The Funding Box provides information on venture capital/private equity and startup funding. Here\’s a list of top startup funding stories.

Kabuku, Inc., a Tokyo-based 3D printing startup, has raised $750 million JPY or $6.1 million in Series A funding round led by Global Brain Corporation, Dentsu Digital Holdings, Inc., and Mitsui Sumituno Insurance Venture Capital Co., Ltd. In addition, Kabuku also appointed Jun Yamada (the former chairman and president of Qualcomm Japan) as new external director of the board. The new capital will be used to further expand their marketing efforts. Based in Tokyo, Japan, Kabuku provides enterprises and digital creators with a cloud based 3D printing manufacturing management service that combines hardware, software and design. Kabuku has already co-developed 3D print customized vehicle parts with Toyota Motor Corporation for their Open Road Project and co-designed Loft Lab 3D Figurine Studio with The Loft Co., Ltd.

Lenda, a San Francisco-based online mortgage platform, has raised $2 million in seed funding round led by Lakestar with participation from Rubicon Ventures and 500 Startups. The fuinding will be used to expand its service into additional markets. Based in San Francisco, California, Lenda provides a platform that allows homeowners to refinance their mortgage completely online, and enables homeowners to compare loan options, complete their application, securely manage documents, and keep track of their loan’s status.


NextBank, a Vanuatu-based Bitcoin bank, has raised $1.4 million in funding. Two unnamed European venture capitalists made the investment and acquired a 4% of NextBank. Overall, the company has now raised $2.35 million in total funding. Based in Vanuatu, NextBank provides advanced banking services for Bitcoin and cryptocurrency clients around the world. The company says it will be fully operational in 2016, and start building offices in the UK, France, Germany, Spain, China, Malaysia and Russia during 2017.

GOQii, a Menlo Park, Mumbai and Shenzhen-based provider of a virtual fitness coaching platform, has raised $13.4 million in Series A funding led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and Cheetah Mobile, Inc., with participation from Great Wall Club, DSG Consumer Partners, Ilkka Paananen and Pravin Gandhi. The new capital will be used to expand operations globally, mainly in China and the US market. The company combines wearable technology and human experts to provide a fitness coaching platform which aligns data with goals and provides users with support, knowledge and motivation through changes and lifestyle shifts via real life, certified health and fitness professionals. It has offices in Menlo Park, Mumbai, India and Shenzhen in China

Rachio Inc., a Denver-based developer of smart sprinkler controllers, has raised $1.76 million in funding round. Fourteen unnamed investors have invested in the startup. Based in Denver, Colorado, Rachio develops smart controllers that enable people to control their outdoor sprinkler system using a WiFi-enabled iOS or Android device. Rachio’s cloud-based platform allows customers to manage their sprinkler system from anywhere. Rachio’s products are sold at Best Buy and Home Depot stores, Amazon.com and at Apple stores.

WishList, a Milan-based startup that offers gift boxes to the B2C and B2B markets, has raised €500,000 in funding round. This funding round was closed in two different tranches, the first tranches saw the participation from Atlante Seed (Intesa Sanpaolo), Digital Magics, Stefano Alberti, Stefano Miccinelli, and Vela Imprese; the second tranches saw the participation from Rudy Cortesi, Alessandro Gatti, Bruno Tanzarella. The new capital will be used to develop its technology and boost marketing efforts. Based in Milan, Italy, WishList provides a physical and digital gift service that allows people to personalize the box and send it to the recipient via email o email. WishList has over 1,000 partnerships, which include Deutsche Bank, Total Erg, Gruppo Banca Sella, Gruppo API – IP and Sisal.

Zeplin, a San Francisco-based collaboration application for UI designers and front-end developers, has raised $1.2 million in funding round. Investors included Elad Gil, Mike Maples, and a number of Turkish investors. The new capital will be used to grow its team. Based in San Francisco, California, Zeplin is an app that allows UI designers & frontend developers to collaborate and save time. Zeplin came out of Y Combinator’s 2015 summer class. 

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