Microsoft Rethinks Corporate Intranet

Tech News Roundup: February 4, 2021

Significant developments are occurring across the tech landscape, including Microsoft’s focus on enhancing internal communications, new health-tracking features from Google, and 23andMe’s planned public offering. This summarizes the key updates from today’s tech world.

Microsoft Innovates the Corporate Intranet

Microsoft has unveiled a new platform, termed Viva, intended to modernize the way large organizations manage their employee intranet experiences.

This new platform distinguishes itself through integration with existing Microsoft tools such as SharePoint and Yammer. It also incorporates LinkedIn Learning and provides team performance analytics.

CEO Satya Nadella emphasized in a statement that the widespread shift to remote work has fundamentally altered the employee experience. He believes that the flexibility in work arrangements will remain crucial even as the world recovers.

Updates from Major Tech Companies

Venmo is planning substantial updates to its mobile payment application in 2021, moving closer to offering full-fledged neobank services with features like cryptocurrency support, budgeting tools, and savings options.

Google is developing technology that will enable users to measure heart and respiratory rates simply by using their smartphone’s camera. This offers a non-invasive method for vital health monitoring.

HubSpot has acquired The Hustle, a media startup, recognizing the growing importance of content marketing in attracting customers through platforms like YouTube and HubSpot Academy.

Startup Activity and Funding News

23andMe is preparing to become a publicly traded company through a merger with a Virgin Group Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC). This transaction is projected to provide the company with approximately $984 million in available capital.

Mexican startup Flink, focused on democratizing investment in Latin America, has received backing from Accel. Since its launch in July 2020, Flink has exceeded 1 million users and established 800,000 active brokerage accounts.

Tovala, a company specializing in smart ovens and meal kits, has secured an additional $30 million in funding, marking its second funding round within six months.

Insights from Extra Crunch

Founders in the deep tech sector seeking funding should prioritize compelling storytelling to articulate their overarching vision. This is a key strategy for attracting investors.

An investor in Databricks suggests that the company’s valuation may currently be underestimated, particularly following its recent $1 billion funding round at a $28 billion valuation.

Extra Crunch is actively recruiting for reporter, editor, and project manager positions to support its growing subscriber base and deliver premium content.

(Extra Crunch is a membership program designed to assist founders and startup teams in achieving their goals. Subscription details can be found here.)

Other Notable Developments

An increasing number of startups are developing APIs to facilitate the assessment and offsetting of corporate carbon emissions, reflecting a growing focus on sustainability.

The cloud infrastructure market reached $129 billion in 2020, representing a significant increase from the $97 billion recorded in 2019, according to Synergy Research Group data.

China’s national blockchain network is now welcoming contributions from global developers, signaling a broader international approach to this technology.

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