Tag: Alphabet

09 May – Shopify to buy Deliverr in $2.1bn deal

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Shopify to buy Deliverr in $2.1bn deal

E-commerce platform Shopify has agreed to acquire San Francisco-based logistics services provider Deliverr for $2.1bn in cash and stocK.

Coinbase’s takeover talks with 2TM break down

Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase’s takeover talks with Brazil-based crypto brokerage 2TM, which would have boosted Coinbase’s international expansion, have reportedly broken down.

Zepto receives $200m series D delivery

Zepto, the Indian 10-minute grocery delivery service, has raised $200m in series D funding from investors including healthcare provider Kaiser Permanente.

Porsche leads Group14’s $400m series C

Carmaker Porsche led a $400m series C round for Group14, a US-based developer of a silicon-carbon system for use in lithium-silicon batteries.

GBT reaches unicorn status with $150m series A

Greater Bay Technology (GBT), a China-based fast-charging battery technology developer incubated by automotive manufacturer GAC Group, has closed a $150m series A round.

Veza eases out of stealth

US-headquartered data security software provider Veza has publicly launched with over $110m in funding from investors including internet and technology group Alphabet.

Spotawheel drives to $105m round

Spotawheel, a Greek used car trading platform, is gearing up for expansion with a $105m funding round backed by classifieds portal operator Adevinta and insurer Uniqa.

OMass Therapeutics binds to $100m series B

OMass Therapeutics, a UK-based small molecule drug developer, raised $100m in a series B round co-led by Alphabet and pharmaceutical firm Sanofi.

Nasdaq backs Amberdata‘s $30m series B

Stock exchange operator Nasdaq, Chicago Trading Company and a number of banks backed the $30m series B round for digital asset data provider Amberdata.

HilleVax racks up $200m in its IPO

US-headquartered vaccine developer HilleVax floated on the Nasdaq Global Select Market in a $200m initial public offering enabling pharmaceutical firm Takeda to exit.

Home Depot builds $150m CVC arm

US-listed hardware retailer Home Depot has formed a $150m corporate venture capital arm to identify and support customer experience and home improvement startups.

Corporates help AFH2 reach initial close

Pharmaceutical firms Asahi Intecc, Eisai Corporation and Ohara Pharmaceutical Industries all committed to Africa Innovation & Healthcare Fund (AFH2).

“Funky Chunk” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

25 April 2022 – Deezer agrees $1.1bn reverse merger

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Deezer agrees $1.1bn reverse merger 

Deezer, the France-headquartered online audio streaming service backed by multiple corporates agreed to go public through a $1.13bn reverse takeover.

Amazon produces $1bn industrial technology fund 

US-headquartered e-commerce and cloud services group Amazon announced a $1bn investment vehicle that will back customer fulfilment, logistics and supply chain technology developers.

Stripe commits to carbon removal 

US-based payment technology provider Stripe has committed financing to cleantech-focused venture capital fund Lowercarbon, which raised $350m.

Panasonic puts $200m more into Conductive Ventures 

Japan-headquartered consumer electronics manufacturer Panasonic provided $200m in capital for US-based venture capital partner Conductive Ventures’ third fund.

Chipotle serves up $50m venture fund 

Fast food chain Chipotle Mexican Grill launched a $50m corporate venture capital vehicle.

Upside Foods feeds on $400m 

US-based cultivated meat producer Upside Foods completed a $400m series C round backed by multiple corporates at a valuation of over $1bn.

Tessera Therapeutics edits in $300m series C 

US-based genomic drug developer Tessera Therapeutics secured over $300m in series C funding from investors including SoftBank’s Vision Fund 2 .

Convoy carries through $260m 

US-based trucking services marketplace Convoy secured $260m in debt and series E equity financing  from investors including internet and technology group Alphabet’s growth equity arm, CapitalG.

Rapido zips to $180m series D 

India-based on-demand ride provider Rapido has received $180m in a series D round led by food delivery service Swiggy at a valuation of $800m.

Foodics fulfils $170m series C order 

Internet group Prosus co-led a $170m series C round for Foodics, the Saudi Arabia-based creator of a restaurant management and payment software platform.

Oyster onboards $150m in series C funding 

US-based human resources software provider Oyster received $150m in series C funding from investors including corporates Salesforce, Okta, Slack, PayPal and Indeed.com at a valuation of over $1bn.

