Tech
Otto Group’s myToys shuts downs in Russia after 10 years of activity
myToys, an online retailer of children’s goods owned by Otto Group, ceased its activity earlier this month in Russia after more than 10 years of operations.
VTB Capital invests $75mn in Russian car-sharing major Delimobil
VTB Capital, a division of the state bank VTB, is in the process of acquiring a 15% stake in the Delimobil car-sharing service.
BestDoctor.ru attracts $26mn from major Russian, Austrian and Swedish investors
In late May Russian insuretech leader BestDoctor closed a $26mn round with an impressive investor consortium. The money was brought in by Winter Capital, a Moscow-based international fund backed, in particular, by billionaire Vladimir Potanin.
Tinkoff offers virtual phone secretary to all Russian mobile phone users
In early June Tinkoff, the Russian digital banking giant, announced the beta version of its free voice assistant ‘Oleg,’ making it available to all mobile users in Russia.
Russian travel segment is recovering fast from the pandemic
According to Aviasales.ru, Russian travellers booked 15% more tickets through its air ticket online booking platform than in the pre-COVID year of 2019.
Bucharest-listed cybersecurity expert Safetech to finance expansion abroad with new shares
Safetech plans to target the UK and US markets after fundraising.
Romanian entrepreneurs to develop region's first hyperscale data centre
€36mn data centre to be built in southern Romania near Craiova.
Turkey’s Getir online rapid groceries business raises $555mn in new funding round
Company given valuation of more than $7.5bn. Berlin and Paris expansions expected this month.
Albanian fintech Rubicon raises pre-seed funding round
Startup Rubicon plans to launch payment services in under-banked Albanian market.
Online fashion retailer Zalando launches platforms in Slovenia, Slovakia and Lithuania
Berlin-based retailer starts CEE expansion drive with plans to enter eight new markets by end-2022.
Slovenia’s parliament passes law allowing Uber and Lyft to enter market
Vote follows years-long debate over Uber's entry to Slovenia as local taxi drivers fear unfair competition.
Russian e-commerce recorded one of the world’s highest growth rates in 2020
Russian e-commerce domestic sales of physical goods amounted to RUB2.7 trillion (some $37bn at the average exchange rate of the year), up 58% from 2019 – placing Russia among the world’s fastest-growing e-commerce markets.
Mlogica acquires MD & Profy Belgrade and Omni Logika Belgrade
Takeover of two Belgrade-based companies to help Mlogica meet escalating worldwide demand for big data solutions.
Russian-founded food delivery services make their way in western markets
In this second coronavirus spring, Russian-founded food delivery services are making their way in western countries. One of them is Getfaster.io, a German fresh product retail and delivery company launched in 2020.
Slovenia’s NLB bank plans to set up competence centre in Belgrade
Slovenian lender looks to Serbia as struggles to fill R&D vacancies locally.
SeedBlink crowdfunding platform completes €3mn series A financing
Fundraising for European expansion includes €1.1mn raised through Seedblink's own platform.
Bucharest-listed cybersecurity firm Safetech to raise funds for UK expansion
Safetech Innovations has benefitted from the need to ensure security during the shift to work from home.
Lithuania's sole tech unicorn Vinted expands to Canada
Thomas Plantenga says Canada is a "great fit" for the second-hand clothing platform as interest in the circular economy grows.
Spain’s Glovo to buy Delivery Hero’s business in six Southeast European countries for €170mn
Barcelona-based delivery company interested in the emerging Europe region where people have embraced on-demand delivery platforms.
Romania's SeedBlink crowdfunding platform to raise funds for European expansion
SeedBlink has become a crucial part of the early stage funding system in Romania, having participated in 45% of the pre-seed and seed financing rounds of Romanian startups in 2020.
