OPKIX snaps up $11.8 million in funding
Wearable smart camera creator OPKIX raised $11.8 million at the close of its Series B funding round. The company is now valued at a massive $200 million, with the latest round supporting its launch and mass distribution plans. OPKIX is developing OPKIX ONE, a highly anticipated smart camera with editing and sharing apps. Ash Avildsen (the founder and CEO of Sumerian Records and Films), Dorian van Rijsselberghe, Robbie Maddison and Joel Parkinson led the round. [Press release]
Mars Reel scores $4.7 million in funding
Mars Reel slam dunked its latest funding round thanks to the help of rapper Drake and NBA player Dwyane Wade. The company raised $4.7 million in funding, according to reports from The Hollywood Reporter. Mars Reel is a sports media startup that reports high school basketball news and features game highlight clips. Founded in 2010 by Brandon and Bradley Deyo, the company currently has a content partnership with Uninterrupted, the digital company of LeBron James. Otter Media, which was recently acquired by AT&T, also participated in the round. [THR]
Forever 21 stays in fashion with the debut of AI search tool
LA-based fashion retailer Forever 21 will offer shoppers a new AI-centered visual search and navigation function. The “discover your style” feature allows users to search for clothing using images. “Visual search technology bridges the gap between the convenience of online shopping and the rich discovery experience of traditional retail by enabling our customers to search for clothing in the same way they think about it — using visuals, not words. Early data shows that this is one of the most important innovations in the e-commerce space in recent years,” Forever 21 President Alex Ok said in a statement on Wednesday. [Press release]
Home improvement co. Porch buys Serviz
Porch, which aims to digitize the home improvement experience by providing a marketplace for local service workers, said Wednesday that it has acquired Serviz, a company in a similar space. As part of the deal, the Serviz technology platform will be integrated into Porch.com. “With our technology and Porch’s nationally recognized and trusted brand as the ‘next-gen HomeAdvisor’, we believe we will be able to reach more customers, provide them with a better service, and ultimately generate more work for the home service professionals who have fueled our business growth. This is a tremendous opportunity for a triple win,” Jason Whitt, general manager at Serviz, said in a statement. [Press release]
A new sales leader joins the team at Postie
Postie, a data company for direct mail marketing, announced Tuesday that it made a new addition to its team. Zev Gollender joined the company as head of sales and will be tasked with leading the growth and strategic direction of Postie’s sales organization. Previously, Gollender was vice president of media sales at adtech company Taboola. “Zev brings the perfect balance of startup culture and scrappiness mixed with the ability to build robust and strategic sales-driven organizations,” Postie CEO Dave Fink said in a statement. [Press release]
