iCARS enters Austin
San Francisco-based iCARS has begun giving rides in Austin through licensed, screened executive car service operators and chauffeurs. The platform requires drivers be fingerprinted and only works with transportation companies with at least $1 million in commercial liability insurance, those that randomly drug test and background check their employees, provide driver training and also pay employee benefits, as required by the states they operate in. [Texas Tech Pulse]
KEY Concierge raises $3.75M to expand travel tech service
Austin-based concierge service KEY Concierge announced this morning they have raised a $3.75 million Series A. The new financing will help KEYConcierge aggressively accelerate product development and continue market expansion. [Built In Austin]
Epicor Software acquired
Epicor Software Corporation announced this week it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by the global investment firm KKR from funds advised by Apax Partners. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. [Press Release]
Austin ranks #1 for startups
In a new study released by Sungard Availability Services this week, Austin beat out tech hubs like NYC, San Francisco and Seattle to come out as the best city for startups in the U.S. The study cited the high rate of employment in tech as well as the rate of new entrepreneurs. [Sungard AS]
Facebook expanding in Austin
Banker's Toolbox announces new CEO
Banker’s Toolbox announced this week the appointment of Wayne Roberts as Chief Executive Officer. Wayne will lead the company in its next phase of growth by building on its comprehensive technology platform, industry leading customer loyalty and strong company culture to deliver the next generation of customer service, operational excellence, and continued product innovation.
uShip announces partnership
uShip, the online shipping marketplace and freight automation software provider, has partnered with DB Schenker, one of the world’s largest logistics companies, to power ‘Drive4Schenker,’ an online trucking platform launching later this year. The 5-year agreement, worth tens of millions, is exclusive within Europe. The partnership uses uShip PRO — uShip’s enterprise technology backbone — to automate and optimize the management of 25,000 approved carriers and execution of up to 10,000 loads per day through Europe’s largest over-the-road trucking business.
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