March 18, 2025

Five benefits of a health tech accelerator program

In the ever-evolving world of health care, the role of technology is becoming increasingly crucial. From improving patient outcomes to streamlining administrative processes, digital technologies are changing the face of the industry. However, for startups developing health tech solutions, breaking into the market and scaling their products can be a challenging journey, requiring access to…

Crypto makes you more attractive, according to a new Binance survey

February 14, 2023

In true Valentine’s Day fashion, we’re diving into the theme of love…and crypto? According to a new study by Binance, the world’s largest blockchain by trading volume, crypto could have a positive impact on one’s attractiveness. Yes, really. Approximately 83% of participants said liking crypto was an “attractive feature in a relationship,” while 70% said […]

Crypto makes you more attractive, according to a new Binance survey by Jacquelyn Melinek originally published on TechCrunch

Africa’s smartphone market shrunk by 18% last year

February 14, 2023

Africa’s smartphone market shrunk by 18% in 2022 compared to the previous year, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC). The slump was driven by a reduction in consumer spending due to inflation, and economic uncertainties, but it was not unique to Africa as smartphone shipment dipped across major markets last year. According to IDC, […]

Africa’s smartphone market shrunk by 18% last year by Annie Njanja originally published on TechCrunch

Bain Capital has closed its second Tech Opportunities fund with $2.4 billion

February 14, 2023

It’s always nice to have a lot of capital to invest, but managing a large new fund can be even more advantageous right now given that many later-stage companies that put off fundraising last year will likely be in the market come hell or high water in 2023. No doubt traditional venture firms like NEA, […]

Bain Capital has closed its second Tech Opportunities fund with $2.4 billion by Connie Loizos originally published on TechCrunch

Amid merger and bankruptcy in the West, lidar maker Hesai nails $190M IPO

February 14, 2023

Last week, China’s lidar maker Hesai raised an upsized IPO in the U.S. at a time the industry is reeling from layoffs, bankruptcy, and consolidation. The Shanghai- and California- based company, which makes the sensing technology critical to autonomous driving and increasingly advanced driver assistant systems, raised $190 million from its public offering on Nasdaq. […]

Amid merger and bankruptcy in the West, lidar maker Hesai nails $190M IPO by Rita Liao originally published on TechCrunch

Morocco’s foodtech Terraa raises $1.5M led by FoodLabs

February 14, 2023

Terraa, a Moroccan B2B  tech-enabled food distribution platform, has raised $1.5 million pre-seed funding in a round led by FoodLabs, a European early-stage VC investor and venture studio for food, sustainability and health. Other participants in the round were UM6P Ventures, Outlierz Ventures, Musha Ventures, and Africa-centric DFS Lab. Founded by Youssef Benkirane and Benoit […]

Morocco’s foodtech Terraa raises $1.5M led by FoodLabs by Annie Njanja originally published on TechCrunch

Akamai reaches for the cloud

February 14, 2023

A year ago, Akamai acquired Linode for $900 million. At the time, Akamai said it wanted to combine Linode with its edge platform and security services. Unsurprisingly, that’s exactly what it is doing now, with the launch of its new Akamai Connected Cloud — a massively distributed edge and cloud platform that includes Linode’s existing […]

Akamai reaches for the cloud by Frederic Lardinois originally published on TechCrunch

Singapore-based neobank Aspire raises $100M from Lightspeed and Sequoia SEA

February 14, 2023

Aspire, the Singapore-based neobank that wants to become the financial operating system for SMEs, has raised an oversubscribed $100 million Series C round. Investors included Lightspeed and Sequoia Capital SEA, along with Paypal, Tencent, LGT Capital Partners and returning investors.  TechCrunch last covered Aspire when it raised its Series B in 2021. Founded in 2018 […]

Singapore-based neobank Aspire raises $100M from Lightspeed and Sequoia SEA by Catherine Shu originally published on TechCrunch

India’s InsuranceDekho raises $150 million despite market slump

February 14, 2023

Indian insurance platform InsuranceDekho has raised $150 million in a Series A funding round as the more than a decade old firm eyes merger and acquisition opportunities at a time when the market slump has engulfed most startups in the South Asian market. Goldman Sachs Asset Management and TVS Capital Fund led the Series A […]

India’s InsuranceDekho raises $150 million despite market slump by Manish Singh originally published on TechCrunch