From a nearly $600 million dollar valuation for a pre-launch startup to investments in sectors like solar and life sciences, this past week was a busy one in startup investing. In case you haven’t had time to keep up with the latest funding announcements, following are a few highlights from this week’s financing news stories:
Jet raises $140 million
Still at the pre-launch stage, think of Jet like Costco meets Amazon. Online exclusive deals for members only.
Sector: E-Commerce, Marketplace
Metaps raises $36 million Series C
Combining big data analysis and artificial intelligence, Metaps offers monetization tools to app developers. Features include app store analysis, competition tracking, and audience analytics.
Sector: App Monetization
Laurel and Wolf raises $4.4 Series A
Think of Laurel and Wolf like 99Designs for interior designers. Answer quiz questions regarding your design style and then review submitted design boards from designers matching your preferred interior decorating style.
Sector: Interior Design, Marketplace
Conductor raises $27 million Series D
Conductor helps brands manage their presence online via tools like content marketing and social media. Instead of tired SEO tools like keyword-stuffed article marketing, Conductor helps businesses understand their buyers’ journey in an effort to engage with potential customers on their terms.
Sector: Marketing Software
Unchained Labs raises $25 million Series A
Founded by Tim Harkness (previous company ProteinSimple acquired for $300 million), Unchained Labs focuses on acquiring businesses and tools in the life sciences sector. In addition to raising their $25 million dollar Series A, Unchained Labs also acquired protein-analysis instrument manufacturer Optim.
Sector: Life Sciences
Changing Environments raises $1 million
Led by a team of female founders, Changing Environments’ first product is a solar powered park bench that lets you recharge your smartphone or tablet.
Sector: Solar, Internet
Bento for Business raises $2.5 million
Bento for Business offers a financial services tool for small business owners that combines payment cards and expense tracking.
Sector: Financial Services
Action Sprout raises $1.7 million
Action Sprout offers a Facebook-optimization tool to non-profit organizations. Features include audience engagement tracking, content discovery, and Facebook page optimization.
Sector: Non-Profits, Social Media
Bivarus raises $1.9 million
Bivarus offers a cloud-based patient analytics platform. SaaS for outpatient clinics and healthcare providers.
Sector: Healthcare, Analytics
Reserve raises $15 million Series A
Reserve offers a booking and payment app for upscale restaurants. Backers include celebrities like Will.i.am and Jared Leto.
Sector: Mobile Payments, Restaurants
Fetch Robotics raises $3 million
Fetch is working on developing industrial robotic solutions for markets like the logistics sector.
Sector: Robotics, Logistics
These are just some of the startups that secured investment funding this past week. From angel investment to venture capital, startup companies are benefiting from increased investor attention. There has never been a better time to be an entrepreneur with a dream and the fortitude to see that dream through to fruition.
