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EU Hits Microsoft with Antitrust Charges for Teams Bundling

EU Hits Microsoft with Antitrust Charges for Teams Bundling

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Microsoft has been accused by the European Union of breaking competition laws by illegally combining its Teams chat program with Office 365 and other Microsoft 365 subscriptions. This is the very first antitrust lawsuit Microsoft has faced in the European Union in fifteen years, after challenges regarding the bundling of Internet Explorer together with Windows Media Player.

Charge Specifications

EU Hits Microsoft with Antitrust Charges for Teams Bundling

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The European Commission declared its initial assessment that Microsoft violated EU competition laws by linking its Teams offering to its well-liked Office 365 and Microsoft 365 productivity suites. The European Union expressed its worries in an announcement of objections, citing the perception that Teams’ bundling gives them an unfair advantage over rivals.

Microsoft's Reaction

Microsoft separated Teams from Office 365 in Europe in the previous year in response to the inquiry, and it later released the program as a stand-alone worldwide.  Despite the efforts shown by Microsoft to correct it, The European Commission remains worried. President Brad Smith of Microsoft has stated that the organization is ready to cooperate with the Commission and will endeavour to resolve its outstanding issues.

The Investigation's Beginnings

The antitrust inquiry got underway in July 2020 as a result of a Slack complaint.

Microsoft allegedly "illegally tied" Teams to Office, "forcibly installed it for millions of users, prevented its removal, and concealed the true cost to enterprise customers,"

theverge.com

according to Slack. Salesforce, the parent company of Slack, applauded the Commission’s conclusions, viewing them as a win for consumer choice and market competition.

Possible Repercussions

Should Microsoft be found in breach of antitrust laws, the company may be fined up to ten percent of its yearly global revenue. Like in previous years, the European Commission can additionally implement measures to guarantee equal competition. Microsoft was forced to create a variant of Windows with no Media Player in 2004 and add a browser ballot box to Windows in 2009 so that customers could select their preferred web browser.

Also Read: MiddleGame Ventures Hits €55M Milestone Towards €150M Fintech Fund

Final Thoughts

The accusations made against Microsoft highlight the continuous regulatory examination of big tech’s business practices. The investigation’s potential findings might have a big impact on Microsoft and the tech sector as a whole, reaffirming the European Union’s dedication to encouraging customer choice as well as competition in the world of technology.

 
MiddleGame Ventures Hits €55M Milestone Towards €150M Fintech Fund

MiddleGame Ventures Hits €55M Milestone Towards €150M Fintech Fund

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MiddleGame Ventures (MGV), a prominent Luxembourg-based venture capital firm, has successfully secured €55 million in the initial closing of its third early-stage investment fund. The fund aims for a final close of €150 million by early 2025, targeting innovative FinTech companies across Europe.

Focus on Early-Stage Financial Innovation

MiddleGame Ventures Hits €55M Milestone Towards €150M Fintech Fund

Image Source: tech.eu

The new fund will concentrate on post-seed, Series A, and Series B investment stages, targeting companies in both well-established and emerging financial service sectors. This includes areas like deep-tech and cybersecurity, which complement the FinTech landscape. MGV’s approach highlights its belief in the transformative potential of FinTech innovations to reshape the financial services industry.

“We are grateful for the support of our investors,” said Pascal Bouvier, Co-Managing Partner at MGV. “We believe that financial services are on the cusp of a wave of unprecedented innovation. This transition will enable seamless business models to emerge, removing friction and paving the way for entrepreneurs to build substantial long-term businesses.”

Support from Prominent Investors

The fund has garnered commitments from notable investors such as the European Investment Fund (EIF), the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), S&P Global, and the Luxembourg Future Fund (LFF). Additionally, new and existing family offices across Europe and the United States have pledged their support.

Marjut Falkstedt, Chief Executive of the EIF, emphasized the importance of FinTech in driving financial innovation. “Fintech companies are at the forefront of financial innovation by developing new digital solutions. We are glad to renew our collaboration with MiddleGame Ventures to support European entrepreneurs and contribute to the digital transition of the financial sector.”

