Anyline, the Austrian startup that provides OCR tech, picks up $12M Series A and heads to the USAnyline, the Vienna-based provider of optical character recognition (OCR) technology that developers use to build OCR functions into their websites and apps, has raised $12 million in Series A funding.

Founded in 2013, Anyline offers specialised OCR solutions that it says the big tech vendors are not set up to supply.

From a customer point of view, anybody who has used OCR to add a debit card to an app or submit a meter reading knows it provides an infinitely less painful experience than having to manually type long numbers on a phone.

This will enable Anyline to bring its mobile OCR solutions to new international markets and industries, including smart manufacturing, KYC services and fintech, says the company.

By becoming the market leader in mobile OCR, Anyline plans to be the technology partner businesses need to meet these challenges on the horizon”. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1579073407.4241772/Anyline,-the-Austrian-startup-that-provides-OCR-tech,-picks-up-$12M-Series-A-and-heads-to-the-US-–-TechCrunch?ref=audio_experience

Tech giant IBM on Wednesday said it has received record 9,262 US patents in 2019, with India being the second-highest contributor.

"IBM inventors received record 9,262 US patents in 2019, achieving a milestone of most patents ever awarded to a US company and marking the company's 27th consecutive year of US patent leadership," a statement said.

In 2019, IBM was granted patents across key technology areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), Blockchain, cloud computing, quantum computing and security, it added.

IBM inventors from India received over 900 patents, the second-highest contributor to the global tally after the US.

This year, more than 8,500 IBM inventors, spanning 45 different US states and 54 countries contributed to the patents awarded to IBM, the statement said. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1579071609.8070338/IBM-tops-US-patent-list-for-2019-with-over-9,000-patents,-India-second-highest-contributor?ref=audio_experience

Toddle, a Bengaluru-based collaboration and productivity platform for teachers used by schools across the world, has raised an undisclosed amount of funding from Matrix Partners India.

Rajat Agarwal, Director, Matrix India, said,“Teachers, all over the world, are adopting technology in their classrooms very rapidly.

With Toddle, our goal is to simplify the entire teaching and learning cycle with one seamless and intuitive solution.”Founded in 2006, Matrix Partners India invests in companies targeting the Indian consumer and enterprise market at the seed, early and early growth stages.

Matrix India has advisory offices in Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai.

Matrix Partners has a global network of funds investing in the US, China and India, with approximately $5 billion under management. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1579069806.1637156/[Funding-alert]-Matrix-Partners-India-backs-edtech-platform-Toddle?ref=audio_experience

All these will become part of the ecommerce policy,” an unidentified official was quoted as saying by ET.

For instance, commercial data held by ecommerce companies, anonymised data and community data will reportedly be treated according to their location and processing.

According to the policy draft, infrastructure status would be given to data storage services such as data centres, server firms, towers, tower stations.

India’s ecommerce industry is estimated at around $39 Bn in 2017 and is expected to grow to $200 Bn by 2026.

The ecommerce policy is expected to find a balance between boosting the digital economy and safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1579068006.8665543/Govt-Seeks-Data-Storage-Inputs-From-Amazon,-Microsoft-Ahead-Of-Ecomm-Policy?ref=audio_experience

For instance, German sportswear maker Adidas, which had an exclusive tie-up with Flipkart and Myntra, has started selling on Amazon India .

British retailer Marks & Spencer, which went online in India through Flipkart Group, has now moved to Amazon and Ajio as well.“It’s a strategy by any brand launching in the market to side with one strong online player.

But later on, they realised that they could do more business by being on other marketplaces since the customer profile for each platform is different.

For instance, a Myntra customer is different from the one who shops for fashion on Amazon,” said a senior industry executive, who did not wish to be quoted.“A single e-commerce platform does not meet the growth aspirations of a brand.

Such a smart segmentation approach to potential target consumers allows us to deliver more effective and impactful communication, while optimising marketing dollars,” said Sanjeev Mohanty, MD of Levi Strauss India. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1579066208.2287016/Top-brands-shun-exclusive-e-tail-deals?ref=audio_experience

Investments in French startups is also growing, with Dealroom reporting a whopping €4.3 billion in venture capital funding raised in 2019 and no signs of stopping.

In light of all the attention it’s getting, here are 10 French startups to keep an eye on in 2020.

With €4 million raised in 2018, and a subsequent €6 million raised in 2019, Majelan is well-positioned to disrupt the podcast industry.

In 2019, Luko raised €20 million in Series A funding, bringing its total raised to €22 million.

In 2019, the three-year-old startup raised a €20 million Series B funding to expand its reach beyond Paris. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1579064408.5475261/10-French-startups-to-watch-out-for-in-2020?ref=audio_experience

Insights into professional success and pathways are offered in this book by Amit Nagpal, Heroes Amongst Us: Inspirational Stories of Ordinary People who Achieved Extraordinary Success.

Each chapter in the book has a brief profile of an innovator or achiever, and ends with a few ‘success mantras’ from their experiences.

Smart work (not just hard work), continuous improvement, capitalising on opportunities, and calculated risk-taking were key to her success, she explains.

In sum, the book is a straightforward read with short biographical profiles and success tips, and makes for an easy weekend read.

The book ends with contact information for the featured entrepreneurs, along with tips for bloggers. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1579062737.9507113/A-book-of-stories-and-success-tips:-what-we-can-learn-from-these-30-entrepreneurs-and-business-leaders?ref=audio_experience

Online invoice generators can be used to streamline the invoicing process and greatly reduce the stress that often goes along with creating invoices.

Invoice generators such as Invoice Home are available for both desktop and mobile devices.

Invoice generators can track invoicing activity for each individual client.

Invoice generators can add a touch of creativity by giving you the option to choose from hundreds of different invoice templates.

Regardless of the type of product or service you provide, good customer service is paramount to the success of any business. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1579060808.1007497/Effective-Invoicing---Does-An-Invoice-Generator-Work-For-Your-Business?---Young-Upstarts?ref=audio_experience

Health and safety should be a main focus for the business, particularly workplace safety.

If you’re looking to make your office a safer place to work, below you’ll discover 4 tips that can help.

In your business, you’ll need to follow strict health and safety regulations.

Pay attention to the lighting you’re using.

So, to boost productivity and protect employee health, you’ll want to make sure you’re using LED lighting. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1579059010.1682646/Workplace-Safety--4-Tips-To-Keep-Your-Office-Safe---Young-Upstarts?ref=audio_experience

Aesthetic Nutrition Pvt Ltd, which markets and sells chewable dietary supplements under the brand Power Gummies, has closed its Pre-Series A funding led by DSG Consumer Partners, the company announced in an official release.

While the details of the investment remain undisclosed, this is said to be the first institutional funding raised by the company.

Our current product, the hair vitamin gummy, helps restore and maintain nail and hair health.

Its first product is a hair vitamin supplement made from plant-based pectin, ten essential vitamins, biotin and folic acid.

Commenting on the investment, Deepak Shahdadpuri, Managing Director of DSG Consumer Partners said,“The vitamin and health supplements market is ripe for disruption and presents a huge market opportunity in India. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1579057205.5727565/[Funding-alert]-Power-Gummies-parent-company-Aesthetic-Nutrition-raises-Pre-Series-A-funding-from-DSG-Consumer-Partners?ref=audio_experience