Japan-based Whill, a start-up company based in Japan specialising in an ultra-modern EV and wheelchair design, has raised $1m in seed funding from Silicon Valley seed investor fund, 500 Startups (Dave McClure); Itochu corporate venturing unit, Itochu Technology Ventures; Eric Kwan (Facebook), Sunbridge Global Ventures, Wingle and other investors, to further develop its prototype vehicle.… Continue reading 500 startups, Itochu put $1m in EV prototype
Month: July 2013
LVMH finds beauty in strategic cosmetics deal
L Capital Asia , the private equity fund backed by luxury fashion group LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy), has acquired a minority stake in China-based Marubi Holdings Group. The amount invested has not been made public at the time of writing, but is a significant investment, it has been reported. The private equity fund has… Continue reading LVMH finds beauty in strategic cosmetics deal
Garena goes down the aisle with Redmart
Singapore-based gaming firm Garena has invested in Singapore online grocery store, Redmart, in what is being called a series A round. The deal follows on from three previous seed rounds and is reported to be worth millions of dollars.
Google joins Intel Capital as core shareholder of Himax
US-based search engine group Google has invested an undisclosed amount of money for a 6.3% stake in Taiwan-based Himax Display, a subsidiary of Himax Technologies. Himax said that that the investment is being made to “fund production upgrades, expand capacity and further enhance production capabilities.” Shares of semiconductor maker Himax Technologies were jumping in pre-market… Continue reading Google joins Intel Capital as core shareholder of Himax
New model ventures rise for corporate needs
An interview with Andrew Shapiro, founder of the Broadscale Group, which is one of a number of recently set up investment firms tailored to meet the needs of corporates working with start-ups.
Concur flies with Yapta
Airfare price tracking business Yapta raises $4.2m D funding from travel and expense management business Concur.
Rogers backs social business platform Addvocate
Rogers Venture Partners leads $2m series A round of funding for platform that turns social networking to business use.
The Big Deal: Easy Taxi heads for Africa
Easy Taxi, a taxi booking app launched in Brazil, has secured $10m in funding to take itself to Africa. The funding comes from Africa Internet Holdings, a joint venture between Rocket Internet and Millicom, the telecoms and digital lifestyle company focused on emerging markets, principally through its Tigo brand in Latin America and Africa. Easy… Continue reading The Big Deal: Easy Taxi heads for Africa
Millicom and Rocket take Easy Taxi to Africa
Africa Internet Holding, a JV between telecoms operator Millicom and Rocket Internet, invests $10m in taxi booking app.
In-Q-Tel backs geospatial software company OpenGeo
OpenGeo, a US-based provider of open source geospatial software used for web mapping, transportation and other solutions, has entered into a strategic, undisclosed investment and technology development agreement with In-Q-Tel (IQT), the technology accelerator of the US government’s Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Previously, in May 2013, OpenGeo announced a $3m series A investment from Canada-based… Continue reading In-Q-Tel backs geospatial software company OpenGeo
PlayOn! Sports wins Herff Jones recognition
High school sports media company raises $26m series D round funding led by Herff Jones, provider of medals and school achievement products.
Google serves up funds for Objective Logistics
Google Ventures joins $5.3m series A funding for maker of workforce performance management technology.
Comcast cuts cheque for Maker’s Row
Maker’s Row, a US-based startup which connects designers and businesses with US manufacturers, has closed a $1m seed round of funding, co-led by Comcast Ventures, corporate venturing arm of entertainment and cable communications company Comcast Corporation, and venture capital firm Index Ventures, with the participation of angel investors including Joanne Wilson and Alexis Ohanian. Matthew… Continue reading Comcast cuts cheque for Maker’s Row
RetailMeNot IPO flies
Google Ventures-backed digital coupon marketplace raises $191m in IPO on Nasdaq, with an initial market capitalisation of approximately $1.05bn.