Brian O’Connor from ISIF also highlighted the fund’s potential to support Irish businesses and contribute to the growth of the European FinTech sector. Sally Moore from S&P Global echoed these sentiments, underscoring the value of collaborating with innovative FinTech firms.

Building on a Strong Track Record

MGV has a proven history of supporting successful early-stage FinTech ventures. Some notable investments from their previous funds include Wayflyer, Keyrock, Ripple, and DriveWealth. The firm leverages its expertise to guide entrepreneurs through the complexities of the growth stage, which they refer to as the “MiddleGame.”

Also Read: Net Zero Secures $5.5M Seed Funding for Blockchain Carbon Removal Token

With the initial closing secured and several new investments on the horizon, MGV’s third fund is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of European FinTech. The focus on early-stage innovation and strong backing from prominent investors suggest that MGV will be a key player in supporting the next generation of FinTech companies transforming the financial services landscape.

Despite a recent decline in investor appetite within the FinTech sector, MGV’s successful initial closing indicates continued interest in early-stage companies with the potential to disrupt and reshape the financial services industry. The coming months will reveal which innovative FinTech startups MGV chooses to support and how these investments will contribute to the evolution of the European financial landscape.

Net Zero Secures $5.5M Seed Funding for Blockchain Carbon Removal Token

Net Zero Secures $5.5M Seed Funding for Blockchain Carbon Removal Token

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The carbon removal company based in Stockholm Net Zero Company has closed a $5.5 million Seed fundraising round. Håkan Nordkvist, the organization’s chief executive officer, pioneered sustainability development within the IKEA Group and advised various esteemed organizations before the business’s establishment in 2022.

Token for Carbon Removal (CRT)

Net Zero Secures $5.5M Seed Funding for Blockchain Carbon Removal Token

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In order to meet the anticipated requirement for 3 billion tonnes of carbon removal by 2030, the firm has launched the Carbon Removal Token (CRT). CRT improves, transparency, security, and traceability in carbon credit marketplaces and is based on the blockchain powered by Ethereum. Verifiable ecological effects, complete traceability of each tonne of absorbed carbon dioxide, and verified project backing are important elements.

Partnerships Strategic

To further its goals, Net Zero Company has forged strategic alliances with financial institutions like Metaco/Ripple and industry titans like Microsoft. These partnerships are essential for utilizing cutting-edge technologies to guarantee the CRT’s resilience and scalability.

Funding Application

The recently obtained $5.5 million will help Net Zero Company expand internationally and provide a new line of products, which includes the CRT. The business’s attempts to fulfil the anticipated demand for considerable carbon reductions by 2030 will be strengthened by this funding.

The study

The successful investment of Net Zero Company and the launch of the Carbon Removal Token (CRT) have the potential to completely transform the carbon credit markets by increasing involvement and transparency. Trust in environmental initiatives is largely dependent on security as well as traceability, which are ensured by the CRT’s interface with the Ethereum blockchain. Technology and financial collaborators such as Microsoft along with Metaco/Ripple stand to gain directly from this advancement, which strengthens their sustainability strategies. On the other hand, there might be more rivalry for established providers of carbon credits. In the near future, the CRT could have an impact on quicker product development and growth in the market; in the long run, however, it could revolutionize carbon removal and influence worldwide environmental policies and investment strategies.

Also Read: Top 5 Ways to Find Out If Someone Has Remote Access to Your iPhone.

The Ethereum Blockchain is a distributed smart contract network that enables safe, transparent, and middleman-free transactions. Ethereum offers the technological framework necessary to guarantee the credibility of carbon credit transactions and the validity of each token in the context of CRT.

Metaco/Ripple: This is a strategic alliance between the real-time gross settlement system, exchange of currencies, and repatriation network Ripple and the technology company Metaco, which specializes in safe infrastructure for digital assets. Through this agreement, Net Zero Company will be able to integrate cutting-edge financial technologies to improve CRT’s security and functionality.

