Rakuten wesentlich besser als Rocket

- und daher habe ich mir nach dem Einstieg bei Alibaba, die inzwischem mehr als 20% gut gemacht haben, auch einige Rakutens gekauft.

Look Out Amazon, Here Comes...Rakuten?
Japanese e-commerce firm Rakuten announced on Tuesday it is acquiring Ebates for $1 billion.

The acquisition, which Rakuten hinted at last week, is part of the Japanese company’s push to grow its base beyond its domestic market and hopefully, become a global player. Having made some $1.2 billion acquisitions to date along these lines, this is Rakuten’s most ambitious move to date.

However, investors are dubious that the company can absorb yet another foreign acquisition, much less one the size of Ebates, despite Rakuten’s strong cash position.
Then there is the ever-present Amazon, which dominates the e-commerce market in the U.S. Few believe it will falter in the face of Chinese giant Alibaba, much less a Rakuten-Ebates combo.

Rakuten Goes Forth

Not surprisingly, Rakuten says it is undaunted. For starters, it has assembled a very interesting mix of acquisitions. There is messaging app Viber, which it purchased for $900 million in February, the Canadian ebook offering Kobo, Spanish video service Wuaki.tv, Viki, a digital content platform and Buy.com.
Now it has picked up Ebates.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikamorphy/2014/09/...ere-comes-rakuten/  

Open RAN Market Poised to Reach USD 41.5 Billion by 2032 Driven by Demand for Network Flexibility and Cost Efficiency

Rising demand for flexible, cost-efficient networks drives Open RAN growth as operators seek vendor diversity and lower costs.

Pune, April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Open RAN Market Size Analysis:

“The SNS Insider report indicates that the Open RAN Market was valued at USD 5.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 41.5 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 26.24% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2032.”

Major Players Analysis Listed in this Report are:

         •§Rakuten Symphony – Symware
         •§Parallel Wireless – OpenRAN Controller
         •§Mavenir – Open vRAN
         •§Nokia – AirScale Open RAN
         •§Ericsson – Cloud RAN
         •§Samsung – vRAN 3.0
         •§NEC Corporation – Open RAN Radio Units
         •§Fujitsu – Open RAN 5G Radio Unit
         •§Intel Corporation – FlexRAN
         •§Qualcomm – 5G Open RAN Platform
         •§VMware – RIC (RAN Intelligent Controller)
         •§Dell Technologies – Open Telecom Ecosystem Lab
         •§Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) – Open RAN Solution Stack

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/...y-SNS-Insider.html
 

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/rakuten-link/id1498877539
 

In July 2025, Rakuten Symphony announced partnerships to expand its Rakuten Cloud solutions in the Middle East, Africa, and South & Central America. They also highlighted their AI-native TechCo strategy at DTW Ignite 2025, showcasing advancements in Agentic AI, Autonomous Networks, and Digital Twins. Additionally, Rakuten Symphony launched a "Real Open RAN Licensing Program" to accelerate global Open RAN adoption.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Partnerships & Expansion:
         •§Middle East & Africa:
Rakuten Symphony partnered with IDEAL Software Design to distribute Rakuten Cloud solutions, focusing on the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
         •§South & Central America:
Rakuten Symphony partnered with Simply Tech to distribute Rakuten Cloud solutions, targeting Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia.
         •§Open RAN:
Rakuten Symphony launched a "Real Open RAN Licensing Program" to promote global adoption of Open RAN technology.
DTW Ignite 2025:
         •§Rakuten Symphony highlighted its AI-native TechCo strategy, emphasizing Agentic AI, Autonomous Networks, and Digital Twins.
         •§They showcased advancements in AI-powered site management and the Rakuten RIC platform, leading to improved deployment, reduced energy consumption, and faster operations.
         •§The event featured live demos and discussions with global leaders on Intelligent Growth.
Other Notable Points:
         •§AT&T Partnership:
Rakuten Symphony expanded its partnership with AT&T, focusing on Open RAN.
         •§Zain Kuwait Collaboration:
Rakuten Symphony is collaborating with Zain Kuwait on a pilot project for a cloud-native Open RAN in Kuwait.
         •§MWC 2025:
Rakuten Symphony emphasized its work in telecom and other industries, focusing on cloud, automation, and open interfaces.

