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Here's the latest news in the Armenian tech sector. For more information, check out our Thursday, May 31, 2018Here's the latest news in the Armenian tech sector. For more information, check out our blog VINETI RAISES $33.5M SERIES B



Vineti's platform automates, orchestrates, and simplifies the complex workflows behind personalized therapies. This results in improved cell & gene therapy product performance and enables faster, safer, broader access for patients. In essence, Vineti provides the digital innovation necessary to manufacture, scale, and commercialize the newest breakthrough therapies, safely and efficiently.



The funding will be used to advance Vineti's cloud-based software platform. In addition, the cash infusion will be used to further globalize Vineti's operations - the company plans on expanding in Europe and Asia-Pacific. We're happy to announce that Vineti , a software automation and analytics platform for cell and gene therapies, has closed a $33.5M Series B Financing Round. The company, which is headquartered in San Francisco, was cofounded by CTO Razmik Abnous. Funding for the Series B Round was led by Canaan and DFJ, with participation from GE Ventures, Section 32, and other investors.Vineti's platform automates, orchestrates, and simplifies the complex workflows behind personalized therapies. This results in improved cell & gene therapy product performance and enables faster, safer, broader access for patients. In essence, Vineti provides the digital innovation necessary to manufacture, scale, and commercialize the newest breakthrough therapies, safely and efficiently.The funding will be used to advance Vineti's cloud-based software platform. In addition, the cash infusion will be used to further globalize Vineti's operations - the company plans on expanding in Europe and Asia-Pacific. ADDITIONAL READING FOUNDER SPOTLIGHT: SONA GASPARIAN



As a beauty influencer (via her



Using her social and digital media expertise, Sona and the Pérsona team has utilized the digital space to market and grow the brand. Focusing on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, Pérsona has used its social presence to create a community of engaged followers, increase brand awareness, and drive sales.



In addition to her beauty and lifestyle blog, Meet Sona Gasparian, the founder of Pérsona Comsetics! With over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, Sona has combined her experience as a professional makeup artist and beautify influencer to create a line of makeup with quality ingredients, expert curation, and a carefully thought out business strategy.As a beauty influencer (via her YouTube channel ), Sona recognized a gap in the makeup world and created a truly unique & focused product - an eyeshadow palette specifically designed to enhance brown eyes. Since the launch of Pérsona Cosmetics in 2016, the Identity Palette has sold out multiple times (direct to consumer) and has enabled a partnership with one of the biggest beauty retailers, UTLA.com. In March of 2018, after much anticipation, Pérsona Cosmetics launched its second product, the Cali Glow Highlighters - a collection of three sun-kissed highlighter shades named, appropriately, after Sona's favorite California beaches.Using her social and digital media expertise, Sona and the Pérsona team has utilized the digital space to market and grow the brand. Focusing on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, Pérsona has used its social presence to create a community of engaged followers, increase brand awareness, and drive sales.In addition to her beauty and lifestyle blog, SimplySona.com , Sona is currently focused on new product development for Pérsona Cosmetics, with upcoming product launches slated for Summer 2018. To stay up to date on the latest from Pérsona Cosmetics and its founder, Sona Gasparian, follow along on Instagram at @personacosmetics and @simplysona. VISIT SITE HUSTLE IS UNIVERSAL



These are the four takeaways & lessons from Chon's travels: The entrepreneurial spirit has captivated people all around the world. Startups, accelerators, and investors are popping up in new countries and tackling a host of global and local problems. Today, we're spotlighting an article by Chon Tang, highlighting his travels to some of the most notable accelerators around the world. Chon is the founder of the VC-backed UC Berkeley SkyDeck Fund , which combines the vast resources of UC Berkeley with the consulting know-how of traditional accelerators.These are the four takeaways & lessons from Chon's travels:



Solve Real Problems

real problems . Bridge identified early on that founders need better access to target customers / partners. As result, Bridge has built the expertise to reach out to corporate partners and large enterprises as their value-add. They're solving a real problem for their startups! The Bridge , one of many hundreds of accelerators in Israel, has uniquely positioned itself as a commercialization platform, instead of offering the tools / resources of a typical accelerator. Israel is so rampant with accelerators & entrepreneurial energy, that founders have learned the basics and are looking to tackle. Bridge identified early on that founders need better access to target customers / partners. As result, Bridge has built the expertise to reach out to corporate partners and large enterprises as their value-add. They're solving a real problem for their startups!



Do What You Know

Puente Labs , a predominantly Latin American accelerator, has focused on sourcing deals from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, etc. The team has particularly strong insights on how to operate companies in Latin America and has proprietary access to most deal flow coming out of Latin America. However, Puente Labs does not specialize in localizing these products and startups to Silicon Valley once they've raised Series A. Puente Labs and SkyDeck announced a partnership to allow each party to continue doing what they know best. Don't hesitate to look for partners to help fill any gaps in your expertise.



Location, Location, Location

Despite the cross-border world we live in, location is still very important when it comes to growing your business. There is immense value in establishing a headquarters in Silicon Valley, even if you have a strong team elsewhere in the world. If you want to dominate a certain market, the best thing you can do is build your company in that market.



Hustle Is Universal

The final, and most important, lesson is the importance of hustle. It exists all around the world and it can be the make or break reason your company raises funding. It's an ambiguous concept, but hustle is a skill and a tool that will often be used during your entrepreneurial journey. It's a priceless asset that can generate company-changing opportunities from nothing. FULL ARTICLE MARY MEEKER'S 2018 INTERNET TRENDS Every year, Mary Meeker, a General Partner at Kleiner Perkins, releases an Internet Trends Report, calling out important statistics and trends to monitor in the upcoming year. We wanted to include a few highlights from the report. To view the full 294 slide presentation, click the button below!



Highlights Internet Penetration has reached 3.6Bn people which is > 50% of the worldwide population

Adults spend almost 6 hours per day with digital media

Wifi adoption continues to increase exponentially

e-Commerce Sales continue to accelerate (+16% Y/Y); e-Commerce now accounts for 13% of Retail Sales

Ride-shares doubled in 2017; consumers are buying less cars and keeping them for longer periods of time FULL SLIDESHOW UPCOMING ACCELERATOR DEADLINES Need help? Contact us for application questions at team@hivefund.co or via our website



Deadline is June 1st. Apply MuckerLab invests in seed / "pre-seed" stage companies building defensible and scalable businesses in software, services and media.Apply here Founders Embassy is an equity-free accelerator designed for international and immigrant entrepreneurs.



Deadline is November. Apply here . website . For any inquiries, please reach out to team@hivefund.co or via our