Startup News: 27 December 2021 - 03 January 2022

Good Morning!! As we enter a new week, let’s take a look at the latest trending startup news insights.

27 December, 2021

1. Blockchain-based VR Startup Metamall Closes Pre-IDO Round Through Token Sales

Blockchain-based deep-tech startup Metamall has raised $4.6 Mn in a pre-IDO round through token sales. The round saw participation from new-age investors 316VC, CSP DAO, MarsVC, WLI Capital, BullPerks, HVS Ventures, CCK ventures, among others. Read More. 

2. Thrasio-Style Rollup Ecommerce Unicorn Mensa Acquires Denim Brand High Star

Thrasio-style rollup e-commerce unicorn Mensa has acquired digital-first Indian denim brand High Star. Earlier this month, Mensa had acquired kidswear brand LilPicks, which is aiming at a gross turnover of INR 500 Cr in the next four years with Mensa on board. Read More. 

28 December, 2021 

1. CarDekho Eyes Southeast Asian Market, Aims To Strengthen Leadership

Auto marketplace unicorn CarDekho is looking to further expand its footprint in the Southeast Asian market. The startup recently started its operations in Malaysia and already operates in Indonesia (under the name OTO) and the Philippines (through the acquisition of Carmudi).  Read More. 

2. Indian neobank Jupiter raises $86 million to launch lending and wealth management services

Industry veteran Jitendra Gupta’s consumer-focused neobank Jupiter has raised about $86 million in a new financing round as the Bangalore-based startup gears up to offer its customers lending and wealth management services. Read More. 

29 December, 2021 

1. Insurtech Startup SecureNow Raises $6 Mn To Scale-Up Its Operations

Insurtech startup SecureNow has raised $6 Mn from Apis Insurtech Fund I and Charan Singh, founder of SelectQuote Inc. With the latest fundraise, the startup aims to scale up business operations. Read More. 

2. VRO Hospitality Eyes Foraying Into F&B D2C Space In A Year

VRO Hospitality plans to foray into the F&B D2C space with spices and other food products in the upcoming eight to 12 months. Read More. 

3. Teachmint acquires video engagement platform Airlearn to expand developer offerings

Education infrastructure startup Teachmint on Wednesday announced the acquisition of Airlearn, a video engagement platform for education businesses, in a cash-and-stock deal to expand its developer offerings. Read More. 

30 December, 2021 

1. 4 innovative Austin startups gallop into the $1 billion ‘unicorn’ club

Austin welcomed a small herd of unicorns in 2021. But these unicorns aren’t those mythical multicolored creatures. Rather, they’re startups valued at $1 billion or more. Read More. 

2. Fintech Startup OneCard Raises $76 Mn From QED Fund, Sequoia Capital

Pune-based fintech startup OneCard has raised $76 Mn (INR 565.05 Cr) in a funding round led by QED Fund, an existing investor in the startup. Read More. 

31 December, 2021 

1. When fundraising, New Zealand startup founders should play the ‘Kiwi card’

While some major global companies like Xero, Rocket Lab, LanzaTech, and Seequent have shined a spotlight on New Zealand’s startup scene, the country historically hasn’t had access to much venture capital. Read More. 

01 January, 2022

1. 'Start-Up Grand Challenge' to attract talent for farm-related solutions

Start-ups are immediately identifiable with IT or tech companies – ed-tech, health-tech, fin-tech, or some such linked to the corporate world. Read More. 

2. Startup launches ‘free’ Citi Bike-like umbrella-sharing app in NYC

A new umbrella-sharing startup is expanding in New York City — and says it will do for umbrellas what Citi Bike did for bicycles. Read More. 

02 January, 2022 

1. Meet The Woman Behind Today’s Multimillion-Dollar Black Hair And Beauty Startups

In the past ten years, global category-leading manufacturers like Procter & Gamble and Unilever have seized the opportunity to create specific products that appeal to diverse consumers. Read More. 

2. Faith-Based Apps Received Astronomical Funding in 2021

PitchBook Data said funding for religious apps, primarily Christian, went from $6.1 million in 2016 to $175.3 million in 2021. Religious apps received $48.5 million in 2020. Read More. 

3. Israeli startup aims to light medical cannabis patients’ way through a hazy system

In the confusing world of medical cannabis in Israel, patients often grope in the dark trying to figure out how and where to get the products they need, says Elad Gazit, a medical cannabis patient himself and founder of a startup that aims to address the problem. Read More. 

If you missed out on the previous week or entire month's updates of startup world news, follow the link to read it now and stay tuned with us for more updates.

Startup News: 20th December 2021 - 26th December 2021

Startup News: 13th December 2021 - 19th December 2021

Startup News:  06th December 2021 - 12th December 2021

Startup News: 29th Nov 2021- 05th December 2021

Startup News: 22nd Nov 2021 - 28th Nov 2021

Startup News: 15th Nov 2021 - 21st Nov 2021

Startup News: 8th Nov 2021 - 14th Nov 2021

Startup News: 1st Nov 2021 - 7th Nov 2021

We, at OpenGrowth, are constantly looking for the latest news in the startup ecosystem. If you want to share any important news from last week, then do let us know in the comment section below.