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UK’s Onfido raises $25M as it brings its background checking platform to the US
The rise of on-demand startups and other fast-growing businesses like online marketplaces has created a need for reliable ways to verify new hires and customers to make sure they are cut out for the task. Onfido, one of the group of startups building software-based solutions to do just that, has raised $25 million to meet that need. The Series B round was led by Idinvest Partners… Read More
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Airbnb’s VP of engineering on the sharing economy
The sharing economy, which is sometimes referred to as collaborative consumption, has become a household term — at least in the tech industry — that signifies peer-to-peer exchanges through technology. “The fact that there are so many terms going around these things is almost a function of the fact the industry is so new,” Airbnb VP of Engineering Mike Curtis told me… Read More
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Meet Oasis, Amazon’s smaller, lighter, grippier Kindle
True to earlier reports, Amazon’s Kindle Oasis is the smallest and lightest Kindle yet and comes with a handle for gripping. Amazon’s Jeff Bezos teased an “all-new, top of the line” Kindle last week and Chinese site Tmall.com sent the e-reader world in a tizzy when it accidentally unveiled details of Kindle’s newest addition to the family on Monday. The site… Read More
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Crunch Network
Embracing the sharing economy for growth in China
China’s track record for economic growth has been impressive in the last several decades, with China accounting for up to one-third of global growth in recent years. However, China is slowly transitioning from a manufacturing-reliant economy to one focused more on services. And, the sharing economy has become a large part of the service sector. Read More
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BMW just jumped into the U.S. car-sharing biz, with the help of YC alum RideCell
BMW just launched a new car-sharing service called ReachNow that will enable Seattle residents to access 400 cars that they can pick up and drop off pretty much wherever they like, as long as that’s not on the outskirts of town. Eventually, the idea is to expand into cities nationwide. BMW’s isn’t a revolutionary concept at this point. Daimler has a similar service… Read More
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Uber agrees to pay up to $25M for misleading customers in California over its safety
Uber has agreed to pay up to $25 million to California-based prosecutors to settle a case in which the ride sharing giant is accused of misleading consumers around the safety of its service. Read More
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Gone launches marketplace for verified, used electronics
Gone, the on-demand service for selling all your old crap, is making some changes to its business today, and launching a verified second-hand electronics marketplace. Usually, Gone will come and pick up your old stuff, list it on one of the many marketplaces already available out there, and try to get you the best price. Once the deal is done, they send you a check in the mail. But with… Read More
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Airbnb vows to take a “new approach” to culling illegal listings in San Francisco
Airbnb, which is constantly accused of worsening San Francisco’s housing crunch, has released a report specifying how many of its listings might violate city law. It also said it will take more steps to prevent and delete illegal listings. Read More
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Managed By Q, the digital office administrator, raises $25 million
Less than a year after raising a hefty Series A, Managed By Q is today announcing the raise of a $25 million Series B round from GV and Kapor Ventures. Former TechCrunch writer MG Siegler is joining the board as part of the deal. Managed By Q is a service that handle all the extra responsibilities that come along with running an office. From re-stocking toilet paper and soap to office cleanings… Read More
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Uber announces a more immersive ‘Ride Request’ option for third-party apps
Uber added a ride request button to let third-party apps add the ability to order a ride last year, but today it has introduced a more feature-rich option that it says caters to requests it has received from Asia. Read More
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India’s BigBasket lands $150M to expand its online grocery service
There’s more money flowing into India’s e-commerce space after BigBasket, a Bangalore-based company that focuses on groceries, landed a $150 million investment led by The Abraaj Group in the UAE. Read More
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Grab, Uber’s biggest rival in Southeast Asia, signs deal with conglomerate Lippo Group
Singapore-based Grab has just scored a new ally in its battle against Uber and other on-demand ride apps. The company, which claims to be Southeast Asia’s leading ride-hailing app, announced a strategic partnership with Lippo Group, one of Indonesia’s largest conglomerates. Read More
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ServisHero, a mobile app for finding local services in Southeast Asia, lands $2.7M
ServisHero, a company that provides local services through a mobile app in Southeast Asia, has landed a $2.7 million investment led by Golden Gate Ventures. Read More
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Managed By Q gives five percent of the company equity to its Operators
Managed By Q, the company that lets you order on-demand cleaning services, IT help, handyman work and more all from an iPad in the office, has today announced a new stock option plan for its office and field Operators. The program, which will give back 5 percent of the company to Operators, applies to all employees of the company, regardless of role, starting on July 1, and the program… Read More
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Crunch Network
Life, by subscription
The American dream is no longer for sale — but it is for rent. We are slowly going through a subtle shift in how the economy is owned and operated, with massive implications. On an average day, you may wake up, shower, dress, drive to work and return home. But the way you do it is changing: Where once you would own the car, the house and the clothes, you now have the option to live life… Read More
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India’s Ola shutters its on-demand food and grocery ordering services
Ola, the homegrown company rivaling Uber in India, has closed its food and grocery ordering services one year after launching them. Read More
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SXSW goes apeshit for on-demand startups
It’s a tough world out there for on-demand startups — confusion around the W2 vs. 1099 conversation, tough margins, and customer service are but a few of the initial obstacles for these companies. Add in the necessity of huge amounts of up-front capital and it’s an uphill battle at best. But trust me, the on-demand economy will survive and eventually prevail, and 2016 might… Read More
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Home services marketplace Angie’s List to drop paywall for a freemium model
While Angie’s List continues to reject acquisition offers, the home services marketplace is taking a big step to boost its online audience, and hopefully the number of people using it to find their next carpenter or masseuse. Today, the company is announcing that it will drop its membership fees, in favor of a freemium model that will make it cost nothing to browse the listings and… Read More
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Uber and Ola launch motorbike taxi services in India
Bangalore is the setting for the latest showdown between Uber and its India-based rival Ola after both companies launched motorbike taxi on-demand services in the city. Read More
