Diligent Robotics Nabs $10M Series A Back to HomeAUSTIN, TX, Diligent Robotics, the A.I.

Last year, Diligent Robotics launched Moxi into the hospital market, and was named one of TIME Magazine's Best Inventions 2019.

"We envision a future powered by robots that work seamlessly with human teams," said Dr. Andrea Thomaz, co-founder and chief executive officer of Diligent Robotics.

"Diligent Robotics is delivering a new class of hospital service robots by building a solution that can autonomously navigate a hospital to perform collaborative tasks with nursing staff."

The investment from this round will help Diligent Robotics scale their solution to a wider customer base as well as their continued investment in product strategy and development in both hardware and software. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1585069206.669999/Diligent-Robotics-Nabs-$10M-Series-A?ref=audio_experience

Rocket launch startup Astra, which had been attempting to claim DARPA’s prize for successful demonstration of flexible space launch capabilities until earlier this month, will not be moving forward with an attempted flight of its launch vehicle this week as planned.

The company’s “One of Three” rocket ran into an “anomaly” during pre-launch testing in preparation for its flight this week, and the schedule for a make-up launch are currently is currently up in the air.

“Astra’s launch vehicle “One of Three” suffered an anomaly following an otherwise successful day of testing in Kodiak in preparation for a launch this week,” explained Astra CEO and founder Chris Kemp via email.

As a result of yesterday’s anomaly we will no longer be attempting a launch this week.

We do intend to attempt another launch from Kodiak once conditions with coronavirus improve and we have resolved the cause of yesterday’s incident.”Astra’s launches are set to take off from Kodiak Launch Complex, which is located a the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Alaska. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1585067407.129708/Astra-encounters-anomaly-during-pre-launch-testing,-will-evaluate-options-for-next-attempt-–-TechCrunch?ref=audio_experience

“That’s where the concept of social gaming is booming, especially in these times,” she said.

Besides PUBG, other games which were trending on the Google Play Store include Ludo King, Carrom Pool, among others.

So, it would not be wrong to say that social gaming is being seen as the antidote to the ennui brought about by the social distancing.

Both these games are also witnessing a surge in registration of new users, increased game time, and other trends due to the coronavirus outbreak.

He added that this includes high activity even in non-peak hours, which clearly indicates that Indians are using games to kill idle time. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1585065605.7519848/As-Lockdown-Kicks-In,-India-Turns-To-Mobile-Games-To-Kill-Time?ref=audio_experience

Addressing the nation on Tuesday evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a complete lockdown of the nation for 21 days, urging citizens to stay at home.

The news comes at a time when coronavirus cases in India have risen to 519, with 10 deaths reported from the infection.

Modi said it is imperative to keep up the fighting spirit of the people to stop the pandemic in its march.

The second address on the global pandemic comes just days after his first address last week, as the number of people in India infected with coronavirus continued to rise.

In his televised address, last week, PM Modi had urged citizens to take precautionary measures to combat the novel coronavirus. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1585063806.846113/Coronavirus-live-update:-PM-Narendra-Modi-announces-complete-lockdown-of-the-nation-for-21-days?ref=audio_experience

Shopify has added $200 million to Shopify Capital, its fund which supports its merchants with small loans, as a way to support small businesses affected by COVID-19.

Shopify Capital is currently only available to Shopify merchants in the United States, but the e-commerce giant noted that it is currently working with governments to make the funds available in more countries as soon as possible.

The capital fund was launched by Shopify in 2016 as a way to help Shopify merchants secure funding.

Shopify Capital offers starter loans to eligible Shopify Payments merchants, with initial loans of $200 in order to help merchants begin building their brand, adding inventory, or experimenting with marketing to grow their business.

Over the past three years, Shopify Capital reports that it has advanced more than $750 million in funding. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1585062006.252519/Shopify-Capital-makes-additional-$200-million-available-to-merchants-affected-by-COVID-19?ref=audio_experience

“Dear Sophie” is an advice column that answers immigration-related questions about working at technology companies.

“Your questions are vital to the spread of knowledge that allows people all over the world to rise above borders and pursue their dreams,” says Sophie Alcorn, a Silicon Valley immigration attorney.

Dear Sophie:There’s a lot of misinformation going around the internet on immigration right now.

Can you provide a clear explanation of how immigration policies are shifting in response to COVID-19?

— Overwhelmed in Palo Alto | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1585060207.2327583/Dear-Sophie:-How-is-COVID-19-affecting-immigration?-–-TechCrunch?ref=audio_experience

Ola, the Bengaluru-based ride-hailing unicorn has taken another step to help its driver-partners during the coronavirus outbreak.

After announcing that it would cover loss of income for driver-partners and their spouses in case they test positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), it has now announced that it has waived off lease rentals (akin to EMI) for all driver-partners who leased a vehicle via Ola Fleet Technologies (a subsidiary of Ola).

Driver-Partners who are currently in distress due to the temporary lockdowns to arrest the contagion of COVID-19, will stand to benefit with the reduced economic burden during these times.

The ride-hailing unicorn has taken several steps to ensure the safekeeping of their driver-partners during this pandemic.

Drivers can make a claim for this compensation for themselves and (or) their spouse by providing appropriate medical documents. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1585058408.2846441/After-offering-health-cover,-Ola-now-waives-off-lease-rentals-for-its-driver-partners?ref=audio_experience

Others will work hard on a business plan, and then mail it indiscriminately to every potential investor they can find on the Internet.

“Attached is a copy of my full business plan for your review.” Too much detail at first contact is just as much of a turnoff as no information.

“I don’t have a business plan, but the technology is disruptive.” Investors are buying part of the business, not the product or service.

If you haven’t yet finalized the business model, cost projections, and customer segments, you aren’t ready for investors.

These will quickly convince investors that you will be equally unprofessional in your attention to detail in running the business. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1585056608.5964787/10-Strategies-For-Attracting-Investors-That-Will-Fail?ref=audio_experience

Omidyar Network said the rapid response fund would primarily focus on the below segments:Data, App-Based Tech Solutions: This can include solutions that provide real-time information, symptoms checks, chatbots-powered helplines in vernacular languages, contact tracing applications, and case reporting systems.

This can include solutions that provide real-time information, symptoms checks, chatbots-powered helplines in vernacular languages, contact tracing applications, and case reporting systems.

Community Outreach And Mobilisation Campaigns: This will include solutions that require social distancing for the current coronavirus pandemic.

This will include solutions that require social distancing for the current coronavirus pandemic.

The Indian startup community has been joining in to support each other and the nation during the dark times of the coronavirus pandemic. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1585054805.6880982/Omidyar-Commits-$1-Mn-For-Tech-Solutions-To-Support-Gig-Workers,-Daily-Wagers?ref=audio_experience

AgtechThe document found that agtech deals continued to rise and reached an all-time high in 2019, while later-stage VC valuations across the agtech and foodtech ecosystem rose consistently.

Venture capital investment in agtech startups totaled $2.7 billion across nearly 300 deals around the globe in 2019.

In contrast, foodtech investment decreased in 2019 – down to $7 billion from its high of nearly $9 billion in 2018.

While the United States continues to take the leadership role in agtech investments, Europe is closing the gap and doubled capital deployed into agtech deals in comparison to 2018 – ending the year at $500 million.

Reaching a high of $920.9 million in 2019, crop inputs continued to be the leading segment in agtech investment. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1585053007.319405/Report:-Agtech-and-Foodtech-Markets-Mature?ref=audio_experience