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.
Japan’s SoftBank leads whopping $1B funding into U.S. fintech startup SoFi
SoFi, a U.S.-based student loans marketplace for lenders and borrowers, announced on Wednesday that it has secured a further $1 billion in funds led by Japan’s SoftBank. It’s calling it the “largest single financing round in the fintech space to date.”
Surprisingly, SoFi is still not as well-known as some other startups of its size. A post-money valuation was not disclosed, but it’s now raised a total $1.42 billion. Existing investors that came back for this round include Third Point Ventures, Wellington Management Company, Institutional Venture Partners, Renren, Baseline Ventures, and DCM Ventures.
By the end of the year, SoFi plans to add 100 more employees, taking its total to 500, with existing offices in California, Montana, Washington D.C., and Texas. We reported the company’s earlier $500 million round back in 2013, but it most recently raised a $200 million series D round in February.
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French dating app Happn connects with $14M investment to help you avoid missed connections
Happn allows users who physically cross each other’s path to connect using the dating/friend-meeting app. Besides making love-at-first-sight relationships a bit more likely, the French company behind the app raised a whopping $14 million series B funding round led by European investor Idinvest Partners. Alven Capital, DN Capital, and Raine Ventures also participated in this round.
Happn is also working on features that allow customers to communicate with their favorite brands.
Happn has raised at least $22 million to date, and its CEO, Didier Rappaport, said he is expecting this capital to help his company reach a 10 million users goal by the end of the year. The funds from the round would also facilitate Happn’s expansion in the United States, Asia, and South America, following the app’s acceptance in Europe.
“We are very happy to see American people using a French App. As you may know, French people are very good when it comes to dating,” Rappaport said.
More: Happn
Cloud security startup Dome9 raises $8.3M
Dome9, a startup with cloud-based software for deploying and managing security configurations on cloud infrastructure, is announcing today an $8.3 million round of funding.
Dome9 started in 2011 and is based in Menlo Park, California, with a research and development office in Tel Aviv. The startup employs around 30 people.
ORR Partners led the new round in Dome9. JAL Ventures, Lazarus, and Opus Capital Ventures also participated. To date the startup has raised $13 million.
Driving education app Aceable raises a $4.7 million seed round
Aceable, a company that says it wants to “make the required driving education and certification process enjoyable and accessible to everyone,” announced today that it closed its seed round with a $4.7 million investment in its pocket.
The company’s app offers online driving courses for adults and parent-taught drivers. Aceable says these courses are approved in Texas and Florida.
Silverton Partners was the leader of this round, while Floodgate Ventures, NextGen Angels, and Capital Factory followed. The investment, the company said, will fuel expansion to other states.
More: Aceable
This list will be updated with breaking funding news all day. Check back for more.
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