“Funky Chunk” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

18 April 2022 – Epic Games scores $2bn in corporate funding

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Epic Games scores $2bn in corporate funding

Consumer electronics group Sony and toy brand Lego’s parent company Kirkbi each invested $1bn in US-headquartered video game producer Epic Games at a $31.5bn valuation.

SoftBank to spin off Latin America fund

Internet and telecommunications group SoftBank announced it is spinning off its Latin America Fund into an independent vehicle called Upload Ventures.

Gaojing gathers $251m in series A funding

China-headquartered solar wafer producer Guangdong Gaojing Solar Energy Technology has raised $251m in a series A round featuring solar cell provider Shanghai Aiko Solar Energy and home appliance manufacturer Midea.

Voyager Innovations sails to $210m

Philippines-based financial technology app developer Voyager Innovations received $210m in a funding round led by quantitative trading firm Susquehanna International Group.

Pax8 tacks on $185m

Pax8, the US-based operator of an online marketplace for cloud software products, secured $185m in a funding round led by SoftBank’s Vision Fund 2 at a $1.7bn valuation.

Nord Security raises $100m in first external round

Lithuania-based internet privacy and security software provider Nord Security secured $100m from investors including media company Hubert Burda in its first external round.

Perforce pursues Puppet acquisition

Software development tool provider Perforce agreed to acquire US-based software automation technology developer Puppet for an undisclosed sum, allowing corporates Cisco, VMWare and Alphabet to exit.

Robert Bosch fires off Five acquisition

Industrial technology manufacturer Robert Bosch agreed on acquire UK-based autonomous driving technology developer Five for an undisclosed sum, providing exits for conglomerate Sistema and insurance provider Direct Line.

Northwell brings forth $100m healthcare incubator

US-based healthcare provider Northwell Health launched a healthcare company building platform called Ascertain with venture studio Aegis Ventures.

“Funky Chunk” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

04 April 2022 – Instacart snips valuation to $24bn

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Instacart snips valuation to $24bn

US-based online grocery delivery service Instacart, which is backed by corporates American Express, Comcast and Amazon, is cutting its valuation from $39bn to $24bn.

GoTo gets $1.1bn in initial public offering

GoTo Group, the Indonesia-based joint venture between ride hailing platform operator Gojek and e-commerce group Tokopedia, has floated in a $1.1bn IPO.

AN2 Therapeutics prices $69m IPO

US-based lung disease therapy developer AN2 Therapeutics, which counts pharmaceutical firm Brii Biosciences as a backer, has raised $69m in an IPO.

Liberty Strategic Capital to buy Zimperium for $525m

US-based mobile security platform developer Zimperium, which counts corporates SoftBank, Telstra, Toyo Corporation and Samsung as investors, agreed to a $525m acquisition by private equity firm Liberty Strategic Capital.

LetsGetChecked to buy Veritas Genetics

At-home diagnostic test provider LetsGetChecked agreed to acquire US-based genetic testing technology developer Veritas Genetics for an undisclosed sum, providing exits for pharmaceutical firms Eli Lilly and Jiangsu Simcere Pharmaceutical.

JD Property houses $800m

E-commerce group JD.com’s real estate services subsidiary, JD Property, has raised approximately $800m in series B funding.

WeRide zooms to $400m

China-based autonomous driving technology producer WeRide has raised $400m from investors including car manufacturer GAC and industrial technology and appliance manufacturer Robert Bosch.

Soterea buckles up $204m

Insurance group Ping An has led an over $204m series B round for China-based driving safety technology provider Soterea.

Nova Labs surges to $200m series D

US-based decentralised wireless communications technology provider Helium rebranded to Nova Labs, having secured $200m in series D funding from investors including Alphabet, Goodyear, Liberty Global and Deutsche Telekom.

Deepki tracks Statkraft to raise $167m

Deepki, the creator of a software platform which tracks ESG data for the real estate sector, secured $167m in series C funding from investors including power producer Statkraft.

LayerZero Labs stacks up $135m

Canada-based blockchain technology developer LayerZero Labs secured $135m in a funding round co-led by cryptocurrency exchange FTX.

Tishman Speyer tips $100m into venture fund

US-based real estate developer Tishman Speyer has raised $100m for a property technology-focused venture capital fund.

“Funky Chunk” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

28 March 2022 – Hub Cyber Security organises $1.28bn reverse merger

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Hub Cyber Security organises $1.28bn reverse merger

Israel-based cybersecurity technology provider Hub Cyber Security agreed to a reverse merger worth $1.28bn that will allow insurance group Axa to exit

Yuga Labs pulls in $450m

Yuga Labs, the US-based creator of non-fungible token collection Bored Ape Yacht Club, secured $450m in a seed round at a post-money valuation of $4bn.

