Analytics Driven Marketing Automation Platform Octo.Ai Gets $200K In Seed FundingAnalytics driven marketing automation platform Octo.Ai has recently raised seed funding of $200K at a valuation of $1.5 million. The investment was led by a host of angel investors, which included Rohan and Arjun Malhotra (Investopad); Rahul Khanna (Trifecta Capital); Rakesh Agrawal (US based- seed in Lyft, Cruise, Shyp, Poshmark and Lendup), Sidharth Rao (WebChutney), Outbox Ventures, Rajan Navani; Gautam Gandhi (Ex-Google, Angel Investor); Jaspreet Bindra; and Gagan Duggal. The team of seven is currently based in New Delhi, as reported by Inc42.
Kerala’s Profoundis Labs Acquired By US Based FullContact For An Undisclosed AmountUS-based tech firm FullContact has acquired Profoundis Labs which is known for its flagship product Vibe, for an undisclosed amount. Post-acquisition, the complete team of 70 employees will be absorbed into FullContact’s global workforce.
The deal follows $25 million fundraise by FullContact earlier this month to support its growth initiatives, talent hunt and further acquisitions.
Also, Arjun R Pillai, co-founder and CEO of Profoundis will take up a position as FullContact’s Head of Data Strategy.
Ratan Tata’s RNT Capital to Deploy $300M Across Startups in India, Southeast Asia & USRNT Capital Advisers, a venture fund launched by Tata Sons chairman emeritus Ratan Tata, will deploy $300 million across startups in India, Southeast Asia and the US. Headquartered jointly in Mumbai and Singapore, the fund will typically deploy $10-15 million of capital into companies and will back tech businesses, reported TOI.
In February this year, Ratan Tata’s investment firm, RNT Associates, partnered with the University of California (UC Investments) to jointly fund startups over the next 10 years in India.
Kelly Services, Temp Holdings Launch VC Fund for Startups Focused on HRRecruitment firm Kelly Services India and its joint venture partner for Asia Pacific, Temp Holdings, have launched a venture capital fund for startups focused on human resources.
The Temp Innovation Fund has set aside Rs 67 crore to invest in disruptive startups engaged in staffing and recruitment services in the country, as reported by ET. India is the third country where Temp Holdings has launched such a fund, having introduced one in Japan earlier this year, followed by the US.
Accenture to Acquire Australian Security Company RedcoreAccenture has entered into an agreement to acquire Redcore, a privately held Australia-based consulting company that specializes in providing identity and access management services (IAM), as well as security services for Cloud, network management, public key infrastructure, cyber defense, applications and the internet of things. Financial terms are not being disclosed.
“The acquisition of Redcore will allow us to expand our existing IAM services and security-as-a-Service capabilities – along with other critical cyber defense services – while also immediately extending our leadership position in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Kelly Bissell, managing director, Accenture Security.
“Redcore has a team of seasoned security leaders who have exceptional security skills and industry knowledge. Together, we will be better positioned to tailor intelligent security services to organizations’ unique businesses and industries and deliver innovative solutions that help build business resilience from the inside out.”
Microsoft Acquires AI-Based Scheduling Service Genee to Boost Office 365Microsoft has acquired artificial intelligence (AI)-based scheduling service Genee that simplifies the scheduling and rescheduling of large group meetings for companies.
As part of the acquisition, Microsoft will integrate the AI technology into Office 365 before shutting down Genee, reported Gadgets 360.
"Microsoft has signed an agreement to acquire Genee, an artificial-intelligence-powered scheduling service," said Rajesh Jha, Corporate Vice President, Outlook and Office 365, in a blog post.
Co-founders Ben Cheung and Charles Lee, who plan to join Microsoft, started Genee in 2014 to simplify the time-consuming task of scheduling (and rescheduling) meetings.
Apple Buys Personal Health Data Startup Gliimpse Founded by Indian-Origin Duo Apple has quietly acquired personal health data startup Gliimpse founded by two Indian-origin entrepreneurs, as reported by ET. Founded in 2013 by Anil Sethi and Karthik Hariharan, Gliimpse provides a secure platform where consumers can manage and share their medical records and info.
In recent months, Apple has acquired HealthKit, CareKit and ResearchKit startups that allow patients, doctors and researchers to access important health and wellness data via a range of mobile devices.
Vyome Biosciences Raises $14M Funding from Perceptive Advisors & OthersVyome Biosciences, a clinical-stage specialty biopharmaceutical company developing medicines for treating skin diseases caused by resistant microbes, has received $14 million (approx Rs 93 crore) Series-C funding, led by Perceptive Advisors, a New York-based life sciences fund and, Romulus Capital, a Boston-based VC firm, along with participation from existing investors including Kalaari Capital, Sabre Partners and Aarin Capital.
"The Company will utilise these funds predominantly to advance the clinical development of its lead product and continue to develop other proprietary products in the preclinical stage," said Venkateswarlu Nelabhotla, CEO, Vyome Biosciences, reported ET.
