Salesforce buys Mulesoft

Salesforce has signed an agreement to buy data integration vendor MuleSoft for $6.5 Billion as the backbone for a new integration cloud. With more than 1200 client companies in 60 countries, San Francisco based MuleSoft offers a platform for building application networks that connect apps, data and devices.

The acquisition will allow it to unlock data across legacy systems, cloud apps and devices to make smarter, faster decisions and create highly differentiated, connected customer experiences. The new Integration Cloud will offer an Integration-Platform-as-a-Service that is intended to let enterprises access any data anywhere.

The acquisition comes a year after MuleSoft went public and spent the year increasing sales while trying to manage its growing losses. In the company’s fourth quarter, it brought in $88.7 million in sales, which was a 60% bump from the previous year during the same time period. Mulesoft had an operating loss of $25.5 million in its fourth quarter, a nearly 100% jump from the $12.8 million operating loss it recorded in the same quarter of the previous year.

MuleSoft provides one of the world's leading platforms for building application networks that connect enterprise apps, data and devices, across any cloud and on-premise. More than 1,200 customers, including Coca-Cola, Barclays, Unilever and Mount Sinai, rely on MuleSoft to change and innovate faster, deliver differentiated customer experiences, and increase operational efficiency.

Zensar to acquire Cynosure

Zensar will acquire Cynosure for about $33 Million, a move that will help the Indian IT firm strengthen its play in the insurance vertical. Cynosure focuses on providing Guidewire platform implementation services to Property and Casualty (P&C) insurance carriers and clocked revenues of about $20 million in 2017.

The acquisition will be funded by a mix of internal accruals and external debt. As part of the deal, the entire share capital of Cynosure Interface Solutions (Cynosure India) will be acquired for an amount “not exceeding Rs13 crore”. Zensar Technologies Inc. -- a wholly owned subsidiary of Zensar -- will acquire the entire share capital of Cynosure Inc. for “approximately $31 million and deferred payments.

Cynosure has an offshore development centre in Bengaluru, India. “Cynosure is a Guidewire partner, and is well respected in the market place, making them experts in this area. They bring successful implementations, providing core system modernization with rich customer relationships that will serve as a significant value addition to our offerings.

Wibmo acquires start-up Mypoolin

US-based digital payment company Wibmo Inc. has bought Bengaluru based payment solution provider Mypoolin in a cash and stock deal. The deal was valued above $1 Million and all existing investors will get a combination of stock and cash.

Mypoolin will continue to operate as an Indian subsidiary of Wibmo, but eventually the Bengaluru-based start-up will be integrated with the Wibmo. Incorporated in 2015, Mypoolin provides payment solutions for retail merchants and allows individual users to send and receive money directly from banks. It also provided a feature to split and settle bills with friends using a web interface.

In 2015, Mypoolin raised $250,000 from Qualcomm Ventures, the venture capital arm of the semiconductor maker Qualcomm Inc., Accel Partners, Investopad and many other prominent angel investors. In total the company has raised less than $500,000. On the other hand, Wibmo already has a B2B presence in India and claims to work with private banks in India. The US company plans to use Mypoolin acquisition for expanding its consumer base.

Other acquisitions in the fintech space include The Mobile Wallet, which in January acquired payment platform Trupay for an undisclosed amount. The deal will help TMW expand its payment solutions. In the same month, media conglomerate Bennett, Coleman and Company Ltd (BCCL) acquired a stake in a Mumbai-based online lending firm FinReq.

Apple to acquire digital magazine service Texture

Apple had announced it signed an agreement to acquire Texture, the digital magazine subscription service by Next Issue Media LLC, which gives users unlimited access to their favorite titles for one monthly subscription fee.

Texture brings over 200 of the world’s best magazines to life, providing an easy way for users to read high-quality stories and entire issues of their favorite titles. With Texture, users enjoy the magazines they know and love, while discovering new content that fits their passions and interests.

Texture is owned by a consortium of big publishers, as well as private equity firm KKR, which put $50 million into the company in 2015. Texture was first assembled in 2009 and launched in 2012 as Next Issue Media. It was an attempt for big publishers to own their own version of Netflix or Hulu, and give them control of digital distribution instead of being cut out by Apple or Google. It eventually rebranded the service and de-emphasized the concept of magazines. Instead, it pushed the idea that your $10-a-month subscription gets you access to the world’s best articles, curated based on your particular interests.

Since its launch in 2010, Texture has become the leading multi-title subscription service giving users the ability to instantly access some of the most widely read magazines while on the go. In 2016, Texture was chosen by the App Store editorial team for the annual Best Of selections, which celebrate the most innovative apps and games for iOS users.

Amazon buys Smart Doorbell maker Ring

Amazon.com Inc. has agreed to buy video doorbell maker Ring, a deal which will allow the company to expand its home security and in-house delivery services.

Amazon is expected to keep Ring as an independent business; much like it has with its other acquisitions, like Zappos and Twitch. Amazon has been making moves to get into the home security space lately. It partnered with lock manufacturers Kwikset and Yale for its new in-home delivery service. Amazon Key, and recently acquired smart camera Blink.

Ring has raised $443.9 Million so far, and was last valued at $760 Million. This isn't the first time Amazon has partnered with Ring. The e-commerce company previously invested in Ring through its Alexa Fund, which exclusively invests in companies that help scale its Alexa voice technology.

The world’s largest online retailer believes that selling internet-connected gadgets from Kindle e-readers to its new Cloud Cam will spark more shopping on Amazon.com. Ring offers the company a popular consumer electronics brand that it might not have replicated internally. More importantly, Ring’s security devices could work well with Amazon Key, a smart lock and camera system that lets delivery personnel put packages inside a home to avoid theft or, in the case of fresh food, spoiling.