#Blume Ventures

[entrackrme]

Digital identity creator for frequent shoppers Flash has raised $6.7 million in a pre-Series A investment round led by Blume Ventures and existing investor PeerCapital. The round also saw participation from other existing backers including White Venture Capital and Emphasis Ventures.

The fresh proceeds have come 10 months after its seed round which saw participation of a clutch of prolific angels.

On Monday, Entrackr reached out to Flash and Blume regarding the fundraise. However, they did not comment on our specific queries.

[book--brackets]

Summaries under the cut

I Survived by Lauren Tarshis

Ten-year-old George Calder can't believe his luck -- he and his little sister, Phoebe, are on the famous Titanic, crossing the ocean with their Aunt Daisy. The ship is full of exciting places to explore, but when George ventures into the first class storage cabin, a terrible boom shakes the entire boat. Suddenly, water is everywhere, and George's life changes forever.

The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick

The book club

is about to get

a makeover....

Even if Megan would rather be at the mall, Cassidy is late for hockey practice, Emma's already read every book in existence, and Jess is missing her mother too much to care, the new book club is scheduled to meet every month.

But what begins as a mom-imposed ritual of reading Little Women soon helps four unlikely friends navigate the drama of middle school. From stolen journals, to secret crushes, to a fashion-fiasco first dance, the girls are up to their Wellie boots in drama. They can't help but wonder: What would Jo March do?

Silverwing by Kenneth Oppel

Shade is a young Silverwing bat, the runt of his colony. But he's determined to prove himself on the long, dangerous winter migration to Hibernaculum, millions of wingbeats to the south. During a fierce storm, he loses the others and soon faces the most incredible journey of his young life. Desperately searching for a way to rejoin his flock, Shade meets a remarkable cast of characters: Marina, a Brightwing bat with a strange metal band on her leg; Zephyr, a mystical albino bat with a strange gift; and Goth, a gigantic carnivorous vampire bat. But which ones are friends and which ones are enemies? In this epic story of adventure and suspense, Shade is going to need all the help he can find -- if he hopes to ever see his family again.

The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Andrews Edwards

The Whangdoodle was once the wisest, the kindest, and the most extraordinary creature in the world. Then he disappeared and created a wonderful land for himself and all the other remarkable animals—the ten-legged Sidewinders, the little furry Flukes, the friendly Whiffle Bird, and the treacherous, "oily" Prock. It was an almost perfect place where the last of the really great Whangdoodles could rule his kingdom with "peace, love and a sense of fun"—apart from and forgotten by people. But not completely forgotten. Professor Savant believed in the Whangdoodle. And when he told the three Potter children of his search for the spectacular creature, Lindy, Tom, and Ben were eager to reach Whangdoodleland. With the Professor's help, they discovered the secret way. But waiting for them was the scheming Prock, who would use almost any means to keep them away from his beloved king. Only by skill and determination were the four travelers able to discover the last of the really great Whangdoodles and grant him his heart's desire.

The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge

In 1842, thirteen-year-old orphan Maria Merryweather arrives at Moonacre Manor, her family's ancestral home in an charmed village in England's West Country, and she feels as if she’s entered Paradise. Her new guardian, her uncle Sir Benjamin, is kind and funny; the Manor itself feels like home right away; and every person and animal she meets is like an old friend. But there is something incredibly sad beneath all of this beauty and comfort, that shadowing Moonacre Manor and the town around it. Maria is determined to learn about it, change it, and give her own life story a happy ending.

The enchanted valley of Moonacre is shadowed by a tragedy that happened years ago, and the memory of the Moon Princess and the mysterious little white horse. Determined to restore peace and happiness to the whole of Moonacre Valley, Maria finds herself involved with an ancient feud, and she discovers it is her destiny to end it and right the wrongs of her ancestors. Maria usually gets her own way. But what can one solitary girl do?

Chasing Redbird by Sharon Creech

To Zinny Taylor, life is like trying to untangle spaghetti—she needs to escape the chaos of her family. So when she finds a long-forgotten trail in the wild woods near her home, she resolves to follow it. It's a journey that leads her to unravel the dark secrets of her aunt's life—and her own. And while Zinny chases ghosts in the woods, gorgeous Jake Boone is determined to chase her...

