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Sonder makes Nasdaq debut following close of SPAC deal (BETAKIT)
Sonder began trading on the Nasdaq after completing its previously announced business combination with California-based SPAC Gores Metropoulos II. The Montréal-founded startup moved to San Francisco in pursuit of international investors, but has sought to expand its presence in Canada once more over the past couple of years.
What Sonder can teach the hospitality industry (SKIFT)
Sonder and its peers could absolutely disrupt the relationships between hotel owners and operators. But their grandiose plans for the hotel industry won’t bear fruit unless they’re able to implement the technology upgrades that so many properties sorely need.
Pen maker Bic to acquire Toronto temporary-tattoo startup Inkbox (THE GLOBE AND MAIL)
Toronto temporary-tattoo startup Inkbox is to be acquired by pen maker Bic in a US$65-million deal.
Maropost acquires Australia’s Retail Express in $50 million CAD deal (BETAKIT)
Toronto-based commerce and marketing company Maropost has acquired Australian point-of-sale (POS) software provider Retail Express in its second acquisition to date. Maropost Chairman and CEO Ross Andrew Paquette told BetaKit that Maropost’s acquisition of the POS-focused firm provides its customers with a “much more significant solution for their retail operations.”
Analysts chop Shopify targets as e-commerce growth slows (BNN BLOOMBERG)
Shopify has plunged 37 percent and lost more than $75 billion in market value since November amid a broader tech selloff, ending its run as the country’s most valuable public company. The Ottawa-based e-commerce firm has also terminated or reduced the scope of its work with several warehouse and fulfillment partners.
Shopify strikes partnership with JD.com to help US merchants sell to Chinese consumers (BETAKIT)
The deal is the latest in a series of partnerships that Shopify has struck to broaden its reach and differentiate itself from other big e-commerce players like Amazon.
Inside Gopuff’s ambitious and costly bid to dominate European instant delivery (THE INFORMATION)
In London, one of its earliest overseas cities, average order volumes remain well below what it needs to break even there, according to one current and one former senior employee. That may not be surprising, given its relatively recent launch in the city amid intense competition from local incumbents.
What jobs at Apple, Xerox, and HP taught Vena Solutions COO Tina Goulbourne about building a startup (BETAKIT)
On the #CIBCInnovationEconomy Podcast, Tina Goulbourne shared how her previous jobs at global tech giants set her up for success at Vena Solutions.
Amazon to try another tech-infused retail concept with ‘Amazon Style,’ its first physical fashion store (GEEKWIRE)
The effort is the latest by the 27-year-old Seattle-based company to disrupt legacy, brick-and-mortar retail. And it’s another bid to take a chunk of the gigantic apparel and footwear market.
NowVertical, Emerge Commerce file base shelf prospectuses to fund acquisition plans (BETAKIT)
Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Toronto, Emerge manages a network of e-commerce sites that provide limited-time offers on golf, groceries, essentials, ‘staycations,’ and experiences.
“Amazon Go Back”: Meet the Indian merchant waging war on Jeff Bezos (REST OF WORLD)
Praveen Khandelwal has built a name fighting against e-commerce. Now, he’s launching his own online marketplace.
$1 million round caps off busy 2021 for legaltech startup Goodlawyer (BETAKIT)
Co-founded in 2018 by corporate lawyer-turned-tech entrepreneur Brett Colvin, the company’s CEO, Goodlawyer offers a legal services marketplace that matches business owners and startups with small law firms and solo practitioners.
Robomart offers shoppers a chance to ‘hail’ stores in the next wave of hyper-convenience (MODERN RETAIL)
Robomart is trying to make “store hailing” — by which a customer taps a button on an app that summons a store-in-a-van shop for a small fee — a thing.
Unreserved closes $33 million seed round to build property auction platform (BETAKIT)
After building a successful car auction platform, E Inc founder Ryan O’Connor has set his sights on bringing online auctions to Canada’s booming residential real estate market through Unreserved. The Ottawa-based startup has secured $33.85 million CAD in seed funding and the support of E Inc investors and real estate professionals alike to support its growth.