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Sampler raises $3 million Series A to build CPG brands’ best hope to combat Amazon(BETAKIT)
“Amazon can have Amazon,” Chevrier said. “We’ll have the other top ten.”
Amazon’s China unit is reportedly considering a merger. That’s ‘too little too late,’ expert says (CNBC)
Anthony Chukumba, managing director of Chicago-based firm Loop Capital, said any deal is likely to be “too little too late” for the American e-commerce giant’s China goals.
North lays off a reported 150 employees, government suspends investment (BETAKIT)
The Kitchener-Waterloo-based company received $24 million from the federal government in December through the Strategic Investment Fund, which has now been suspended.
BMW and Daimler invest €1bn in new car venture(BBC)
BMW and Daimler have unveiled a joint venture covering new-generation services such as driverless vehicles, ride-hailing, and pay-per-use cars.
Clutter confirms SoftBank-led $200M investment for its on-demand storage service (TECHCRUNCH)
The startup is one of a number of companies that provide storage options for consumers who don’t want to part with items but equally don’t have the capacity to keep it where they live.
Influitive receives $10 million in equity and debt financing(BETAKIT)
Toronto-based Influitive is also planning to open a new office in Halifax.
Etsy error results in unauthorized withdrawals from sellers’ accounts(RETAILDIVE)
A payment error on Friday resulted in a number of Etsy sellers discovering that money had been taken out of bank accounts which were connected to their Etsy stores.
JD.com’s drones take flight to Japan in partnership with Rakuten (TECHCRUNCH)
Rakuten, the Japanese e-commerce giant, just announced a partnership with JD that will see its drones and unmanned vehicles become a part of Rakuten’s own unmanned delivery service efforts.
Food-delivery company DoorDash valued at $7.1 billion in new fund-raising round, nearly double from six months ago (CNBC)
The funding was co-led by Singapore state investment firm Temasek Holdings and Dragoneer Investment Group.
Showfields raises $9M for a more flexible approach to brick-and-mortar retail (TECHCRUNCH)
The seed funding was led by Hanaco Ventures, with participation from SWaN & Legend Venture Partners, Rainfall Ventures, Communitas Capital and IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond.
