Weekly Tech Pulse
Weekly Tech Pulse
Saronic's $175M, Grey's Expansion, ProntoPaga's Instant Payments, and CrowdStrike's Outage.
In this issue, we cover Saronic's impressive $175M Series B funding to enhance naval technologies, Grey's expansion of global banking services to new markets including Brazil and Mexico, ProntoPaga's launch of an instant payment solution in Peru, and the widespread disruption caused by a faulty software update from CrowdStrike, impacting various sectors worldwide. Dive into the details to learn more about these significant developments.
Content
CrowdStrike Software Update Causes Global Outage
Saronic Secures $175M to Expand Advanced Naval Technologies
Grey Expands Global Banking Services for Remote Workers
ProntoPaga Launches Instant Payment Solution in Peru
CrowdStrike Software Update Causes Global Outage
A faulty software update from CrowdStrike caused a major outage affecting Windows computers globally, impacting businesses, airports, banks, and healthcare sectors. The issue was not a cyberattack but a defect in the Falcon Sensor update, leading to system crashes. CrowdStrike has since deployed a fix, though recovery may extend into the weekend due to the fix's complexity. Microsoft, while dealing with an unrelated Azure outage, is collaborating with CrowdStrike to provide technical support. The U.S. government is monitoring the situation, with several federal agencies affected. CrowdStrike has provided a workaround for impacted customers to restore functionality.
Source: TechCrunch
Saronic Secures $175M to Expand Advanced Naval Technologies
Saronic, a defense tech company specializing in autonomous surface vessels (ASVs), raised $175 million in Series B funding, boosting its valuation to $1 billion. Led by Andreessen Horowitz and including investors like 8VC and NightDragon, the funding will enhance Saronic's production and R&D for advanced naval tech. Saronic's ASVs, designed to augment U.S. Navy capabilities, offer scalable, cost-effective solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing fleets and reduce risks to human life. CEO Dino Mavrookas emphasized innovative maritime tech's role in maintaining military superiority, with investors supporting Saronic's efforts to address global defense challenges.
Source: PRN Newswire
Grey Expands Global Banking Services for Remote Workers
Grey, a US-based banking service for remote workers, freelancers, and digital nomads, has expanded its global reach since its founding in 2020. Initially providing banking access across the US, UK, Europe, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Nigeria, Grey now extends its services to Brazil, Ghana, Indonesia, Mexico, the Philippines, and South Africa. Users in these new markets can open free USD, EUR, or GBP accounts, convert currencies, use virtual cards, and send Stablecoins. This expansion supports Grey's mission to offer inclusive banking solutions worldwide, further aiding the globalization of remote work and digital entrepreneurship.
Source: Y Combinator
ProntoPaga Launches Instant Payment Solution in Peru
ProntoPaga, a leading Latin American payment service provider, has launched an instant payment solution in Peru, cutting wait times by over 90%. This technology allows merchants to disperse funds instantly by connecting with multiple banks and fintechs, significantly improving operational efficiency and user experience. CEO Sebastián Salazar emphasized that this solution transforms payment management for Peruvian businesses. Already successful in Brazil, Mexico, and Chile, ProntoPaga processed over $40 million last month and aims for $100 million in December. Additionally, ProntoPaga is introducing an Open Finance collection solution and a secure internet purchase feature using Yape. These innovations were presented at Eccomerce Day and Peru Fintech Forum, solidifying ProntoPaga's leadership in digital financial services in Latin America.
Source: Gaming Intelligence
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