Ramp climbs to $750m round

Ramp, a US-based provider of a corporate card for controlling spending, raised $750m in debt and equity financing from investors including digital payment technology provider Stripe.

Astronomer lands $213m in series C funding

US-based data analytics software provider Astronomer secured $213m in series C funding from investors including Salesforce Ventures.

Nio Capital drives to $400m second vehicle

Nio Capital, the China-based venture capital firm co-formed by electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Nio, closed its second vehicle at about $400m.

Stellantis launches venture unit with $331m

Automotive manufacturer Stellantis has launched a $331m corporate venture capital vehicle, to invest in technology that could be applied to the automotive and mobility sectors.

OfBusiness spins off Oxyzo with $200m

Oxyzo Financial Services, the smart financing spinoff of India-headquartered material procurement and financing services provider OfBusiness, secured $200m in series A round.

Qualcomm crosses off $100m XR fund

US-headquartered semiconductor technology producer Qualcomm unveiled an investment vehicle that will provide up to $100m in funding for developers of metaverse technology.

Alphabet sends Sandbox AQ independent

Internet and technology group Alphabet is spinning off its quantum technology subsidiary, Sandbox AQ, with a nine-figure amount of funding.

Nexo executes $150m fund launch

UK-based cryptocurrency asset manager Nexo, formed a $150m corporate venture capital and M&A arm dubbed Nexo Ventures.

Slack Fund slides in $100m third fund

Slack Fund, the strategic investment vehicle formed by US-headquartered enterprise communication app developer Slack, has launched its third fund with $100m in capital.

“Funky Chunk” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

14 March 2022 – LanzaTech lands $2.2bn reverse takeover agreement

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

LanzaTech lands $2.2bn reverse takeover agreement

LanzaTech, a US-based carbon capture technology developer backed by corporates ArcelorMittal, Mitsui, Novo, Siemens and Petronas, agreed to a $2.2bn reverse merger with special purpose acquisition company AMCI Acquisition Corp II.

MUFG to explore India with $300m vehicle

Japan-headquartered financial services firm MUFG formed a $300m India-focused investment vehicle called MUFG Ganesha Fund.

Forto ships in $250m

Germany-headquartered freight forwarding software producer Forto secured $250m in a series D round featuring internet and telecommunications group Softbank’s Vision Fund 2 and AP Moller Holding, owner of shipping firm AP Moller – Maersk.

Roofstock builds $240m series E

Property investment technology developer Roofstock has raised $240m in a series E round led by internet and telecommunications group SoftBank’s Vision Fund 2.

Axonius executes $200m series E

US-headquartered cybersecurity management software provider Axonius completed a $200m series E round featuring DTCP, the investment manager backed by telecommunications firm Deutsche Telekom.

DNAnexus draws $200m in funding

DNAnexus, a provider of biomedical data analysis software, raised $200m in funding from investors including GV, a corporate venturing subsidiary of internet and technology conglomerate Alphabet.

Autobrains drives to $120m series C

Israel-based self-driving technology developer Autobrain, has closed its series C round at $120m, featuring investors including automotive producers BMW and VinFast as well as car parts producers Continental and Knorr-Bremse.

Cake DeFi launches $100m venture unit

Singapore-based decentralised finance services provider Cake DeFi launched a venture capital unit called Cake DeFi Ventures, which is capitalised to the tune of $100m.

Tencent helps Flash cash in

Brazil-based corporate benefits management service Flash has secured over $100m in series C funding from investors including internet group Tencent.

Colossal Biosciences engineers $60m series A

US-based genetic engineering technology developer Colossal Biosciences received $60m in series A funding from investors including gaming and blockchain technology developer Animoca Brands and game studio Untamed Planet.

Excelero accepts Nvidia acquisition

Semiconductor producer Nvidia acquired Excelero, a US-based flash storage technology developer backed by mobile chipmaker Qualcomm and data storage product manufacturer Western Digital, for an undisclosed sum.

“Funky Chunk” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

21 February 2022 – SoftBank pinpoints Spotter in $200m series D

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

SoftBank pinpoints Spotter in $200m series D

Internet and telecommunications group SoftBank’s Vision Fund 2 led a $200m series D round for US-based online content financier Spotter at a $1.7bn valuation.

