The digital currency company Circle has raised $50 million in a round led by Goldman Sachs and China’s IDG Capital. They were joined by all of Circle’s existing backers, including General Catalyst Partners, Accel Partners, and Fenway Summer, among others. “As the financial services industry continues to become more digital and open, we see significant opportunities in companies and solutions that have the promise to transform global markets through technical innovation,” said Tom Jessup, a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs, in explaining the investment. “We think that Circle’s product vision and exceptional management team present a compelling opportunity in the digital payments space.” The Boston, MA-based company has now raised over $75 million since 2013.
Lyst, a curated high fashion e-commerce platform, has raised $40 million from Groupe Arnault (controlling shareholder of LVMH), Accel Partners, Balderton Capital, DFJ, and an additional investor known only as a New York hedge fund. The UK-based company claims 300 percent year over year growth over the last three. “This is an exciting time in our space and we are happy to be at the centre of it. Our model has grown exponentially in the U.S. and U.K., and this round of funding allows us to take Lyst to fashion customers around the world,” said the company’s founder and CEO, Chris Morton, through a press release.
Warby Parker, an e-commerce destination for vintage eyeglasses, has secured $100 million from T. Rowe Price at a valuation of over $1 billion, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. The new funding will be used, somewhat ironically, to expand the company’s brick-and-mortar shop footprint. The company is not yet profitable, but has seen its valuation double since last raising venture financing in December of 2013.
MX, a financial technology provider, has raised $30 million in Series A funding led by USAA, with participation from Digital Garage. The company has now raised a total of $50 million. MX’s product suite includes ‘Digital Money Management’ software. “USAA invests in companies and start-ups to combine the best of external innovation with the best of internal innovation to better serve USAA’s members and mission,” said Vic Pascucci, head of Corporate Development at USAA. “MX offers a technology platform that pulls online and mobile banking channels together in a way that simplifies and enhances the customer experience. We see an opportunity for MX’s technologies to benefit our members, and our investment is one way we plan to explore that opportunity.”