The Consumer Roundup #50
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Hey Friends,
Happy New Year! I hope you were able to get some relaxation in over the holidays. I’m excited for 2024 and hope you are as well!
We have a few coffee events on the horizon in late January – be on the lookout in the next issue for more info. Here is the latest fundraising update –
Consumer Brands
agood, which produces sustainable eco-friendly phone cases and other products, raised $1.53 million from Arver Family Office, Lenovo COO Marco Andresen, and Micke Storåkers - Impact Loop
Consumer Technology
Ola Electronics, the India-based electric scooter manufacturer, filed to go public. The company looks to raise $662 million, targeting a valuation of $6.5 billion to $8 billion. They’ve previously raised $1 billion over the years, and was valued at $5.4 billion during their last round in October - TechCrunch
Podimo, the Copenhagen-based podcast network that currently charges $5-7/monthly subscription, raised $48 million led by The Danish Export and Investment Fund (EIFO) with participation from HighlandX and Augustinus Fabrikker - TechCrunch
Soum, the Saudi Arabian-based second-hand goods marketplace whose categories include electronics, automobiles, and collectables, raised an $18 million Series A funding led by Jahez Group with participation from Isometry Capital, Khwarizmi Ventures, AlRajhi Partners and Outliers Venture Capital - TechCrunch
Backer, the platform that makes it easy for parents to open tax-advantaged 529 college savings plans, raised a $9.5m Series A led by WndrCo - PR Newswire
Claim, the social network that lets users and their friends earn cash back and rewards, raised raised a $4 million seed round led by Sequoia Capital - TechCrunch
Crescenta, the Spanish-based fintech company that enables individuals to invest in the private markets, raised a $2.21 million pre-seed round led by KFund with participation from FJ Labs and All Iron Ventures - Tech.eu
Creator Economy
Breakr, record labels, artists, musicians, with social media influencers, raised $1.9 million at a $20 million valuation led by Slow Ventures - TechCrunch
eCommerce Infrastructure, Retail Tech & Supply Chain
Tamara, the Saudi Arabia-based by now pay later fintech platform, raised $340 million Series C bringing their valuation to over $1 billion led by SNB Capital and Sanabil Investments with participation from Shorooq Partners, Pinnacle Capital, Impulse - TechCrunch
Bizay, the Portugal-based tech company that says its developed an operating and supply chain system for over 50,000 customizable products that are in dozens of categories like merchandising, packaging, apparel, raised $19.890 million led by Indico Capital Partners, with participation from Iberis and Lince - Tech.eu
Funds Changing Funds
SoftBank sells Open Opportunity Fund, which includes $100 million Fund 1, the $150 million Fund 2, and its entire portfolio positions to Marcelo Claure and Paul Judge - TechCrunch
Funds Raising Funds
Springdale Ventures, the Austin-based VC fund that invests in early stage consumer brands, raised $40 million fund 2 - Ag Funder News
M&A
IHL and the Amirian Group buys Something Navy, the apparel brand founded by Arielle Charnas, for $1 while they will absorb their $7.5 million in liabilities - WWD
Unilever, the consumer goods giant whose brands include Ben and Jerry’s, Dove and Hellman’s, is set to acquire science-based haircare brand K18 for an undisclosed amount - WWD
Platinum Equity, the private equity group whose portfolio includes the Detroit Pistons, Petmate, and Biscuit International, is acquiring Horizon Organic and Wallaby from French food group Danone - Food Business News