Edtech firm Filo raises $23M in a Series A led by Anthos Capital

Gurugram-based edtech startup Filo that offers online classes in a variety of subjects, announced today that it has raised $23 million (roughly Rs 174 crore) in a new funding round to expand its product portfolio, tap into new categories, expand its team, and scale its tutor base across the country. Anthos Capital, based in the United States, led the new Series A investment. Existing investor Better Capital, as well as GSV, Sapling Capital, Gokul Rajaram, Rob Frohwein (Co-Founder – Kabbage), Mate Pencz, and Florian Hagenbuch (Founders, Loft), and Ross Lipson,…

AI-powered professional networking platform Lunchclub is now open for Indian users

Lunchclub, a networking platform founded in the United States that uses machine learning algorithms to connect professionals with similar interests, values, goals, and aspirations, is now operational in India. The platform was first launched in 2017 in the United States as an invite-only concierge service for in-person introductions, but when the epidemic hit last March, the company switched to video conversations. It improves the professional matchmaking experience by utilising artificial intelligence to create connections based on shared interests and goals, independent of geographic location, industry, or generation. By the end…

US-based AI edtech marketplace WooStudy forays into India

Woostudy, based in New York, has announced the launch of its operations in India, claiming to be the world’s first AI-powered edtech marketplace. By 2024, the company expects to have over 1 lakh students registered on the platform, in partnership with over 5000 institutes and 500 counsellors across the country. WooStudy’s launch into India comes at a time when the edtech sector in India is expanding, with record investments in the last two years. The sector is also consolidating as the hybrid-education model gets traction. WooStudy was launched in 2019 with…

Ninjacart to invest in agritech startups

Ninjacart, a fresh producesupply chain startup, announced on Friday that it had put aside $25 million to invest in future agri-tech firms. Ninjacart’s Agri Seed Funds will make seed investments in firms and entrepreneurs “that propose novel, sustainable, and tech-enabled solutions,” according to the company. “In addition, Ninjacart will invest in teams that have great tech abilities but may lack a solution or an idea at the moment,” the company said in a press release. Other than investing capital, Ninjacart said it will also give startups access to the agri-platforms’…

Insurtech platform Zopper hits $100 million annualised insurance premium, says company

Insurtech platform Zopper stated it had reached $100 million in annualised insurance premium Because of the acceleration in digital transformation, the demand for digital solutions exploding across the insurance value chain, and ecosystem partners cooperating with insurtech businesses. “Achieving $100 million in annual insurance premium is a significant moment for stakeholders,” Surjendu Kuila, founder and CEO, Zopper said in a statement on Friday. “We aim to increase insurance penetration in the country by leveraging new-age technology. The world is embracing digitalization at a much faster pace than expected, especially owing…

WhatsApp working on community tab, voice recording features as spotted in the latest beta

WhatsApp continues to improve the user experience on its platform by adding new features. The company is currently working on a new community tab for its app, according to the most recent of such developments. A feature tracker revealed the information, stating that the feature will allow group admins to add specific groups to a “Community.” These groups will then be grouped together under the Community tab. According to WABetaInfo, the messaging platform is currently working on a community Tab feature. The feature was discovered in WhatsApp beta version 2.22.6.9…

Nazara to acquire 33 percent stake in Datawrkz, invest Rs 30 crore in arm

Nazara Technologies, a digital gaming and sports company, will buy a 33% stake in Datawrkz Business Solutions, according to a regulatory filing on Friday. In addition, Nazara Technologies’ board of directors has approved a Rs 30 crore investment in its subsidiary Next Wave Multimedia. According to Nazara Technologies, the board has approved the issuance of approximately 1.1 lakh equity shares at an issue price of Rs 2,260 each, amounting to approximately Rs 24.99 crore, for the purpose of acquiring 22,499 equity shares of Datawrkz Business on a preferential basis. “Post…

Ed-tech firm Scaler acquires online learning platform AppliedRoots for $50 million

Scaler, an edtech firm, has purchased AppliedRoots, an online learning platform, for $50 million in cash and stock. According to a senior company executive, the deal will allow it to improve its data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning capabilities. The acquisition is the company’s third in the last 12 months, and it comes just two months after it raised $55 million in Series B funding from Lightrock India-led investors. It bought Coding Minutes and Coding Elements last year. Scaler’s parent company, InterviewBit, was founded in April 2019 by Anshuman Singh…

India no longer just a low cost centre but main innovation hub: Chandra Reddy, head of engineering and R&D – India, Capgemini

Digital practises are increasingly accounting for a larger share of revenue for IT services firms. Digital has effectively cut across major core engineering verticals—manufacturing, automotive, wireless technology, logistics, and many more—with Covid-19 accelerating digital adoption. Despite Covid-19, according to a recent Zinnov report, engineering, research, and development (ER&D) spending has remained resilient, increasing by 3% year over year. It also predicted that global ER&D spending would reach $2.1 trillion by 2024, with a CAGR of 9%. This massive opportunity has attracted IT services brands from around the world to capitalise…

It’s time for India First tech startup conclave & awards : Bengaluru edition

The india first tech startup conclave & awards coming to the silicon valley of india: Bengaluru, after the success of its Delhi chapter. The conclave is one of the most influential and innovative event that has a collective goal to improve the tech startup ecosystem of india. The recent Delhi chapter of India first tech startup conclave & awards concluded with a note to continue its effort for the overall growth of techstartups and its processes. The Bengaluru edition of India first tech startup conclave & awards will be commenced…