Startups
Dexter, a U.S. startup that helps corporate clients design chatbots, has secured $2.3 million
Dexter Inc., a U.S. startup that helps corporate clients design chatbots, has secured $2.3 million in financing from investors led by Rakuten Ventures to accelerate its marketing efforts. The chatbots will aim to simulate conversations with customers, fulfilling […]
Consumer brands will acquire more startups
Big businesses such as Wal-Mart and Unilever have been active in acquiring startups, and the trend is likely to continue, writes Alex Taussig of Lightspeed Venture Partners. Many large consumer-facing companies are suffering from low […]
Chinese electric-car startup WM Motors raises $1B
Private investors have put $1 billion into an initial funding round for Chinese electric-car startup WM Motors, founder Freeman Shen said. The company plans to introduce its first car in 2018 and produce more than […]
Is Dropbox preparing for an IPO?
While Dropbox has said in the past it doesn’t plan to IPO “any time soon,” next year isn’t really “soon,” considering the comments came last November. One thing on many investors’ minds though will be the […]
OfferUp survived lean times and looks to become a unicorn
OfferUp, a marketplace for buying and selling various items, had less than $350 in reserves at one point, and employees were asked to work for equity. Now, however, the business is reportedly ready to raise […]
Cloud-based HR management platform HeavenHR closes €6M Series A Funding
HeavenHR, a cloud-based HR management platform for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), has closed €6 million in Series A funding. Leading the round in the Berlin-based startup are Target Global, and Open Ocean. HeavenHR, which […]
Bill Gates fund invests in Australian start-up Atomo Diagnostics
Atomo Diagnostics has invented quick, cheap and accurate tests for HIV, malaria and Ebola. Global Health Investment Fund purchased an 8.4% stake in the medical company for about A$3.3m (£1.9m, $2.5m). The fund, a joint […]
Food-delivery startups are facing a harsh reality
Customers of Postmates and other delivery startups have complained of opaque and misleading pricing practices, writes Alison Griswold. Postmates and its competitors are operating as middlemen in industries with slim margins, making it tough to […]
HBR – What Uber’s China Deal Says About the Limits of Platforms
On August 1 Uber announced that it is selling its Chinese brand and operations to Didi Chuxing for $1 billion, its annual burn rate in that market, in exchange for a 20% stake in the local […]