We scour the internet to find the most interesting news on the collaborative consumption front. Here are our picks for the week:
eBay Inc Social Innovation Report 2013
There was 16% increase in eBay Inc. Greener Commerce in 2013 – read about Social Innovation impact in new report.
David Brooks, NY Times-The Opinion Pages
I’m one of those people who thought Airbnb would never work. I thought people would never rent out space in their homes to near strangers. But I was clearly wrong.
BlaBlaCar Raises A Massive $100 Million Round To Create A Global Long Distance Ride-Sharing Network
Romain Dillet, TechCrunch
In what is the largest VC round in a French startup of all time, BlaBlaCar just raised a $100 million round led by Index Ventures, with existing investors Accel Partners, ISAIand Lead Edge Capital also participating in the round.
Now Backed By Sir Richard Branson, TransferWise Raises $25M For Cheaper Money Transfers
Steve O’Hear, TechCrunch
The London-based company has closed a new round of funding. It’s raised a further $25 million, adding Sir Richard Branson as a backer, along with existing investors, including Peter Thiel’s Valar Ventures, IA Ventures, Index Ventures, TAG (Robin Klein and Saul Klein), and Kima Ventures. This brings the total raised by TransferWise to $33 million since its launch in early 2011.
The Two Little Words That Will Make or Break Your Sharing Economy Business
Shelley Prevost, FastCompany
The qualities that make this innovative new generation of businesses a hit with consumers are the same that energize and motivate employees, a win-win for any business owner.
The secret is in two little words: trust and autonomy.
Monkey Parking App’s CEO Refuses To Halt Operations In SF, Despite Order From City Attorney’s Office
CBS
A Rome-based startup, whose users auction off public parking spaces via an iPhone app is refusing to halt operations in San Francisco, despite an order from the city attorney’s office.
