Roundup of news and ideas from the world of startups – Week ending 8th April 2018
News you can use
Asia’s largest startup conclave ‘Huddle Kerala’ begins on April 6 – The initiative is envisaged to provide a platform for start-ups to pitch in their products and interact with a wide array of technology and industry leaders from around the world. Startups, investors, academicians and industry leaders will attend the event, which is expected to have the participation of 2,000 members with 40 speakers in 30 sessions.
DNotes Global, Inc. Announces Release of new digital currency -– The company announced the production release of its DNotes 2.0 digital currency. The launch comes in the wake of a pre-release on March 18, 2018, and a successful period of alpha testing. The upgraded coin is designed to replace the first-generation DNotes that were first developed in 2014, with new features and benefits for stakeholders.
Oracle Startup Cloud Accelerator opens second call for applicants in Singapore – TheOracle Startup Cloud Accelerator programme is accepting applications for the second cohort of startups in Singapore, as well as for its new virtual-style, non-residential global programme, Oracle Scaleup Ecosystem. The addition of Oracle Scaleup Ecosystem allows Oracle to work with startups at all stages of growth, regardless of location.
Corporate M&A
Porsche Invests in Israeli AI Tech Startup Anagog – Porsche is investing in Israeli tech startup Anagog. A company press release did not include details of the transaction, but said the automaker had acquired a “minority stake.” Founded in 2010, Anagog develops artificial-intelligence software used to predict customer behavior. Porsche believes there are automotive applications for this tech.
Despite hype, AI did not exactly rake in investment dollars in Q1 – A new digital health investment report from StartUp Health found that investors poured $2.8 billion into 191 deals. The report this year reflects a rethink of how the organization presents the health tech investment landscape. One noticeable addition is a breakdown of deals beyond the general category companies fall into, using the delivery mechanism of the company’s value. It revealed that, despite the hype surrounding it, 24 companies enlisting artificial intelligence in machine learning and other forms raised $230 million, much less than other categories such as hardware/medical imaging ($421 million), genetic sequencing ($497 million), and web apps ($953 million). But this new methodology also means that the same deals were counted more than once if they also fit another category.
Microsoft To ‘Scale Up’ AI, IoT, Big Data Startups In India – In its continued efforts to strengthen the collaboration between startups and corporates, Microsoft ScaleUp (known previously as Microsoft Accelerator) has selected 12 startups to be part of its new 12th cohort. ScaleUp is part of the recently announced Microsoft for Startups initiative, a new program that delivers access to technology, go-to-market and community benefits that helps startups grow their customer and revenue base.
Pfizer tech startup accelerator will be a shot in the arm for healthcare innovation – Pharmaceutical giant invites startups to apply for its second Healthcare Hub: London accelerator, with the chance to share £50,000 funding
Startup shut and failed last week
On-demand shipping startup Shyp is shutting down – An on-demand shipping startup Shyp, that was valued at over $250 million in 2015 announced it is shutting down. According to techcrunch “The company raised $50 million in a deal led by John Doerr at Kleiner Perkins back in 2015, one of his last huge checks as a variety of firms jumped onto the on-demand space.
Hyped-Up Litecoin Payment Startup LitePay Abruptly Shuts Down – Litecoin drops over 10 percent following announcement, prompting Litecoin founder and Litecoin Foundation to issue apologies