Raise Report: New Funding for AxleHire, Digital Genius, Happy Returns
Every two weeks, we round up some of the biggest fundraises taking place in hyperlocal marketing, commerce, and tech.
Monday, Dec 18: AxleHire Scores $4.3 Million to Power Delivery
Acorn Pacific and RGA Ventures participated in the round, TechCrunch reported. AxleHire bills itself as a “last-mile logistics solution for all businesses,” powering such digital food delivery services as HelloFresh and Freshly. The funding will allow AxleHire to expand its operations to new markets.
Tuesday, Dec 19: SendBird Locks Down $16 Million to Equip Apps with Messaging
Shasta Ventures and August Capital led the Series A funding round, VentureBeat reported. Though the chatbot craze may be beyond its peak, the funding would seem to indicate SendBird’s SDK and API are in high demand — no surprise given that messaging functionality has become a must-have for consumer-facing businesses. SendBird will use the money to accelerate product development.
Tuesday, Dec 19: DigitalGenius Raises $14.75 Million to Automate Customer Service
Global Founders Capital led the Series A round, VentureBeat reported. DigitalGenius offers an artificial-intelligence solution that expedites customer-service interactions. The funding will drive the startup’s expansion as it seeks to consolidate its hold on the market for AI-backed customer service solutions.
Wednesday, Dec 20: Happy Returns Picks Up $8 Million to Provide Digital Retailers with Physical Spaces
U.S. Venture Partners led the round, which also saw participation from Upfront Ventures and Brian Spaly, LA Business Journal reported. Happy Returns partners with digital retailers who can allow their customers to return items at the former’s brick-and-mortar locations. Happy Returns will use the money to quadruple its number of locations from 50 to 200 over the next year.
Tuesday, Jan 2: TrendKite Rakes In $11 Million for PR Analytics
Harmony Partners led the round, 512Tech reported. TrendKite sells software that helps companies evaluate the ability of publicity to boost their brands. The funds will help TrendKite expand its staff significantly as it seeks to grow its business.
Wednesday, Jan 3: Rubikloud Secures $37 Million for Retail Intelligence Platform
Intel Capital led the Series B round, Retail Touch Points reported. The company’s technology helps retailers improve their marketing strategies and better manage their businesses. Rubikloud will put the funding toward international expansion.
Wednesday, Jan 3: Dahmakan Snaps Up $2.6 Million for Food Delivery
Y Combinator, Texas Atlantic Capital, and Atami Capital led the round, TechCrunch reported. The capital will fuel product development and international expansion.
Joseph Zappa is Street Fight’s news editor.
Has your company recently raised a new round? Send press releases and other info to [email protected] and tell us all about it.
