Investors Lose Big as Oosto Sells for Just $125M After Raising $352M 💸

Oosto, formerly known as AnyVision, just sold for $125 million in an all-stock deal to the U.S.-based parking tech company Metropolis. Sounds like a lot? Not really. This is a company that raised a jaw-dropping $352 million from big-name investors like SoftBank and Qualcomm. That’s right—investors just lost hundreds of millions. 📉

Here’s the story of how a controversial Israeli AI firm went from the top of the tech world to a bargain-bin sale, and why boycotts and public accountability matter more than ever.

🚀 The Rise of Oosto

Back when it was called AnyVision, Oosto was a rising star in the world of facial recognition technology. Investors poured money into the company, excited by its potential to reshape AI-powered security.

• 2019: Raised $235M in a round led by SoftBank, giving it a valuation of $500 million.
• Ambitions: Developed tech for surveillance, banking, and even smart cities.
• Big Clients: Included Citibank and other major names.

But then things started falling apart. 👇

🕵️ The Controversy

Oosto (AnyVision) wasn’t just any facial recognition company—it had baggage. Reports revealed that its tech was allegedly used by the Israeli government to monitor Palestinians in the West Bank. Think of it as a surveillance tool that invaded people’s lives.

The fallout:

• Microsoft walked away: The tech giant pulled its investment after the reports surfaced.
• Bad press everywhere: The company’s reputation tanked, forcing it to rebrand as Oosto in 2021.
• Lost investors: Big players like Bosch also backed out.

The damage was done. By the time Oosto sold, its annual revenue had dropped to just $10 million, and its workforce had shrunk to a fraction of its peak size.

💸 The Big Sale... and the Big Loss

Metropolis, the U.S. parking tech company, bought Oosto for $125 million, with most of the deal paid in stock. To put that in perspective:

• Oosto raised $352 million over the years.
• Investors like SoftBank and Lightspeed barely got a fraction of their money back.
• Metropolis will mostly use Oosto’s tech for parking systems, not its original AI ambitions. 🚗

This isn’t just a failed exit—it’s a warning for companies that ignore ethics in pursuit of profit.

🤔 Why This Matters

Oosto’s fall shows us one thing: Public pressure works. The company couldn’t shake its reputation for being complicit in surveillance and oppression, no matter how much money it raised or how many rebrands it attempted.

This isn’t just about investors losing money—it’s about holding corporations accountable for their actions.

✊ The Fight Isn’t Over

While Oosto’s story might feel like a victory for ethical accountability, our work is far from done. The recent ceasefire in Gaza is a temporary pause, not a solution. Palestinians continue to face apartheid, displacement, and human rights violations every single day.

Here’s what we can do:
1️⃣ Keep Boycotting: Don’t support companies that profit from injustice.
2️⃣ Raise Awareness: Spread the word about complicit corporations.
3️⃣ Demand Change: Push governments and organizations to enforce accountability.

🐾 How Boycat Can Help

Not sure where to start? Boycat’s got your back:

• Brand Checker: Use our app to identify brands linked to unethical practices.
• Buycat.shop: Shop alternatives that align with your values.
• Localized Suggestions: We help you find ethical options wherever you are.

The ceasefire doesn’t mean we rest—it means we ramp up the pressure. Let’s use the tools at our disposal, like Boycat, to make ethical shopping the norm and continue fighting for justice.

The Bottom Line

Oosto’s collapse is proof that investors and corporations are not untouchable. Public accountability can force even the biggest players to rethink their actions—or face the consequences. But this isn’t the end of the story. It’s just the beginning.

So, what’s your next move? Whether it’s boycotting a product, sharing this story, or downloading Boycat, remember: every action counts. Let’s keep the momentum going. 💥