B.C. clean-tech companies have requested Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to allocate a $500 million venture capital (VC) fund. An alliance comprising 51 clean-tech and investment firms from B.C. province has written a letter to the Prime Minister Trudeau to extend support to clean-tech industry.
Funding
Roofstock Raised $13.25 Million, Inaugurates Rentals Marketplace
Roofstock gets Series A funding of $13.25 million led by Bain Capital Ventures. The funds will be used in an online marketplace and will be launched on Thursday in Florida.
Google Grants UNICEF $1.5 Million and Manpower to Combat Zika Virus
Google grants UNICEF a total of $1.5 million in its battle with Zika virus which has been declared an epidemic by WHO last month. The virus has been linked with microcephaly and neurological illness called Guillain-Barre syndrome. UNICEF and the tech giant will collaborate to map and anticipate the spread of the virus.
Google Grants $30 Million to European Tech News Publishers as the First Batch of the $170 Million Project
Google’s Digital News Initiative (DNI) program has just granted more than $30 million to selected projects in 23 European countries. It’s the first batch of the long-term $170 million project to help stimulate innovation in digital journalism.
Argentina to issue $15-bln bonds, returns to credit markets
Argentina is planning to issue $15-bilion bonds making it the largest sum by any developing nation since 1996. Country's new President Mauricio Macri-led government will use funds mobilized through bonds for repaying debts and supporting government spending.
Latest News
The Sacramento Kings announced a tech startup contest for local entrepreneurs. Supported by local investment firm Velocity Venture Capital, finalists will get an opportunity to pitch their ideas to judges and a chance to win a cash prize and consultation sessions with the Kings executives.
Israel is witnessing an increasing number of new venture capital (VC) firms coming up. The country registered an inflow of $665 million VC funding during the first two months of the year. Unfazed with the recent market crash, the funds inflows continue for Israel startups.
Earlier this month, Chinese state-owned company ChemChina reached an acquisition deal of $43 billion with Swiss company Syngenta. After clearing regulation requirements in China, ChemChina is now seeking out loans of more than $35 billion from bankers to fund the purchase.
Did Kuaidi, the largest ride-hailing service in China is about to raise $1 billion the same amount that Uber spent last year for its expansion. It is going to be a tough competition for both companies since they are being backed up by other large companies such as Alibaba and Tencent Holdings Inc.
Next week, Eskom will be paid the remaining balance from the bailout. Eskom CE Brian Molefe expressed frustration to learn that Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan announced that the funds will be withheld. Treasury informed that the fund will be transferred and is already being processed.
The Birmingham-based company focused on developing cloud-based HR software. An area which rarely attracted software startups.
The San Francisco startup and smartphone maker Revl has been seed funded of $2 million by venture capitalist Bill Tai along with other investors like Frog Ventures, Y Combinator, Lars Rasmussen and James Lindenbaum.
Former Hong Kong music popstar turned venture capitalist Andrew Chung established his own firm 1955 capital. With a $200 million fund, he expects to bring clean technology to China.
The Series A round was announced on Wednesday. The company has also licensed the rights for multiple immuno-oncology programs from Stanford University.
