IDG-backed massage booking app Soothe has raised series A funding as it prepares to expand to 16 additional cities across the US.

The human resources automation company has raised $1.5m in seed funding, becoming the first startup to be backed by Recruit's HR Technology Fund.

Human resources company Slogan has joined forces with investment fund Coent to co-invest in seed-stage startups out of a $1.3m fund.

Follett and Pearson exited the classroom communication app, which has been acquired by Branch Metrics for an undisclosed amount.

Tuhu, a platform that enables users to book car service appointments and purchase replacement parts, raised cash in a Legend-backed round in July last year.

The payments services firm has announced the three winning startups in its Everywhere Initiative, each of which will receive $50,000.

Edtech startups will each be able to secure up to $100,000 from Intel Education Accelerator, launched alongside a $5m partnership with Georgia Institute of Technology.

The laundry service provider has now raised $120m in nine months, after Baidu joined Tencent in backing the company.

The Ctrip and Homeaway-backed home rental marketplace took its funding above the $460m mark with a series D round featuring The Ascott.

SoftBank led the hotel booking platform's series B round, after it was revealed in May that the two companies were in advanced talks for funding.