Raise Report: New Funding for Via, Drivy, Home Chef
Every two weeks, we round up some of the biggest fundraises taking place in hyperlocal marketing, commerce, and tech.
Monday, April 25: Unlockd Locks Down $12 Million to Facilitate Mobile Advertising
Unlockd, which makes deals that save smartphone users cash on their cell phone bills in return for time spent viewing ads, has raised $12 million in Series A funding, New York Business Journal reported. The funds come from angel investors and PLC Ventures and will help Unlockd expand into Europe and Asia.
Tuesday, April 26: Trov Hauls in $25.5 Million for Individual-Item, On-Demand Insurance
If first-time insurance seekers are daunted by the prospect of piles of paperwork and long-term commitment, Trov offers a solution. The startup, which allows users to obtain insurance on their smartphones for individual items for a given period of time, has raised $25.5 million from Oak HC/FT, TechCrunch reported. Trov will use its new round to fuel the launch of its platform.
Wednesday, April 27: Car Rental Startup Drivy Secures $35 Million
Drivy, which lets users rent out their cars just as Airbnb users can rent out their homes, has raised $35 million in new funding from Cathay Innovation and Nokia Growth Partners, Bloomberg reported. With the capital, Drivy will look to take hold in more cities across Europe.
Thursday, April 28: Bnbsitter Racks up $2.5 Million to Play Concierge for Your AirBnB
Bnbsitter, an “on-demand marketplace for concierge-related services” such as laundry and guest check-in, has raised $2.5 million in additional funding from a number of investors including the founder of BlaBlaCar, Frederic Mazzella, and CapDecisif Management, a French venture capital firm, TechCrunch reported. The startup will use its fresh cash to expand its 13-city operation into the Americas.
Monday, May 2: Ingredients Delivery Service Home Chef Lands $10 Million
Home Chef, an ingredients delivery startup, has scored $10 million in new funding, Chicago Inno reported. Provided by Guild Capital and Shining Capital, the funds will allow Home Chef to “build out its taste algorithm, which recommends meals based on a user’s taste preferences, as well as open a West Coast Distribution Center.”
Wednesday, May 4: Pay-by-Mobile Parking Software Startup Passport Grabs $8 Million
Passport, which makes software that 250 clients, including major U.S. cities such as Boston and Chicago, are using to enable pay-by-mobile parking, has raised $8 million in Series B funding, Charlotte Business Journal reported. MK Capital led the round, which Passport will use to grow its staff and possibly to expand into new markets across the globe.
Thursday, May 5: Via Reels in $70 Million Despite Stiff Ride-Sharing Competition
Despite competing in a space dominated by Uber and Lyft, two of the on-demand economy’s most potent players, Via, a ride-sharing app that facilitates carpooling, has raised $70 million in new funding, with $30 million reportedly on the way in coming weeks, the New York Times reported. Via will use the funding to ramp up its efforts in New York and Chicago and enter new cities, such as Boston and Washington. Pitango Growth led the round.
Joseph Zappa is a Street Fight contributor.
Has your company recently raised a new round? Send information to [email protected].
