US-based Viewdle, which is corporate venturing-backed, is sold after holding talks with Motorola last year shortly before Google acquired it. Google sealed the deal through its Motorola Mobility unit.
Author: Gregg Bayes-Brown
Tier3 raises $10m
Intel Capital was joined by existing backers investing in the US-based cloud-storage firm.
Sanoma sets up unit
Finland-based Sanoma Group, an international media group, has established SanomaVentures, a venture fund focussing on early stage investments. The firm plans to stick to startups focussing on the media, and is looking to invest between €100,000 ($130,000) and €500,000 in e-commerce, e-learning, online ads, online consumer services, and mobile and tablet apps. The firm has… Continue reading Sanoma sets up unit
Accenture launches Fintech Innovation Lab
The new programme is also supported by the Mayor of London [whose office is pictured], the City of London Corporation, and the Technology Strategy Board.
Criteo raises $38.7m
Softbank Corporation’s corporate venturing unit helps the France-based advertising platform secure an estimated $800m valuation.
GlobeImmune delays IPO
Celgene-backed GlobeImmune’s flotation is still pending, as of this article, having been reportedly delayed last week.
Laser Light shines with $15m
The company backed by motion picture technology business IMAX, and venture firms Harris & Harris Group and Braemar Energy Ventures, raises fresh funds.
Google eyes big biotech spend
“There’s a whole world of innovation out there outside of social media. It’s a huge growth area, but we’re investing a lot of money in life sciences,” said Google Ventures managing partner William Maris to news provider CNBC.
Cortina pulls IPO
Shareholders in the semiconductor manufacturer include Intel, Morgenthaler Partners, Canaan Partners, Institutional Venture Partners, DCM, El Dorado Ventures, and Kodiak Venture Partners.
The Big Deal: iRobot evolves
A large patent portfolio bought by iRobot in its acquisition of Evolution, doubtless has been of interest to its corporate venturing unit backer Vodafone Ventures.
iRobot assimilates Evolution
Vodafone Ventures-backed robotics company Evolution Robotics sells to rival iRobot for $74m.
Square swipes $200m
The company secures big series D, which had corporate backing from coffee shop Starbucks and US bank Citigroup’s corporate venturing unit.
Goldman floats Zendesk to $60m
The cloud-based customer service provider was also backed by US-based bank Silicon Valley Bank, as well as venture firms GGV Capital, Index Ventures, Matrix Partners, Benchmark Capital, and Charles River Ventures.
Smith Electric IPO stalls
Smith Electric, backed by the Tanfield Group and SEV Group, had set a range, with a mid-point of $76m, before pulling its IPO on Friday.