The Bay Area tech scene is starting 2022 with a bang. Google, Twitter and several other companies have announced big plans for the future following acquisitions, venture capital gains and more. This is the Built In SF weekly refresh.
Twitter sold MoPub. The social media platform announced it closed a deal for its mobile ad platform MoPub with AppLovin, a marketer software and game maker app, for $1.05 billion in cash. With the deal, Twitter says it will focus more on commerce, performance-based ads and SMB. [TechCrunch]
Google acquired Siemplify. Siemplify is an Israel-based cybersecurity company that will now be integrated into the Google Cloud Platform. Google reportedly purchased the cybersecurity company for $500 million. [TechCrunch]
SAN FRANCISCO TECH QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Miro earned $400M. The Series C funding brings Miro’s total valuation to $17.5 billion. The company provides a collaborative workspace for customers to discuss ideas and workflow, as well as create visualizations. The company, which works with Dell, Cisco and Liberty Mutual, has gained traction through the pandemic as more companies work from home. It has grown its user by 6x. [Built In SF]
Fanatics acquired Topps. Fanatics, an online shop for sports merchandise and memorabilia, acquired sports trading card company Topps. Financial terms of the acquisition were not released, but according to CNBC, the deal is worth $500 million. Following the acquisition, Fanatics plans to produce MLB trading cards and build out its digital sports platform. [Built In SF]
These 10 tech companies raised over $13B. In 2021, 10 Bay Area companies raised a combined total of over $13 billion in venture capital, surpassing the $8.5 billion raised in 2020. These companies span different sectors of technology, with some familiar names such as Chime, Robinhood and Airtable. [Built In SF]
Bolt implemented four-day workweeks. Four-day workweeks are only an idea to some companies, but to San Francisco-based e-commerce company Bolt, it’s reality. The change became official after running a pilot schedule since last fall. Bolt connects shoppers and retailers for quick, easy and safe checkouts, and is currently hiring for several remote tech positions. [SFGate]
In more VC funding news: Labelbox, a San Francisco-based company that operates AI data training classes, gained $110 million in a Series D round led by SoftBank’s Vision Fund 2 to grow its headcount. [Built In SF]
Little Otter, a mental health platform for teenagers and children, raised $22 million to expand its healthcare options and services, as well as add to its team. [Built In SF]
