Digital Currency Group, the cryptocurrency holding firm backed by a range of corporates including insurance provider New York Life and payment services firm Mastercard, has backed a $1.5m seed round for US-based blockchain platform Mediachain. The round also featured Union Square Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, RRE Ventures, LDV Capital and assorted angel investors.
US-based blockchain technology developer Swirlds emerged from stealth mode on Monday with a seed round led by identity management platform Ping Identity. Swirlds has only demonstrated a proof-of-concept of its technology so far, billing it as a trust layer for the internet – the company is using blockchain technology to offer identity management applications.
Empaua, a Germany-based startup consultancy, has added cloud computing company Salesforce’s corporate venturing division Salesforce Ventures to its shareholders following a seed round of undisclosed size. Empaua said it will use the cash injection to become a leading Salesforce implementation partner and open new offices in Paris, Tel Aviv and Zurich in addition to its existing four locations.
Dad, a UK-based home repair service, reportedly secured £2m ($2.9m) from home emergency repairs service Homeserve. Dad operates a video platform through which users can get DIY advice from professionals for a £10 fee.
Voyage Ventures, the investment unit of internet company Voyage Group, and hotel chain operator Fujita Kanko have participated in a $466,000 seed round for Japan-based restaurant app developer Umami. The app is aimed specifically at foreign visitors, who can use it to read menus in English, Chinese and Korean, and benefit from other features such as coupons. The seed round was also backed by CSAJ Startup and four unnamed companies.
Bunker, a US-based insurance technology producer, sank its teeth into a $2m seed round on Tuesday co-led by Comcast Ventures, the media company corporate venturing division, and Route 66 Ventures. Insurance providers Hiscox and American Family, through American Family Ventures, also joined the round. Bunker runs a contract-related insurance marketplace aimed at the gig economy.
GE Ventures, the investment unit of conglomerate General Electric, provided an undisclosed sum to Germany-based battery maker Sonnen to help further develop the company’s residential power storage products. The company said it has now raised a double-digit million euro sum from investors including Munich Venture Partners, Chrysalix SET and Ecapital. Previously, the company disclosed €10.5m ($11.9m) in funding.
Consumer products conglomerate Unilever’s corporate venturing arm Unilever Ventures meanwhile put £500,000 into UK-based on-demand beauty services provider Blow. Unilever was joined by an angel investor, with additional money coming from a crowdfunding campaign that increased Blow’s total capital to date to £1m.
India-based KrazyBee received $2m in seed funding from micro-loan provider company Fenqile and mobile ad network Yeahmobi. KrazyBee lets students without a credit rating purchase goods on instalments.
Gaming hardware manufacturer NZXT and WME Ventures, the investment vehicle of talent agency William Morris Endeavor, have supported a $4.5m series A round for US-based gameplay capturing and sharing platform Forge, led by True Ventures. Social Capital also took part in the funding round.
BDMI-backed, UK-based credit control automation platform Satago has received £5.15m from ESF Capital and unnamed previous investors. The amount also included a £3m credit line from ESF Capital. Bertelsmann had participated in a $1m funding round in 2014.
IDG Capital Partners, the VC affiliate of media company International Data Group, has supported a $3.5m series A round for US-based home décor shopping app provider Lux. Frees Fund also took part in the funding round, which will be used to strengthen Lux’s market position.
Hiri, an Ireland-based enterprise email technology producer backed by corporate-backed accelerator Wayra, has secured $1m from government-owned Enterprise Ireland and European Investment Fund-backed ACT Venture Capital. Delta Partners also supplied cash for Hiri, which will use the funding for further expansion efforts focusing particularly on the US.
Almadom.us, an Italy-based smart home automation company, has obtained €500,000 from a consortium featuring energy companies Innowatio Group, Clevergy, manufacturing company Belp Corporate, electronics company Sapra Elettronica, engineering consultancy Multiconsult, consultancy SMPI Group, incubator Digital Magics, the company co-founders and assorted angel investors.
Satoshi Citadel Industries, a Philippines-based bitcoin company, has raised an undisclosed amount from KVG, the corporate venturing division of internet company Kakao. The investment is part of a strategic partnership, with KVG supporting the startup through synergies with Kakao itself, other business assets and partnerships with the company’s partner network. For its part, Satoshi will hire additional staff, further develop its technology and expand the number of its international partners.