US

Jiko lands $7.7 mln Series A

Jiko, a personal bank startup, has raised $7.7 million in Series A funding, according to a blog post. Upfront Ventures and Radicle Impact led the round with participation from Social Capital, 500 Fintech, Digital Currency Group, Core Innovation, Embark Ventures and Story Ventures.

VC-backed Albynx debuts U.S. IPO

Ablynx, a Belgian biopharmaceutical company, has raised $200 million for its U.S. IPO after pricing its 11.4 million shares at $17.50 per share. The stock began trading October 25, 2017 on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol “ABLX.” BofA Merrill Lynch, J.P. Morgan and Jefferies are the lead underwriters. According to Crunchbase, Ablynx’s backers include Abingworth, Alta Partners, Gimv and Sofinnova Partners.

VC-backed Curiosity.com appoints Weinstein as CEO

Chicago-based media company Curiosity.com has named Lisa Weinstein as CEO. Previously, Weinstein was the CEO of Engine Media. Curiosity.com's backers include Pritzker Group Venture Capital.

SMB recruiting platform JazzHR fetches $6.6 mln

Pittsburgh and Waltham, Massachusetts-based JazzHR, a recruiting solutions provider for small and medium-sized businesses, has raised $6.6 million in funding. Volition Capital led the round with participation from other investors that included Birchmere Ventures and Rincon Venture Partners.

AI startup Umbo Computer Vision ropes in $6.8 mln Series A

Umbo Computer Vision, an artificial intelligence startup and provider of autonomous video security products, has raised $6.8 million in Series A funding. CDIB Venture Capital Corp led the round with participation from AppWorks Ventures, Mesh Ventures and Substance Capital.

Generation Z-targeted credit card Deserve attracts $12 mln

Deserve, a credit card designed for Generation Z, has raised $12 million in funding. Accel led the round with participation from Aspect Ventures, Pelion Ventures, Mission Holdings, Alumni Venture Group and GDP Venture.

Ninebot picks up $100 mln

Beijing-based Ninebot Inc., a short-distance electric transportation maker, has raised the equivalent of $100 million in financing. The investors were SDIC Fund Management Company Ltd. and the China Mobile Fund. China Renaissance was a financial adviser on this transaction.

Smart robots platform Kindred lands $28 mln in Series B

Kindred Systems Inc, a Vancouver-based developer of human-like intelligence in machines, has secured about $28 million in a Series B financing, bringing its total funding to $44 million. Tencent Holdings led and was joined by existing investors Eclipse Ventures and First Round Capital. Kindred is designing robots-as-a-service technology, such as its first commercial offering, Kindred Sort, which is targeted for use in retail distribution and e-commerce fulfillment centers.

India beverage company RAW Pressery scoops up $6 mln

India-based RAW Pressery, a clean-label beverage company, has secured $6 million in funding. The investors were Sequoia India, Saama Capital and DSG Consumer Partners.

British medicine app Echo raises 7 mln stg to fund expansion: Reuters

British start-up Echo said on Wednesday it had raised 7 million pounds ($9.2 million) in a funding round led by White Star Capital to expand use of its app that helps people manage their medicine to treat conditions like asthma.