Golgi, the US-based developer of a data transfer platform for apps and connected devices, launched this week with a $5m investment from mobile communications technology provider Openmind Networks. Golgi aims to cut the long loading and update times that often hamper mobile apps by helping them to receive information up to 20 times faster than they did before.
UK-based mobile payments app Yoyo has closed a $5m seed round. Telecommunications company Telefonica Group and early stage venture investor Firestartr both contributed to the round, which was led by Imperial Innovations, a firm that commercialises academic research.
Following its namesake above, YOYO Holdings, a Japan-based operator of reward platforms across Southeast Asia, coincidentally also raised $1.3m in funding this week. The corporate venturing units of Japan-based internet companies Gree and CyberAgent provided the funding, along with Incubate Fund.
Softbank Capital, the corporate venture capital subsidiary of telecommunications company Softbank, invested $2m in a $4m series A round for US-based healthcare consultancy service Sherpaa, the Wall Street Journal reported. O’Reilly Alpha Tech Ventures, First Round Capital, and Collaborative Fund, all of which invested in Sherpaa’s $1.8m seed round, also participated, as did Tumblr CEO David Karp.
Indonesia-based energy company Dian Swastatika Sentosa has taken a 5.9% stake in Singapore-based internet service provider MyRepublic for S$4.4m (US$3.5m), DailySocial has reported. MyRepublic has targeted 2017 for an initial public offering, according to its chief executive, Malcolm Rodrigues.
X.ai, the US-based creator of an online personal assistant service that can schedule meetings via email, has secured $2.1m from Softbank Capital, as well as IA Ventures and Lerer Ventures. It will use the cash to continue work developing the service.
US-based web security platform Signal Sciences has raised $2m in a seed round co-led by O’Reilly AlphaTech Ventures, the corporate venturing arm of media company O’Reilly Media, and Harrison Metal, according to FinSMEs. Six private investors also participated, and Signal plans to expand its workforce with the money.
DataPad, a US-based developer of data integration technology, has received $1.7m from a seed round backed by Google Ventures, the corporate venturing arm of internet company Google. Andreessen Horowitz, Ludlow Ventures, SV Angel, Accel Partners and a few private investors also participated.
IDG Capital Partners, the Chinese venture capital fund backed by media company IDG and venture firm Accel Partners, has invested $1m in AfterShip, a China-based package tracking platform for online retailers. Aftership, which raised an undisclosed amount of seed funding from Business Switch in 2012, will use the capital to advance its shipment analytics tools.
Retail management firm Pentland Group has led a $1m seed round for Housekeep, a UK-based professional home cleaning service, that also featured Streetcar founder Brett Akker and Kabbee founder Justin Peters as private investors. Launched in February this year, Housekeep automates payment and offers fixed prices for a personalised cleaning service.
US-based Filament Labs has secured $1m in a round led by Mercury Fund, which also included healthcare providers Corinthian Health Services and Arcadia Home Care. Filament will use the funding to develop its flagship product, Patient IO, a care plan delivery platform for health professionals.
Education services provider Pearson has invested an undisclosed amount in India-based educational technology provider Zaya Labs through PALF, the $15m fund it formed to support communities in developing economies. Zaya aims to supply its LabKit to 500 schools in the next four years.
Embraase, a Germany-based developer of a testing and personalisation platform for mobile apps, has secured a ‘six-digit euro’ investment from corporate-backed fund High-Tech Gruenderfonds and digital publisher Axel Springer. The capital will be used for product development and launch, and to establish a distribution network.