Indiana’s tech sector sees big M&A boom
The momentum is so strong that the number of deals during the first three quarters of 2021 has already eclipsed full-year 2020 and 2019 totals—and by a healthy margin.
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Tech startup co-founded by Scott McCorkle secures another $7M in funding
MetaCX’s newest round of fundraising brings its total to $31.5 million, including multiple investments from several venture capital organizations.
Justice Department escalating cyber crackdown
The U.S. is stepping up actions to combat ransomware and cybercrime through arrests and other actions, its No. 2 official said, as the Biden administration escalates its response to what it regards as an urgent economic and national security threat.
Zionsville-based Clear Software acquired by Microsoft
Clear Software, founded in 2015, offers tools to help simplify and streamline business processes. Microsoft said the acquisition will help it improve its Microsoft Power Platform, which offers a variety of business-oriented tools for users.
Facebook to shut down face-recognition system, delete data
More than a third of Facebook’s daily active users have opted in to have their faces recognized by the social network’s system. That’s about 640 million people.
First Internet Bank to acquire Georgia-based bank in $80M deal
Fishers-based First Internet says it expects that its $80 million acquisition of Georgia-based First Century Bank will be complete early next year. The deal brings several new product lines to First Internet’s existing offerings.
Ag-tech firm using aerial photos, big data to help farmers manage fields
Indianapolis-based IntelinAir Inc. sees a big opportunity in the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to help farmers keep tabs on their crops.
Local sports teams, universities team up to launch sports-focused data analytics resource
The online resource, set to launch in beta mode in the next several weeks, will be a place where academic and business users can access anonymized sports and fitness data sets, use it to solve business problems, and learn about job opportunities.
VW, Stellantis chime into chip optimism with U.S. peers
Both carmakers said they had moved past the worst of the availability issues that have snarled production lines globally. Their views contrasted with those of Samsung Electronics.
Ford, GM profits fall as sales drop due to chip shortage
The global computer chip shortage cut into third-quarter profits at both Ford and crosstown rival General Motors, with both companies having to temporarily close factories, pinching supplies on dealer lots.
High Alpha startup Filo lands $3M in seed funding
Filo, which was launched by Indianapolis-based venture studio High Alpha last year, offers an interactive platform for online meetings, gatherings and events.
German team wins Indy Autonomous Challenge with average speed near 136 mph
TUM Autonomous Motorsport from the Technische Universität München won the $1 million grand prize in the inaugural Indy Autonomous Challenge on Saturday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Hertz orders 100,000 electric vehicles from Tesla
The deal likely is worth around $4 billion. Mark Fields, Hertz’ interim CEO, said that Teslas are already arriving at the company’s sites and should be available for rental starting in November.
Microsoft: Russian-backed hackers targeting cloud services
The group, which Microsoft calls Nobelium, has employed a new strategy to piggyback on the direct access that cloud service resellers have to their customers’ IT systems, hoping to “more easily impersonate an organization’s trusted technology partner.”
U.S. intel warns that China could dominate advanced technologies
U.S. officials say China’s ambitions in artificial intelligence and a range of advanced technologies could eventually give Beijing a decisive military edge and possible dominance over health care and other essential sectors in America.
Bloomington-based startup developing drone-assisted construction techniques
Terran Robotics, established in 2019, is developing technology that enables self-flying drones to build walls for earthen homes. The company plans to build its first home next year.
Indianapolis chocolate business lands $5.25M in venture funding
The Indianapolis-based company behind artisanal chocolate brand SoChatti plans to use the funding to launch new products and innovations into the food-production industry. It also finalized its first industrial licensing agreement.
Consumer watchdog to probe Big Tech payment systems
In its first significant action under a new director, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is ordering Apple, Amazon, PayPal and other tech giants to reveal how their proprietary payment networks function.
Allison Transmission to invest $42M in Chinese company’s public offering
Indianapolis-based Allison, which recently formed a partnership with Beijing-based Jing-Jin Electric, announced Wednesday that it will participate in Jing-Jin’s upcoming initial public offering.
Facebook to pay more than $14M in U.S. settlement over discrimination against workers
Facebook has agreed to pay penalties over findings that the company’s hiring practices intentionally discriminated against Americans in favor of foreign workers, U.S. officials said Tuesday.