Mandy by Julie Andrews Edwards

The magic of finding a home Mandy, a ten-year-old orphan, dreams of a place to call her own. Escaping over the orphanage wall to explore the outside world, Mandy discovers a tiny deserted cottage in the woods. All through the spring, summer, and fall, Mandy works to make it truly hers. Sometimes she "borrows" things she needs from the orphanage. Sometimes, to guard her secret, she even lies. Then, one stormy night at the cottage, Mandy gets sick, and no one knows how to find her--except a special friend she didn't know she had.

I Funny by James Patterson

Jamie Grimm is a middle schooler on a mission: he wants to become the world's greatest standup comedian--even if he doesn't have a lot to laugh about these days. He's new in town and stuck living with his aunt, uncle, and their evil son Stevie, a bully who doesn't let Jamie's wheelchair stop him from messing with Jamie as much as possible. But Jamie doesn't let his situation get him down. When his Uncle Frankie mentions a contest called The Planet's Funniest Kid Comic, Jamie knows he has to enter. But are the judges only rewarding him out of pity because of his wheelchair, like Stevie suggests? Will Jamie ever share the secret of his troubled past instead of hiding behind his comedy act?

The Wanderer by Sharon Creech

The sea, the sea, the sea. It rolled and rolled and called to me. Come in, it said, come in. Sophie hears the sea calling, promising adventure as she sets sail for England with her three uncles and two cousins. Sophie's cousin Cody isn't sure he has the strength to prove himself to the crew and to his father. Through Sophie's and Cody's travel logs, we hear stories of the past and the daily challenges of surviving at sea as The Wanderer sails toward its destination—and its passengers search for their places in the world.

Best Friends by Judy Blume

Rachel is Stephanie's best friend. Since second grade, they've shared secrets, good and bad. Now in seventh grade, Alison moves into the neighborhood. Stephanie hopes all three of them can be best friends, because Stephanie really likes Alison. But it looks as if it's going to be a case of two's company and three's a crowd. Can the girls' friendship be saved?

[voiceofentrepreneurlife]

Parvez Mulla Appointed CEO of Fedbank Financial Services

The Board of Directors at Fedbank Financial Services has approved the appointment of Parvez Mulla as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for a three-year term, effective November 11. His appointment depends on the approval of the company’s shareholders.

Parvez Mulla has 28 years of expertise in retail banking, insurance, and financing. Throughout his career, he has served in a variety of leadership positions, such as General Manager at ICICI Bank, Chief Operating Officer at HDFC Life, Managing Director at True North, and Chief Executive of Retail at L&T Finance.

He has also served as a fintech advisor with Blume Ventures and has been on the boards of HDFC Pension and North East Small Finance Bank.

Shyam Srinivasan, Non-Executive Chairman of the company, commented, “Parvez Mulla’s extensive leadership background, deep domain knowledge in financial services, and proven ability to drive business growth in a dynamic landscape will enable him to lead the company into its next phase of expansion. We are confident that he will enhance our journey toward becoming a prominent force in the financial services sector, focused on creating value for all stakeholders while adhering to strong governance practices.”

Also Read-https://voiceofentrepreneur.life/fedbank-financial-services-has-appointed-parvez-mulla-as-its-managing-director-and-chief-executive-officer/

[maddie-grove]

Little Book Review: YA/Children's Literature Round-Up (May-December 2022)

Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary (1983): Leigh Botts keeps up a years-long correspondence with children's author Mr. Henshaw, which becomes an important outlet after his parents divorce and he has to move to a new town with his mother. This is the book that won Beverly Cleary the Newberry Award, and frankly it's like when Leonardo DiCaprio won Best Actor for The Revenant instead of The Wolf of Wall Street. Cleary was a legend, but she excelled most at lower-stakes childhood (and sometimes adolescent) drama, like being bad at cursive, not owning enough cashmere sweaters, or (at worst) worrying because your father lost his job. This is still a sweet, sensitive problem novel, yet I feel like Judy Blume or Betsy Byars would've pushed it to the next level.

