Welcome to Cultivated, our weekly newsletter where we're bringing you an inside look at the deals, trends, and personalities driving the multibillion-dollar global cannabis boom.

You can read my story on the burst cannabis bubble, and where things are going to go, right here.

We also took a look at where cannabis investors are placing their bets in 2020.

Medical Marijuana Inc (MJNA), an OTC-listed cannabis company, promoted Brooke Beers to CFO from VP of corporate finance.

Jeanette VanderMarel has resigned from her position as COO of Beleave Cannabis after less than two months on the job. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1576866604.8874035/CULTIVATED:-2019-was-the-year-the-cannabis-bubble-burst,-where-top-VCs-are-placing-their-bets,-and-more.?ref=audio_experience

Hello and welcome back to our regular morning look at private companies, public markets and the grey space in between.

Today, we’re weighing a standard bit of startup wisdom that recently reemerged against some surprising, contrasting evidence.

Does too much money hurt a startup more than it helps, or is that standard view actually mistaken?

And if anyone has enough anecdotal evidence to support the view, it’s Wilson who has been a venture capitalist since the late 1980s.

Startups also die when they have too little money, of course. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1576864816.4006085/Do-more-startups-die-of-indigestion-or-starvation?-–-TechCrunch?ref=audio_experience

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If you’re already a customer, log in here. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1576863007.6094005/This-Week-In-AI:-Intel-Acquires-Habana-Labs,-Samsung-Partners-With-Baidu,-SoftBank-Backs-AV-Startup?ref=audio_experience

Tweet MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA, Willow has raised an additional $20 million in funding led by NEA and Meritech Capital Partners.

To export Willow funding data to PDF and Excel, clickClick here for more funding data on WillowTo export Willow funding data to PDF and Excel, click here Willow, the femtech leader that changed the way women pump with the first ever quiet, all-in-one, in-bra wearable breast pump, announces today that is has raised an additional $20 million in funding.

"The continued support from our existing investors reinforces Willow's status as the leading wearable breast pump on the market.

When we looked at traditional pumps, we knew there had to be a better way, so we invented the world's first all-in-one, in-bra quiet wearable pump.

And we're the only breast pump with the flexibility of pumping directly into both spill-proof Milk Bags and a reusable Container. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1576861209.2132726/Willow-Raises-an-Additional-$20M?ref=audio_experience

0 Shares EmailFacebookTwitterLinkedInIndian eyewear startup Lenskart has raised $275 million in a new round of financing led by Softbank’s Vision Fund, according to TechCrunch.

Subscribe to the Crunchbase DailyThe new round of financing brings the company’s total funding to $456 million.

This funding round brings the company’s valuation to more than $1.5 billion, TechCrunch reported, citing a person familiar with the matter.

About a quarter of the world’s blind population lives in India, according to the Hindustan Times, and Lenskart wants to make glasses more accessible.

The company has established itself as something of a Warby Parker equivalent for India: a direct-to-consumer eyewear company. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1576859406.4762235/Lenskart-Raises-$275M-From-Softbank?ref=audio_experience

Does watching Shark Tank make you dream about finding an angel investor of your own?

In fact, the University of New Hampshire’s Center for Venture Research reports in 2018 that “The angel investor market saw an increase in market participation in more companies but at smaller amounts.

According to the Angel Capital Association (ACA) angels are usually high-net-worth individuals (or groups of people) who invest their own money in startup companies in exchange for an equity share of the business.

When to approach an angel investorWhile angel investors are more interested in funding startups and early-stage companies than banks or VCs, the ACA says it’s best to approach an angel when:Your product is developed or near completion.

Other Articles From AllBusiness.com:Finding angel investorsProbably the best place to find an angel is an angel group. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1576857611.7082915/How-to-Find-an-Angel-Investor-for-Your-Startup?ref=audio_experience

Speaking to Inc42, JNU students have confirmed that the university is planning to conduct end semester examinations via WhatsApp and email.

“JNU administration has made a mockery out of an esteemed central university by introducing examination online through WhatsApp and email,” he added.

“Students are requested to submit the answer scripts to the respective course teachers for evaluation,” Mohapatra added in his letter.

In this one of a kind examinations, students are given the freedom to submit the answer scripts either through email or images of hand-written scripts through WhatsApp or personally to course teachers.

Though conducting exams in such a manner surely raises concerns on the transparency of the examinations, Mohapatra said that in the given circumstances, there’s no other way. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1576854017.9055803/It’s-Comic-As-Well-As-Tragic:-Students-Slam-JNU’s-WhatsApp-Exams?ref=audio_experience

Strengthening its position in the Indian telecom market, India’s oldest private telecom service provider Bharti Airtel has added 12 Mn 4G subscribers in October and November 2019.

The telecom service provider added that it had added 1.12 Mn 4G subscribers in September 2019.

With this growing rate, Bharti airtel would easily be able to bridge the gap with Reliance Jio, which introduced the 4G services in India at cheaper rates.

The company wants to direct its focus on 4G serviced by redeploying its 3G spectrum for 4G services.

Moreover, Bharti Airtel has invested approximately INR 50,000 Cr to boost its 4G services in the last two financial years. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1576852313.2113454/Bharti-Airtel-Records-5x-Growth-With-12-Mn-4G-Users?ref=audio_experience

In particular, in the United Kingdom, the football stock market is gaining more ground due to its relative simplicity and huge earning potential.

Are you looking to venture into the football stock market as well?

By betting on a football stock market, you can make it even more exciting.

If not, betting on a football stock market is a good way to improve your football knowledge.

Find a reliable football stock market site to build your portfolio and turn your love for football into something much more rewarding. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1576850415.9884942/Why-Betting-on-The-Football-Stock-Market-Is-a-Worthwhile-Hobby?ref=audio_experience

Family businesses often see growth and then allocate HR responsibilities to other family members, but there is something to be said about working with a company or individual that actually has experience managing HR.

Talent Identification and ManagementWhether you choose an in-house HR team or an outsourced HR team, or HR software services, which is an incredibly effective strategy for a small business looking to grow, they need to be aware of where the company is going.

Of course, the HR team will also help with basics such as;Getting new employees set upKeeping the team happyEnsuring everybody is getting paid the right amount at the right timesShort Term v Long TermAnother way HR can support company growth is by always keeping one eye on long-term goals and visions.

With experienced HR employees or services, you have their expertise on how to recruit and grow without sacrificing potential future success.

With the former, this could be essential for a growth strategy. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1576848715.7129085/How-HR-Can-Support-Company-Growth?ref=audio_experience