A daily newsletter summarizing interesting Indian startups and recent activity both in India & globally.
INTERESTING STARTUPS
Sofocle Technologies (2016, Noida), blockchain based smart contract and supply chain solutions provider.Founder is ex-Prolitus Technologies and alumni of ICFAI University. Local comparables are QzIP (2017,Noida) and Chainflux (2017, Bangalore). Global comparables are InstaSupply (2014, London, $1.5M) and trakti.com (2013, Trento).
INDIA INTERESTING NEWS
Shalby (1994, Ahmedabad), multi specialty hospital, raises $22.7M in funding from Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, Axis Mutual Fund and others. Link
Juggernaut Books (2015, Delhi), mobile first publishing platform for authors, raises an undisclosed amount in Series A round of funding from Airtel. Link
DailyHunt (2007, Bangalore), mobile application for news in regional languages, partners with YuppTV (2007, Atlanta), digital and mobile entertainment platform, to launch LiveTV. Link
Facebook (2004, Menlo Park), social networking site, partners with T-Hub (2015, Hyderabad), startup incubator, to work with 10 VR-focused indian startups. Link
Ola (2011, Bangalore), app-based asset-light cab operator, launches bicycle-sharing service Ola Pedal. Link
ADIA, Abu-Dhabi based sovereign wealth fund, acquires a minority stake in KKR India Financial Services, for an undisclosed amount. Link
GLOBAL ROUNDUP
Oakam (2006, London), lending platform for the unbanked and underbanked, raises $46.2M in Debt round of funding from Victory Park Capital. Link
Contentful (2011, Berlin), content management platform API for web and mobile apps, raises $28M in Series C round of funding led by General Catalyst Partners, with participation from Benchmark Capital, Balderton Capital, and Point Nine Capital. Link
Simplus (2014, Sandy), salesforce implementation & consulting firm, raises $9.3M in Series B round of funding led by Epic Ventures with participation from existing investor Salesforce Ventures, newcomer Cross Creek Advisors, and others. Link
J.P Morgan Chase (1823, NYC), financial services provider, acquires WePay (2008, Palo Alto), flexible payments API for platforms, for $400M. Link
United Ventures, Italy-based venture capital firm, launches second tech venture fund; holds first close at $87.3M. Link