## Digital Marketing Startup Clutch Acquired by Plaiced: A Match Made in the Creator Economy

**Plaiced**, an online social network, has acquired **Clutch**, a marketplace for digital marketing services. The deal, closed earlier this week for undisclosed terms, marks a significant move for both companies as they navigate the rapidly evolving creator economy.

**Clutch**, founded in 2020 by Madison Long and Simone May, aimed to connect businesses seeking marketing and content creation with talented creators. The company experienced significant growth, securing a $1.2 million pre-seed round in 2022 and boasting a waitlist of over 3,000 creators. However, the journey was not without its challenges. Clutch underwent restructuring and layoffs in 2023 to prioritize profitability, which they ultimately achieved. During this time, May stepped down from her role as CTO to focus on her family, leaving Long as CEO.

**Long** explained that the decision to sell was driven by the need for a partner who could navigate the rapidly changing content creation landscape, particularly with the emergence of GenAI. She was introduced to **Plaiced CEO Kaaveh Shoamanesh** at a networking event and saw the acquisition as a natural fit, citing alignment in values and a shared commitment to fair compensation for creators.

**Shoamanesh** expressed excitement about the deal, highlighting its potential to expand Plaiced's network by collaborating with more creators and offering additional monetization opportunities. The acquisition brings together two companies with complementary strengths, promising a bright future for both.

**Long** reflected on the challenges and rewards of her entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of finding the right partner to maximize potential. The Clutch team is transitioning with some members staying on and others seeking new opportunities. Long will remain as an advisor for at least 18 months, ensuring continuity in creator collaborations.

This acquisition highlights the growing significance of the creator economy and the strategic partnerships that are emerging to shape its future.

Madison Long and Simone May founded Clutch in 2020 to help connect people to businesses looking for marketing and content creation.

Digital Marketing Startup Clutch Acquired by Plaiced: A Match Made in the Creator Economy

## Greenely: Turning Homes into Energy Powerhouses and Saving You Money

Greenely, a Swedish energy tech startup, is on a mission to revolutionize how households manage their energy consumption. With a recent €8 million Series A funding round, Greenely is expanding its platform across the Nordic region, aiming to reach millions of homes and contribute to Europe's energy transition.

### How Greenely Works

Greenely offers a **freemium energy management platform** with features like:

* **Energy consumption analytics:** Gain insights into your electricity usage and identify areas for improvement.
* **Energy optimization services:**  **Reduce your electricity bill** through features like smart EV charging, accessing government payouts, and automated demand optimization.
* **Home battery integration:** Install a home battery and store energy for later use, responding to fluctuating electricity prices and **generating revenue by selling excess energy**.
* **Integration with solar panels and heat pumps:**  Manage and optimize energy use from renewable sources.
* **Residential Virtual Power Plant (VPP):** Participate in grid stabilization, **earn revenue from government payouts**, and contribute to a cleaner energy future.

### Key Features and Benefits:

* **Average savings of €250 per customer per year:**  Potential savings up to €500 for EV owners.
* **Revenue generation through VPP participation:**  Earn by contributing to grid stability.
* **Home battery investment recouped in 2-3 years:**  Due to savings and revenue generated.

### Beyond Energy Supply: Greenely's Vision

Greenely envisions itself as an **energy platform** rather than just a supplier. This allows it to offer its services to customers of other energy providers, enabling everyone to benefit from its innovative features.

### Future Plans and Expansion

With the new funding, Greenely plans to:

* **Expand to Finland and Norway:**  Target these countries with harmonized frequency balancing services.
* **Explore other European markets:**  Focus on regions with high smart meter penetration (like France and the UK).
* **Become the largest residential virtual power plant in Europe:**  Reach millions of homes and accelerate the transition to a more sustainable energy future.

### A Collaborative Approach

Greenely's vision is to empower households to actively participate in the energy transition, saving money, generating revenue, and contributing to a cleaner energy future. By becoming an **independent energy platform**, Greenely aims to **revolutionize how we consume and manage electricity**, making it a key player in Europe's energy transformation.

The energy transition is a marathon, not a sprint. But opportunities for acceleration are growing. Swedish startup Greenely* has just spotted one. It's

Greenely: €8M Funding to Turn Your Home Into an Energy Powerhouse & Save You Money

## Greenely: Revolutionizing Home Energy Management with AI and Virtual Power Plants

Swedish startup Greenely is on a mission to change how we consume and manage energy. With a fresh €8 million Series A funding round, they're expanding their energy management platform across the Nordic region, aiming to reach millions of households and support Europe's energy transition. 

