Briefing

The Briefing: Microsoft To Buy Activision For $68.7B, Wayve Raises $200M, And More

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Here’s what you need to know today in startup and venture news, updated by the Crunchbase News staff throughout the day to keep you in the know.

Microsoft to buy Activision for $68.7B

Microsoft announced plans to acquire game developer Activision Blizzard.

The software giant will acquire Activision Blizzard for $95 per share, in an all-cash transaction valued at $68.7 billion, inclusive of Activision Blizzard’s net cash.

When the transaction closes, Microsoft says it will become the world’s third-largest gaming company by revenue, behind Tencent and Sony.

— Joanna Glasner

Wayve raises $200M

Wayve, a U.K.-based developer of technology for autonomous delivery vehicles, raised $200 million in a Series B funding round led by Eclipse Ventures and joined by a long list of venture and strategic investors.

— Joanna Glasner

Funding round

Pinwheel picks up $50M: Pinwheel, a New York-based provider of payroll technology, raised $50 million in a Series B funding round led by GGV Capital. The startup describes itself as payroll connectivity API company used by financial institutions to update direct deposits and access income and employment data.

— Joanna Glasner

Funds

Blossom Capital closes $432M for European Series A fund: Blossom Capital has closed on its third fund of $432 million to invest in European startups at Series A. This is its largest fund to date. Fund two was announced in January 2020, at $185 million.  The firm has most recently led Series A fundings in Superchat, Freshly Cosmetics and Localyze.

— Gené Teare

Illustration: Dom Guzman

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