Accel Invests $5M in Berlin’s Social Gaming Innovator, SLAY

Accel Invests $5M in Berlin’s Social Gaming Innovator, SLAY

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The $5 million fundraising round for Berlin-based social gaming firm SLAY was headed by Accel and included participation from a number of well-known investors, namely Laton VC, CEO of HYBE America Scooter Braun, cofounder of King Riccardo Zacconi, and others. SLAY is expanding its cutting-edge social gaming platform, which is built around its well-liked virtual pet game, Pengu, thus the investment represents a major milestone for the company.

Early Achievement and Goals

Accel Invests $5M in Berlin’s Social Gaming Innovator, SLAY

Image Source: accel.com

The goal of SLAY, which was established in December 2022 by Stefan Quernhorst, Jannis Ringwald, and Fabian Kamberi, is to produce enjoyable social gaming experiences. With more than 650,000 daily active users, over 2.5 million monthly active users, and over 10 million downloads at the moment its flagship game, Pengu, has amassed enormous popularity. Via “co-parenting” their virtual pets, users can play small games, nurture virtual penguins, and interact with one another through Pengu.

Creative Social Gaming App

With the most recent five million dollars in investment, SLAY can improve its social gaming technology. the chief executive officer Fabian Kamberi has an idea for a platform where people may utilize Pengu along with other characters to realize their imaginative stories. This plan calls for utilizing artificial intelligence to produce characters and games that can be customized, hence broadening Pengu’s appeal internationally. Pengu’s user base is currently 80% American, indicating that it is popular outside of Germany.

Strategic Expansion and Involvement

The cornerstones of SLAY’s growth strategy are good play and ongoing user involvement. By encouraging users to tell friends about their Pengu adventures, the platform fosters social engagement and cooperative gaming. SLAY’s strategy has shown notable organic momentum; since its release, Pengu has amassed more than 500,000 active users per day and nearly 100,000 ratings in the App Store.

Extending the Ecosystem

With this new investment, SLAY will be able to launch AI features that will improve user interaction and sociability. SLAY is also building a platform that will enable users and for-profit studios to produce and include their content in Pengu. Many games have already been developed in response to this initiative, and talks with other companies and developers are still ongoing.

Investor Satisfaction and Upcoming Opportunities

Accel partner Luca Bocchio was thrilled about the company’s decision to keep working with SLAY. The backing from well-known investors shows how confident people are in SLAY’s ability to transform social gaming.

Difficulties and Market Structure

SLAY’s emphasis on natural expansion and viral content has paid off, considering the highly competitive mobile gaming industry and the difficulties presented by evolving data protection laws. Kamberi emphasized that overcoming these obstacles and giving people meaningful experiences requires creative thinking. Because of its adept handling of these variables, SLAY is well-positioned for long-term success in the ever-changing gaming industry.

Also Read: From Stanford to Stardom: Bobby Murphy’s Snapchat Journey

Final Thoughts

SLAY has the potential to be a leader in the social gaming industry, as seen by its journey from startup to $5 million in funding. With a large user base, a creative strategy, and the backing of well-known investors, SLAY has the potential to grow its ecosystem and keep providing fun and enjoyable gaming experiences. SLAY wants to be at the forefront of the growing Berlin gaming startup industry, serving as an inspiration to the upcoming generation of game developers.

Zilch Secures £100 Million in Debt Financing from Deutsche Bank

Zilch Secures £100 Million in Debt Financing from Deutsche Bank

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British fintech firm Zilch Technology Ltd. has secured £100 million ($127 million) through a securitized debt financing deal arranged by Deutsche Bank AG. This significant capital infusion aims to fuel Zilch’s expansion plans as it prepares for a highly anticipated IPO next year.

Expansion and New Product Development

Zilch Secures £100 Million in Debt Financing from Deutsche Bank

Image Source: techstartups.com

Zilch, a leading buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) company, plans to utilize the funds to develop new products and broaden its customer base. The company, which currently serves more than 4 million customers and processes over 10 million monthly payments, announced the deal in a statement on Wednesday.

“This deal means growth,” Zilch co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Philip Belamant stated in an interview with Bloomberg Television. “This allows us to triple commerce that we can send to our retail partner network, which is phenomenal.”

