Led by technology sector, venture capital (VC) investments in Canada reached 10 year high in 2015. Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (CVCA) said 536 deals in funding for entrepreneurs raised $2.25 billion in 2015.
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Uber Plans Autonomous Test Driving In Hazelwood of Pittsburgh
Uber’s self driving car project has first drawn attraction with poaching 50 robotics researchers from CMU in early 2015. Recently it has appeared in the news headline again with the announcement of developing a test driving site for its self-driven cars in Hazelwood of Pittsburg. Though some automakers predict for introducing their autonomous vehicle by 2020, but Uber has kept mum in this regard.
Alberta's economy continues to shrink over uncertainty in oil market
The economy in Alberta will continue to shrink for the next two years amid weak crude prices globally. The province's shortfall in 2017 -2017 is anticipated to outstrip the October outlook by almost $5 billion.
Google Fiber To Introduce Gigabit Internet Service In Select Places of San Francisco
Google has planned to introduce WiFi network service in San Francisco during 2007 in collaboration with Earthlink. The initiative ultimately has gone into vein. Finally another Alphabet subsidiary, Google Fiber has announced introducing high speed gigabit internet service to some select places of San Francisco.
NASA Calls Coders to Create New Algorithms to Improve Its Robonaut's Vision
NASA is seeking new algorithms that could enable its Robonaut 2 to see better, despite the worn out sensors due to constant radiation. Coders can participate in a competition held by NASA and submit algorithms that could solve the problem and could also work with the humanoid’s existing central system and machinery.
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Indian smart phone market is witnessing robust growth rate and attracting foreign venture capitalists (VCs). The home-grown apps are creating more demand for venture capital. India is second largest market for smartphones after China.
Africa's largest trading block is attracting attention of global investors and businessmen. The recent 'Africa 2016' investment forum held in Egypt had participation of over 1,500 businessmen and government representatives. Foreign investors have called for more reforms and policy changes among African nations.
The new budget for South Africa may witness a major focus on government spending, sluggish global economy and inflation. The debt component is also increasing to about 50 percent of GDP. Global rating agencies have downgraded South Africa's sovereign credit rating.
Usher and Robert Downey Jr. join a list of investors to help fund online learning platform MasterClass in its Series B round. In total, the round raised $15 million as the company plan to further expand its area of subjects as well as adding new instructors.
Elon Musk has shared a brainchild for travelling from one city to another with extraordinary speed through a hyperloop in 2013. The plan is now getting implemented at Quay Valley in California. If the project becomes commercially viable, people will get an opportunity to travel at 800 MPH subject to getting approval from the government authorities.
Electric Vehicle (EV) purchasers enjoy different sorts of benefits from the federal and state governments. Irked with the subsidies, the Koch Brothers have dedicated a fund for lobbying in pulling back the subsidies for EVs. Tesla Motors CEO, Elon Musk has however, protested the news ignoring the fact that his comparison may be treated as ‘Apple to Apple’ or ‘Apple to Orange’.
Williams Cos has decided to offload its Canadian operations for $1 billion. It is hoping to put it on the block in next week. In fact, it has already appointed two investment banks to oversee the sale process.
China has unveiled a series of new initiatives to push its economy growth rate. The government is keen on meeting the increasing demand in small and medium-sized homes. Another set of new rules for accelerating reforms at state-owned enterprises will be announced soon.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is seeking an approval from Union Finance Ministry for easing capital restrictions on Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs). RBI has recommended Union Finance Ministry to raise the cap on sponsor's holding in asset reconstruction companies.
