Today In Payments Around The World: Swedish eScooter Startup Voi Raises $160 Million; Wendy’s, Rebel Foods Team For Ghost Kitchens

In today’s top payments news around the world, Voi Technology has landed $160 million in funding, while Wendy’s is collaborating with India’s Rebel Foods and Sierra Nevada Restaurants. Plus, China is forecast to be the first major economy to recover from the worldwide COVID-19 recession.

Swedish Startup Voi Scoots To $160 Million Funding For AltTransportation

Sweden-based eScooter upstart Voi Technology has notched $160 million in funding as European firms compete for superiority in the new market for alternative transportation. The announcement comes on the heels of rival Tier landing $250 million. And, in November, Estonian ridesharing platform Bolt vowed to invest a further $121 million into scooters.

Wendy’s, Rebel Foods Partner For 250 Ghost Kitchens In India

Wendy’s is teaming with India’s Rebel Foods and Sierra Nevada Restaurants to roll out approximately 250 ghost or cloud kitchens throughout India. Sierra Nevada will also develop 150 traditional Wendy’s outlets in India as part of a strategic collaboration meant to bolster Wendy’s presence in the country. As it stands, more than 6,800 Wendy’s exist in 30 markets throughout the world.

OECD: China To Lead 2021 World Economic Recovery While Europe Lags

China is anticipated to be the first significant economy to bounce back from the worldwide pandemic recession, with Europe lagging behind, per the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The country is expected to have its gross domestic product expand by 9.7 percent in Q4 2021 in contrast to Q4 2019 per OECD data.

Shopify Reports Record-Breaking Black Friday, Cyber Monday Sales

Shopify, the global online shopping platform, reported record-busting sales of over $5.1 billion on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Sales between Nov. 27 and Nov. 30 jumped 76 percent over 2019’s over $2.9 billion in reported transactions for the same holiday shopping timeframe. “With the center of gravity in commerce shifting from in-store to online, the pandemic has accelerated a change we have long anticipated,” Shopify President Harley Finkelstein said in a release.