https://www.bing.com/...;FORM=ANAB01&adppc=EDGEDSP&PC=EDGEDSP
 

The new common sense of stock investment starting from 100 yen

2025-07-16

Rakuten Securities launched a new service called "Kabupitta" on July 16, 2025. It targets domestic stocks and allows users to trade in increments of 1 yen starting from 100 yen, with no transaction fees. The service will first be introduced for donation transactions in NISA accounts, with plans to gradually expand the range of services it covers.

Kabupitta is the industry's first initiative that brings a new value-based approach to domestic stock trading, which previously was limited to unit share numbers.

With this service, users can freely set the amount they invest, starting from 100 yen.

This makes it possible to use up the NISA's annual investment limit of 2.4 million yen without waste. Even if you hold less than one share, you will be entitled to receive dividends.

If you hold integer shares, you will be given shareholder benefits and voting rights. At the time of the service's launch, there were 829 stocks available, with more planned for the future.

In addition, it also supports purchases using Rakuten Points, and stocks can be purchased using only the points held, increasing flexibility in asset creation.

https://en-54177.site-translation.com/posts/136420

 

Affiliate marketing statistics from Emarketer found that total spending in the US affiliate marketing industry is projected to reach nearly $12 billion in 2025, marking an 11.9% rise from the previous year.  

The global affiliate marketing industry is projected to reach $37.3 billion in 2025, up from $27.8 billion in 2023. It's expected to grow even further, potentially hitting $48 billion by 2027.  

„As of July 2025, Rakuten Viber's annual revenue reached $75M.”

https://leadiq.com/c/rakuten-viber/...revenue%2520reached%2520%2475M.

Rakuten had paid $900 million in 2014 for Viber.
 

I Made $16,325 With Rakuten: Earn Cash Back EVERY Time You Shop Online

July 15, 2025

I've been using Rakuten for 23 years, and in that time, I've earned over $16,325 from online shopping. In this Rakuten review, I'll show you how you can earn cash back every time you shop online at your favorite stores with Rakuten, the two options to get paid, one feature you NEED to avoid, and a $30 sign-up bonus for new users.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKH8D4NVQ08
 

Cartera Celebrates 20 Years of Loyalty Innovation and Leadership

June 30, 2025

Cartera, the loyalty commerce platform trusted by many of the world's leading airlines, banks, and retailers, proudly celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Founded in Lexington, Mass., in 2005, Cartera has grown from a local startup to a behind-the-scenes industry leader, driving over $14 billion in sales for its partners and delivering 3 billion points and miles to loyalty program members each year.

Cartera powers many of the most prominent loyalty programs in the U.S., leveraging long-standing partnerships with financial giants like USAA (since 2008) and Barclays (since 2009), as well as top-tier airlines such as Delta, United, American, Alaska, and Southwest.

In 2017, its acquisition by Rakuten Rewards amplified Cartera's capabilities across e-commerce, fintech, and personalization technologies, setting the stage for even greater scale.

"Most people don't realize just how much of their loyalty experience is powered by Cartera," Mazzone said. "We're proud to operate behind the scenes, delivering measurable value to our partners and unforgettable rewards to their customers."

