Microsoft Completes $7.5 Billion GitHub Acquisition
California - Microsoft has announced it has completed its acquisition of GitHub, announced in June. The news comes a week after the European Union approved the deal, ruling that the merged entity doesn’t pose a major threat to competing DevOps tools and cloud services. Nat Friedman, former CEO of Xamarin (acquired by Microsoft in 2016), will be taking over as GitHub’s CEO. In its blog, announcing completion of the deal, Microsoft said that, “GitHub will retain its developer-first ethos, operate independently, and remain an open platform. Together, the two companies will work together to empower developers to achieve more at every stage of the development lifecycle, accelerate enterprise use of GitHub, and bring Microsoft's developer tools and services to new audiences.”
https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2018/10/26/microsoft-completes-github-acquisition/
Arena Solutions Acquires Omnify Software
Foster City, California – 24th October 2018 - Arena Solutions, a cloud-based product realization platform for complex electronics and medical device companies, has announced it has acquired Omnify Software, a provider of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software for discrete manufacturers. Omnify is based in Andover, Mass. with a large customer base in the electronics, medical devices, telecommunications, aerospace and defence markets. More than 1,000 manufacturing customers around the world use Arena to improve visibility and enhance collaboration, enabling dispersed teams to introduce innovative products rapidly and with fewer errors. "Both Arena and Omnify share a long history of success in the PLM market with a strong customer orientation and a vision to help companies achieve their manufacturing goals," said Arena CEO Craig Livingston. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/arena-solutions-acquires-omnify-software-300736494.html
Galileo Platforms Raises US$2M to Revolutionise the Insurance Sector
Hong Kong – 24th October 2018 - Galileo Platforms Limited, is an insurance technology company which uses blockchain to revolutionise the insurance sector. Galileo Platforms and its investors believe blockchain has the potential to dramatically restructure the way insurance is designed, distributed and managed. The secure platform will reduce IT costs and eliminate high-cost, low-value components in the insurance distribution chain. It enables more client centred, agile design of insurance products, including real-time transactions for purchasing and claims, on-demand insurance and micro-duration insurance innovations for the new global economy. The US$2m Series A investment round was led by Greenlight Re Innovations, part of Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd, with co-investors, Scale Investors in Australia and private investors in Hong Kong. http://www.galileoplatforms.com/galileo-raises-us2m/
Battery Ventures Acquires SigmaTEK Systems
Boston - 23rd October 2018 - Battery Ventures, a global, technology-focused investment firm, has announced it has acquired software company SigmaTEK Systems*, the maker of SigmaNEST, a “nesting” product with advanced CAD/CAM functionality that helps professional fabrication and manufacturing companies operate more efficiently on the shop floor. Specific terms of the transaction were not disclosed. In partnership with Battery, SigmaTEK intends to pursue acquisitions to extend its industry reach and expand the company’s global footprint. Though a slight majority of the company’s customers are in the U.S., SigmaTEK has offices in 19 countries around the world. The company also named veteran technology-industry executive, Robbie Payne, as its new CEO. Payne was most recently the Senior Vice President of operations at education-tech company IO Education in Atlanta. Previously he held senior roles at Horizon Software International.
https://www.battery.com/about-us/
Bitdefender Acquires Behavioral and Network Security Analytics Company RedSocks
Den Haag, The Netherlands - 23rd October 2018 - Bitdefender, cybersecurity protector of more than 500 million systems in over 150 countries, has announced its acquisition of behaviour and network security analytics company, RedSocks Security BV. The strategic investment expands the Bitdefender portfolio into network security and analytics territory and is part of its ongoing M&A strategy. By combining Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Threat Intelligence, RedSocks provides non-intrusive, real-time breach detection solutions and incident response services for its customers. ’’By bringing RedSocks network security analytics and threat intelligence to Bitdefender, we’re now able to offer our … customers even stronger protection from sophisticated attacks” said Bitdefender CEO and Founder, Florin Talpes.
Azur raises £13.3m in funding round led by AIG and Hyperion
London, UK - 23rd October 2018 - Managing Digital Agent (MDA), Azur has raised £13.3m in a Series B fund-raising round, led by AIG, Hyperion Insurance Group, Ascot Group and angel investor Richard Little. It will invest the funding in technology, expanding its product range and penetrating new markets. Azur’s business incorproates providing underwriting products for the high net worth insurance market in the UK and building end-to-end platforms for insurers which enable them to operate more effectively with brokers and end customers. Azur plans to launch new digital insurance products on the Azur platform on a regular basis for its broker partners. Graham Elliott, CEO at Azur, said: “Azur created the category of Managing Digital Agent (MDA) and the completion of our fundraise will enable us to scale our business to design, build and underwrite digital insurance products for brokers, clients and insurers. Azur operates as a partner to the insurance market - our mission is to work with major insurers to help them digitally transform themselves. The investment commitment into Azur is clear evidence of that.”
https://www.azuruw.com/
Accenture to Acquire Brazilian Content Marketing Agency, New Content
Sao Paulo – 22nd October 2018 – Accenture has entered into an agreement to acquire New Content, an independent Brazilian content marketing agency. The acquisition will enhance Accenture Interactive’s ability to serve its clients in Latin America with branded and strategic content that connects people and brands and helps clients maximize the return-on-investment (ROI) of their marketing programs. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Founded in 2007, New Content is a recognized content influencer in the Brazilian market and will bring to Accenture Interactive more than a decade of experience in branded content production. It has been recognized with some of the industry’s top local and international awards, including Cannes Lions, Caboré and the Content Marketing Awards, which crowned New Content as its 2015 “Agency of the Year.” https://newsroom.accenture.com/news/accenture-agrees-to-acquire-brazilian-content-marketing-agency-new-content.htm
TNG Announces Acquisition of Indonesian e-Wallet, WalletKu
Hong Kong – 18th October 2018 – TNG FinTech Group, a financial technology (FinTech) company, has announced the acquisition of Indonesian based PT WalletKu Indompet Indonesia. As an engaging platform and technology ecosystem in Indonesia, WalletKu offers a range of digital products, including prepaid mobile phones credit top up, bill payments, hotel, airline, and sports ticket bookings and payments, etc, which efficiently facilitate the finance cycle in Indonesia and help bridge with overseas financial systems. It has recruited over 3 million users and achieved average 27% monthly compounding growth since January 2018. “64% of Indonesia’s population is unbanked and they make up a significant portion of WalletKu’s user base,” said Mr. Alex Kong, Founder and Chairman of TNG. “WalletKu and TNG share the same commitment and strategy to bring value to the unbanked community. The acquisition is a perfect portfolio fit to further strengthen our leading FinTech position in Asia.”
https://www.tngfintech.com/en/news/press-releases/story/15
