Weekly top-tier VC July 4

1 Autonomous driving technology development raises $100M 2 Dubai's Cloud Kitchen raises $415M 3 Blockchain analytics platform raises $12M, and 7 others

SEQUOIA CAPITAL

①Digit Insurance　/　General insurance company in India focusing on auto insurance B2B FinTech

$200 million Series unknown

The company's digital platform leverages analytics to achieve the highest industry-wide renewal rate for auto insurance.

https://www.godigit.com/

Key takeaway: In recent years, investment from the U.S. to India has become more active, and this year a record 14 unicorns have been created.

②Kitopi　/　Cloud Kitchen in Dubai B2B Food & Beverage

$415 million Series unknown

Handles delivery orders for multiple restaurant brands. Restaurants can open dedicated delivery outlets by acquiring the necessary infrastructure and software. Operates a network of more than 60 cloud kitchens in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain.

https://www.kitopi.com/

Key takeaway: Although the company withdrew from the U.S. due to the pandemic, it raised funds at a significantly higher valuation due to increased demand for delivery.

③LocoNav　/　Transportation efficiency platform B2B transportation

$37 million Series B

Improves fleet efficiency and reduces costs for drivers and transportation companies in more than 20 countries.

https://loconav.com/

Key takeaway: The market has grown rapidly over the past decade as drivers have become mobile device owners. LocoNav has become the leader in this field in developing countries.

④Versa Networks　/　Security Services for Enterprises (SASE) B2B Software

$84 million Series D

The SASE market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 42% to reach approximately $11 billion, and at least 40% of enterprises are expected to begin implementing SASE by 2024.

*SASE (Secure Access Service Edge): A framework that aggregates security and networking technologies into a single cloud platform to enable secure and rapid cloud transformation.

https://versa-networks.com/

Key takeaway: The SASE market is growing as enterprises invest more in security software as they move to remote work.

FOUNDERS FUND

①Pietra / Business support platform for creators, B2B software

$15 million Series A

Built the backend from start-up to expansion, including supplier communication, order processing, and online store. Originally a luxury marketplace.

https://www.pietrastudio.com/

Key takeaway: In recent years, 2 million people worldwide are professional creators, and 50 million people including amateurs are working as creators, and a creator economy specialized for this market has been created.

②Ghost　/　Autonomous driving and anti-collision technology, B2B automotive

$100 million Series D

Developing universal collision avoidance technology, with plans to begin testing on public roads by the end of 2021.

https://driveghost.com/

注目のポイント：Previous autonomous driving technology involved recognizing and classifying objects before deciding on a decision, but Ghost's technology is a paradigm shift by skipping the classification and enabling rapid decisions based on distance and mass.

③Pathpoint　/　Insurance platform for insurance agents, B2B insurance

$30 million Series A

Provides retail agents with a platform to sell E&C and professional lines products from 10 top-tier carriers.

https://www.pathpoint.com/

key takeaway: Utilizes technology to achieve optimal risk calculation and cost reduction, and is able to provide brokerage services at lower commissions than traditional insurers.

④Sword Health　/　Remote physiotherapy platform focused on musculoskeletal disorders, B2C Healthcare

$85 million Series C

Matches patients with physical therapists who are qualified to create individualized programs. The patient wears a motion sensor during the remote session, and the physical therapist can obtain real-time data on performance.

https://swordhealth.com/

Key takeaway: The pandemic has forced many patients to opt for home care; Sword Health is trying to solve this problem.

ANDREESSEN HOROWITZ

①Nansen　/ 　blockchain analytics platform, B2C blockchain

$12 million Series A

A blockchain analytics platform that enriches on-chain data with millions of wallet labels.

https://www.nansen.ai/

Key takeaway: As many financial products and instruments including Defi and NFT are beginning to be built on blockchain, there has been a need for analysis of those blockchains, mainly by institutional investors, traders, etc. Nansen is attempting to capture this need.

②Pietra　/　B2B software for creators' business support platform

As mentioned above in Founders Fund.

③Singularity 6　/ 　Game development studio, B2C game

$30 million Series B

Debut title community simulation game "Palia" is under development.

https://www.singularity6.com/

Key takeaway: With Playco raising $100 million last September before releasing the title, and Roblox's recent IPO at a high valuation, the gaming market is attracting attention from investors.

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