Private Equity Firm Purchases Insurtech Startup Duck Creek for $2.6B in All-Cash Transaction

Let’s kick off this week with a positive outlook! I had an unfortunate start to the day (my thumb got smashed in a waffle iron while cleaning it), but that can only mean great things are ahead. Here’s what today has in store. — Christine

• If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck…: Vista Equity Partners has plans to take Duck Creek Technologies private. The private equity firm announced its plan to acquire the insurance software company for $2.6 billion. Paul has more.
• This is a Releaf: Nigerian agritech Releaf bagged $3.3 million in additional capital as it launches new technology for food processing, starting with oil palm, Tage reports.
• The Superscript was on the wall: London-based Superscript, a small business insurance provider, raised $54 million amid a particularly hard year for the sector, Paul writes.

Attention has raised $3.1 million to continue developing tech that uses AI and natural language processing to help sales reps sell faster by auto-filling CRM forms and drafting follow-up emails, reports Catherine.

Here are four more:

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Gartner predicts that global IT spending will reach $4.6 trillion this year, a 5.1% YOY increase despite the economic downturn.

Josh Berman, President of C2C Global, outlines five trends for cloud tech startups to consider as they plan product development, fundraising and hiring strategies in the new year.

“We must move slowly and carefully, ensuring that all potential implications are considered before adopting them.”

“The potential of these technologies is undeniable,” argues Berman, “so it’s important to proceed with caution and consider the full range of implications before embracing them.”

Introducing two more members of the TG++ team: Kim and Mike! Kim is a talented software engineer with a degree in computer science. She has extensive knowledge in coding, testing, and debugging applications. Mike is an experienced web designer

Be a step ahead of the competition with TechGround+! Join our membership program for founders and startup teams now and use code “DC” for 15% off an annual subscription. Sign up here!

Lauren guides us through the streaming services available in 2023, revealing what each has to offer. Unfortunately, Disney+ Basic may not be accessible on Roku for a bit longer.

We’ve got five more for you!

• Apple has been busy: Its mixed-reality headset could arrive this year, Romain reports. Meanwhile, Lauren writes about Apple Maps teaming up with parking app SpotHero to give users access to 8,000 parking options, and Aisha tells us why iOS 17 may have fewer major changes than initially planned.
• Row, row, row your boat, gently down the anime stream: Lauren details the anime streaming services you need to try in 2023.
• Truck porn: Stellantis has us drooling over all of the flashy features stuffed into the Ram 1500 Revolution EV truck. Kirsten has more.
• Up, up, and away: Get ready to see Virgin Orbit attempt the first orbital launch from British soil, Devin reports.
• Q&A: Virginia senator Mark Warner spoke to Brian about cybersecurity, Musk’s Twitter and legislating killer robots.