![Sam Yagan]()
At the end of another busy week, The Match Group has added to its stable of dating platforms through its acquisition of PlentyofFish, while fantasy sports startup FanDuel has raised a $275 million Series E round. Closer to home, CargoHound round a $800,000 seed round, while Oneflare raised $3 million.
Mergers & Acquisitions
The Match Group acquires PlentyofFish for $575 million
The Match Group, owner of dating platforms like Tinder and OKCupid, has acquired Canada-based dating site PlentyofFish for $575 million. Sam Yagan, CEO of The Match Group, said, "As more people than ever use more dating apps than ever with more frequency than ever, PlentyOfFish's addition both brings new members into our family of products and deepens the lifetime relationship we have with our users across our portfolio."
Remitly acquires Talio
Remitly, a service which lets Americans send money to India and the Philippines, has acquired mobile messaging platform Talio. Talio's founders will stay on at Remitly. Matt Oppenheimer, CEO of Remitly, said, “Sending money home to loved ones is an extremely personal gesture. We want to build mobile apps that create richer connections for our customers. Talio’s deep expertise in innovative forms of mobile messaging – immersive images and video – was very attractive to us. Combining mobile payments with mobile messaging is uncharted territory in our industry – we want to create mobile connections that today nobody can imagine.”
Rakuten acquires Fits.me
Japanese e-commerce platform Rakuten has acquired London startup Fits.me, which has created a virtual fitting room where users can try on clothing. The acquisition will help Rakuten strengthen its offerings by allowing for greater personalisation of a shopper's retail experience. Fits.me will operate as a stand-alone business within Rakuten.
Groupon acquires OrderUp
Groupon has acquired Baltimore startup OrderUp, which operates in the on-demand food delivery space in 40 markets across the US. Groupon CEO Eric Lefkofsky said, “Online food ordering and delivery represents an untapped opportunity for Groupon and serves as a natural extension of our local marketplace. The potential in delivery and takeout is apparent - especially with the growth of mobile - and OrderUp’s operational ability, coupled with Groupon’s engaged customer and merchant base, bring tremendous scale to the space.”
Yeti acquired by private investors
Yeti, an app which helps people discover new places, has been acquired by a group of private investors including Jim Armstrong of March Capital Partners, one of the biggest investors in Yeti's parent company Hyphos. According to TechCrunch, Yeti's CEO and co-founder Alex Capecelatro will continue to work with Yeti as a strategic advisor but will be shifting his focus to a new project.
Funding
CargoHound raises $800,000 seed round
Freight startup CargoHound, which aims to reduce the time, cost and risk of shipping products internationally, has secured $800,000 in seed funding from investors from Australia, the United Kingdom and United States to support its expansion strategy across Australia and New Zealand.
Oneflare raises $3 million
Local services marketplace Oneflare has today announced that it has raised $3 million in funding and plans to IPO over the coming financial year. The oversubscribed round was led by Microequities Asset Management with participation from all existing investors. It brings the total raised by the startup since its launch in 2012 to $4.5 million, with Oneflare having raised $1 million in October last year.
CircleUp raises $22 million
Crowdfunding platform CircleUp, which allows brands to raise money from accredited investors, has raised $22 million of its own to put into a Consumer Growth Fund, which will back bands on its platform. The fund will match investments made on the platform, but will not lead rounds.
Delphix raises $75 million
Data as a service startup Delphix has announced the closing of a $75 million funding round led by Fidelity Management and Research Company. According to a statement, the funding will enable Delphix to quickly scale sales, marketing, and operations internationally.
MySmartPrice raises $10 million Series B round
Indian price comparison platform MySmartPrice has raised $10 million in Series B funding Accel Partners and Helion Ventures. The funding will be used to accelerate the startup's omnichannel strategy.
Fastacash raises $15 million Series B round
Singapore FinTech startup Fastacash, which is looking to make it easier for people to share money across messaging platforms, has closed a $15 million Series B round led by Rising Dragon Singapore. With the service currently working in Singapore, Russia, Vietnam, India, and Indonesia, the startup will be using the fresh capital to expand into new markets.
FanDuel closes $275 million Series E round
Fantasy sports startup FanDuel has raised $275 million, bringing its valuation up to over $1 billion. The Series E round was led by KKR & Co. with participation from Google Capital, Time Warner Investments, and Turner Sports. The funding will go towards attracting new users, and creating new products.
Omaze closes $9 million Series A round
Charity fundraising platform Omaze has raised a $9 million Series A round, with investment led by FirstMark Capital. The funding will allow the startup to create a platform where schools and organisations can raise money for themselves.
VTS closes $21 million round
Real estate management platform VTS has raised a $21 million Series B round from investors including OpenView Venture Partners, bringing the total raised by the startup to date to $32 million. The funding will be used to expand across North America and internationally.
Mailjet raises $11 million
Email marketing startup Mailjet has raised $11 million in a Series B round led by Iris Capital, Alven Capital, and Seventure. The funding will be used to continue international expansion and add to its product offering.
Credit Benchmark raises $20 million Series B round
Credit Benchmark, which provides consensus credit risk information, has closed a $20 million Series B round led by Balderton Capital with participation from existing partner Index Ventures. According to the startup, the financing will be used to expand its data gathering efforts, extend its intelligence platform, and grow its international footprint.
Zesty closes $17 million Series A round
Healthy food delivery startup Zesty has raised a $17 million Series A round led by Index Ventures, with participation from Founders Fund and existing investor Forerunner Ventures. The funding will go towards expanding out of San Francisco and doubling the startup's team of 30 over the next 12 months.
Realty Mogul closes $35 million round
Realty Mogul, a platform connecting investors with real estate projects, has raised $35 million in Series B funding. The funds will go towards new hires in its technology and data science teams.
Keybase raises $10.8 million Series A round
Keybase, the startup led by OKCupid's founders that's looking to "bring public key crypto to everyone in the world, even people who don't understand it", has raised $10.8 million. The funding will go towards new hires and product development.
Flipagram raises $70 million
Flipagram, a startup which has created a platform allowing users to create slideshows and videos set to music, has raised $70 million from investors including Sequoia Capital. It also this week signed licensing deals with UMG and Warner Music for 30 second song clips.
InVision closes $45 million Series C round
Design collaboration platform InVision has raised $45 million in a Series C round led by Accel. Existing investors FirstMark Capital and Tiger Global also participated in the round. The startup said that the funding will be used to accelerate sales and development of the platform.
Xiachufang raises $30 million Series B round
Chinese recipe sharing community Xiachufang has raised $30 million in a round led by China Growth Capital, with participation from e-commerce platform JD.com. JD's involvement will allow for collaboration, with JD set to help Xiachufang with logistics and new products.
Plated raises $35 million Series B round
New York meal kit delivery startup Plated has closed a $35 million Series B round from investors including Greycroft Partners and Formation 8. The funding will go towards giving its users more choice.
Main Street Hub raises $25 million
Austin-based Main Street Hub, a marketing platform for small businesses, has raised a $25 million Series C round from Vista Equity Partners. The funding will be used to accelerate the startup's growth, with plans in place to hire 300 new employees by the end of the year.
Image: Sam Yagan, CEO of The Match Group. Source: CNN.
