UK fintech Monese nears unicorn status January 21, 2020 UK fintech Monese is in talks to raise £100m from investors in a deal that would give it a valuation of more than £1bn. The fundraising would give the business so-called unicorn status. The Financial Times first reported the talks which are expected to lead to a deal with new and existing investors in the [...]
New app allows jetsetters to manage passports and visas on mobile January 21, 2020 Globetrotters will be able to manage multiple passports and visa requirements on their mobiles thanks to a new app launched today. Passport Index allows users to compare passports and their visa needs, meaning travellers with multiple passports can see which document is best for any given destination. The app was launched at the World Economic [...]
Uber sells Indian food delivery business to Zomato January 21, 2020 Uber today said it has sold its food delivery business in India to local rival Zomato in an all-share deal worth a reported $350m (£268m). The deal gives Uber a 10 per cent stake in Zomato, which is backed by Ant Financial, a fintech affiliate of Chinese conglomerate Alibaba. The companies did not disclose the [...]
Facebook creates 1,000 new jobs in London as it targets growth January 21, 2020 Facebook will create 1,000 new jobs in London by the end of the year. Over half of the new jobs will be in technology, including software engineering and data science, as well as development of its Workplace and Whatsapp platforms. Other roles will be in the “community integrity” team, which aims to detect and remove [...]
Open Banking can rebalance the market and put consumers in control January 21, 2020 Two years since its inception, Open Banking has begun to transform the banking world. While understanding may still be low among those outside of the financial sector, do not underestimate this phenomenon. In fact, low awareness is to be expected — Open Banking is a technology that exists behind the scenes, and customers will only [...]
Google boss calls for temporary ban on facial recognition technology January 20, 2020 Google chief executive Sundar Pichai has lent his support to a proposed temporary EU ban on facial recognition technology, over concerns it could be misused. “I think it is important that governments and regulations tackle it sooner rather than later and gives a framework for it,” said Pichai at a conference in Brussels today. The [...]
Mobile shopping startup Rezolve shuns security fears with planned Huawei tie-up January 20, 2020 Mobile shopping firm Rezolve is set to bag a bumper deal with Huawei to embed its technology into the controversial Chinese tech giant’s phones. The new capability is expected to be available from March, when Rezolve will reveal further tie-ups with retailers, restaurants and media partners. The technology allows consumers to make purchases by using [...]
Apple boss Tim Cook calls for overhaul of corporate tax system January 20, 2020 Apple chief executive Tim Cook has acknowledged that the global corporate tax system needs to be overhauled, adding he was optimistic that upcoming reform would be fair. Tech giants such as Apple have come under increased scrutiny over their tax practices amid concerns they are dodging their liabilities by booking profit in low-tax countries. This [...]
Rabobank invests in online mortgage broker Trussle January 20, 2020 Rabobank’s strategic investment arm, Rabo Frontier Ventures, has contributed to a £7.5m funding round in online mortgage broker Trussle. Rabo Frontier Ventures joined the latest round of funding alongside existing investors Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division, Finch Capital and Propel Venture partners. The fresh round of funding brings Trussle’s total to £26.7m after the tech [...]
China repeats call for Canada to release Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou January 20, 2020 China called again on Canada today to release detained Huawei finance chief Meng Wanzhou as soon as possible ahead of an extradition hearing. Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Canada should correct its “mistake” in arresting the executive, who is the daughter of Huawei chief executive Ren Zhengfei. “The resolve of the Chinese government to [...]