Since our founding in 2005, Cartera has helped major banks, airlines, and retailers reward members over 3 billion in points and miles annually. We combine our loyalty expertise with leading-edge technology to strategize ways for partners to increase sales and member engagement through programs we customize, build, and deliver. In 2017, Cartera was acquired by Rakuten Rewards, which lent heft to our market share, and to our capability for creating industry-best products and services. Today we are proud to be the single largest source of Shop & Earn offers in the U.S.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/...jVlCI_lwD-twMNN6bS-mptp_8CMr1EJ3nzV  

Geoff Hollingworth
July 7, 2025

The last 25 years of Google "business online normal" is ending faster than it started.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/...et-economy-geoff-hollingworth-rswae
 

In-Store Case Study

From Clicks to Bricks: Supercharge Your Online Loyalty Program By Integrating In-Store Shop & Earn Offers

Extending Cartera's online Shop & Earn programs to include in-store offers creates a more flexible and engaging loyalty experience for members shopping in either, or both, channels. The strategy also drives revenue for our client and merchant partners, evidenced by:

Increased Purchase Volume: Integrated in-store options drive a 33% boost in purchase volume among members who shop in-store compared with those who do not.

New Shopper Acquisition: 30% of in-store shoppers are engaging with Cartera programs for the first time, demonstrating the channel's effectiveness in new shopper activation.

Lapsed Shopper Reactivation: In-store shopping opportunities lead to a 13X increased reactivation rate, proving to be a highly effective strategy for re-engaging lapsed shoppers.


Recent Results From One Retailer

While the introduction of in-store offers sometimes raises the concern of cannibalization of online shopping, our data shows that's not the case. Cartera recently helped a national pharmacy retailer successfully integrate in-store offers into its existing online-only program. The result — over a six-month period — included:

Member Spend Growth: Member spend increased 140% year-over-year, with no negative impact on online sales from in-store shopping.

Omnichannel Adoption: 21% of online shoppers embraced the in-store channel, while online shopping behavior remained consistent.

Increased Sales from In-Store Users: Existing members who shopped in-store offers generated a 40% increase in overall sales.

Key Takeaway: Integrating online and in-store loyalty programs creates a powerful synergy, driving new customer acquisition, reactivating lapsed shoppers, boosting purchase frequency, and delivering significant growth in member spend. By providing customers with flexible, multi-channel earning options, retailers can cultivate stronger loyalty without risking channel conflict.

https://www.cartera.com/blog/...percharge-your-online-loyalty-program
 

DTW Ignite 2025: Unpacking the shift towards Intelligent Growth

Dhruv Sood Global Digital Marketing Manager Rakuten Symphony
July 9, 2025

https://symphony.rakuten.com/blog/...shift-towards-intelligent-growth
 

E-Commerce Market Growth Trends and Forecast Report 2025-2033: AI Enhancements and Virtual Fitting Rooms Revolutionize Online Shopping Experience

The E-Commerce Market is set to reach an astounding US$ 12.63 trillion by 2033, up from US$ 6.56 trillion in 2024, demonstrating a CAGR of 7.54% from 2025 to 2033. Key drivers of this growth include the rapid adoption of AI-powered features, significant cross-border commerce opportunities, and advancements in secure digital payment systems.

Market evolution is driven by AI-enhanced personalized shopping experiences, rapid delivery options, and mobile commerce expansion. While global giants like Amazon, Alibaba, and Shopify dominate, regional and niche platforms are gaining traction. Additionally, social commerce is merging shopping experiences with platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Despite challenges such as regulatory compliance, logistical hurdles, and cybersecurity threats, the sector's outlook remains positive, with advancements in technology and consumer interaction likely to spur continued global growth.

5G technology fosters real-time interactions and enhances experiences like live product launches and virtual marketplaces. E-commerce platforms are set to improve mobile shopping experiences and enrich multimedia content through reliable, low-latency connectivity provided by 5G. Cybersecurity investments in secure payment methods, biometric authentication, and advanced encryption techniques are crucial for protecting customer data and ensuring safe transactions.

The proliferation of AI-driven features enhances customer satisfaction and provides insights into market trends, with innovations like virtual fitting rooms shaping future shopping experiences. Zalando's 2023 launch of a virtual fitting room exemplifies this trend, allowing users to create 3D avatars to better visualize product fit, thus reducing return rates and associated costs.

