More funding developments in the highly competitive world of car services. Didi Kuaidi, an Uber rival based in China, has today confirmed that it has invested in Ola, another Uber rival based out of India, as part of Ola’s latest round of funding. As we reported earlier this month, Ola is looking to raise a megaround of over $500 million at a valuation of $5 billion to expand in… Read More
from TechCrunch
Technology darlings like Uber, Pinterest and Airbnb may be taking their time on the way to exit, but that doesn’t mean IPOs aren’t happening. They’re alive and well in the consumer space — from food brands to premium pet food and retail establishments. So why are these companies pursuing IPOs — and finding success in the markets — while tech companies are… Read More
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NoviCap, the invoice trading marketplace headquartered in London but with offices in Barcelona and a customer base largely in Spain, has closed a $1.7 million seed round. Backers include Partech Ventures, Techstars Ventures and Cabiedes & Partners. Read More
from TechCrunch
Kleiner Perkins’ John Doerr hopes that his firm will find itself at a “50/50” ratio, where it has successfully brought in a diverse set of new partners — a problem that has long-plagued the venture capital industry. He spoke at TechCrunch Disrupt SF 2015. “I made it really clear even at Kleiner Perkins, where I’m deeply committed to diversity, we have done… Read More
from TechCrunch
CrunchBase, the database of startups, other tech companies and the people who work in them that was originally developed alongside TechCrunch, is spinning out from AOL/Verizon. Emergence Capital is leading an investment in the newly-independent company, while AOL/Verizon — owner of TechCrunch — will retain a stake in the business.
The independent company will be led by Jager… Read More
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CloudFlare has secured a $110 million round of private financing, led by Fidelity, and participated in by a cadre of technology giants, including Baidu, Google, Microsoft and Qualcomm. The company has raised more than $180 million to date.
The quickly growing startup now operates in more than 30 countries, and, according to material provided to TechCrunch, processes around 5 percent of the… Read More
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WalmartLabs, the retailer’s Silicon Valley-based R&D group, announced this morning that it has acquired loyalty startup PunchTab, in order to better connect with and engage customers who shop at the company’s Sam’s Club stores. Terms of the deal were not revealed, but this is now WalmartLabs’ 15th acquisition since its formation in 2011, the company noted.… Read More
from TechCrunch
Flashgap, the time-delayed photo-sharing app inspired by the movie ‘The Hangover,’ has closed a $1.5 million seed round — money the French startup plans to use to launch across the pond. This will include recruiting a U.S. based team, in addition to expanding the app’s features. Read More
from TechCrunch
Earlier this month, Rocket Internet announced that it would be stepping up aggressive growth in Asia once more, with one new launch per quarter to expand in emerging markets. Today, the e-commerce giant is following through on that strategy: Daraz — an e-commerce portal modelled on Amazon and serving Bangladesh, Pakistan and Myanmar — is today announcing a $56 million… Read More
from TechCrunch
French music streaming service Deezer has filed for IPO on the Paris-based stock exchange Euronext. Planned to take place at the end of the year, the company isn’t disclosing how much it hopes to raise or its expected valuation. Read More
from TechCrunch