The Snow Angel by Suzanne Weyn (1996): In the eighth volume of a middle-grade series about four girls who are friends with angels, rich girl Molly is devastated when her boyfriend dumps her for hippie-dippy Christina. She distances herself from her loved ones, almost relapses in her recovery from anorexia, and ignores the gigantic snow-angel-turned-tourist-trap on her other friend Ashley's horse farm. Luckily, her dad just brought a catatonic Irish boy into their house! Can Molly help herself by helping him? I bought this book for a dime because it looked completely ridiculous, and it delivered on that front. I really didn't like any of the girls except for Molly, and with her it was mostly just the sympathy I'd have for any troubled teenager.

The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew by Margaret Sidney (1881): In a small New England town, widowed Mrs. Pepper and her five kids (Ben, Polly, Joel, Davie, and Phronsie) must work hard to keep their spirits up in the face of grinding poverty, measles, and monkey-related shenanigans. I made several gos at reading this book as a child, but always lost steam after the Peppers made friends with the wealthy King family. Little Emily was right on the money, because this classic is just not very good, especially after the rich folks start helping out. It's beyond treacly and only a few of the episodic chapters have a good amount of tension. Polly's almost-going-blind-from-measles-and-eldest-daughter-syndrome arc is still great, though.

Afternoon of the Elves by Janet Taylor Lisle (1989): Sheltered fourth-grader Hillary forms an unlikely friendship with her neighbor, outcast sixth-grader Sara-Kate, after the older girl claims to have elves in her backyard. I had to read this book for school in fourth grade and I did not like it. I felt like it was trying to lure me in with something fun (magic, miniatures), only to never deliver and hit me with the actual sad topic (poverty and mental illness of a parent) instead. I stand by my elementary-school opinion. The good version of this novel is Daphne's Book by Mary Downing Hahn (if you want to read about an average girl befriending the class outcast before losing her to Social Services) or Lucie Babbidge's House by Sylvia Cassedy (if you want to read about a troubled girl getting lost in the arguably magical miniatures sauce).

Ten Cents a Dance by Christine Fletcher (2008): Working at a meatpacking plant to support her arthritic widowed mother and little sister in early-1940s Chicago, pretty, scrappy teenager Ruby Jelinski takes a chance and becomes a dime-a-dance girl at the recommendation of a handsome neighborhood hoodlum. I read this book at some point in high school and vaguely remembered liking it, but this time I was blown away. Fletcher packs a mind-bogging amount of character development and historical detail into a fast-paced story that ventures into some unexpected territory. It's maybe one of the best historical novels I've ever read.

Mitch and Amy by Beverly Cleary (1967): Nine-year-old twins Mitch and Amy don't always get along, but, if an outsider messes with one of them, he better be prepared for double trouble. Class bully Alan Hibbler learns this to his sorrow. This is the kind of cute slice-of-life story that was right in Cleary's wheelhouse, although it's not her most memorable. There are lots of sweet moments between the twins; for example, Amy gets Mitch an exciting book from the library when he's sick because she senses it'll help him with his reading struggles, and Mitch goes to bat for her when the dreaded Alan spits in her hair. I do think it would've been ideal if Mitch had also done something to help Amy with multiplication, for the symmetry. Also, I can't believe I missed the beginning-of-the-late-1960s California setting. These are some Joan Didion babies.

Cleopatra: Daughter of the Nile by Kristiana Gregory (1999): Her older sister wants to kill her, her father is a severe alcoholic, and she's stuck living in Rome with a bunch of gross old men who don't take her seriously, but teenage Cleopatra doesn't let that keep her from learning and adapting. This is one of the Royal Diaries I didn't read as a kid, and I really enjoyed the characterization of Cleopatra, who's resilient, clever, curious, and conflicted about her thorny family relationships.

(The Snow Angel, The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew, and Cleopatra: Daughter of the Nile were all first-time reads; the rest were rereads.)

[dhallblogs]

Namma Yatri raises USD 11 Million to enhance mobility and establish integrated public transportation.