Cross-border trade is bolstered by widespread high-speed internet, smartphone accessibility, and digital payment options, broadening consumer reach to international platforms. Global supply chain integration facilitates easier and quicker order fulfillment, supported by third-party logistics advancements.

Key Players Analysis
Rakuten Inc
Amazon.com Inc.
Alibaba Group Holding Limited
Ebay Inc.
Walmart Inc.
Zalando SE
Otto Group
JD.com, Inc.

About ResearchAndMarkets.com
ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/...ce---ResearchAndMarkets.com
 

Growth Strategy and Future Prospects of Cabify Company

https://canvasbusinessmodel.com/blogs/...0Y9zfB-XDnlWTx4RQ08Rl-G3xsoU

Who Owns Cabify Company?

https://canvasbusinessmodel.com/blogs/owners/cabify-who-owns

 

https://www.samsung.com/de/offer/madeforgermany/rakutentv/  

Rakuten TV is a leading streaming service in Europe, offering a mix of transactional (TVoD), ad-supported (AVoD), and free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) content. It is part of the Rakuten Group and is available in 43 European territories. Rakuten TV's service includes the latest movie releases for purchase or rental and a vast library of on-demand movies, documentaries, and series. It also features a wide range of free, ad-supported linear channels, some of which are owned and operated by Rakuten TV.

Rakuten TV provides access to a diverse range of content, including the latest movie releases, on-demand movies, series, documentaries, and original and exclusive content.

TVoD (Transactional VOD): Users can purchase or rent movies, offering a cinematic experience.

AVoD (Advertising VOD): A library of on-demand content is available with advertising.

FAST (Free Ad-supported Streaming TV): A large selection of free linear channels, including those from international broadcasters and Rakuten TV's own curated channels.

Rakuten TV has established partnerships with major TV manufacturers and telecom companies like Orange Spain, which rebranded its TV service to "Videoclub by Rakuten TV".

https://www.google.com/...RLCBwkxLjIuMTMuMTTIB9sB&sclient=gws-wiz
 

Wevy Cloud and Simply Tech Partner to Accelerate Distribution of Rakuten Symphony Solutions Across Latin America

July 16, 2025
   
Simply Tech named official distributor; Wevy Cloud to lead channel enablement for Rakuten Cloud technologies across South and Central America.

Partnership to deliver Rakuten Symphony’s AI-ready, cloud-native solutions to key industries in Brazil, Mexico, and beyond.

Advances digital transformation and high-tech workforce development in the region, with localized operations and support.

TOKYO, JAPAN and CAMPINAS/SP, BRAZIL, July 16, 2025 – Rakuten Symphony, Inc. today announced Simply Tech LTDA, a leading digital transformation and IT distribution company, has formed a strategic alliance with Wevy Cloud, a specialized channel enablement platform, to expand the availability of Rakuten Symphony’s advanced cloud-native solutions across Latin America.

Through the alliance, Simply Tech will serve as the official distributor for the region, while Wevy Cloud will lead channel development— supporting customer onboarding and engagement to accelerate adoption of Rakuten Cloud-Native Platform, Rakuten Cloud-Native Orchestrator, and Rakuten Cloud-Native Storage solutions. The initiative will initially focus on Brazil and Mexico, with plans to scale across Central and South America, empowering regional enterprises with scalable, AI-ready cloud technologies.

“Enterprises in Latin America have often faced barriers to adopting the latest cloud infrastructure, and this partnership is designed to help them unlock the full potential of cloud-native solutions,” said Anirban Chakravartti, SVP of Global Enterprise Sales, Rakuten Cloud, Rakuten Symphony. “With Simply Tech’s regional reach and Wevy Cloud’s channel expertise, we’re equipping organizations with scalable, AI-ready solutions that drive efficiency, agility, and innovation across critical industries.”

The collaboration comes at a critical time, as demand surges across the region for platforms capable of supporting AI-driven workloads, distributed infrastructure, and edge computing in industries including healthcare, financial services, retail, logistics, and manufacturing. It also promotes local economic growth by fostering career development through reseller networks and training initiatives across the region.

