Blockchain
SafeGraph Raises $45M Series B to Become the Ultimate Destination for Physical Places Data
SafeGraph, a data-as-a-service company focused on being the source of truth for data on physical places, announced today a $45 million Series B fundraise, led by Sapphire Ventures.
This investment follows a year of incredible growth for SafeGraph. While the market for accurate geospatial data was already accelerating pre-pandemic, the unique challenges posed by COVID-19 led many organizations to rely heavily on places data. SafeGraph’s points of interest and mobility datasets proved invaluable to organizations looking to understand how local landscapes continue to change, and how this impacted behaviors such as travel, leisure and shopping. During these uncertain times, many organizations such as Ares Management, Sysco and Choice Hotels have turned to SafeGraph as a truth set for the physical world.
In response to the impact of the pandemic, SafeGraph created a community of more than 7,000 data scientists who have been collaborating on numerous geospatial projects, resulting in over 300 academic papers published featuring data from SafeGraph and coverage from data journalists at major news outlets such as USA Today, Fortune and the Washington Post. During this time, SafeGraph doubled its year-over-year revenue while improving efficiency metrics, such as revenue per employee.
Over the past year, SafeGraph saw accelerated demand for places data among its traditional customer segments, including retail and GIS technology providers. As consumer demand and behavior shifted dramatically during the pandemic, the greatest increase in demand has come from the logistics industry. “From the beginning of our data sourcing process, SafeGraph provided the most comprehensive and actionable POI dataset,” said Ben Anderson, Senior Manager of Market, Customer, and Competitive Intelligence at Sysco. “Their coverage of the top 1,000 restaurants is unmatched and invaluable.”
“We’re incredibly excited to partner with Cathy Gao and the Sapphire Ventures team,” said SafeGraph CEO Auren Hoffman. “Cathy brings a wealth of knowledge to the table that will be invaluable while navigating and discovering new markets of data buyers. And Sapphire has deep experience in investing in data businesses. Their team understands what it takes to build category-defining companies.”
With this investment, SafeGraph plans to capitalize on the expanding market of data buyers and offer new ways for customers to buy data. As the market for places data increases, customer needs become more diverse. SafeGraph plans to adapt its model to meet these new demands. Through a growing partner network, new data delivery mechanisms and international expansion, SafeGraph will enable all interested parties to access the exact data they need, wherever they need it.
Multiple investors from previous funding rounds also participated in this Series B. Those include Alex Rosen of Ridge Ventures, DNX Ventures, and Peter Thiel. Investors are attracted to SafeGraph because they believe the company is well-positioned to lead a growing industry.
“What stands out about SafeGraph is how they’ve been able to quickly position themselves into a major player in the geospatial data industry,” said Cathy Gao, Partner at Sapphire Ventures. “By singularly focusing on providing the highest-quality places data to data science teams, they’ve earned the trust of some of the largest public and private institutions. The efficient growth to-date is a strong indicator of where we think the company is going and Auren’s track record of building consequential data businesses speaks for itself.”
Today, SafeGraph offers business listing, foot traffic and building polygon data for the United States and Canada, with a United Kingdom launch planned for April of 2021. With this Series B funding, SafeGraph intends to become the source of truth for data on all physical places in the world.
Blockchain
Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – January 24, 2025 (IBM, SAP, Oracle, Bitfury Group, Auxesis Services Technologies, Binance, European Central Bank)
The blockchain and cryptocurrency industry continues to evolve at breakneck speed, reshaping global finance, technology, and governance. From central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) to cutting-edge tools simplifying blockchain development, today’s updates offer a glimpse into how blockchain technology is transforming industries. Here’s your daily briefing on the latest news in blockchain, crypto, and Web3.
Blockchain in Retail: Competitive Intelligence and Trends
A new report analyzing blockchain adoption in the retail sector forecasts significant growth between 2025 and 2034, with major players like IBM, SAP, Oracle, Bitfury Group, and Auxesis Services Technologies leading the charge. The report highlights blockchain’s role in enhancing supply chain transparency, combating counterfeit goods, and enabling seamless loyalty programs.
Why This Matters:
Blockchain’s ability to enhance traceability and trust in supply chains makes it an ideal solution for the retail industry. With consumer demand for transparency growing, retailers are under pressure to provide verifiable data about the origins of their products—a gap blockchain is poised to fill.
Commentary:
Retailers that fail to adopt blockchain solutions risk falling behind as industry leaders use this technology to build trust and customer loyalty. As adoption grows, smaller players may also turn to blockchain-powered SaaS platforms to stay competitive.
Source: GlobeNewswire
ECB’s Digital Euro Pitch in Response to Growing Crypto Adoption
The European Central Bank (ECB) has pitched the idea of a digital euro, citing the growing influence of cryptocurrencies and global pushes toward digital currencies. The ECB framed the digital euro as a stable, secure alternative to decentralized crypto assets, addressing the region’s need for innovation while preserving monetary sovereignty.
Why This Matters:
CBDCs like the digital euro could redefine global finance, providing a government-backed alternative to private cryptocurrencies. For the EU, this initiative represents both a competitive response to projects like China’s digital yuan and a hedge against the risks posed by unregulated crypto markets.
Commentary:
The digital euro has the potential to address inefficiencies in cross-border payments and financial inclusion. However, its success will depend on balancing innovation with privacy—a concern central to public trust in government-backed digital currencies.
Source: Reuters
Simplifying Blockchain Development with Enso
Enso, a new development tool, promises to revolutionize blockchain coding by making the process more intuitive and accessible. Dubbed the “Intent Revolution,” Enso eliminates the need for complex, code-heavy development by allowing developers to articulate “intentions” that the platform then translates into blockchain logic.