Bengaluru: In a pre-Series A funding round, Moving Tech has raised USD 11 million, with the participation of Google and other investors. The investment aligns with Moving Tech’s objective to improve the convenience of commuters, integrate public transportation, and empower chauffeurs. The investment round was anchored by Blume Ventures and Antler.

ALSO READ MORE- https://apacnewsnetwork.com/2024/07/namma-yatri-raises-usd-11-million-to-enhance-mobility-and-establish-integrated-public-transportation/

[bizbudgetnews]

Google invests in Moving Tech

Google invests in Moving Tech, the parent company of Namma Yatri, an Indian open-source ridesharing app rivaling Ola and Uber. The Bengaluru-based startup raised $11M in a pre-Series A round co-led by Blume Ventures and Antler.

[seanews11]

Maritime software company in Greece raises $16M to streamline port call cost management

Harbor Lab, a maritime software company, is upgrading old-fashioned accounting practices in the $14 trillion shipping industry. They just got $16 million in Series A funding, led by European VC Atomico. Other investors include Notion Capital, Venture Friends, SpeedInvest, The Dock, Endeavor Catalyst and maritime VC TMV. Ben Blume from Atomico will join the board. This funding round follows a…

[revotalk]

Interview Kickstart, a profitable startup helping tech professionals acquire career-advancing skills, has raised $10 million in its maiden funding from Blume Ventures, the companies said on Monday. The San Francisco-based startup, founded in 2014, assists engineers learn from employees of top tech companies or their alumni. Though always profitable, 2023 was pivotal for Interview Kickstart […] © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.

[digitalsanchit]

LEADING ED-TECH STARTUPS IN INDIA

Technology has truly revolutionized the education industry. There are many edtech companies in India that have marked their presence by providing high-quality education based on extensive technology and made India- the second largest Edutech industry.

 In this article, we are going to talk about some of the leading ed-tech startups in India.

 So let’s start.

Byju’s is an Indian educational technology (ed-tech) company also included in the list of top unicorns with a valuation of US$ 8 billion. The Byju’s was founded in the year 2011 by ByjuRaveendran and Divya Gokulnath. Byju’s is an online tutoring firm that works on the freemium model. The headquarters of the firm is situated in Bengaluru, Karnataka. It provides online courses for various types of competitive exams and courses for grades 6th to 12th.  BYJU’s learning app is available on Andriod and iOSplatform also.

Unacademy is one of the famous and leading Indian Education technology (ed-tech) company. It was founded as a Youtube channel in the year 2015. The founders of the Unacademy are Gaurav Munjal, Roman Saini, and Hemesh Singh. The headquarters of the startup is in Bangalore. Some of the key investors in this Ed-tech company are Blume ventures, Nexus venture, and Facebook, etc. It offers various online courses and preparation material for competitive exams related to various fields such as CAT, UPSC, Banking, etc.

To read more, Click the link below

https://news.jugaadin.com/leading-ed-tech-startups-in-india/

[entrackrme]

Ultrahuman raises $35 Mn in Series B round

Wearable tech startup Ultrahuman has raised $35 million in a mix of debt and equity in its Series B round from Blume Ventures, Steadview Capital, Nexus Venture Partners, and Alpha Wave.

[colorfulenthusiastballoon]

Fulfillment is still hot, as GreyOrange raises $135M

Over the last few years, I’ve asked countless people in the robotics space “what comes next after warehouse/fulfillment?” The already popular category got red hot during the pandemic, as online shopping turned from convenience to necessity.

Amazon has been leading the space for more than a decade with in-house systems, while companies like Locus, 6 River Systems and Fetch (now owned by and branded Zebra) have struck partnerships with top retailers. But asking “what’s next” is in no way an indication that fulfillment’s time in the spotlight has ended. In spite of some economy-fueled investment slowdowns, it’s a huge category that’s only getting huger.

