Consumer

CSAA-backed digital home insurer Kin Insurance has backed out of a reverse merger while The Sandbox has committed $50m to a metaverse startup accelerator.

Despite being the first year spent entirely during the pandemic, 2021 underlined the strengths of the ecosystem with spinouts raising nearly $39.2bn.

Baidu and Geely committed $400m to Jidu, their joint venture from the hot electric vehicle space. The proceeds from this latest transaction will go to R&D and mass production of cars.

He has been responsible for investor relations and fund administration of Swisscom’s two external funds.

Walmart has been increasingly active at starting up and backing startups, including financial technology startup Hazel.

SoftBank led digital pharmacy Alto's $200m series E round as well as a $130m series B round for rent data software provider Esusu.

Walmart made a strategic investment in the vertical farm operator through a round led by existing investor SoftBank Vision Fund 1, pushing its total funding past $940m.

SoftBank Vision Fund 2 helped blockchain technology provider Blockdaemon close a $207m series C round while Qualcomm-backed audio equipment brand BoAt is targeting $246m in its flotation.

SoftBank's Vision Funds took part in a $260m series F round for online finance provider Creditas and led last-mile delivery service Paack's $225m series D.

Lennar’s Len X subsidiary helped the walkable neighbourhood developer raise equity financing as it prepares to open its first housing units.

Prosus Ventures and Smile Group were among the investors in the online food delivery service’s latest round, closed at a $10.7bn valuation.