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Amid acquisitions, organic growth, Lightspeed doubles Q4 revenue despite increase in net losses (BETAKIT)
According to Lightspeed, Q4 was a record quarter for Lightspeed Payments, and fiscal 2021 was a “transformative” year for the company between its acquisitions, new product offerings, NYSE listing, the recent launch of its supplier network, and Google tools integration.
The pandemic effect: IPOs the new path for Canadian tech firms
The Canadian tech ecosystem is thriving in Canada. COVID-19, or the “pandemic effect” has resulted in emerging tech companies in Canada eyeing the public market more than ever for growth. This has led to a tech IPO boom early in 2021, with likely more to come.
China’s JD Logistics set to raise $3.2 billion in Hong Kong IPO (CNBC)
JD has been investing in its logistics as a way to differentiate in China’s cut-throat e-commerce market.
Canadian tech is having a moment. How best to seize it? (BETAKIT)
Anyone paying attention to the Canadian tech ecosystem will know something special is happening. So what comes next? BetaKit Patrons can register for the first monthly BetaKit Live on May 27 to see the full discussion.
General Assembly Pizza set to go public on TSXV June 3 (BETAKIT)
GA Pizza secured a $13 million CAD Series A round via private placement in February led by Gravitas Securities before filing to go public on the TSXV in early March.
SoftBank-backed Extend pumps $260M Series C into revamping extended warranty, protection plan industry (CRUNCHBASE)
The oversubscribed round brings Extend’s total funding to more than $315 million, according to Crunchbase data, and also elevates the company into unicorn status with a valuation north of $1.6 billion.
7 things startups should know about selling to banks (BETAKIT)
CIBC’s Paul McKinlay, Keith Gordon, Bank of America’s Tom Mildenhall, and Sensibill’s Corey Gross share tips for startups selling to banks.
Knix reportedly secures $53 million in latest funding round (BETAKIT)
According to The Globe and Mail, Knix raised $53 million and the round was led by New York-based private equity firm TZP Group.
factory14 raises $200M to jump into the Amazon marketplace roll-up race (TECHCRUNCH)
In the latest development, a startup called factory14 is coming out of stealth mode in Europe with $200 million in funding to snap up smaller businesses and help them grow through better economies of scale.
How HugoApp squashed Uber in Central America (REST OF WORLD)
The platform used El Salvador’s woes to its own advantage.
Shopify, Google expand partnership to make merchants more discoverable online (BETAKIT)
Shopify said this latest integration is aimed to help merchants to become more discoverable to consumers.
Virtuo raises $96M for its streamlined take on car rentals (TECHCRUNCH)
The company currently has 150,000 active users, and grew 100% (2x) this last year, said co-founder Karim Kaddoura.
OSF Digital acquires Adept Group to expand reach in Australia, New Zealand (BETAKIT)
OSF Digital, which has over 1,000 employees and 40 global offices, said the acquisition will support its mission to become a “top global digital transformation partner” to commerce brands.
How a local delivery startup outplayed big foreign competitors in Kashmir (REST OF WORLD)
FastBeetle launched just before the region’s longest internet shutdown. The founders used it to their advantage.