VENTURE CAPITAL POST

The battle over Brazil's telecoms market is heating up, with the country's biggest fixed-line firm Oi signaling it may make an offer for Telecom Italia's local mobile business.

iZettle, Swedish mobile company, pockets $55.5 million in a series C round led by Zouk Capital with other participants such as Dawn Capital, Intel Capital, Creandum, Greylock, Index, Northzone, and SEB.

Menlo Park, US-based printer giant Hewlett-Packard (HP) settled with the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Security and Exchange Commission for $108 million over the bribery and money laundering charges filed against it.

Dalia, Israel-based water measurement solutions and services provider Arad Group picked up a controlling stake in Mexico-based water meter manufacturer Cicasa for $2.04 million to gain access to the Latin American market.

Barcelona, Spain-based online voting firm Scytl pocketed a $40 million investment from Palo Alto, US-based growth equity fund Vulcan Capital for its research and development as well as strategic acquisitions.

Dubai's sovereign wealth fund, Investment Corp of Dubai, has bought a stake in Kerzner International but did not disclose information regarding the terms of the deal, reported Reuters.

Melbourne, Australia-based startup Influx.com pocketed $250,000 in seed funding from Mark Harbottle and Leni Mayo to provide CRM (customer relationship management) solutions for online and tech startups.

Japan-based mobile messaging app Line will launch an open sticker marketplace called Line Creators Market in April and will also release a Skype-like service in five countries.

Bangalore, India-based startup Lumos Design Technology made unbreakable waterproof bags with a built-in battery than can charge mobile gadgets with the use of solar power.

Hamburg, Germany-based credit and loans startup Kreditech bagged $15 million in debt funding from Kreos Capital to finance consumer lending and expansion in Europe, Oceania, and Latin America.

Hamburg, Germany-based credit and loans startup Kreditech bagged $15 million in debt funding from Kreos Capital to finance consumer lending and expansion in Europe, Oceania, and Latin America.

Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim has decided to hike America Movil's stake in Telekom Austria to 26.8% by consolidating his company and family holdings in the Austrian telecom firm.

Mexico-based state oil company Pemex will shell out $475 million to acquire and revamp a Veracruz-based fertilizer production plant in a deal that would allow the firm to supply 75% of Mexico's demand for urea.

In a bid to generate sales outside the country, Switzerland-based dairy company Emmi has signed an agreement to buy half of Mexico-based cheese and fresh product exporter Mexideli for an undisclosed sum.

Brazil-based fixed-phone company Embratel Participacoes will pour in BRL2.2 billion ($944 million) into Mexico-based mobile phone company Claro as part of a plan to merge the group's fixed and mobile divisions.