Index Ventures, known for funding Skype, Dropbox and Candy Crush Saga online game is starting a new biotech venture capital firm named Medicxi Ventures. GlaxoSmithKline Plc. and Johnson & Johnson have funded $230 million to Medicxi Ventrue and would reportedly contribute 25 percent of the investment.
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After robust phase, venture capital heads to pre-recession level
Venture capital (VC) funding activity seems to be heading towards pre-recessionary mark. The VC activity recorded robust growth phase for over seven years. The sluggish financial markets are discouraging VC funding and raising money.
Mexico gets $400-mln loan from WB for rural development
Mexico is receiving $400-loan from World Bank for rural development and will formally sign an agreement. Mexican government will utilize the funds for extending financial lending to farmers and fishermen in rural areas. The small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will also get financial support from the Mexico's national agricultural financing agency FND.
Nasty Gal to trim headcount by 10%
The Los Angeles-based fashion retailer Nasty Gal is reducing the number of employees by 10 percent as part of its strategic restructuring. The increasing market competition and uncertainty in financing aspects are forcing the company to reduce the costs. Several former employees moved court against Nasty Gal against layoffs.
Honda recalls 442,997 vehicles in Japan; 2.2 million cars in US
Honda said it recalled a total of 442,997 vehicles in Japan. The automaker will also recall 2.2 million cars in the US.
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Reliance Infrastructure Ltd has sold Reliance Cement Company Pvt. Ltd to Birla Corporation for Rs. 4,800 crore. Anil Ambani's Reliance has made this decision to cut down the debts the company has accumulated over the years that range between Rs 20,000 and 25,000 crore.
Weatherford International Plc lays-off 6,000 workers due to plunging oil prices. The company believes diminishing supply would influence the oil prices for good.
Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. continues the discussion with Starz regarding the possibilities of the two companies to merge. The talk had been started three years ago, and now it is looking for a further agreement.
Last December, German factory orders dropped worse than what experts had forecasted. There was a weaker growth in the local demand, and the overseas market was not so much helping eventhough there was a slightly slow increase.
Samsung has released 4K Blu-ray player, UBD-K8500/ZA at selective stores of Santa Monica. The product has been expected to get released sometime in March. The new video player for $399 is believed to offer a superb content viewing experience.
The social media site, Twitter has disclosed for the first time removal of more than 125,000 accounts on allegation of aiding terrorism. ISIS has been using Twitter and other social media sites as platforms for spreading their ideologies and recruiting new members. Facebook is also adopting special measures in this regard due to growing concerns over poor policing by the sites against terrorism.
Tax identity theft to conduct further fraudulence in claiming fake tax returns. Many identity thefts related fraud claims have been detected in 2015. The fraud efforts have prompted IRS to reshape fraud prevention measures. Though the new measures are invisible to taxpayers, but they too feel the unprecedented cooperation from IRS.
The UK Green Investment Bank Financial Services ties up with world’s largest asset manager BlackRock to purchase GLID Wind Farms. The farms located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland and Lincolnshire are capable of producing 220 MW clean powers. With the acquisition, GIBF will produce 3,970 GWh of clean power each year. Meanwhile, BlackRock will own and manage 66 wind and solar projects in Europe and North America on behalf of its clients.
Reorient Group Ltd. has reportedly formed a $3 billion yuan ($457 million) joint venture with partners. The Shanghai based proposed Joint Venture (JV) firm, Yunfeng Securities Co., will have a registered capital of 1 billion yuan. The JV entity will go operative subject to receipt of approval from China Securities Regulatory Commission.