“This partnership plays a key role in bringing advanced cloud-native solutions to a region that’s ready to embrace digital transformation,” said Sam Freitas, Head of Business Development at Simply Tech. “Wevy Cloud’s channel know-how perfectly complements our go-to-market capabilities, and together, we’re equipping our customers with the cloud-native tools to innovate at scale.”

To support the launch, Wevy Cloud and Simply Tech will begin a regional onboarding campaign starting in July 2025, including enablement sessions, regional roadshows, and technical workshops and sales training for resellers to deploy Rakuten Cloud solutions.

https://symphony.rakuten.com/newsroom/...lutions-across-latin-america
 

Acorns acquires Zeta, a financial planning platform for couples and families, to enhance its comprehensive financial support across different life stages.

Acorns, the financial wellness app, has announced its acquisition of Zeta, a financial planning platform designed for couples and families. With this asset acquisition, Acorns aims to bolster its position as a comprehensive financial wellness system, catering to individuals at every life stage. The addition of Zeta co-founders Kevin Hopkins and Aditi Shekar to the team is expected to bring valuable expertise in the couples and family space.

Acorns CEO, Noah Kerner, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, emphasizing the importance of supporting couples' financial growth together. This marks Acorns' fifth strategic acquisition in under two years, reflecting its commitment to becoming a holistic financial wellness solution for families. The company has previously acquired GoHenry, PixPay, Chronifi, and EarlyBird, all aligning with its vision of providing financial support across different life stages.

The acquisition will allow existing Zeta customers to access Acorns' suite of financial wellness benefits. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. For more information, individuals can visit www.acorns.com. Acorns, founded in 2014, has expanded globally and served over 15.5 million people worldwide, helping customers save and invest over $26 billion dollars.

https://venturecapital.com/news/m-a/...inancial-wellness-offerings-v1
 

AWL, Rakuten Mobile and Vissel Kobe Selected for MIC Project Using Edge AI to Improve Safety in Large-scale Facilities

Tokyo, June 25, 2025

AWL, Inc., Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Vissel Kobe today announced they have been selected for the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications’ “Regional Digital Transformation (DX) Promotion Package Project (AI Verification Type)”, in an initiative managed by Mitsubishi Research Institute. This month the companies launched a joint demonstration in Kobe City focused on using Edge AI technology to optimize communication loads in large-scale venues.

The initiative integrates AWL’s intelligent camera solutions, Rakuten Mobile’s advanced network infrastructure and innovative AI algorithms at events held at Noevir Stadium Kobe, home of Vissel Kobe, the Rakuten Group’s professional soccer club.

https://awl.co.jp/en/news/20250625/
 

AWL,  a Hokkaido University-certified startup and the market leader in edge AI camera solutions, announced a total of JPY 2 billion in Series B round funding and its issue of third-party allocation of shares with Rakuten Capital, the corporate venture capital arm of Rakuten Group, Inc. as the lead investor.

https://awl.co.jp/en/news/20210602/
 

Im vergangenen Jahr musste das Münchner Fintech Dock Financial Insolvenz anmelden. Nun ist offenbar eine Lösung gefunden – zumindest für Teile des Unternehmens.

22. April 2025

Nun hat das Fintech mit Rakuten wohl einen Käufer gefunden. Der japanische Techkonzern sichert sich die Technologie von Dock Financial. Das berichtet das Manager Magazin unter Berufung auf Informationen aus dem Unternehmensumfeld. Rakuten betreibt in Europa ebenfalls eine Bank und plant offenbar, diese mit der übernommenen Technologie auszubauen.

