Japan-based Rakuten, an electronic commerce, internet services and digital media content company, is on an ambitious path to one day go neck and neck with Amazon and Lovefilm subsidiary, Netflix. Its recent acquisition of Singapore-based Viki.com, a crowd-sourcing multi-lingual video streaming company, is likely to give it the global edge it needs to build scale. The Japanese company is reportedly set to pay close to $200m for Viki, according to media sources.

Personal service aggregator Eruditor raises $12 million from Intel Capital, Frontier Ventures, and Runa Capital.

Ten Irish companies are participating in a Google-backed incubation programme to help develop their online brands and retain Irish consumers.

Biotech Life Technologies announces partnership with Munich spin-out PIKA Weihenstephan for brewing and beverage testing.

WIV Wein International invests for third time in kickstarter for wine.