If you’re an Android device owner and also a driver, you may be familiar with Drivemode: It’s one of the most popular apps for use in cars on Google Play, with over one million downloads and active users spread across 180 countries. The app is designed to reduce distractions for drivers via an eyes-free interface designed to access smartphone functions entirely via voice. Read More
from TechCrunch
Soundcloud — the popular, but unprofitable platform that lets creators post and share music and other audio files — may have been unsuccessful (so far) in closing a new $100 million round of funding, but it’s not running out of money soon. The company has closed a $70 million round of debt funding from three new investors — Ares Capital, Kreos Capital, and Davidson… Read More
from TechCrunch
Amazon continues its march across the globe, and one of its newest targets is the Middle East. According to multiple reports that we have confirmed with our own sources, the e-commerce giant has acquired Souq, often described as the Amazon of the Arab world and the region’s biggest e-commerce player, for a price of $650 million, to spearhead its Middle East business. “The ink… Read More
from TechCrunch
Earlier this month, we reported that China-based photo app firm Kuaishou is gearing up for an IPO in the U.S. later this year. Well the company, which also offers live-streaming video in its service, has stopped to refuel its tanks first after it raised $350 million in fresh funding led by Chinese internet giant Tencent. Tencent, Asia’s highest valued tech company, confirmed to… Read More
from TechCrunch
The way Ripcord CEO Alex Fielding discusses chief competitor Iron Mountain, the record keeping company sounds like it runs the warehouse from the last scene of Raiders of the Lost Ark. The startup comes out of stealth this week with the announcement of $9.5 million in funding led by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers for its goal of taking corporate records paperless through its industrial… Read More
from TechCrunch
Recent college grads need a better way to search for jobs. Or at least, that’s the thesis of New York-based WayUp, which recently raised $18.5 million in Series B funding to execute on this vision. Trinity Ventures, which led the investment, is also gaining a board seat via partner Karan Mehandru. Existing investors, including General Catalyst, Lerer-Hippeau Ventures and SV Angel… Read More
from TechCrunch
Singapore-based auto classifieds Carro has a double whammy of news today — it has moved into the vehicle financing space and raised $12 million more from investors. Carro was founded in late 2015 and it went on to close $5.3 million in seed financing last summer. CEO Aaron Tan, a former investor with Singtel himself, said the lead investor’s identity is not being disclosed for… Read More
from TechCrunch
Lystable, a startup that makes a workflow management platform aimed at businesses needing to manage lots of freelancers, has topped up its Series A again — this time with an additional $10 million, which founder and CEO Peter Johnston says will be use to fund a change of business model with a payments focus. Read More
from TechCrunch
MotorK, an Italian company that offers a number of digital products to the automative industry, has raised $10 million in Series A funding. The round was led by 83North, with participation from Zobito, a Swedish private equity and VC firm. Read More
from TechCrunch
VR is all over the place, but sometimes it’s not where you most expect it. Plenty of apps out there might could do with a wee bit of VR to help show off an apartment or a bit of 3D content, but those experiences can be pretty labor-intensive. Viro is a new company that hopes to empower mobile developers to add VR to their apps simply and using familiar tools and code bases. Read More
from TechCrunch