Storyblocks

Didero Secures $30M to Automate Manufacturing Procurement

Didero, a startup that builds an "agentic" AI layer to automate manufacturing procurement, raised $30 million in a Series A financing round. The raise was co-led by Chemistry and Headline, with participation from Microsoft’s venture fund M12. Didero was founded by Tim Spencer (previously founder of Markai), Lorenz Pallhuber (former McKinsey procurement practitioner) and Tom Petit (former technical co-founder of Landis). The company’s platform integrates with existing ERPs to ingest supplier communications and automate procurement workflows — from sourcing and quoting to order tracking and payment — and focuses on manufacturers and distributors sourcing raw materials. Didero named Footprint as a customer and is positioned against companies like Levelpath, Zip, Oro Labs, Cavello and Pietra.

LGBTQ+ Censorship On Social Networks Needs To Stop

Lauren Zoltick's AdExchanger column argues that LGBTQ+ censorship on social networks must stop and that queer creators are a powerful economic force within the creator economy. The piece notes that the LGBTQ+ community represents over 20% of Gen Z and has more than $1.4 trillion in purchasing power, yet faces censorship on platforms such as Facebook and TikTok and potential legislation to curb rights. Quoted voices—from Shannon Beveridge to Max Slack, Jade Fox, and ALOK—highlight biases in content moderation, low ad revenue share, and the need for safe spaces and positive representation. The author proposes three steps for platforms: acknowledge censorship impacts, fix biased algorithms that suppress queer content while missing hate speech, and increase positive representation of underrepresented communities. The column frames the issue as a broader call for fair treatment of queer creators online and within the broader social-media ecosystem.

VC Ad Tech Funding To Decline 75%; Roku CEO Wants To Improve The Ad Experience

AdExchanger’s November 7, 2018 news round-up covers several ad-tech developments: Forrester forecasts VC funding for ad tech and martech startups will drop 75% in 2019, from $7.2 billion to $1.8 billion, as privacy regs like GDPR raise financing concerns. Roku CEO Anthony Wood discusses improving the TV ad experience and stronger targeting, including sponsorships on the Roku Channel (e.g., a 'family movie room' sponsored by Geico or Duracell). The piece also notes social media usage in the US is shrinking, Macy’s and Facebook launched pop-up shops at nine Macy’s stores showcasing direct-to-consumer brands, and Macy’s owns Story, a curatorial startup it acquired earlier this year. Additional items include Inuvo’s $75M acquisition by ConversionPoint and Partnerize’s $9M Series D at a $127M valuation. The roundup cites other industry moves and regulatory mentions.