Hy2gen generates $227m in funding

Hy2gen, a Germany-headquartered producer of green hydrogen-based fuels, raised $227m from investors including energy engineering firm Technip Energies, highlighting the increasing popularity of hydrogen in the new energy mix.

Neon glows with $300m from BBVA

Financial services firm BBVA agreed to invest $300m in Brazil-based digital bank Neon in return for a 21.7% stake.

OpenSea organises corporate venturing arm

Non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace OpenSea has launched a corporate venture capital vehicle called OpenSea Ventures to invest in developers of Web3 technology.

Tripledot secures Access to raise $116m

UK-based mobile game developer Tripledot Studios secured $116m from investors including Access Industries at a valuation of $1.4bn.

Homebound builds $75m round

US-based homebuilder Homebound secured $75m in a series C round featuring GV, a corporate venturing vehicle for internet technology conglomerate Alphabet.

HoTeam gets hold of $63m

China-based additive manufacturing technology developer Shandong HoTeam Software completed a $63m series C round led by Legend Capital, the venture capital firm sponsored by conglomerate Legend Holdings.

Sony signals first close for Innovation Fund 3

Consumer electronics and entertainment group Sony reached a first close of its fourth Sony Innovation Fund, which is targeting $217m for final close.

HV Capital launches $489m continuation fund

HV Capital, the Germany-based venture capital firm spun off by publisher Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, launched a $489m continuation fund to continue supporting portfolio companies in later-stage deals.

Animoca Brands unveils Japanese subsidiary and accelerator

Gaming and blockchain technology group Animoca Brands launched a Japan-based subsidiary with $10m in seed funding.

Fujifilm and Tokyu disclose funds

Japan-headquartered corporations Fujifilm and Tokyu Construction have each launched dedicated corporate venturing vehicles that will target startups operating in their respective strategic areas.

“Funky Chunk” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

14 February 2022 – D-Wave Agrees to $1.6bn Reverse Merger

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

D-Wave agrees to $1.6bn reverse merger

D-Wave Systems, a Canada-based quantum computing technology developer backed by IT equipment producer NEC, agreed to a $1.6bn reverse merger with special purpose acquisition company DPCM Capital.

Flexport receives $935m funding haul

Logistics services platform developer Flexport raised $935m in a series E round featuring internet and telecommunications group SoftBank’s Vision Fund and e-commerce software provider Shopify at a post-money valuation of $8bn.

WNBA makes $75m funding shot

US-based professional women’s basketball league WNBA raised $75m from investors including sports apparel brand Nike, helping expand funding for a sport where coverage and sponsorship are lacking.

Scandit captures $150m in series D round

Data capture technology developer Scandit closed a $150m series D round featuring Alphabet, Sony, Swisscom and Schneider Electric.

Polygon picks up $450m

Polygon, an India-based blockchain scaling technology developer, secured $450m through a private token sale featuring SoftBank, blockchain entertainment product developer Animoca Brands and quantitative trading firm Alameda Research.

Qredo to scale with $80m

Qredo, a UK-based provider of decentralised digital asset management technology, completed an $80m series A round featuring cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase and blockchain technology developers Terraform Labs and Ava Labs.

Infinity Ventures Crypto closes $70m fund

Animoca Brands and payments services provider Circle have backed Taiwan-based venture capital firm Infinity Ventures Crypto (IVC)’s maiden fund, which closed with $70m in commitments.

Intel introduces $1bn semiconductor technology fund

Intel Capital, the corporate venturing arm of chipmaker Intel, launched a $1bn investment vehicle with its semiconductor fabrication business, Intel Foundry Services (IFS).

GBA Fund progresses towards $257m close

Greater Bay Area Fund (GBA Fund), an investment vehicle formed by e-commerce firm Alibaba’s Entrepreneurs Fund (AEF), is set to close at about $257m by mid-2022.

NGP Capital nets $400m from Nokia

Smartphone manufacturer Nokia has provided $400m in capital for the latest fund closed by NGP Capital, the US-based venture capital firm that it had spun off.

UTokyo IPC achieves $221m close

University of Tokyo Innovation Platform (UTokyo IPC), the venture capital arm of University of Tokyo, announced the final close of its second fund at $221m with backing from several corporate LPs.

“Funky Chunk” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

07 February 2022 – Sony Makes $3.6bn Bungie Play

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Sony makes $3.6bn Bungie play

Sony Interactive Entertainment agreed to acquire US-based video game developer Bungie in a $3.6bn deal.

SoftBank scores AInnovation exit in $154m IPO

SoftBank has exited China-based artificial intelligence technology provider AInnovation in an initial public offering in Hong Kong.

