VENTURE CAPITAL POST

The Central Bank of Russia echoed its statement that the Ruble is the country's official currency, and being a money substitute, Bitcoin is now banned because it is reportedly used in illegal activities.

Moscow, Russia-based investment fund Flint Capital and government-backed early-stage fund FRII poured an undisclosed amount into St Petersburg-based photo manipulation detecting startup SMTDO Tech LTD.

Hackers responsible for the data breach on Target stores over the holiday season gained access using log-on credentials for heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning, according to a post on Krebs on Security written by former Washington Post reporter Brian Krebs.

Russian Internet giant Yandex has invested an unconfirmed amount to acquire logistics provider Multiship to provide an easier way of delivering goods to the customers of Yandex's e-commerce platform.

In its fourth expansion via acquisition, Paris, France-based carpooling site BlaBlaCar added Podorozhniki for an undisclosed sum to tap into the market of Russia and Ukraine.

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.

Hamburg, Germany-based publishing group Spiegel.net has partnered with accelerator XLHealth to acquire a 25% stake in Berlin-based brain-training startup NeuroNation for an unconfirmed seven-figure sum.

Perth, Australia-based gold mining and mineral exploration firm Saracen Mineral Holdings acquired Western Australia's unloved Thunderbox gold mine from Russian giant Norilsk in a deal valued at $20 million.

Russia-based holding company AFK Sistema is considering buying a stake in Latvia-based telecommunications operator Lattelecom SIA to facilitate its expansion outside of Russia, but no decision has been made yet.

China-based automotive glass supplier Fuyao Glass Industry Co will pour in a $200-million investment to build a manufacturing facility at the former assembly plant of General Motors (GM) in Ohio, US.

Brazil and China like Russia are large population countries with a growing middle class that is ripe for more consumer-facing clones, clonentrepreneurs and Clonentrepreneurship.

This part discusses the culture of risk in the developing countries and how it impacts the behavior of local investors and their willingness to finance seed and early stage tech business models.

2010 was a 'tipping point' for the start-up of Russia through two liquidity events and underlying forces in the country. First was the acquisition of the Russian Groupon clone called Darberry by Groupon.

What are the elements of a start-up community? What can you do to startup a start-up community in your city, or help it do more-faster?