VENTURE CAPITAL POST

Internet giant Yahoo acquired Seattle, Washington-based mobile marketing startup Sparq for an undisclosed amount to start monetizing its mobile user base and drive revenue growth.

New York-based research gathered data on startup death and found out that half of early-stage firms die before raising $1 million and that most startups last 20 months after their last funding round.

Internet giant Yahoo was earlier reported to have bought San Francisco-based startup Aviate for an undisclosed amount, but now a source familiar with the deal revealed that the acquisition was valued at $80 million.

Qihoo 360 Techology Co., China's second-largest search engine by users, on Thursday dismissed rumors that e-commerce major Alibaba Group Holding would pick up a stake in the company. Qihoo shares surged 9.3% on Wednesday on speculation the two companies were in talks over a deal.

Intel Corp., the world's largest chipmaker, has put up for sale its Internet-based pay-TV startup OnCue. Telecom company Verizon Communications Inc. is said to be nearing a deal to acquire OnCue.

Google will provide Starbucks' Wi-Fi services, replacing previous supplier AT&T.

After David Cameron's proposal of a universal block to child pornography sites, copyright owners expressed concern of the possibility of having reduced operations due to filtering.

Activist hedge fund Third Point LLC decided to sell back 40 million worth of shares to Yahoo Inc.