Greenely's platform offers a unique blend of **energy consumption analytics**, **optimization services**, and **virtual power plant (VPP)** technology to help customers save money and contribute to a greener future. **Here's how it works:**

* **Free and premium energy analytics:** Get insights into your energy usage and identify areas for improvement.
* **Energy optimization services:**  Greenely helps you optimize charging schedules for electric vehicles, reduce energy demand, and access government payouts for participating in grid stability.
* **Home battery integration:** Install a home battery to store energy for later use, respond to wholesale electricity price fluctuations, and further optimize energy consumption.
* **VPP technology:** Become a part of Greenely's VPP network, contributing to grid stability and potentially earning revenue through government payouts.

**Key benefits for customers:**

* **Reduced energy bills:**  Average savings of €250 per customer per year, with potential savings up to €500 for EV owners.
* **Earn revenue:** Generate income by participating in Greenely's VPP and contributing to grid stability.
* **Simplified energy management:**  One platform for managing energy use, optimizing consumption, and accessing government incentives.

Greenely is not just another energy supplier; it's an **energy platform**. Their goal is to provide a platform that benefits all consumers, regardless of their current energy supplier, empowering them to save money and contribute to a sustainable energy future. They're aiming to become the largest residential VPP in Europe, tackling the energy transition head-on.

**The future of Greenely:**

* **International expansion:** Expanding into Finland, Norway, and other European markets with high smart meter penetration.
* **Building the largest VPP:** Aiming to create the largest residential VPP in Europe, enabling millions of households to participate in grid stability.
* **Driving Europe's energy transition:** Empowering individuals to contribute to a greener future by optimizing their energy consumption and earning revenue through their energy use.

Greenely's innovative approach is attracting attention and investment. Their platform has the potential to revolutionize how we interact with energy, empowering individuals and helping Europe reach its ambitious decarbonization goals.

Greenely:  The Energy Tech Startup Revolutionizing Home Energy Management

## A Mother-Daughter Duo's Fight for In-Person Connection in a Digital World

Jamie Parker, a 45-year-old entrepreneur, has been running a Cartridge World franchise in Christiansburg, Virginia, for a decade. Her 25-year-old daughter, Ieshia Ahmed, has been her partner in crime since childhood, turning the franchise into a family business.  

**Their mission?** To keep the business personal and connected to their community, even as the world becomes increasingly digital.

**Jamie's story:** She started the business with her ex-husband, opening their first Cartridge World in 2005. They were drawn to the minimal staffing needs and the opportunity to build something on their own.  

**Ieshia's role:**  She's been involved since she was a child, helping her parents with recycling cartridges. Now, she's pursuing a law degree but stepped in to help during the pandemic.  

**The family business:** Jamie and Ieshia have built a strong reputation in their community by emphasizing personal connection. They know their customers by name, listen to their stories, and even offer special promotions like Wiggle Wednesdays, where customers can dance to music and get discounts.

**The challenge:**  The allure of an online-only business is tempting, but Jamie and Ieshia are determined to keep their brick-and-mortar store open. They believe in the value of face-to-face interactions and the sense of community they create.

**Ieshia's commitment:** She's prepared to put her legal career on hold if necessary to ensure the family business thrives.  

**The takeaway:**  Jamie and Ieshia's story is a testament to the power of personal connection and the importance of staying grounded in a community. Even in an increasingly digital world, the value of human interaction remains strong.

These small-town biz owners are determined to stay connected to their customers.

Mother-Daughter Duo Keep Small-Town Franchise Thriving: How They Resist the Online World

## Seattle Tech Week: AI, Healthcare, and More! 

**Seattle Tech Week** is back for another exciting year, bringing together **tech enthusiasts**, **investors**, **founders**, and **innovators** from around the globe. This week-long event is designed to showcase **Seattle's bustling tech ecosystem** and explore the latest trends shaping the industry.

