All Wayra articles – Page 5
-
Venturing & InvestmentsWayra injects cash into Valencian network tech player Kenmei
Network automation startup Kenmei broadening horizons, with ambitions outside domestic market. Startup’s AI specialism of potential interest to Telefónica. Rival MÁSMÓVIL joins in on funding round.
-
Venturing & InvestmentsWayra levels up with co-operative gaming investment
Telefónica open innovation hub puts gaming and e-sports in its investment crosshairs, drawing together fellow venturers for “up to €2m” commitments. Fourteen funds participate in this year’s Coinvestment Day.
-
Innovation (R&D)Open Future Call I: Telefónica eyes ‘revolutionary’ tech
Open Future hubs across Spain prep for first 2021 intake. Group seeks to highlight role in job creation amid present challenges.
-
Venturing & InvestmentsYBVR earns extra Wayra investment for XR platform
Extended reality startup raises $1.5m in Pre-Series-A round, with Wayra increasing its initial investment. YBVR’s Verizon partnership bolstered. Wayra continues to bet on AR/VR/XR.
-
Enterprise (B2B)Telefónica drone-security platform takes flight
Operator comes out of trial phase with creation of new international platform. Number of clients said to already be in pipeline, with UK-based drone control specialist one active user. Speciality in security-oriented use-cases emphasised.
-
Premium5G and edge added to activation programme
Wayra Acceleration Programme expanding to seek out edge innovation, and leverage Spain’s rapid 5G rollout.
-
Innovation (R&D)Shaadow steps out of Telefónica’s innovation doorway
Startup lands cash-injection after internal incubation process. Spinoff equipped with ElevenPaths patented tech. Group execs keeping close-eye on operations.
-
Venturing & InvestmentsElsewhere in Telefónica Venturing: Wayra buys into retail
Wayra doubles up on retail and fintech focus. Brazilian portfolio trimmed further with LinkApi exit.
-
Venturing & InvestmentsPayflow banks Wayra backing
Salary-on-demand startup Payflow added €400,000 to its Seed round via a strategic investor trio including Wayra. Wayra family grows but with scaleups now in the crosshairs.
-
Venturing & InvestmentsWayra backed LinkApi lands a buyer
Telefónica’s Brazilian scale-up hothouse exits LinkApi through Semantix acquisition. Wayra continues transition to later-stage startups with fourth exit in just over a year.
-
PremiumTelefónica people moves: Goncharov, Mesloh to lead German sales
Alpha moonshot unit completes transition as CEO Williams begins new venture. Newly established internal-external venture unit Wayra Builder gets a head. Goncharov appointed to lead O2 Germany’s enterprise unit.
-
Venturing & InvestmentsWayra plants further capital in Ireland’s SalesOptimize
Ireland-based startup given (another) leg-up by Telefónica’s incubator hub.
-
Venturing & InvestmentsTech Ventures looks to unlock Alias Robotics’ full potential
Alias becomes tenth addition to new investment vehicle’s portfolio. EC-backed robot “antivirus” solution to be put on show at Bavarian cybersecurity lab. Importance of cybersecurity solutions for autonomous robots illustrated.
-
Venturing & InvestmentsTelefónica on board with 5G emergency comms project
AI to be leveraged by EC-funded research group as a means of providing enhanced 5G network coverage for emergency services. Group building ecosystem around responsible use of AI. Another example of operator working the axis between e-health and connected-vehicles.
-
Venturing & InvestmentsWayra backs Brazilian e-learning startup Alicerce Educação
Startup accelerator Wayra highlights investment in one of local operating business Vivo’s targeted growth areas. Capital will go towards tackling educational divide in Brazil, including via recent strategic tie-up.
-
Partnerships & AlliancesO2 e-health partner Visionable ramps up operations
Startup enabling prompt treatment lands NHS contract on the back of successful Telefónica-backed pilot. Group renewing interest in ICT health sector.
-
Venturing & InvestmentsInnovation in the crosshairs: Wayra X and Wayra Builder launched
Wayra marks tenth birthday with launch of all-digital hub Wayra X. Innovation arm looking beyond Telefónica footprint. Wayra Builder released to target tie-ups with external investors for internal tech spin-outs.
-
Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Telefónica Hispanoamérica: spectrum plans firm up
Novator challenge builds; Telcel Mexican dominance resisted; Peruvian fines upheld.
-
Venturing & InvestmentsNew Wayra investment targeting AI at self-checkout snags
Longstanding Group partner leads investment round in AI-powered checkout solution player Proppos. Food tech-focused startup has designs on international expansion.
-
Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Telefónica Group: Prisa stake options mooted
Prisa stake potentially in play; Cisco trumpets Telefónica sell-with relationship; next stop USA for content?