Bud Financial, a London-based financial data intelligence platform, has made headlines by selecting Vilnius, Lithuania, as its European hub. This move is part of a strategic initiative to boost its presence across Europe and marks a significant chapter in Bud’s evolution. But why Lithuania? Several compelling reasons make this country an attractive destination for fintech firms seeking fertile grounds for
OnRamp, a company specializing in automating and streamlining customer onboarding processes, has announced a successful fundraising total of $14.2 million through seed and Series A funding rounds. Leading these rounds were Javelin Venture Partners and Contour Venture Partners. Other notable participants included Pear VC, Quiet Capital, Correlation Ventures, Frontier Ventures, J Ventures, and strategic individuals like Claire Hughes Johnson of
The emergence of Juno marks a transformative moment in the landscape of employee benefits, heralding the introduction of child disability insurance in the U.S. Designed to fill a significant gap in financial protection for working parents, Juno’s groundbreaking approach has captured the attention of the industry and investors alike. As traditional employee benefits often overlook the unique needs of families
The European Union’s antitrust regulators have launched an investigation into a potentially anti-competitive agreement between Samsung and Google. This probe seeks to assess whether the integration of Google’s AI technology, Gemini Nano, into Samsung’s Galaxy smartphones might suppress competition and hinder the growth of other AI and chatbot products in the market. Central to this inquiry is whether the exclusive
Alphabet, the parent company of Google, is in advanced negotiations to acquire cloud-native cybersecurity startup Wiz for an astonishing $23 billion. This purchase, if finalized, will be Alphabet’s largest acquisition to date, positioning Google to reinforce its standing within the fiercely competitive technological landscape. The move aims to substantially augment Google Cloud Platform (GCP), offering a robust defense against competitors
The cloud computing industry is evolving rapidly, and for Amazon Web Services (AWS), the stakes have never been higher. With increasing competition from formidable rivals like Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud, AWS is ramping up its efforts to maintain its market-leading position, especially within the burgeoning AI sector. Through strategic initiatives, leadership changes, and enhanced support for startups, AWS aims
Intuit, a global leader in financial software, has strategically integrated generative AI (gen AI) to revolutionize the way over 100 million global users manage their finances. A key component of Intuit’s grand vision for enhancing financial decision-making is leveraging AI and other technologies to personalize customer experiences, automate routine tasks, and provide innovative insights. Products like TurboTax, Mint, Credit Karma,
The financial landscape is evolving rapidly, shaped by shifting consumer preferences and the rise of innovative payment solutions. One of the most notable trends in this transformation is the expansion of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services, which offer improved flexibility and transparency over traditional credit cards. In response to this burgeoning demand, Visa Inc. has introduced its groundbreaking Visa
The insurtech landscape in Latin America (LatAm) has encountered both challenges and growth opportunities in the first half of 2024. While the sector has seen a substantial decrease in funding, the ecosystem continues to expand, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of the region’s entrepreneurs and startups. Funding Decline Historic Low in Insurtech Funding The first half of 2024 witnessed a
The digital asset investment management platform Haruko recently raised $6 million in a Series A funding round, marking a significant milestone in the company’s strategic development. This infusion of capital, co-led by White Star Capital’s Digital Asset Fund and MMC Ventures, propels Haruko toward its goal of expanding its operations in Southeast Asia. This development holds the promise of advancing
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are often described as the backbone of the UK economy, contributing to over 60% of employment. Despite their significant role, many SMEs face challenges in securing adequate funding to sustain operations or pursue growth opportunities. Paycorp, a global leader in payment solutions, recognizes these challenges and has recently expanded its embedded business funding solutions to
SambaNova Systems, a Palo Alto-based startup, has swiftly emerged as a transformative force in the world of artificial intelligence (AI) hardware. Founded in 2017 and helmed by the pioneering technologist Kunle Olukotun, the company has garnered attention for its innovative approach to AI computation. With significant financial backing and a commitment to excellence, SambaNova aims to reshape the AI chip
