Former Facebook exec Sean Parker gave $500,000 to a newly formed group that aims to legalize recreational marijuana use in California.
Funding
Global solar energy firms bid for projects in Australia
Several firms from Canada, China and Europe among 77 renewable energy firms have submitted bids for solar projects in Australia. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has shortlisted 22 projects, which will have capacity of 766 megawatts at combined project cost of $1.68 billion. The solar energy projects developers will also receive a grant of $30 million for each project from the Australian government.
Shape Round Raises $25 Million Fund Series D, Eyes Chinese Ecommerce Market
Like other tech giants, Shape Security Inc., ‘Botnets’ security service provider has been eyeing to enter into Chinese ecommerce market since long. Inclusion of Beijing based investor, Northern Light and raising sufficient funds for spreading elsewhere- appear as two contributing factors. These factors have led Shape to penetrate the world’s largest ecommerce zone.
Leaders Fund Established $100 Million Venture Fund Targeting Software Startups
A group of technology executives in Canada and U.S. launched a Toronto-based $100 million venture fund. The group is focusing to fund enterprise software to establish its investment portfolio.
Venture Capital Firms Face Slowdown in Tech Funding
Venture capital firms raise less capital and face a slowdown in tech funding for 2015. However, the number is still above annual average since 2006.
Latest News
After the cancellation of short-term credit facility from Citigroup, South African Airways is in the process of getting guarantee support from the government. South African Airways has had seven CEOs during the past three years. The National Treasury is exploring ways to restore financial support to the airline and will restructure the board as well.
State-owned Saudi Arabian Oil Co. (ARAMCO) is possibly going for an IPO aiming to raise funds for $1 trillion to $10 trillion. Some shares of the IPO may be awarded among the local banks and investors following ARAMCO’s action plan. However, experience in banking operations in the kingdom is believed to play the key role for selection which put HSBC and JPMorgan well ahead in the IPO grabbing race.
In a major setback, Silicon Valley’s largest startup accelerator reshuffles assignments for top executives. After five years of joining, Gmail and FriendFeed dreamer Paul Buchheit replaces Sam Altman as managing partner of startup accelerator’s core program. Sam Altman is reportedly assigned to advise his successor managing partners while overseeing the entire program.
Lily Robotics’ self-flying camera drone sale has earned $34 million in pre-orders, announced its CEO at the CES 2016.
Airbnb, the US home-sharing startup, has confirmed closing of $1.5 billion fund-raising round. The latest closure of fundraising puts the unicorn startup at staggering valuation.
American film maker, producer, writer and creator of Star Wars, billionaire George Lucas and his wife Mellody Hobson, through the George Lucas Family Foundation, are donating $10 million to George Lucas' alma mater - the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts.
Cloud storage is getting lots of attention recently as more companies shifting their data storage to cloud storage rather than physical storage. Due to high demand in the area, ClearSky Data, a company focusing on managing a hybrid data-management solution was awarded a $27 million worth of investment to expand its operation.
The newly-approved crowdfunding norms will enable start-ups to mobilize funds from mom-and-pop investors over the internet. The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has okayed the new rules on crowdfunding with a majority voting of three to one. The Business Startups (JOBS) act has been enacted with bipartisan support to facilitate new startups with more flexibility in the mobilization of funds. SEC also changed the audit provisions of the crowdfunding rules.
Revlon, Inc. has recently exceeded their goal of raising $1 million on crowdfunds for women's charity organizations, mainly owing to the support of mega stars such as Halle Berry, Emma Stone, Olivia Wilde, among others.