Why This Matters:
The barrier to entry for blockchain development has long been its technical complexity. Enso’s approach could significantly lower this barrier, enabling a broader range of developers—and potentially businesses—to participate in blockchain innovation.
Commentary:
Simplifying blockchain development is a critical step in driving adoption. Tools like Enso are not just about ease; they democratize access to blockchain innovation, allowing smaller players to compete with industry giants.
Source: DL News
French Crypto Co-Founder Freed After Kidnapping Incident
In an alarming story, a co-founder of a prominent French cryptocurrency company was kidnapped but has since been freed after a swift operation by French authorities. While the specifics of the case remain under wraps, reports suggest that the incident stemmed from disputes related to crypto investments.
Why This Matters:
This incident underscores the risks associated with the crypto industry, particularly for high-profile figures. With cryptocurrencies often linked to high-value transactions, individuals in the sector may face heightened personal security threats.
Commentary:
As the crypto industry matures, security—both digital and physical—must become a priority for individuals and organizations. Expect to see increased demand for personal security services tailored to crypto executives.
Source: France24
Ex-Visa CFO Joins Blockchain Firm Amid Trump’s Crypto Push
Former Visa CFO, Charlotte Hogg, has joined the board of a leading blockchain firm, signaling increasing alignment between traditional finance and blockchain. The move comes as Trump’s administration accelerates its crypto-related policies, placing blockchain at the forefront of financial innovation.
Why This Matters:
Hogg’s appointment highlights the growing convergence of traditional finance and blockchain technology. The expertise of seasoned financial executives could lend credibility to blockchain firms, making the sector more appealing to institutional investors.
Commentary:
Bringing in talent from established financial institutions is a strategic move that positions blockchain companies for mainstream adoption. With figures like Hogg on board, the narrative of blockchain as a speculative industry is shifting toward one of legitimacy and innovation.
Source: CFO Dive
CZ, Crypto’s Wealthiest Man, Focuses on Philanthropy
Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the CEO of Binance and one of the wealthiest figures in crypto, has announced a renewed focus on philanthropy. CZ’s latest initiative involves leveraging blockchain technology to increase transparency and efficiency in charitable giving, with an emphasis on combating poverty and improving global education.
Why This Matters:
Blockchain-based philanthropy offers a unique opportunity to ensure donations are used effectively, addressing long-standing concerns about corruption and mismanagement in the charity sector. CZ’s initiative could set a new standard for transparency in philanthropy.
Commentary:
CZ’s pivot toward philanthropy not only reflects the growing maturity of the crypto industry but also highlights blockchain’s potential to solve real-world problems. As trust becomes a cornerstone of crypto adoption, initiatives like this can have a far-reaching impact.
Source: Yahoo Finance
Key Trends Shaping Blockchain and Crypto Today
Today’s stories illustrate several key trends in blockchain and crypto:
- Institutional Alignment: From the ECB’s digital euro to Charlotte Hogg’s new role, traditional finance is increasingly embracing blockchain technologies.
- Simplifying Innovation: Tools like Enso reflect a push to make blockchain development more accessible, which will drive adoption across industries.
- Security Concerns: The kidnapping of a French crypto executive serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by industry leaders.
- Social Impact: CZ’s philanthropic efforts demonstrate how blockchain can drive social good, particularly in areas like education and poverty alleviation.
Looking Ahead
As blockchain and cryptocurrency continue to evolve, the industry is moving beyond speculative trading toward meaningful applications. Whether it’s through enhancing supply chain transparency, driving financial inclusion, or simplifying development, blockchain’s potential remains immense. However, challenges like regulation, security, and public trust must be navigated carefully to ensure sustained growth.
This concludes Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain for January 24, 2025. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s briefing as we continue to track the trends and innovations shaping the future of blockchain and cryptocurrency.
The post Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – January 24, 2025 (IBM, SAP, Oracle, Bitfury Group, Auxesis Services Technologies, Binance, European Central Bank) appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
Simplifying Crypto Payments: Introducing Bybit Pay
Blockchain
Andrew Cardno to speak on the session titled “The Seven Forces Transforming Our Industry (Whether We Like It or Not)”
Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) is pleased to announce a must-attend session at the upcoming January 28–30, 2025, Raving Next: Indian Gaming Strategic Operations and Leadership Conference at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, CA. This event will feature Andrew Cardno, CTO of QCI, as he delivers an in-depth exploration of the rapid technological evolution reshaping tribal gaming, including the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics on gaming floors and team members.
The signature session, titled “The Seven Forces Transforming Our Industry (Whether We Like It or Not),” will take place on January 29, 2025, from 1:15 – 2:00 PM (Mainstage). Mr. Cardno’s presentation will discuss how casino operators can adopt these advanced tools while preserving core traditions and staying ahead of the competition.
“AI and robotics are no longer futuristic concepts in the tribal gaming space—they are here now,” said Andrew Cardno, CTO of QCI. “Our goal is to help operators confidently integrate these technologies and develop robust plans for sustainable success.”
The session will also feature insights from Deana Scott, CEO of Raving Consulting, who will offer guidance on seamlessly incorporating new technologies into tribal enterprise strategies, ensuring both guest experience and workforce well-being remain top priorities.
“This isn’t about technology for technology’s sake,” noted Deana Scott. “It’s about finding the best fit for each tribal enterprise, ensuring the heart of our industry—our people and culture—remains at the forefront of decision-making.”
Attendees can expect to leave with practical approaches to integrating and leveraging emerging technologies in ways that reinforce the unique strengths of tribal gaming, enhance operational efficiency, and empower team members.
The post Andrew Cardno to speak on the session titled “The Seven Forces Transforming Our Industry (Whether We Like It or Not)” appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
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