While media companies take a venturing approach in their core content business, they should double down by being bolder in technology venturing.
Month: March 2015
Investors hand $32m to Highfive
Video conferencing technology provider Highfive has boosted its overall funding to more than $45m with its second Google Ventures-backed round.
SoftBank commits another $5m to InMobi
The mobile advertising network has received another $5m from SoftBank, which invested $200m in the company in 2011.
Dianping nears $850m series E
The Tencent-backed restaurant and services reviews site is set to close an $850m round, just over a year after it raised funding at a reported $2.5bn valuation.
StarMaker tunes up series B
The digital-first music talent platform raised $6.5m from backers including Qualcomm, which invested for a second time, and Gree.
A new day, new funding for Ensogo
Hedge fund Ward Ferry Management is set to invest $7.6m in the daily deals site, a week after it secured $5m from e-commerce company VIPshop.
FoodPanda feeds acquisition spree with $110m
In the wake of a series of acquisitions, the online food delivery service raised $110m in its latest round, increasing its total funding to approximately $218m.
Snapchat aims to capture $200m of Alibaba cash
The messaging service is raising $500m, though reports differ as to whether Alibaba’s $200m investment would be made as part of that funding or in addition to it.
Decolar takes off with $270m Expedia investment
Expedia has increased its reach into Latin America by purchasing a 20% stake in Decolar, which provides online travel agency services in 21 countries.
Lyft accepts $530m fare as Rakuten invests $300m
The ride sharing company has now raised more than $860m after Rakuten led a round that valued it at $2.5bn.
Rocket Internet merges subsidiaries Lamido and Lazada
Online marketplace Lamido will be shut down and absorbed into e-commerce portal Lazada in a bid to consolidate Rocket Internet’s Southeast Asian activities.
Focus: BASF taps venturing and innovation for R&D
For BASF Group, corporate venturing and open innovation play a critical role in the company’s research and development activities. The German chemical producer’s business units and research department are intimately involved in vetting potential investments.“Their role is to describe why, from a strategic point of view, we should work with this company and how,” said Dirk Nachtigal,… Continue reading Focus: BASF taps venturing and innovation for R&D
Rocket Internet expands Global Online Takeway Group
The corporate-backed venture firm has upped its stake in Delivery hero to 39% and has contributed to a $110m round raised by FoodPanda.
Sapphire fancies Looker in $30m series B
Data platform Looker has now raised $48m in less than two years and added SAP-affiliated venture firm Sapphire Ventures to its investors.