A group of technology executives in Canada and U.S. launched a Toronto-based $100 million venture fund. The group is focusing to fund enterprise software to establish its investment portfolio.
Funding
TrueBridge Capital Closed Its Fourth Venture
TrueBridge Capital Partners announced the closing of its fourth venture capital fund-of-funds on January 13. The fourth fund-of-funds is secured at its $400 million hard cap.
Airbus Ventures' 1st investment takes off
Airbus Group's corporate venture capital fund Airbus Ventures has announced its first investment that was extended to a Phoenix-based Local Motors Inc. Airbus Ventures is keen on startups in the aviation industry that support Airbus business strategy. Local Motors Inc develops open source designs for building cars, helicopters and airplanes.
Popular Wine App Vivino Raises $25M to fuel growth
Popular wine mobile app Vivino raised $25 million in Series B round to expand its operations in top wine consuming countries in the world.
Qualcomm & TDK Form $3 billion Venture To Develop Smart Phones Using Radio Frequency Chips
Qualcomm Inc. and TDK group tie up to form a $ 3 billion project in Singapore. After completion of the venture by 2017, Qualcomm will own 51% of the new company with a provision to purchase TDK’s stake at a later time. Following the joint venture, Qualcom’s share price has fall a little but TDK share price has jumped by 5.5%, highest change within last two moths.
Latest News
Venture capital firms raise less capital and face a slowdown in tech funding for 2015. However, the number is still above annual average since 2006.
Venture capital fund in the U.S. dropped by 9% in 2015, but a strong fundraising pace from 2014 continued. Investor become more selective to put the capital in startup companies.
The United Nations (UN) has received funding of $250million and needs additional $500 million for education programs for over one million Syrian children. Gordon Brown, the former UK Prime Minister and UN envoy for global education, is committed to mobilize money in next month. Brown has decided to raise money from the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos and other international conferences.
Former Facebook exec Sean Parker gave $500,000 to a newly formed group that aims to legalize recreational marijuana use in California.
After the cancellation of short-term credit facility from Citigroup, South African Airways is in the process of getting guarantee support from the government. South African Airways has had seven CEOs during the past three years. The National Treasury is exploring ways to restore financial support to the airline and will restructure the board as well.
State-owned Saudi Arabian Oil Co. (ARAMCO) is possibly going for an IPO aiming to raise funds for $1 trillion to $10 trillion. Some shares of the IPO may be awarded among the local banks and investors following ARAMCO’s action plan. However, experience in banking operations in the kingdom is believed to play the key role for selection which put HSBC and JPMorgan well ahead in the IPO grabbing race.
In a major setback, Silicon Valley’s largest startup accelerator reshuffles assignments for top executives. After five years of joining, Gmail and FriendFeed dreamer Paul Buchheit replaces Sam Altman as managing partner of startup accelerator’s core program. Sam Altman is reportedly assigned to advise his successor managing partners while overseeing the entire program.
Lily Robotics’ self-flying camera drone sale has earned $34 million in pre-orders, announced its CEO at the CES 2016.
Airbnb, the US home-sharing startup, has confirmed closing of $1.5 billion fund-raising round. The latest closure of fundraising puts the unicorn startup at staggering valuation.
