Skyword raises $25M in funding to grow Boston team
Boston-based Skyword raised a $25 million growth equity round this week, a sign that the digital marketing tech industry remains hot. The funding, which was led by Rho Acceleration, a division of Rho Capital Partners, will be used for product development and to grow Skyword’s Boston team, according to a press release. The content marketing company also established an additional $5 million working capital line with Cambridge Trust. [Built In Boston]
Agero acquires San Fran company Swoop
Agero, a Boston-based company that offers software-enabled driver assistance services to automotive manufacturers and insurance providers, announced its acquisition of San Francisco-based Swoop this week. Swoop provides a suite of web-based dispatch solutions for roadside assistance providers. Swoop employees have joined Agero effective immediately, but the company will remain an independently managed dispatch solution, and continue to maintain and expand its existing San Fran presence. [Press Release]
Managed by Q launches in Boston
Managed by Q has officially launched in the Greater Boston area, giving Boston offices access to hundreds of office management services geared toward improving workplace operations, employee satisfaction and worker productivity. Robin, Drizly and Turo are just a few of Managed by Q’s first clients that will be receiving assistance from Managed by Q’s fleet of janitorial services, staffing agencies, IT specialists and maintenance companies. Currently, the New York-based startup provides thousands of offices across the country one platform for clients to schedule work, make payments and review service quality. [Press Release]
BU and UMass ranked among top U.S. online programs
U.S. News & World Report announced its 2018 Best Online Programs rankings this week, and both UMass Amherst and Boston University made impressive showings. For 2018’s best online bachelor’s programs, University of Massachusetts–Amherst ranked No. 16 and University of Massachusetts–Lowell placed at the 22nd spot. Meanwhile, for 2018’s best online MBA’s programs, University of Massachusetts–Amherst came in at No. 16. As for Boston University, the school placed No.9 for its online business program. This year’s report included more than 1,500 distance education programs for bachelor’s degrees and graduate programs. [BostInno]
Boston firm Accomplice and AngelList to launch new $35M fund for tech investors
Boston-based venture capital firm Accomplice is teaming up with AngelList to launch a $35 million fund called Spearhead that’s designed to “groom” tech investors and help them invest in early-stage startups. AngelList founder Naval Ravikant personally invested in the fund, while Accomplice contributed 25 percent of the financing. Spearhead’s goal is to formalize the process of financing cash-strapped tech innovators and turning them into angel investors. It will do this by giving entrepreneurs capital to start their own venture capital funds while providing classes in investing and mentorship. [The Information]
