French startup ManoMano raises €125 million for its DIY home improvement platform
The French startup ManoMano has raised €125 million in a Series E funding round, to further develop its online marketplace for home improvement and gardening products, according to EU-startups.com. Founded in 2013, the company has now raised a total of €310 million. Last year was a banner year for ManoMano. The company grew 50 percent in […]
New funding round from Ophelia Brown’s Blossom Capital draws $185m for Europe’s startups
The UK’s Blossom Capital has announced its second funding round, totaling $185 million, for early-stage funding of Europe’s tech startups, according to EU-startups.com. Co-founded by Ophelia Brown, formerly of Index Ventures and LocalGlobe VC, Blosson Capital is aiming to become the lead investor for Series A and seed funding rounds in Europe’s startup scene, with a […]
Despite threats of US retaliation, the UK will tax tech giants, with support from Europe’s digital policy chief
The UK will move forward with its plan to tax multinational digital firms, despite retaliatory threats from US officials, chancellor Sajid Javid said at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this week, according to The Guardian. “We plan to go ahead with our digital services tax in April,” he said. “It is a proportionate tax, and […]
German startup Grover secures €250 million for its tech subscription service
The Berlin-based startup Grover has drawn €250 million in funding, to expand its tech subscription service in Germany and into the rest of Europe, according to Tech.eu. Founded in 2015, Grover offers a subscription service allowing users access to over 2,000 tech devices such as laptops, smartphones, virtual reality equipment, micromobility vehicles, and wearable tech. In […]
Google acquires Pointy, an Irish startup with tools to help local retailers list products online
Google has announced plans to acquire the Dublin-based startup Pointy, which offers digital solutions to help local, brick-and-mortar retailers list their products online to compete with Amazon, according to Venture Beat. The two companies did not disclose the sale price, but Yahoo Finance reported that it’s a $163 million deal. The acquisition is expected to go […]
UK startup Jolt raises another €12.7m for its streamlined alternative to business school
The UK education startup Jolt has raised an additional €12.7 million for its accessible, flexible approach to business classes, according to EU-startups.com. The new funding round, led by Balderton Capital, brings Jolt’s total funding raised to €20.9 million. The company was founded in 2015, launched a marketplace for live business class videos in 2016, and opened […]
French startup raises €2.25m to develop smartwatch that monitors glucose levels in diabetes patients
The Paris-based healthtech startup PKvitality has raised €2.25 million from a major German manufacturer, to develop an advanced glucose monitoring smartwatch for patients with diabetes, according to EU-Startups.com. Called the K’Watch, the smartwatch would be the first device to allow effortless, painless, constant, and precise monitoring of glucose levels while on the go. It would […]
Antler raises another $50m to help launch startups, with backing from Facebook co-founder
The ‘startup generator’ Antler has raised another $50 million to support fledgling startups, with investment from Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, according to TechCrunch. With locations in London, Amsterdam, Stockholm, New York, Sydney, Nairobi, and Singapore, Antler offers a company building program for selected applicants, focused on early-stage funding. They assist entrepreneurs in the first steps of establishing their […]
Tesla reports record production, with shares on the rise
Tesla produced a record number of vehicles in last year’s fourth quarter, meeting their year-end goal, according to Bloomberg, sparking optimism among investors. Tesla’s annual deliveries for 2019 increased by about 50 percent from the year before. Production also included 1,000 cars from a new factory in Shanghai, with deliveries to Chinese customers starting last month. […]
Libra official remains optimistic despite regulatory hurdles, says the cryptocurrency will benefit Europe
A Libra Association executive says it’s still hoping for a 2020 rollout for the digital currency, despite regulatory obstacles and mounting criticism from officials, according to Politico. Facebook’s plans for Libra have faced a nearly constant barrage of criticism and new setbacks from regulators. Officials have expressed concern that it could undermine official currencies, impact global […]