Belamant highlighted that the new financing would expedite the rollout of Zilch’s product road map, bolster its market share, and set the stage for the company’s IPO. The London-based fintech firm, valued at $2 billion during a Series C funding round in 2022, is poised to enhance its market presence significantly.

IPO Prospects and Market Strategy

As Zilch looks ahead to its IPO, Belamant revealed that the company is weighing its options regarding the location for the public listing. Discussions have already been held with major stock exchanges, including Nasdaq, the New York Stock Exchange, and the London Stock Exchange.

“In both the US and the UK, capital has to move back to IPOs,” Belamant emphasized. “In the UK specifically, we know we need to change things. We need liquidity in the market — we have to have that. We need perception to change around the LSE.”

The UK’s attractiveness as a listing destination has diminished in recent years, with companies often seeking higher valuations in other markets. This year, only a small fraction of the $11.9 billion raised via IPOs in Europe came from the UK, marking a historic low. Belamant’s comments reflect a broader sentiment that the UK needs to revitalize its capital markets to attract more high-growth companies.

Also Read: Amancio Ortega: The Mastermind Behind Zara

In March, Belamant noted that Zilch was nearing profitability, positioning the firm well for its future public debut. The strategic partnership with Deutsche Bank and the new debt financing are pivotal steps in Zilch’s journey towards becoming a dominant player in the fintech space and achieving a successful IPO next year.

Turkish Fintech Sipay Raises $15 Million in New Funding Round

Turkish Fintech Sipay Raises $15 Million in New Funding Round

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In a recent Series A fundraising round, Sipay, a well-known fintech business based in Istanbul, Turkey, raised $15 million. The money will be used to advance product development and to expand both domestically and globally. Sipay was established in 2019 and provides a range of financial services, such as wallet services, offline and online payment options, and a flexible platform that can be tailored to the specific needs of its customers.

Anfa and Prestigious Investors are Leading the Investment

Turkish Fintech Sipay Raises $15 Million in New Funding Round

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Anfa, a worldwide investment firm known for its enduring relationships with remarkable entrepreneurs, led the funding round. Distinguished angel investors included Ravish Naresh (Khatabook), Edward Lando (Pareto Holdings), Kunal Shah (CRED), Amrish Rau (Pine Labs), and Jitendra Gupta (Citrus Pay and Jupiter). Their participation demonstrates a high level of confidence in Sipay’s growth potential and strategic direction.

Quick Development and Market Awareness

With a stunning 10x year-over-year growth rate, Sipay has risen quickly in the fintech business and was named the fastest-growing fintech in Turkey by Deloitte. The company has been profitable since early 2023 and projects $300 million in run-rate sales for 2024. This shows that it has a strong business plan and strong operational efficiency in a field that is very competitive.

Entire Financial Solutions for a Variety of Clientele

Sipay’s broad clientele includes financial institutions, conventional industrial and retail enterprises, and technology frontrunners like Delivery Hero-acquired Hepsipay and Yemeksepeti. Sipay also caters to big multinational companies such as Trendyol, which is owned by Alibaba. This broad clientele has helped the business grow quickly in Turkey and established a strong basis for its aspirations on the global stage.

Dedicated to Innovation and Worldwide Growth

The recently obtained funding will support Sipay’s ongoing innovation and market expansion, strengthening its ability to satisfy the intricate requirements of its partners and customers throughout the world. The CEO and founder of Sipay, Nezih Sipahioğlu, said that their team’s hard work as well as dedication are evident. We are steadfast in our commitment to enabling people and companies globally to meet their needs by providing a single, all-inclusive platform with a variety of financial goods and services.

Also Read: The Rise of Zara: From Spanish Origin to Global Fast Fashion Icon

In Summary, Laying the Foundation for Future Success

With the completion of this large funding round, Sipay is well-positioned to carry out its aim of revolutionizing the financial services industry, providing cutting-edge solutions, and breaking into new international markets. The company is positioned as a strong competitor in the fintech sector, prepared to take on new challenges and possibilities, thanks to its dedication to innovation, customer-centric approach, and strong financial performance.