Tech
Gaming giant Stillfront buys Croatia’s Nanobit for up to $148mn
Takeover of Croatia's Nanobit allows Stockholm-based international gaming group to move into narrative lifestyle RPGs targeting a female audience.
Turkey’s first 'flying car' prototype completes short test flight
The "Cezeri" flew up to 33 feet in the air before landing.
Target Global bets on Russo-Estonian startup “to disrupt crypto payments”.
Mercuryo.io, a Russian-founded startup based in Estonia, announced in the first week of September the completion of its first round of funding, having received €2.5mn from Target Global
China’s Huawei opens innovations centre in Serbia
Huawei opens an innovations and development centre in Serbia’s capital Belgrade as the US is pushing for CEE governments to reject the Chinese tech company.
US’ Dexcom to open services centre in Vilnius in 2021
Medical technology company Dexcom's new global business services centre will support its operations and customers across EMEA.
KYC start-up Sumsub secures $6mn from Russian investors
Sumsub, an identity verification start-up with Russian roots, announced in the first week of September the completion of a $6mn round of fund-raising, reports East-West Digital News (EWDN).
Croatia’s internet traffic up almost 50% in 2Q20 but revenues fall
The increase in traffic was clearly linked to the shift of many activities online during the coronavirus pandemic, but the poor tourist season meant a fall in roaming fees for mobile operators.
Poland tables draft bill that could chase Huawei off the market
Warsaw wants providers of hardware and software to be vetted for potential influence from non-EU or non-Nato countries. Such requirements would clearly work against China’s Huawei.
Romania’s IT sector defies coronacrisis with robust growth in 2Q20
The value added generated by Romania’s IT and communications sector increased by 10.4% y/y in Q2, in contrast to the 10.5% GDP contraction.
Poland’s e-commerce behemoth Allegro expected to announce IPO details next week
The potential IPO could be worth $2.3bn-3bn, which would put Allegro’s valuation around $11bn.
Kazakhstan headhunts Belarusian IT developers, in vain so far
Astana Hub hoping political unrest could tempt some specialists into coming their way.
Ukraine aims to recruit Belarus' IT workers
Ukraine’s Digital Transformation Ministry has opened a special web portal for Belarusian IT specialists who want to move to Ukraine and has hired Denis Aleinikov, who helped set up the famous IT park in Minsk
Skolkovo suspends key grant programmes until next year due to crisis cuts
The Skolkovo Foundation, Russia’s main tech hub with more than 2,400 resident start-ups, announced in the middle of July the temporary suspension of key grant programmes until December 31, 2020, reports East-West Digital News (EWDN).
Lukashenko’s crackdown leads to exodus of IT professionals
The restart of Belarus' self-appointed President Alexander Lukashenko's brutal crackdown on protesters has led to a growing exodus of IT professionals that will destroy one of the country’s most successful sectors.
Skolkovo suspends key grant programs until next year due to crisis cuts
The Skolkovo Foundation, Russia’s main tech hub with more than 2,400 resident startups, announced in the middle of July the temporary suspension of key grant programs until December 31, 2020, reports East-West Digital News (EWDN).
Roman Abramovich backs game publisher to design “fun, thrilling, and engaging entertainment experiences”
Norma Investment, a venture firm affiliated to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, has taken part in a $20mn round of funding for Russian game publisher 110 Industries
Rusnano to invest more than $50mn in digital technologies
Rusnano, the Russian state-controlled nanotechnology corporation, has created a RUB4bn fund to invest in digital technologies
A Russian-born startup based in Singapore uses AI to penetrate the mysteries of human longevity
Can artificial intelligence and machine learning help mankind address diseases related to ageing, and delay mortality? Gero, a Singaporean company with Russian roots, believes so
Russian Post unveils $21mn digitization scheme
Russian Post, the country's state-run postal service operator, has unveiled a RUB1.5bn ($21mn) modernisation programme, under which new digital projects will be launched and the IT department will double in the number of employees.
Russia's national program for digital economy stumbles
Russia's ambitious programme for digitalization of the economy is running behind schedule, and progress in several crucial areas have been slow.