AAA March 2013 – Page 10

Twilio expands to Europe

Twilio, a US-based communications company, has extended its US-focused corporate venturing fund to start-ups in Europe. The Twilio Fund Europe for 2013 extends its microfund supported by early-stage venture capital firm 500 Startups for companies and products based on Twilio’s platform to the European Union. Twilio said it opened its London, UK, office in 2011,… Continue reading Twilio expands to Europe

Softonic connects with Partners

Partners Group, a Switzerland-based private equity firm, has bought 30% of Softonic, an online software guide to media content incubated by Grupo Intercom, a Spain-based internet-focused conglomerate. Partners Group paid €110m ($130m) for the stake, which was less than the 40% it had reportedly been looking to buy but still makes it the majority shareholder,… Continue reading Softonic connects with Partners

Synapsify texts its $600,000

Synapsify, a US-based text analytics start-up, has raised $600,000 in its seed round from a consortium including media group Ingram Industries’ corporate venturing unit. Alongside ICG Ventures, a subsidiary of Ingram’s Content Group, were venture capital firms Fortify Ventures and Middleland Capital and angel investors. Synapsify was a member of the inaugural class of Fortify’s… Continue reading Synapsify texts its $600,000

LocalResponse calls up Verizon

LocalResponse, a US-based social advertising service backed by phone operator Vodafone’s corporate venturing unit, has raised $1.2m from a consortium including Verizon Ventures. LocalResponse said alongside phone company Verizon’s corporate venturing unit in the round were venture capital firms Advancit Capital, Cava Capital, Extreme Venture Partners and the Webb Investment Network. LocalResponse has now raised… Continue reading LocalResponse calls up Verizon

Altobridge crosses to $7.8m

Altobridge, an Ireland-based wireless network service provider backed by chip maker Intel’s corporate venturing unit, has raised $7.8m to develop its Data at the Edge product providing mobile broadband data optimisation across wireless networks. Intel Capital and the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation provided the money. Mike Fitzgerald, chief executive of Altobridge, said: “Since our… Continue reading Altobridge crosses to $7.8m

Monetate monetises strategic round

Monetate, a US-based online marketing services company, has reportedly raised $15.2m in a “strategic round”. News provider Bizjournal said Monetate’s regulatory filing showed seven investors in its latest round, which “is a very strategic round from a mix of new and existing investors who prefer to remain private at this point,” Monetate’s director of corporate… Continue reading Monetate monetises strategic round