Here’s a list of today’s tech funding stories, updated as the day unfolds. Tip us here if you have a deal to share.
GrabTaxi grabs $350 million to grow its e-hail vehicle service across Southeast Asia
GrabTaxi, an Uber-style taxi service operating in Southeast Asia, has raised a colossal $350 million round, taking its total funding past the $700 million mark.
While GrabTaxi’s $700 million in funding may pale in comparison to Uber’s $7 billion or Didi’s $3.5 billion, this latest round makes the Singapore-headquartered company one of Southeast Asia’s best-funded startups. And if nothing else, it shows that the demand for “taxis in your pocket” shows no sign of easing.
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Ding dong: Richard Branson leads $28M funding round into smart doorbell startup Ring
You know you’re onto something when big-name entrepreneurs such as Richard Branson come knockin’ on your door with their checkbook. And that’s exactly what’s happened to Ring, a startup that’s invented smart doorbell technology for your house.
The Santa Monica-based company has announced a $28 million series B round led by Branson, Shea Ventures, and American Family Insurance, which follows on from its $4.5 million series A round last December.
StoreDot raises $18M to help build instant-charging batteries for electric cars
StoreDot, an Israeli startup that makes ultra-fast charging batteries using bio-organic technology, has raised $18 million to help fund a new electric vehicle business unit.
The company first demoed its prototype technology last April and had raised $48 million before today’s announcement, including a hefty $42 million less than a year ago.
Back in December, Samsung led a $17 million investment round into Seeo to help build better EV batteries, and shortly after acquired the entire battery business from Canadian company Magna International. A few months back, Dyson led a $20M investment in solid-state battery company Sakti3, which should help bring Sakti3’s technology to market.
Android creator Andy Rubin invests $15M in CastAR to build augmented reality gaming glasses
Augmented reality gaming glasses startup CastAR has raised $15 million in funding from Android creator Andy Rubin.
The money from Rubin’s Playground Global investment firm brings a variety of benefits, including office space and technical know-how, said David Henkel-Wallace, the chief executive of Mountain View, California-based CastAR, in an interview with GamesBeat.
This list will be updated with breaking funding news all day. Check back for more.
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