Auch ein Teil der MitarbeiterInnen soll im Zuge der Übernahme zu Rakuten gewechselt sein. Für das Team um CEO Marko Wenthin ist der Deal ein Teilerfolg, da damit ein prominenter Käufer für zentrale Assets des Unternehmens gewonnen werden konnte.

https://www.munich-startup.de/109282/dock-financial-uebernahme/
 

Ting Cai on how AI and ecosystem offerings unlock telecom growth

4 days ago

More than just a mobile company, Rakuten is an innovation pioneer

“Rakuten isn’t just a mobile company, and we’re not just an e-commerce company. We’re an innovation company with a long history of ‘seeing around corners,’ using technology to build a better future for our customers and a more profitable business,” Cai declared.

He highlighted Rakuten’s pioneering spirit, recalling how the company challenged dominant business models of the time when it launched Rakuten Ichiba in 1997 – an online marketplace connecting merchants with customers across Japan. He also emphasized Rakuten’s bold decision in 2010 to enact “Englishnization,” making English its official internal language and fostering a global mindset.

This entrepreneurial legacy has propelled offerings like Rakuten Card to the top spot as Japan’s #1 credit card, complemented by a comprehensive suite of Fintech services like Rakuten Pay and Rakuten Bank.

More recently, the company disrupted the telecom industry with Rakuten Mobile, built on innovative, industry-disruptive technology and driven by a mission to democratize telecom. “Today, with AI-nization, our initiative to infuse trustworthy, useful AI into everything we do, we think AI has the potential to benefit all of society than any revolution before it,” Cai asserted.

The Rakuten Ecosystem: A unique advantage in the AI age

“What truly differentiates Rakuten is our vast and diverse ecosystem,” Cai emphasized. “From online e-commerce to mobile stores and point machines at supermarkets, Rakuten offers a seamless experience for its users. Whether it’s reading restaurant reviews, booking a golf course or scheduling a beauty appointment, the Rakuten Group provides a comprehensive suite of services.”

He explained that this interconnectedness, combined with unique customer insights gleaned from countless user transactions and interactions, provides a powerful advantage in the age of AI. “There is no company in the world like Rakuten, and that uniquely positions us to deliver value with AI,” Cai stated.

Rakuten’s approach to AI development is not about relying solely on vendor solutions. Instead, the company takes a deliberate, ground-up approach. “We focus on a specific niche and develop proprietary capabilities that provide a competitive advantage,” Cai explained. “Rakuten starts with a robust data layer, then adds advanced deep learning and language models. Our team has designed a full-stack AI system that empowers the entire company and has allowed Rakuten to create more value for its customers,” he said. He also noted that Rakuten combines its unique data and channel advantages with industry-leading AI technologies from partners.

Beyond mobile connectivity: Leveraging AI and the ecosystem model

Cai then addressed the challenges facing the telecom industry, noting the stark contrast between the rapid growth and investment in the AI world and the relatively slow growth in telecom. “The telco industry, compared to ‘AI world’ where investment is pouring in and innovation is fast, is slowing,” Cai emphasized. He pointed out a recent PwC report that projected global revenue to grow only 2.9% over the next three years, with similarly modest growth in industry investment. “This isn’t sustainable,” Cai declared. “We need to find an accelerant for growth – and I believe that accelerant will be AI.”

Cai emphasized that the key to unlocking growth lies in embracing a “digital-first, ecosystem-first” mindset, shifting away from legacy approaches. “Being a great connector is no longer enough,” he stated. He highlighted the importance of going beyond basic connectivity and creating value-added services. “Platforms that we use heavily on our phones have become indispensable parts of our daily lives.” He added that Rakuten aims to make its mobile apps a central touchpoint and a gateway to the broader Rakuten Ecosystem.

He connected Rakuten’s vision to the Japanese concept of Omotenashi, emphasizing the company’s commitment to providing exceptional service at a reasonable cost. “This spirit of great service for a reasonable cost drives Rakuten’s entry into the Mobile space, where we aim to deliver unparalleled value and reduce costs for households,” he said.

