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Updated on Jul 5, 2024
1. Citibox raises 80M€ to revolutionize package delivery!📦
Citibox has successfully closed a funding round of 80 million euros 💸, led by Growth Credit Partners and CoVenture. This capital injection comes to further boost its solution of smart lockers for package delivery, a system that promises to end the ordeal of waiting for the delivery person at home 🏠.
The company, which operates in Spain and other European countries, has installed more than 2,000 lockers in residential buildings and offices. The idea is simple yet brilliant: to prevent packages from getting lost or left outdoors 🌧️. Users receive a notification on their mobile when their package arrives and can pick it up at their convenience 📱.
Why is this round important?
Accelerated growth 🚀: With this new funding, Citibox plans to expand its network of lockers in more cities and countries, optimizing the delivery of millions of packages each year.
Innovation in logistics 💡: The company aims to implement artificial intelligence technologies to improve efficiency in managing the lockers and delivery times.
Sustainability 🌿: Fewer failed deliveries mean fewer trips for deliverers and, therefore, a reduction in carbon footprint.
👉🏻 Read more about Citibox's funding round to discover all the details of the operation.
👉🏻 Check out the Citibox website.
2. Qonto and Wise join forces to facilitate international payments for SMEs 🌍💸
Qonto, the French fintech that simplifies financial management for freelancers and SMEs, has announced a strategic alliance with Wise (formerly TransferWise), the leader in international transfers. This collaboration promises to further facilitate cross-border payments, offering lower fees and faster transactions 🚀.
What does this partnership entail?
Simplified international payments 🌐: Now, Qonto users will be able to send and receive money in over 50 different currencies directly from their account, benefiting from competitive rates and the speed that Wise is known for.
Seamless integration 💻: The integration of Wise into the Qonto platform will allow users to manage all their financial needs from a single place, making international operations as easy as local ones.
Total transparency 🔍: Both companies are known for their focus on transparency. Users will be able to see the actual cost of their transactions, with no hidden fees or unpleasant surprises.
Benefits for users
Reduced costs 💶: Companies will be able to save significantly on their international transfers thanks to Wise's low fees, resulting in greater profitability.
Speed in transactions ⚡: Transfers through Wise are known for their speed. With this integration, payments will arrive at their destination in a matter of hours instead of days.
Improved user experience 🧑💻: Qonto's intuitive interface, now enhanced with Wise's capabilities, ensures a smooth and efficient user experience.
👉🏻 Discover more about the alliance between Qonto and Wise and how it can benefit your business.
3. Hello App reaches a valuation of 16M€📱💾
Hello App, the world's first storage network based on individuals' mobile devices, has closed a funding round of 500,000 euros, reaching a valuation of 16 million euros 🚀. This innovative startup is changing the way we store and share data, utilizing the available space on its users' mobile devices.
What is Hello App and how does it work?
Distributed storage network 🌐: Hello App allows users to share unused storage space on their mobile devices, creating a decentralized and secure network for storing files.
Advanced security 🔒: The data stored via Hello App is encrypted and distributed across multiple devices, ensuring that the information is protected and always available.
Efficiency and sustainability ♻️: By leveraging existing storage space on mobile devices, Hello App reduces the need for costly infrastructures and large data centers, promoting a more eco-friendly and efficient solution.
Use of investment
The recent funding round has been led by several venture capital funds and business angels interested in the disruptive potential of Hello App. This capital will be used for:
Improvement of technology 🛠️: Investing in the development of new functionalities and enhancing the technological infrastructure of the platform.
Global expansion 🌍: Expanding the network of users and devices internationally, increasing the available storage capacity.
Team growth 👥: Hiring talent in key areas such as development, security, and customer support to drive the company's growth.
👉🏻 Discover more about the investment in Hello App and how this startup is revolutionizing data storage.
👉🏻 Check out hello.app.
4. Catcher raises 3M€ in an investment round 💶
Catcher, the innovative startup that is revolutionizing the world of sports scouting, has closed an impressive investment round of 3 million euros 💥. This round has been led by several venture capital funds and business angels passionate about sports and technology. With this new capital, Catcher is ready to take its platform to the next level.
What is Catcher?
Sports scouting platform 🏅: Catcher uses artificial intelligence to analyze and detect talent in sports, providing detailed reports and performance analysis to help teams and clubs find the next big talents.
Cutting-edge technology 🖥️: The platform combines big data, machine learning, and video analysis to offer precise and real-time insights on players from various sports disciplines.
Ease of use 📲: Catcher is designed to be intuitive, allowing coaches and scouts to access the information they need with just a few clicks.
How will they use the funds?
Technological development 💡: A significant portion of the investment will be allocated to improving the technological capabilities of the platform, integrating new features and optimizing existing ones.
Market expansion 🌍: Catcher plans to expand into new international markets, bringing its innovative solution to more teams and sports organizations around the world.
Team expansion 👥: The startup seeks to attract talent in key areas such as software development, data analysis, and marketing to strengthen its growth.
The CEO of Catcher, Javier García, shared his enthusiasm: “We are very excited about the support from our investors. This funding will allow us to accelerate our growth and continue innovating in the field of sports scouting. Our goal is to transform the way talent is discovered and developed in sports.”
👉🏻 Discover more about the investment round of Catcher and how they plan to transform the world of sports scouting.
5. AI in Fintech: Transforming the future of finance 🤖💳
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the financial sector, and the latest article from Sifted highlights some of the most exciting and promising applications. From fraud detection to investment management, AI is changing the way fintechs operate and how customers interact with financial services.
Highlighted use cases
Fraud detection 🚫🕵️♂️: One area where AI is having a significant impact is in identifying and preventing fraud. Advanced algorithms analyze behavioral patterns and transactions to detect suspicious activities in real-time, significantly reducing losses and protecting users.
Virtual assistants 🤖💬: AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants are enhancing customer service, providing quick and accurate responses to common inquiries and allowing human teams to focus on more complex issues.
Investment management 📈: AI is revolutionizing portfolio management by analyzing large volumes of data to identify trends and investment opportunities. This enables investors to make more informed decisions and optimize their returns.
Credit analysis 📊: Fintechs are using AI to evaluate the creditworthiness of applicants more accurately and quickly. By analyzing alternative and non-traditional data, companies can offer loans to a broader customer base and reduce the risk of default.
Process automation 📑: AI is automating routine and administrative tasks, such as document review and data entry, which increases operational efficiency and reduces costs.
Market impact
The adoption of AI in fintech is not only improving efficiency and security but also democratizing access to advanced financial services. Small businesses and consumers now have access to tools and services that were previously only available to large corporations and financial institutions.
What experts say
According to the article from Sifted, experts believe we are just beginning to see the potential of AI in the fintech sector. Continuous innovation and development in this area promise to bring even more advances and benefits in the near future.
👉🏻 Read the full article on AI use cases in fintech and discover how these technologies are transforming the financial landscape.
