Lithium: Under guidance of Vista Equity, software maker Spredfast to merge; Austin to lose an HQ

Austin's Spredfast Inc., which makes social media marketing software, is merging with San Francisco-based Lithium Technologies LLC under the watchful eye of Vista Equity Partners - one of the most prolific technology investment firms in the country. The agreement, announced Tuesday, would create "the industry's most comprehensive customer engagement platform." Lithium Technologies makes software for businesses to communicate with customers through social media and other channels such as text message. The...