Tech
Latvian central bank says COVID-19 changed people's payment habits significantly
The share of non-cash payments in the total volume of payments is gradually increasing.
Swedish, Malaysian and French investors back Russian startups
Russian startup NaPopravku (“for cure”), an online service for medical appointments, has raised $2.25mn for further domestic expansion and mobile developments, reported industry publication Rusbase
Fort Ross Venture Capital fund aims to invest $100mn in Russia and Eastern Europe tech
Just weeks after The Untitled announced plans to launch a new venture fund for Russia and Eastern Europe, Fort Ross Ventures, another Russia-connected VC firm, shared news about a similar initiative
My.Games invests in Russian-founded studio Hypemasters
My.Games Venture Capital (MGVC), an investment firm affiliated to Mail.ru Group, and Aii Corporation, a Finnish VC firm, have teamed up to invest in a US-headquartered mobile games studio called Hypemasters
Swedish, Malaysian and French investors back Russian startups
Russian startup NaPopravku (“for cure”), an online service for medical appointments, has raised $2.25mn for further domestic expansion and mobile developments, reported industry publication Rusbase
Average order value on AliExpress Russia doubles in 2020
During the first eight months of this year, the average ticket on AliExpress Russia almost doubled from the previous year to RUB1,500 ($20-$23)
Fintech giant Revolut moves business customers to Lithuania ahead of Brexit
Move will ensure Revolut can continue to serve its non-UK customers and hedge against a no trade-deal Brexit.
Poland’s Allegro seeks valuation of up to PLN8.1bn in upcoming IPO
Poland’s top online retailer and auction portal Allegro set the maximum price of PLN43 (€9.59) per share for its debut on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
Europe gains ground in new generation of battery innovation
Innovation in electric batteries is central to electromobility and the transition to the green economy, but European firms have so far lagged behind their peers from East Asia.
Russian App to make sure your hands are clean
A Russian team of software engineers have developed an App to make sure employees and schoolchildren clean their hands properly
Russian online giant Yandex mulls financial ecosystem investments
The Russian online giant Yandex is considering venturing onto the financial services terrain, while also restructuring its marketplace business in the wake of a divorce with the state-run lender Sberbank.
Belarus' IT workers exit the country
A brutal crackdown on Belarusian protesters following the August 9 presidential election, rigged in favour of incumbent Alexander Lukashenko, has prompted a massive exodus of local IT companies and individual IT professionals.
Gaming giant Stillfront buys Croatia’s Nanobit for up to $148mn
Takeover of Croatia's Nanobit allows Stockholm-based international gaming group to move into narrative lifestyle RPGs targeting a female audience.
Turkey’s first 'flying car' prototype completes short test flight
The "Cezeri" flew up to 33 feet in the air before landing.
Target Global bets on Russo-Estonian startup “to disrupt crypto payments”.
Mercuryo.io, a Russian-founded startup based in Estonia, announced in the first week of September the completion of its first round of funding, having received €2.5mn from Target Global
China’s Huawei opens innovations centre in Serbia
Huawei opens an innovations and development centre in Serbia’s capital Belgrade as the US is pushing for CEE governments to reject the Chinese tech company.
US’ Dexcom to open services centre in Vilnius in 2021
Medical technology company Dexcom's new global business services centre will support its operations and customers across EMEA.
KYC start-up Sumsub secures $6mn from Russian investors
Sumsub, an identity verification start-up with Russian roots, announced in the first week of September the completion of a $6mn round of fund-raising, reports East-West Digital News (EWDN).
Croatia’s internet traffic up almost 50% in 2Q20 but revenues fall
The increase in traffic was clearly linked to the shift of many activities online during the coronavirus pandemic, but the poor tourist season meant a fall in roaming fees for mobile operators.
Poland tables draft bill that could chase Huawei off the market
Warsaw wants providers of hardware and software to be vetted for potential influence from non-EU or non-Nato countries. Such requirements would clearly work against China’s Huawei.