**Here's a glimpse of the key themes and sessions:**

### AI in the Spotlight

Seattle is a hotbed for **AI innovation**, with leading companies like Microsoft and Amazon, research institutions like the Allen Institute for AI, and a thriving startup scene. Several events will focus on AI, including:

* **AI Unleashed**
* **Problem Solving with Autonomous AI Agents and Networking**
* **From Hype to Reality: Building Enterprise-Ready AI**
* **Corporate Venture Connections Series: Enterprise AI**
* **Transforming HR with AI**

### Healthcare Innovation

Seattle's **life sciences scene** is booming, with leading biotech companies, research institutions, and **AI-powered startups** developing cutting-edge medical solutions. Key healthcare sessions include:

* **Utilizing AI Workflow in Large Healthcare Provider Environments**
* **FemTech in Seattle: The Future of Women’s Health**
* **Tech and Life Science: How Investors & Companies View the Potential of AI**
* **From Innovation to Income: Monetizing Startups in Healthcare**
* **DeviceConnect: How AI is Improving Healthcare Diagnostics**

### Beyond the Tech

Seattle Tech Week offers more than just tech talks. You can also enjoy events like:

* **Cold Plunge**
* **Pickleball “Net”working**
* **Pitch & Run**
* **Geeks on a Boat**

### Emerging Managers, Accelerators, and Investors

The week also features sessions focused on **emerging venture firms**, **accelerators**, and **investors** from the Bay Area who are increasingly looking to invest in Seattle startups.

**Seattle Tech Week is a must-attend event for anyone interested in the future of technology and its impact on various industries. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with leading innovators, investors, and entrepreneurs.**


(GeekWire Photo / Kurt Schlosser) Seattle Tech Week is back for another slate of panel discussions and networking events covering a wide range of topics

Seattle Tech Week: AI, Healthcare, and More - What You Need to Know

## Stripe Acquires Payment Processing Startup Lemon Squeezy: A $1 Million ARR Company

Payments giant Stripe has acquired Lemon Squeezy, a four-year-old competitor, for an undisclosed amount. Lemon Squeezy serves primarily **SaaS and software businesses** as a **merchant of record**, handling global sales tax calculations and payments for digital products.

**Stripe CEO Patrick Collison** announced the acquisition on X, stating that they plan to **scale merchant of record selling** significantly. **Stripe's Chief Product Officer Will Gaybrick** highlighted the acquisition's alignment with their vision to address the growing demand for merchant of record services.

Lemon Squeezy co-founder and CEO JR Farr mentioned receiving multiple acquisition offers and Series A term sheets since their public launch in 2021, including a **$50 million Series A offer** that they declined. Farr emphasized the company's commitment to finding the right partner to take their unique product to the next level.

**Lemon Squeezy achieved $1 million in annual recurring revenue within nine months of its public launch** and has been processing payments through Stripe since its inception.

This isn't Stripe's first acquisition this year. In March, they acquired Supaglue's team and last summer they acquired Okay, a startup developing low-code analytics software.

**Stripe's strategic acquisitions reflect their commitment to expanding their services and staying ahead in the rapidly evolving payments landscape.**

Payments giant Stripe has acquired a four-year-old competitor, Lemon Squeezy, the latter company announced Friday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Stripe Acquires Payment Processing Startup Lemon Squeezy: A $1 Million ARR Company

## Teen Entrepreneurs Are Shaping The Market

It's not just a passing fad; **teens are seriously interested in starting their own businesses.** In fact, research from Junior Achievement USA shows that **3 out of 4 teens are interested in entrepreneurship**, and they're not waiting until they're 30 to get started. This desire is fueled by a mix of ambition and a desire to make a difference.

###  Teens are leveraging their tech skills

Many young entrepreneurs use their tech skills to launch businesses or market products on social media. **Website design, online content creation, e-commerce, and even social media consulting are popular business avenues for teens.**  They're also savvy about using marketing management software to expand their reach. 

### Solving real problems with creative solutions

Just like adult entrepreneurs, teens are driven to solve problems for their customers. **One young entrepreneur even started a business selling small skateboards that fit into lockers, a problem he personally experienced!**  This innovative approach, coupled with social media marketing, has seen his business, Locker Board, grow and even attract investment from billionaire Richard Branson.

### Passion for social change

Teens aren't just driven by profit; they're also passionate about **making a positive impact on the world**.  Research shows that **58% of teens are more likely to start a business if it contributes to a social need**. This aligns with the values of Gen Z, who are deeply passionate about social causes.

###  Resources for young entrepreneurs

If you're a young entrepreneur, or want to help others, organizations like **Junior Achievement (JA) offer valuable resources, including school programs and mentoring opportunities.** The **Biz Kids website** is also a great resource for learning business fundamentals and marketing ideas.

### The future is bright for teen entrepreneurs

With their ambition, tech skills, social conscience, and the support of organizations like JA, **teen entrepreneurs are poised to make a significant impact on the business world.** They're a generation of innovators with a passion for solving problems, and we're excited to see what they achieve.

Many teens want to work for themselves. Read on to find out how they're approaching entrepreneurship.

2 months ago Startups News Digested