ashburn, last week launched an application that gives small businesses the ability to create a welcome tab on their Facebook page.

CARLYLE WATCH

When not buying or selling, Carlyle is raising capital to make future investments. Carlyle can't discuss so-called fundraising because of regulatory restrictions, but the Buzz has heard from a prospective investor that Carlyle is raising a $1 billion fund to invest primarily in small U.S. companies that have high growth potential. D.C.-based Brooke Coburn is helping lead the fund.

Last week was a blur of activity for Carlyle watchers: Carlyle Group's U.K. team sold high-end car babyseat-maker Britax to a Swedish investment firm for around $700 million (a gain of more than 2.5 times its investment); Oliver Sarkozy's financial services fund invested tens of millions for a minority stake in OzForex, an Australian online foreign exchange company; the U.S. consumer-retail team sold skin-care company Philosophy to Coty for just under $1 billion; the German team bought a portfolio of retail businesses, including Moderne Hausfrau (e-commerce business focused on products that make life easier).

In the giving back department, former Carlyle buyout head Daniel F. Akerson, firmly ensconced behind the wheel of newly public General Motors, was feted by So Others Might Eat. Akerson was given SOME's 2010 McKenna Humanitarian Award for his years of philanthropic activities in the region and for his recent commitment to fund construction of Marguerite's Place, a family center named after his mother where children and adults can receive SOME's various mentoring.