Headquartered roughly 20 miles north of Atlanta, in suburban Roswell, Georgia, GreyOrange was founded in 2011 — the year before Amazon’s Kiva deal shook the industry. The firm has landed a number of high-profile customers in the intervening decade-plus, including Walmart Canada, Nike and Swedish fast-fashion retailer H&M

The company hasn’t had much of an issue fundraising, either. GreyOrange announced a $140 million Series C in 2018 and today announced that it has raised a $135 million growth financing Series D. Anthelion Capital led the round, which also featured returning investments from Mithril, 3State Ventures and Blume Ventures.

Over the years, it has been working to build a full-stack solution for warehouse, fulfillment and 3PL needs. That includes Kiva-like AMRs (autonomous mobile robots), forklifts and bin systems for picking, coupled with its own first-party (“hardware-agnostic”) fleet management software.

[meghnasharama-blogs]

How an Online MBA in Finance Paves the Way to Becoming a Renowned Venture Capitalist in India

The Online MBA in Finance: A Stepping Stone:

Pursuing an MBA in finance, especially an Online MBA, is a decisive step toward acquiring the comprehensive knowledge and analytical skills essential for a venture capitalist. The Online MBA offers flexibility, allowing aspirants to balance their education with other professional commitments. The curriculum typically encompasses subjects like financial management, investment strategies, and entrepreneurial management, laying a robust foundation for evaluating startups and making informed investment decisions.

Industries for Venture Capitalists:

Venture capitalists have the opportunity to delve into various industries such as technology, healthcare, e-commerce, and clean energy. Each sector offers a unique set of opportunities and challenges, demanding specialized knowledge and insight. For instance, the technology sector is characterized by rapid innovation and high growth potential, whereas the healthcare industry requires an understanding of medical advancements and regulatory landscapes.

Challenges Associated with Venture Capitalism:

Venture Capitalism is not without its hurdles. The profession demands a keen eye for identifying potential, coupled with the acumen to foresee market trends and risks. Balancing optimism with realism, managing relationships with entrepreneurs, and navigating the unpredictable economic climates are inherent challenges that require resilience, foresight, and strategic thinking.

Top 10 Companies in India Hiring Venture Capitalists:

Sequoia Capital India

Accel Partners India

Blume Ventures

Nexus Venture Partners

Matrix Partners India

SAIF Partners

Kalaari Capital

Lightspeed India Partners

Helion Venture Partners

Bessemer Venture Partners India

Impactful Decision Making in Pursuing Online MBA:

Choosing to pursue an Online MBA in finance is a significant decision that can have lasting impacts on one's career. It is paramount to consider the institution’s reputation, the relevance of the curriculum, and the networking opportunities provided. Weighing these factors diligently ensures that the aspirant gains optimal value, foundational knowledge, and the strategic insight necessary to thrive in the competitive landscape of venture capitalism.

Let ShikshaGurus help you in your Education Journey:

ShikshaGurus assists you in exploring and comparing courses from over 60 online and distance learning universities. They offer free, unbiased consultation sessions with experts to guide you in selecting the ideal educational path. Furthermore, they provide assistance in finding the best university that aligns with your budget.

Conclusion:

The role of a Venture Capitalist is both exhilarating and challenging, blending analytical rigor with visionary thinking. An Online MBA in finance acts as a catalyst, enabling aspirants to develop the multifaceted skills required to identify, evaluate, and invest in startups with high growth potential. By overcoming the inherent challenges and making impactful, informed decisions regarding education and career paths, one can ascend to unparalleled heights in the realm of venture capitalism in India.

[blogynews]

"Inside the Web of Deception: Elusive Cons Lure Investors through Fake Website; Authorities Launch Guttural Probe"

A complaint has been filed by Mumbai-based limited liability partnership firm Blume Venture Investment Manager LLP with the Byculla police against unidentified cyber fraudsters. The complaint states that the fraudsters created a fake company website and sent emails to individuals soliciting investments. The finance head of the firm, Mithul Ashok Mehta, reported that the firm reinvests customers’…

[blogynewz]

"Inside the Web of Deception: Elusive Cons Lure Investors through Fake Website; Authorities Launch Guttural Probe"

