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Lightspeed prices IPO at $16 per share, raises $240 million CAD (BETAKIT)
The Montreal-based company had initially targeted a $200 million CAD IPO.
Airbnb acquires last-minute hotel booking app HotelTonight(CNN)
Airbnb, which is worth about $31 billion, previously said it is on a mission to build a platform that helps people with all aspects of travel, including where to stay, what to do and how to get there. The acquisition will help Airbnb diversify its business as it gears up to go public.
Miovision partnerships expand its smart city vision to Maritimes and US (BETAKIT)
Miovision, based in Kitchener, creates solutions designed to improve the mobility and liveability of cities as they become more congested.
Wade & Wendy raises $7.6 million to help businesses automate hiring with chatbots (VENTUREBEAT)
The funding was led by Jazz Venture Partners, with participation from Randstad Innovation Fund, FF Venture Capital, and Indicator Ventures.
Which types of startups are most often profitable? (TECHCRUNCH)
“Our agency has found that every other type of business reaches profitability quicker than SMB SaaS, including mobile apps, Chrome extensions, and enterprise SaaS.”
Cannabis software company Blockstrain to acquire Spark Digital Technologies
(BETAKIT)
Blockstrain said that IgnitePro, combined with Blockstrain’s technology, will assist businesses with regulation and compliance standards.
Analysts are optimistic on Salesforce even after the stock drop. Here’s what they had to say (CNBC)
“While the stock pulled back in the after hours, we continue to see CRM as one of the best positioned companies in software,” said Goldman Sachs analyst Heather Bellini.
Moka raises $27M led by Hillhouse to make hiring more data-driven in China (TECHCRUNCH)
The deal was led by Hillhouse Capital, an investor in top Chinese technology companies such as Tencent, Baidu, and JD.com.
Hammerhead raises $4.2M in seed funding (FINSMES)
Hammerhead provides Karoo, a cycling computer that augments the experience with GPS navigation and real-time ride data.
Playfair Capital, the UK-based seed firm, announces $32M second fund (TECHCRUNCH)
The firm is targeting early-stage companies across all sectors, with a particular focus on deep tech — e.g. artificial intelligence, machine learning and computer vision — and B2B SaaS and marketplaces, which have traditionally been areas of strength for Playfair.