Today in European Tech: Cashplus buys icount, Google-backed NearSt scores fresh seed round, a 'startup feeding frenzy' in Israel, and more

Hello and Happy New Year!

Here's what happened today in European Tech:

Deals

- Magal Security Systems, an international provider of security solutions, today announced that it has acquired BAZ, an Israeli company that focuses on the development and manufacturing of military-grade smart security and surveillance systems.

- Cashplus, a UK-based provider of banking and credit services for small businesses and consumers, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the current account portfolio of icount for an undisclosed sum.

- Google-backed NearSt, a British retail technology business driving more people onto the high street, has raised around €2.2 million in seed funding.

- United Group has reached an agreement to acquire Bulgaria’s Nova Broadcasting Group from Advance Media Group. Nova comprises of 10 TV channels including national Nova TV, the country’s largest online platform Net Info that reach on average 80% of the Bulgarian population every month as well as four radio stations.

- Vitesy, an Italian-founded startup producing IoT devices that purify the air, has raised €1.2 million to speed up commercial distribution and the development of a new at-home consumer product called Eteria.

- We also tracked a large number of (other) European tech funding rounds and M&A transactions, all of which we are putting in a handy list for you on Friday afternoon in our weekly roundup newsletter (note: the full list is for paying customers only). Also check out our European tech news section for ongoing coverage.

Worth Knowing

- Startup Feeding Frenzy: How Israeli High-tech Firms Are Scooping Up the Cash (Haaretz)

- Europe, Unicorns and Global Tech Diffusion - The End of the American Internet (Mosaic VC)

- Ticketmaster has agreed to pay a $10 million fine to resolve charges that it intruded into the computer system of one of its competitors, ending a years-long legal battle over claims that the company illegally interfered in the business of UK-based ticketing startup Songkick.

- US fintech giant Square has begun hiring staff in Dublin to support its Cash App services in Europe.

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