Baidu's O2O (online-to-offline) food delivery subsidiary Baidu Waimai is reportedly looking at raising anywhere between $300 million and $500 million. According to various Chinese media reports, Waimai is contemplating deploying a major portion of the proposed funds to improve its platform, on research and development, new category expansion and marketing.
Palantir valued at $20 bn
Palantir Technologies, a provider of powerful data analysis tools for governments and businesses, has raised $880 million in its latest round of financing. With the new funding, Palantir is valued at about $20 billion, up from $15 bn. It brings the total amount of money raised by the firm to about $2 bn. The money will most likely be used for hiring and developing new businesses, The New York Times reported.
UPQ's gadgets in more nations
Tokyo-based UPQ has started selling two of its gadgets - a GoPro-like action camera for $177 and a see-through glass keyboard for the same price - in Singapore via e-commerce giant Lazada. "Wireless items need more certifications, so we are preparing those now," UPQ founder Yuko Nakazawa told Tech in Asia, hinting that her start-up's SIM-free A01 smartphone could be headed for other markets soon.
Instacart lays off 12 recruiters
US-based grocery delivery start-up Instacart, valued at $2 bn, has laid off 12 in-house recruiters, according to sources. Chief Executive Officer Apoorva Mehta attributed the job cuts to the firm's plans to be less aggressive in hiring in 2016 than it was in 2015, when it tripled its staff, from just under 100 employees to a little more than 300.
Innovid raises $27.5 million
New York City-headquartered video advertisement start-up Innovid has raised $27.5 mn. Innovid works with 220 advertisers, including Best Buy, Procter & Gamble and Walmart, to create, target and measure their video campaigns. Innovid point to 'media neutrality' as one of the key factors in its growth, as well as its support for Internet-connected TVs. The new round combines equity funding with $12.5 mn in debt from Silicon Valley Bank and Triple Point Capital.
Innovid currently has more than 200 employees in eight offices across the globe and will use the new funding to expand across-the-board, a Tech Crunch report said.
Palantir valued at $20 bn
Palantir Technologies, a provider of powerful data analysis tools for governments and businesses, has raised $880 million in its latest round of financing. With the new funding, Palantir is valued at about $20 billion, up from $15 bn. It brings the total amount of money raised by the firm to about $2 bn. The money will most likely be used for hiring and developing new businesses, The New York Times reported.
UPQ's gadgets in more nations
Tokyo-based UPQ has started selling two of its gadgets - a GoPro-like action camera for $177 and a see-through glass keyboard for the same price - in Singapore via e-commerce giant Lazada. "Wireless items need more certifications, so we are preparing those now," UPQ founder Yuko Nakazawa told Tech in Asia, hinting that her start-up's SIM-free A01 smartphone could be headed for other markets soon.
Instacart lays off 12 recruiters
US-based grocery delivery start-up Instacart, valued at $2 bn, has laid off 12 in-house recruiters, according to sources. Chief Executive Officer Apoorva Mehta attributed the job cuts to the firm's plans to be less aggressive in hiring in 2016 than it was in 2015, when it tripled its staff, from just under 100 employees to a little more than 300.
Innovid raises $27.5 million
New York City-headquartered video advertisement start-up Innovid has raised $27.5 mn. Innovid works with 220 advertisers, including Best Buy, Procter & Gamble and Walmart, to create, target and measure their video campaigns. Innovid point to 'media neutrality' as one of the key factors in its growth, as well as its support for Internet-connected TVs. The new round combines equity funding with $12.5 mn in debt from Silicon Valley Bank and Triple Point Capital.
Innovid currently has more than 200 employees in eight offices across the globe and will use the new funding to expand across-the-board, a Tech Crunch report said.
If you have any information to share, please write to bsreporter@bsmail.in