Webb teams successfully installed the observatory’s secondary mirror support structure on Jan 5th. Light from the distant universe will reflect off Webb’s iconic 18 gold primary mirrors and hit the smaller, 2.4-foot (.74-meter) secondary mirror, which will direct the light into its instruments. The secondary mirror is supported by three lightweight deployable struts, each nearly 25 feet long and built to withstand the space environment. Warming up the joints and motors required for smooth operation required the use of specialised heating systems. “Another banner day for JWST,” said Bill Ochs,…
Read MoreDay: January 6, 2022
Insuretech startup Secure now raises $6 Mn in a new funding round
SecureNow, an end-to-end insurtech platform that currently serves 25,000 small businesses across 150 locations, has raised a total of US$ 6 million in its most recent funding round, which was led by Apis Insurtech Fund I – managed by Apis Partners LLP – and Charan Singh – founder of SelectQuote Inc. According to a press release, the company plans to expand its coverage to over a million businesses over the next three years, which is also when it expects to reach profitability. Both Apis Partners and Charan have extensive experience…
Read MoreInstagram is testing chronological feed options for select users
Instagram is testing chronological feed options after announcing plans to do so last month. Instagram’s lead, Adam Mosseri, stated in a video that users will have three different Instagram feed options. Instagram’s three feed options will be Home, Favorites, and Following. The Home feed option is still available to users today, and it is designed to help them “make the most of their time.” Users will also be able to use the ‘Favourites’ feed, which will focus on a user-designated list of accounts to ensure that they do not miss…
Read MoreAI startup Fractal becomes unicorn
Fractal, a provider of artificial intelligence and analytics solutions, has raised $360 million in a new round led by TPG Capital Asia, which includes a combination of primary investment and secondary share purchase from Apax Partners-advised funds. The transaction, according to the company, is expected to close by the first quarter of 2022, and the investment will accelerate its ability to scale and meet rising demand globally. While Fractal has not disclosed its valuation after the current round, sources familiar with the project estimate it to be well over $1…
Read MoreIndian start up Ikonz to manage & monetise digital IPs, NFTs across metverses
At a time when many Bollywood and sports stars are preparing to launch their digital collectibles, or non-fungible tokens (NFTs), actor-investor Rana Daggubati and Anthill Ventures founder Prasad Vanga have backed Indian-American entrepreneur Abinav Varma Kalidindi’s Indian metaverse company, Ikonz. Ikonz, which will be launched in August 2021, is a wealth-building platform that will assist IP owners, artists, and other established icons in managing their digital assets. Ikonz, according to Kalidindi, will serve as a 360-degree platform for IP owners, assisting them in navigating the complexities of technology and understanding…
Read MoreAI based startup Algonomy plans to acquire Linear Squared
AI based startup Alhonomy plans to acquire Linear Squared Algonomy, a software company specialising in artificial intelligence and algorithmic decisioning, intends to acquire Linear Squared, a Sri Lankan cloud-based technology company specialised in demand planning and forecasting products. Linear Squared develops software-as-a-service solutions for consumer packaged goods, retail, financial services, telecommunications, and other industries using AI and machine learning. For Algonomy, which has Walmart Canada, Comcst, Flipkart and Pizza Hut among its clients, Linear Squared’s demand-forecast platform “sits right in the middle” of its technology products, the Bengaluru-based company’s founder,…
Read MoreudChalo acquires Dimentrix to accelerate it’s growth through AI/ML deep insights
udChalo, a consumer technology company that only serves India’s armed forces and their dependents, has acquired Pune-based data analytics firm Dimentrix in order to accelerate its growth through AI/ML-driven data insights. “Dimentrix will bolster our agility, adaptability backed with data science to make informed decisions. This acquisition will strengthen our goal of using data and insights to provide better and more relevant products and services to our customers,” udChalo CEO Ravi Kumar said. “This will catapult our capabilities across the board and reinforce cyber resilience in the organisation.” DeepInsight, a…
Read MoreDelhivery invested in automation products startup Falcon Autotech
Delhivery, an IPO-ready logistics firm, has invested in Falcon Autotech, a Noida-based manufacturer of warehousing automation products. According to sources close to the deal, the investment will likely range between $20 million and $30 million. However, Delhivery declined to comment on the transaction’s specifics. Falcon Autotech provides intralogistics automation solutions, sortation systems, and other logistics and warehousing services. Delhivery said the deal is in line with its strategy to invest in “future-ready” hardware solutions in its operations. The Gurugram-headquartered company had earlier acquired Spoton Logistics to strengthen its business-to-business (B2B)…
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