BrightLine raises $20M Series A to help big brands create interactive TV ads
BrightLine, a market leader in over-the-top (OTT) solutions, raised a $20 million Series A round this week. BrightLine creates, serves and measures interactive ads across the entire OTT landscape using its proprietary technology framework. The financing was led by Joe Moglia, the chairman of Fundamental Global Investors, with participation from Pivotal Capital. [Built In NYC]
Online grocer FreshDirect rings up $189M round
Popular online grocery service FreshDirect announced that it raised a whopping $189 million round of funding. J.P Morgan Asset Management led the financing with investor contributions by W Capital and AARP Innovation Fund as well. [Built In NYC]
NS1 raises $20M Series B to build a smarter internet
NS1, a DNS and traffic management solution, announced it raised a $20 million Series B round. The financing was led by Deutsche Telekom Capital Partners with participation from Two Sigma Ventures, Flybridge Capital Partners and Sigma Prime Ventures. The new capital brings the company’s total funding to $25.35 million, and follows a $5.35 million Series A raised in April 2015. [Built In NYC]
P2P insurance firm Lemonade launches out of stealth
Lemonade, a peer-to-peer (P2P) insurance firm that’s been in stealth for a year, launched to the public in its first market. Lemonade announced today it is now a fully licensed insurance carrier in New York, which means homeowners and tenants across the state can get insured and settle claims on the spot, across multiple devices. [VentureBeat]
Airbnb mobilizes users to help fight its battles in New York
Airbnb is trying to enlist New York hosts to help stop Gov. Andrew Cuomo from signing a law that would fine Airbnb users as much as $7,500 if they advertise short-term stays in unoccupied apartments. [Crains New York]
New startup 'Hub' opens at Grand Central Tech
The New York City Economic Development Corporation, along with the mayor’s office and other partners, launched The Hub at Grand Central Tech, an incubator next to Grand Central Terminal. At 50,000-square-feet, it’s the largest center for growing companies in New York. The space is located in Facebook’s former headquarters at 335 Madison Ave., which also houses the GCT accelerator, the Build Grand Central co-working space, among other tech tenants. [New York Business Journal]
The New York Times invests in TheSkimm
TheSkimm, the fast-growing newsletter aimed at young women, has new backers, including the New York Times. The Times is part of a group of investors putting a total of $500,000 into the New York-based startup. TheSkimm co-founders Danielle Weisberg and Carly Zakin say the money is an add-on to an $8 million round, led by 21st Century Fox, that they announced this summer. [Recode]
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