Skymind Global Ventures launches London office and an $800 million fund to back AI startups and research
Skymind Global Ventures is opening a London office, and launching a new $800 million fund to back AI startups and research, according to TechCrunch. As an extension to its current Hong Kong office, the London office will help support research, development, and business ventures across Europe and Asia. According to a statement from founder and CEO […]
British startup uses AI to develop new drug compound, in a world-first breakthrough
A British startup has used artificial intelligence to create a new drug molecule that will soon enter clinical trials, in an unprecedented breakthrough for the use of machine learning in drug development, according to BBC News. Designed to treat patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), the drug was created in a collaboration between the Oxford AI startup […]
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 […]
Facial recognition cameras will be deployed throughout London, according to police
London’s Metropolitan Police have announced plans to deploy live facial recognition cameras across the city, according to The Guardian, to detect individuals on watchlists “for serious and violent offences.” The Met says the technology will go into use next month, and will be deployed in popular locations for shopping and tourism. While facial recognition has been met […]
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. […]