A complaint has been filed by Mumbai-based limited liability partnership firm Blume Venture Investment Manager LLP with the Byculla police against unidentified cyber fraudsters. The complaint states that the fraudsters created a fake company website and sent emails to individuals soliciting investments. The finance head of the firm, Mithul Ashok Mehta, reported that the firm reinvests customers’…

[lgwebspacethemedfmp]

TSR

Tactical Studies Rules was created as a partnership between Don Kaye and Gary Gygax in 1973 in order to formally publish and sell the original rules of Dungeons & Dragons. Later on the partnership expanded to Dave Arneson and Brian Blume who funded the publishing of Dungeons & Dragons as opposed to relying on the revenue of another project to fund that one. The following year, TSR sold around a thousand copies of Dungeons & Dragons as well as selling dice sets to go along with it. Originally the only distributers that TSR used were for miniatures and not the base game, but that changed between 1975 and 1976 when they joined the Hobby Industry Association and established a network of distributors. In 1975 TSR hired its first full-time employee, publications editor Tim Kask, before the TSR partnership was ended shortly after after Don Kaye died. 

Shortly after the partnership dissolved, Gygax and Blume incorporated TSR Hobbies Inc, a new company. In 1976 they began hosting Gen Con (currently the largest table-top games convention in North America) as well as starting Dungeons & Dragons open tournaments. In 1978 the company upgraded from the basement and moved above the Dungeon Hobby Shop. 

After meeting Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson, exclusive rights to distribute TSR products in the UK were granted to Games Workshop by Gygax, both original and new versions of Dungeons and Dragons were printed over there in order to avoid import costs. The company TSR Ltd was formed in 1980 in England after TSR could not reach an agreement with Games Workshop about a possible merger.

In 1980, the FBI arrived at TSR’s offices due to notes they had about a fictional assassination plot pertaining to their first campaign setting for AD&D; The World of Greyhawk. In the same year, in order to promote quality roleplaying, the Role Playing Game Association was formed. The following year, TSR Hobbies was listed as one of the hundred fasted growing privately held companies in the US. TSR Hobbies moved offices again in that same year to a former medical supply building with a warehouse attached that same year and in 1982, TSR Hobbies broke the 20 million mark in sales. The company was split into four in 1983; TSR Inc, TSR International, TSR Ventures and TSR Entertainment Inc.

At some point the presidents of TSR (minus Gygax) were forced to leave the company after accusations arose of them accumulating large debts and misusing corporate funds. The company was forced to layoff roughly 75% of the staff after having to post a net loss of 1.5 million USD. Gygax requested the Board of Directors to remove the previous presidents of the company from the stock as he himself only had 30%. This was met with them selling their stock to Lorraine Williams, which Gygax tried to have declared an illegal sale, but when that failed he sold his remaining stock to Williams and used what he had from that the form New Infinity Productions. 

Despite WIlliams being a financial planner and seeing potential in transforming a debt-ridden company into a profitable one, she had a dislike of games and did not view them well, and she implemented an internal policy that games were to not be played at the company. This led to the majority of games released not being play tested unless they were done so behind her back. TSR expanded into other fields under Williams’ direction; those mainly being literary means such as books and magazines. For the next few years, TSR leaned heavily into fiction to the point that their revenue from it far surpassed the games that they published.

When collectable card games arose, TSR tried to do the same and released two games under this means; Dragon Dice and Spellfire. Success came to neither of these and eventually their inventory management became abysmal due to the accumulation of unsellable product. Furthermore, TSR started fighting against fan created work much to the displeasure of the public, resulting in the decrease of their consumer base more than it already had. Products started selling for less than they cost to make and in 1996, TSR and to endure multiple rounds of layoffs after accumulating 30 million USD in debts.

The Vice President of Wizards of the Coast, Ryan Dancey, believe the prior failure of TSR was due to ‘A near total inability to listen to its customers, hear what they were saying, and make changes to make those customers happy’. In 1997, TSR was purchased by Wizards of the Coast and its intellectual properties. Some parts of the company were resell after but after a few years the company’s name stopped being used and their trademarks were allowed to expire. In 1999 Wizards of the Coast itself was purchased by Hasbro Inc.