Tech
Young Croatians top EU for digital skills
Close to 100% of young Croatian adults have basic or above basic digital skills, more than in any other EU country, a compilation of data from Eurostat showed.
Spotify to enter Russia, other emerging Europe markets in new expansion drive
In Russia, the move by Spotify will put pressure on local internet majors Yandex and Mail.ru Group that also offer music streaming services.
Skype co-founder Toivo Annus dies suddenly at the age of 48
Prominent Estonian entrepreneur and engineer died suddenly of an unexpected illness.
$225mn funding values Romanian RPA unicorn UiPath at over $10bn
The funding was accelerated by the COVID-19 crisis, during which demand for software and automation robots exploded, said co-founder Daniel Dines.
AliExpress sets ambitious goals in Russia, IPO possible
AliExpress Russia is aiming to reach $10bn gross merchandise volume by 2022-2023, and has not ruled out a future IPO.
ING Bank launches fashion marketplace in Romania
ING takes on Romanian online retailers Fashion Days and answear.ro, but plans international expansion for its DealWise platform.
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Ucom tries to block Team’s acquisition of Veon Armenia
Telco Ucom is seeking to block an attempt by rival Team – set up earlier this year by two of its former executives – to buy Veon Armenia.
Kazakhstan launches mobile app to combat counterfeit and illegal alcohol sales
e-Sapa app based on tracker for fuel sales developed as industry association says around 40% of alcohol sold in Kazakhstan is counterfeit or illegal.
Microsoft sets up new development centre in Romania
The Movial office in Iasi will become the fourth technology development centre in the region for Microsoft.
Bank of Lithuania to become first eurozone bank to issue digital coin
The Lithuanian central bank was one of many to be looking at how they might issue their own digital currencies as the use of cash declines – a process speeded up by the COVID-19 pandemic.
InoBat Auto raises €10mn from CEZ for EV battery facility
Funding will be used for InoBat Auto’s €100mn EV battery R&D facility and production line as it prepares to become the first European supplier of customised EV batteries.
Austria’s S&T buys Slovenian telecoms equipment company Iskratel
S&T says Iskratel's work in the IIoT software and 5G areas will strengthen its product portfolio.
Payment platform Paysera enters Kosovan market
Paysera Kosovo obtains the country's first Electronic Money Institution (EMI) licence, plans to cut cost of money transfers between Kosovo and EU countries.
Shoppers in Belarus get access to New Zealand's coronavirus tracking app
As businesses re-open their doors across Belarus, they have help from a contact-tracing app based on New Zealand’s successful coronavirus (COVID-19) Tracer app, Kontakkt Space, it was announced in a press release on June 24.
Romanian online retailer eMAG begins expansion in Hungary
Romania's largest online retailer plans to open three more showrooms in Hungary and reach a turnover of €300mn in the country.
Czech computer games companies posted 20% increase in sales in 2019
The gaming industry in the Czech Republic employs more than 1,750 people, and dwarfs the country's film and television sector.
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Telegram to create proxies to work in Iran
Encrypted messaging app is hindered in Islamic Republic by official attempts to block it. Co-founder Pavel Durov says he refused to share user data with intelligence services.
Slovak investment fund Sandberg Capital bought stake in Czechia's fastest-growing cloud service company
Sandberg's investment manager Jakub Krajcovic says he believes the business area has "huge potential" and the fund plans to focus on it more deeply.
Romanian unicorn UiPath expects $10bn valuation in new financing round
Enterprise robotic process automation software company is reportedly preparing a new round of financing that would increase its market value to over $10bn.
Russia's IT industry faces severe brain drain
The Russian IT industry will experience a severe brain drain in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and ensuing economic crisis, unless the government introduces support measures for the sector, major local IT companies warn.