Hej,
Autumn 2016 came off with a speedy start where several larger investments rounds made official and at the same time several start-ups out looking for capital haven’t been supported by its investors.
Plus the ride-sharing/autonomous vehicle space became even more confusing with Google – who invested a lot in Uber – launched its own ride-sharing system through Waze.
Tech
– Pinterest acquired Instapaper at an unknown valuation Pitchbook
– Avito founders backs peer-to-peer platform Lendify as it raise SEK 70 M DiDigital
– H&M backed Ivy Revel reportedly struggles with revenue but gains insight for future collections Breakit
– Former SCA directors backs Babyshop DiDigital
– Fine dining app Velocity (an Uber for restaurants) raise USD 22 M Series B VentureBeat TechCrunch
– SpaceX lost a Falcon 9 in a pre-flight test, blowing up facebook’s Internet.org satellite TechCrunch
– WhatsApp now allows company messaging on the platform – and shares its information with Facebook WhatsApp
– BCG released a public report on the internet usage in rural India – it will have a significant impact Medianama
VR/AR
– Tracking VR technology company Univrses from Sweden raised another SEK 5.7 M from existing owners Breakit
– Warpin’ Media aims to enable labels to enter VR/AR, and to create the first ad-platform in the new universe from Stockholm Breakit DiDigital DagensMedia
– Swedish VR studio Manomotion raised SEK 14 M to enable natural interaction DiDigital
– TechCrunch on why the future of mobile video is VR/AR like Pokemon Go TechCrunch
– How relaxation becomes better in VR – just like in Wall-E TechCrunch
Transportation
– Lyft denied GM’s offer to acquire the company for USD 6 BN in July TheVerge
– Rumors recently also made Apple a part of the list of interested parties in Lyft NYPost
– Google enters the ride-sharing space enabling Waze users to pick up fellow riders WSJ
– and Uber then banned board member David Drummond (Alphabet) from attending its meetings TheInformation
– Notes on the powerful impact of the electric car Bloomberg
Media
– United influencers hires Swedish media profile Sofi Fahrman Breakit
– How PoGo will monetize its over 100 M users (better) TechCrunch
– Spotify’s new Global head of creator services announces the company now has over 39 M paying subscribers Billboard
– Pewdiepie stars in a new game as himself being a Youtube blogger TheVerge
– Sky invests in French Molotov – a consolidation streaming service of all major French broadcasting studios TechCrunch
– Facebook open-sources some of its image recognition systems TheVerge
– Vice will go on a shopping spree 2017 as the digital media market consolidates BusinessInsider
And some statistics…
Olympics 2016 viewers in the US:
The 15 largest apps in July 2016 by unique visitors:
The rural India internet user mapped by BCG:
