Amazon’s new Echo Flex is an interesting device that furthers the company’s pledge to bring the Alexa voice assistant to as many places as possible.

The Echo Flex speaker comes in a compact package that plugs directly into an outlet.

But, the Echo Flex has only two microphones compared to the Echo Dot’s seven.

Amazon Echo Flex has a USB port at the bottom to helps you charge phones.

The Echo Flex is Amazon’s cheapest Alexa device till date, retailing at an MRP of Rs 2,999. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1578099607.7919092/Meet-Amazon-Echo-Flex,-the-most-affordable-way-to-carry-Alexa-around-the-house?ref=audio_experience

Are you an operator VC or an investor VC?

In Silicon Valley, there are VC firms like Kleiner Perkins and a16z that are classic examples of successful operator VCs.

For better context, an operator VC is someone who “has been there and done that” as an entrepreneur or intrapreneur.

Tarun Davda, Managing Director, Matrix IndiaSo does being an operator in your past life significantly help in this business?

The positives of an operator VCTarun believes that by definition an operator VC has more empathy because he has been in that position. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1578097806.7177813/[Matrix-Moments]-Do-investors-with-running-startups-work-better-or-others,-asks-Tarun-Davda,-Managing-Director,-Matrix-India?ref=audio_experience

“We aim to lower the cost of internet to make easy accessibility possible for the next billion internet users,” Shubhendu Sharma, Founder and COO, Wifi Dabba says.

Wifi Dabba Founders (L-R): Shubhendu Sharma and Karam LakshmanThe inceptionThe founders say that Wifi Dabba emerged from the shortcomings of another app.

In 2016, Wifi Dabba first started offering paid public WiFi at chai tapris and paan shops.

“In 2020, we will begin rolling out supernodes across the city, and offer Wifi Dabba connections to homes, retails, and enterprises.

Each connection comes with a Wifi Dabba Giga router powered by DabbaOS. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1578096006.2775302/This-three-year-old-startup-provides-free-WiFi-powered-by-lasers-across-Bengaluru?ref=audio_experience

It’s about how new technological advances have the potential to make things even worse, but also could be used for good.

— When we think of visual art, it’s paintings, sculptures and other traditional pieces that might come to mind.

But some of the most interesting images can be found in unusual places — like inside the human body.

As part of the Capitol Hill Art Walk, the Goethe Institute will be showcasing the Max Planck Society’s Images of Science, a collection of pictures from a variety of scientific fields that have a visual appeal much like abstract art.

The opening for this exhibit takes place at the Goethe Institute on Jan. 9. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1578094209.2676907/GeekWire-Calendar-Picks:-Technology-and-disinformation;-finding-art-in-scientific-images;-and-more?ref=audio_experience

However, e-learning simulations are also important now to the e-learning industry.

For example, how can they make sure to create useful, engaging simulations online, given that e-learning simulations must give online learners the ability to overcome real-world challenges and hone their skill sets?

To this end, here are four important tips for improving your e-learning simulations to make them more engaging and ultimately more useful for your students.

Make Sure to Align E-Learning Simulations with Real-World ChallengesOne of the most important aspects of e-learning simulation is to ensure that they are aligned with real-world challenges.

With these types of e-learning simulations, learners get a chance to observe their own ability to handle such situations. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1578092406.975508/E-Learning-Simulations:-Are-Yours-Engaging-Enough?-–-Business-Ideas?ref=audio_experience

CarDekho, an Indian auto technology company, raised US$70m in Series D funding.

Founded in 2008 by Mr Amit Jain, CEO, CarDekho Group is an autotech company with operations in India, Indonesia and Philippines.

Headquartered in Jaipur, CarDekho has digitized the entire Indian auto ecosystem.

The group currently operates various leading Indian auto sites such as CarDekho.com, Gaadi.com, ZigWheels.com, BikeDekho.com, InsuranceDekho.com, PowerDrift.com and more.

It recently launched an online insurance portal called InsuranceDekho.com offering services in motor and health insurance and CarDekho Gaadi stores as the one-stop destination for selling pre-owned cars. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1578090610.0685008/CarDekho-Raises-US$70M-in-Series-D-Funding?ref=audio_experience

Cofounders: Adrien Barthel (CGO) & Julien Labruyere (CEO)Sleek, a Singapore, cloud-based corporate service provider, announced the extension to USD5M of its seed funding round.

The round was led by private investors Pierre Lorinet and Fabio Blom, and MI8, an Asia focused European backed private investment company.

Pierre will take a seat at the Sleek board of directors.

The company intends to use the funds to expand its tech team to accelerate the development of new features, increase the operational capability, and accelerate its development in Hong Kong.

Co-founded by Adrien Barthel (CGO) and Julien Labruyere (CEO), Sleek incorporates companies in Hong Kong and Singapore, and helps them manage their governance, accounting and tax matters using technology. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1578088808.5524788/Sleek-Extends-Seed-Funding-to-USD5M?ref=audio_experience

Soko jewelry is designed in San Francisco and made by artisans in Kenya.

In a world where fast fashion is the norm, finding truly unique jewelry can be a tough feat.

Soko is a jewelry brand I was introduced to this past fall that checks all of those boxes and then some.

Soko's pieces are unlike anything I've come across when jewelry shopping online.

The Capped Quill Dangle Earrings, $54, in Black SokoThe bottom lineIf you want jewelry pieces that boast a unique, structural style, you'll love Soko's selection. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1578087024.0302901/This-jewelry-startup-works-with-artisans-in-Kenya-to-ethically-produce-beautiful-and-unique-pieces-—-here's-what-they're-like?ref=audio_experience

This post is also available in: Español (Spanish)Contxto – Brazilian proptech Loft kicked 2020 off with a big investment and is the first unicorn of the year.

Today the startup announced its Series C for US$175 million in a round co-led by Andresseen Horowitz (“a16z”) and Vulcan Capital.

It had previously chipped in for its Series A worth US$18 million alongside monashees.

This is the first time Vulcan Capital invests in a Latin American startup.

Luckily for Loft, the now not-even-two-year-old scaleup joins QuintoAndar as a Latin American proptech unicorn. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1578085328.1156037/Brazilian-proptech-Loft-raises-US$175-million-investment,-becomes-unicorn?ref=audio_experience

The 2020 IPO market faces strong headwinds, including lingering disappointment over some of the biggest public tech offerings of 2019.

Is it a tech company because it has a website and ships stuff?

Venture capital raised: $912 millionCredit Karma: This financial startup provides free online credit reports and financial management tools for consumers.

Venture capital raised: $923 millionGitLab: This one has become an essential tool for many programmers, thanks to its software development and collaboration tools.

Venture capital raised: $1.870 billionUnity: The game development platform has been a perennial IPO candidate for the past several years. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1578083517.6493056/Airbnb-tops-list-of-13-potential-tech-IPOs-in-2020?ref=audio_experience