AI-powered automation and efficiency gains in telecom

Finally, Cai highlighted the transformative potential of AI in automating network operations, citing Rakuten Symphony’s Site Lifecycle Management solution as a prime example. This solution leverages AI and digital workflows to facilitate more efficient network deployment and management, resulting in improved build efficiency, significant OPEX savings and enhanced data integrity. He shared compelling results, including:

30% savings in operational expenses and 60% building site efficiency, with 4x faster activation
90% of tickets handled instantly by AI
120K sites auto-provisioned

Cai wrapped up his keynote with a call to action, urging telecom leaders to embrace AI without delay, while offering three key recommendations:

Take an AI-first mindset: Think about how AI can augment every part of your business and how it can solve real business challenges.

Break out of the legacy mindset: Embrace building an ecosystem of AI products and services that deliver value to customers.

Invest in the right tools and partnerships: A diverse approach in which you build some AI, buy some AI and partner with other AI innovators will help you achieve your goals faster.

“There’s no time to waste. The pace of AI innovation will only accelerate, not decelerate. You need to act NOW,” he urged.

https://rakuten.today/blog/...em-offerings-unlock-telecom-growth.html

 

How Button Doubled Affiliate Revenue for Uber

https://www.usebutton.com/post/...t%2520new%2520user%2520acquisition.

PSG, Felicis, Rakuten Capital, and Capital One Ventures are 4 of 10 investors who have invested in Button.

https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/63693-37#faqs
 

Rakuten Mart has started offering delivery services for placement in Residences with auto-lock.

July 14, 2025

Rakuten Mart Inc. has launched its delivery service for auto-lock-equipped apartment complexes today in its warehouse-style online supermarket "Rakuten Mart."

With the increasing demand for diverse and flexible methods of receiving goods at online supermarkets, "Rakuten Mart" has been working to enhance user convenience by providing various options, including scheduled pick-up from the same day, early morning deliveries available from 6 AM, and delivery services for detached residences. This new addition allows for deliveries to auto-lock-equipped apartment complexes, further improving convenience.

In this initiative, collaboration with the delivery service "Smart Delivery" provided by RAINAFU Co., Ltd. will allow for deliveries to approximately 9,000 apartment complexes where this service has been implemented. By specifying delivery when shopping on "Rakuten Mart," users can safely receive their goods in a secure container at designated locations, including in front of their door. Additionally, just as with the previous delivery services, products will be delivered in three temperature ranges: room temperature, refrigerated, and frozen, using special materials to ensure quality.

https://www.moomoo.com/news/post/55365190/..._ticket=1752829425710556
 

Performance Marketing Is Stalling. Here’s Why Affiliate and Creator Commerce Is The Next Big Channel

Performance marketers are facing a harsh truth in 2025: the more they spend on social media, the less they get back. According to a recent Taboola and Qualtrics report, nearly 75% of performance marketers are experiencing diminishing returns from social ads. Despite social media ad spend projections soaring to $273 billion by 2026, the return on investment is flatlining. So what’s really going on?

The Plateau Problem: When More Spend Doesn’t Mean More Conversions

Audience saturation. Rising ad costs. Creative fatigue. These are the culprits eating away at performance marketing budgets. The report found that for most affected marketers, more than 30% of their ad spend is underperforming. That’s not a rounding error, that’s a crisis. And the response from most marketers? Double down on budgets and hope for the best.

But in an environment where audiences are tuning out and costs are creeping up, marketers can’t just outspend the problem. They need to outsmart it.

Enter Creator and Affiliate Commerce

Affiliate and creator marketing aren’t new. But the way they’re being used is. These channels are emerging as high-intent, performance-driven alternatives to traditional social ads—and they’re proving to be remarkably effective when executed with the right infrastructure.

Unlike standard ads that chase attention, affiliate and creator channels intercept users when they’re already in a shopping mindset. From YouTube reviews to TikTok hauls to blog posts linking to in-app checkout, these touchpoints are closer to the point of conversion than ever before. And the best part? They’re measurable.

https://www.usebutton.com/post/...capture%2520measurable%2520results.