SoftBank makes good on $1.35bn Cruise pledge

SoftBank’s Vision Fund is set to invest $1.35bn in US-based autonomous driving technology developer Cruise, which launched its driverless taxi service last week.

Naver Z makes space for $100m metaverse fund

Naver Z, a 3D avatar and digital space design subsidiary of South Korea-based internet conglomerate Naver Group, has formed a $100m metaverse fund.

Fireblocks sparks $550m series E round

US-based asset transfer infrastructure operator Fireblocks has raised $550m in series E funding from investors including internet technology group Alphabet’s CapitalG unit.

Loadsmart stacks up $200m

SoftBank’s Latin America Fund led a $200m series D round for US-based freight automation technology provider Loadsmart, valuing it at $1.3bn.

Wayflyer bags $150m In series B round

Wayflyer, the Ireland-based operator of an online financing platform for e-commerce brands, raised $150m in a series B round featuring internet group Prosus at a post-money valuation of $1.6bn.

Zero Acre Farms produces $37m round

US-based sustainable oil producer Zero Acre Farms secured $37m in a series A round featuring conglomerate Virgin Group as it works toward replacing destructive oil supply chains.

Nuclera knocks up series B funding

UK-based bioprinting technology developer Nuclera reached a $42.5m first close for its series B round that included electronic paper display producer E Ink.

Hitachi Ventures readies third fund

Hitachi Ventures, the Germany-based CVC vehicle formed by industrial and electronics conglomerate Hitachi, is considering launching its next fund this year.

Decibel makes noise with $275m fund target

Decibel Partners, an independent venture capital firm with Cisco as its cornerstone limited partner, has filed to raise $275m for its second fund.

“Funky Chunk” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

06 December 2021 — Essentium Shines with $974m Reverse Merger

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Essentium shines with $974m reverse merger

Essentium, a US-based additive manufacturing technology developer backed by chemicals producer BASF and 3D printing software provider Materialise, agreed to list through a reverse takeover.

Selina seals reverse merger deal

Selina, a US-based operator of short-term accommodation and co-working spaces, agreed a reverse takeover with a SPAC called BOA Acquisition Corp, which went public on the New York stock exchange in a $200m IPO in February this year.

Jobandtalent recruits SoftBank for $500m series E

Spain-based temporary job portal operator Jobandtalent has raised $500m in series E equity funding from investors including telecommunications and internet group SoftBank’s Vision Fund 2.

Commonwealth Fusion Systems sparks $1.8bn series B

US-based fusion energy technology developer Commonwealth Fusion Systems raised more than $1.8bn in a its series B round featuring internet technology conglomerate Alphabet and petroleum suppliers Eni and Equinor.

Panther Labs roars to $120m series B

Security analytics platform developer Panther Labs received $120m in a series B round featuring Snowflake Ventures, the corporate venturing subsidiary of data management software provider Snowflake, at a $1.4bn valuation.

CyCognito hacks $100m funding round

Cybersecurity software provider CyCognito received $100m in funding from investors including diversified conglomerate The Heritage Group at a valuation of $800m.

WM Motor refuels with $457m

China-based electric vehicle manufacturer WM Motor secured $152m in a series D2 round led by property developer Agile Group.

Via drives to $130m series G round

US-based mobility technology provider Via secured $130m in a series G round featuring conglomerate Koch Industries’ corporate venturing subsidiary, Koch Disruptive Technologies, at a $3.3bn valuation.

CloudTrucks floats to $115m series B

Freight forwarder Flexport took part in a $115m series B round for US-based trucking efficiency software provider CloudTrucks, valuing it at $850m.

Zepeto secures $190m in series B

South Korea-based metaverse platform Zepeto has raised approximately $190m in a series B round led by telecommunications and internet group SoftBank’s Vision Fund II.

Drone Fund 3 flies to final close

Japan-based, drone-focused investment firm Drone Fund has received the equivalent of $44.2m from multiple investors to close its third and latest fund at its $95m target.

Allegion Ventures allocates $100m to second fund

Allegion Ventures, the strategic investment arm of Ireland-headquartered security equipment producer Allegion, announced a $100m second fund, which will invest in developers of technology capable of making buildings safer.

Legend Capital lets in $177m for healthcare fund

Legend Capital, the China-headquartered venture capital firm formed by conglomerate Legend Holdings, reached a $177m first close of its third US dollar-denominated healthcare fund.

“Funky Chunk” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0