By Teresa Leno
The generative AI gold rush is on! Last week the world (or at least the U.S.) woke up to generative AI. According to CB Insights, in 2020, funding for generative AI soared to $2.65B across a record-high 110 deals. Their poll, conducted last week, breaks down what their readers think; generative AI will be as big as…
- The iPhone 42%
- The Internet 32%
- Neither 14%
- Unsure 11%
Source: CB Insights
Last, for you AI geeks, here’s a new twist on AI; hunting for aliens. SETI, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, is deploying machine-learning algorithms that filter out Earthly interference and spot signals humans might miss.
My VC thoughts for 2023, summed up in a few words:
- Fewer VC Tourists
- Don’t believe in Magic.
- Better investments
- Plant the seeds; let’s GROW!
Some notable trends this week:
- Our #1 this week (MNT-Halan) has significant $ backing it AND The International Finance Corporation (World Bank Group) behind the scenes. This award is notable as digital payments have significantly grown since COVID-19 (dirty money) started. Let’s keep an eye on this one!
- The first few days of February 2023 are starting with a bang with 554.3M in VC funding into our tracked categories, this week’s Top 5 taking the majority of $.
- Our #2 this week, Moov Financial, received part of their funding from VISA; perhaps VISA is seeking a more robust payment solution…if you can’t build it, finance someone else to do it.
Drum roll, please…here are this week’s Top 5 VC Deals!
1MNT-Halan
$440M Capital | Equity & Debt| Egypt | FinTech| Chimara Investments, The International Finance Corporation | https://mnt-halan.com/
LinkedIn Overview:
“MNT-Halan is Egypt’s largest and fastest-growing lender to the unbanked. Founded in 2018, with roots dating back to 2010, the company is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt. MNT-Halan was created to digitally bank the unbanked and substitute cash with electronic solutions…”
2Moov Financial
$45M, Series B, Capital | Equity | IA | Payments | Commerce Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, Bain Capital Ventures, Visa, Sorenson Ventures | https://moov.io/
LinkedIn Overview:
“Moov provides a platform for developers looking to embed payment functionality into their software. We take the complexity out of the process so developers and product teams can focus on their customers and deliver exceptional user experiences…”
3Finbourne Technology
$37M Capital | Debt | UK | FinTech| Kreos Capital | https://www.finbourne.com/
LinkedIn Overview:
“At FINBOURNE, we offer a new and interoperable approach to data management, achieving value within a faster time to market. Our Modern Financial Data Stack empowers investment data…”
4Hnry
$35M, Series B, Capital | Equity | New Zealand | FinTech | AirTree Ventures, Athletic Ventures, Left Lane Capital, Icehouse Ventures, Akshay Kothari | https://hnry.co.nz/
LinkedIn Overview:
“Being self-employed can be tough- all the tax and compliance obligations can make it feel complex and daunting. It doesn’t need to be that way. Hnry is a managed service for self-employed…”
5Pow.re
$27.2M, Series A, Capital | Equity | Canada | Payments | Haru United Pte Ltd., Trinito Corporation, RFD Capital Pte Ltd. | https://pow.re/
LinkedIn Overview:
Pow.re Corporation offers high-density computation centers and financial services for the digital asset sector.
