The Ukrainian Redevelopment Fund, a private investment vehicle launched by US businessman and philanthropist George Soros earlier this year, has announced its acquisition of “a significant equity stake” in Ciklum, a major software engineering company operating globally from its main office in Kyiv (Kiev). The Ukrainian Redevelopment Fund is set to acquire the entire stake …
Yesterday Snapchat announced the launch of “Lenses,” a new feature that enables users to create a variety face effects while making selfies. These augmented reality filters will allow you to change eye or skin color, alter your face to remove blemishes or look thinner. Behind these new types of avatars is a technology developed by Looksery, a startup originated from Odessa, Ukraine, with …
Snapchat acquires Ukrainian technology Looksery in reported $150 million deal Read More
Last week more than 50 of Ukraine’s most renowned tech entrepreneurs and investors launched UA50, a non-profit initiative to help Ukrainian startups enter the US and global markets. By providing mentorship programs, networking opportunities and other guidance, the network aims to “cultivate a new generation of successful Ukrainian companies,” strengthen “Ukraine’s presence in the global tech innovation …
Ecoisme, a Ukrainian startup which moved its headquarters last year to Poland, has launched its device to “track energy usage of any device, get tips to reduce it and alerts about devices left turned on.” Presented as “the world’s most intelligent home energy monitoring system,” the Ecoisme device is currently available on Indiegogo, where it …
EcoisMe launches smart energy-management device, over reaches crowdfunding target Read More
Moscow-based venture fund iTech Capital announced today it has invested $2 million in Clickky. Operating globally from its headquarters in Odessa, Ukraine, Clickky has developed a comprehensive mobile app marketing platform with in-house proprietary technology for user acquisition, traffic monetization and performance analysis. The investment will support Clickky’s expansion into the United States, South-East Asia and …
Russia’s iTech Capital invests $2 million in Ukrainian mobile marketing startup Clickky Read More
The past few weeks have demonstrated the uncomfortable position Western venture capitalists that have traditionally invested in Russia are finding themselves in as a result of the international tensions. While, in the eyes of some them, the Russia label has become a stigma, other VCs have proclaimed their commitment to continue investing in Russian startups …
Fast growth appeal vs. pressure of sanctions: Western VCs’ new Russia dilemma Read More
Amid political turmoil, Russian investors have been involved in four of the five largest investment deals on the Ukrainian startup scene since early 2014. This trend was revealed by an analysis provided by Yevgen Sysoyev of AVentures Capital, a Kyiv (Kiev) based international fund. A $3 million deal involving Gillbus, a bus-ticket software developer, took place in June. Investors included …
Russians still actively invest in Ukrainian startups; Western VCs eye the market, too Read More
Last week Zakaz.ua, a major Ukrainan e-commerce site, secured $2.5 million from Chernovetskyi Investment Group (CIG), an investment company backed by businessman and former Kiyv (Kiev) mayor Leonid Chernovetskyi. A groceries delivery company serving the inhabitants of Kyiv (Kiev), Zakaz.ua was launched in 2010 by Yegor Anchishkin – whose first startup, Viewdle, was acquired by …
E-commerce site Zakaz.ua secures $2.5 million from giant investment firm CIG Read More
The Ukrainian investment fund Fison has invested $500,000 in DataProm, a Kyiv (Kiev) -based startup developing data-driven recommendation solutions for online retailers. The deal – which valued the startup at $2 million – was closed in May but made public only last week. “We’ve been paying attention to the Big Data segment for a long time …
New York-based VertaMedia, an online marketing agency, last week announced the acquisition of AdCenter for $400,000. Based in Odessa, AdCenter organizes targeted ad campaigns on Russian-language social networks including Vkontakte (VK.com) and Odnoklassninki.ru. The agency serves Ukrainian as well as Russian clients via an office in Krasnogorsk in the Moscow region. The AdCenter site currently operates …
Ukrainian social media advertising agency AdCenter acquired by US agency VertaMedia Read More
Hopes, fears and expectations are high in Ukraine following the signature of the association agreement with the European Union (EU) in late June. The science, research and innovation sectors, as well as high-tech investment and e-commerce, are no exceptions, since they are directly or indirectly impacted by important sections of the economic part of the …
The Internet Initiatives Development Fund (IIDF, or FRII in Russian), a government-backed fund supporting startup development, will open a remote regional accelerator in Sevastopol, Crimea, as soon as this summer, the Russian business daily Kommersant reported last week. The fund is expecting to support five to seven projects, which will be evaluated on the local and national levels. Funding …
Russia seeks to develop startup industry in Crimea Read More
