Pulse 2.0

Why Johnson & Johnson Is Buying Intra-Cellular Therapies In A $14.6 Billion Deal

Constellation To Buy Calpine In $26.6 Billion Deal

Kestra Financial: John Amore Promoted To President

Platform Partners: $180 Million Of Follow-On Equity Capital Commitments Raised

Centivo: Jim McNary Named As President And Chief Operating Officer

Bioptimus: $76 Million In Total Funding Raised By AI Foundation Company

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 11:12 AM

Bioptimus, an AI foundation model company, announced that it has reached a significant funding milestone of $76 million. This total funding includes a $41 million cash injection, led by Cathay Innovation with participation from prominent investors, including Sofinnova Partners, Bpifrance through its Large Venture Fund, Andera Partners, Hitachi Ventures, Boom Capital Ventures, Pomifer Capital, Sunrise, and angel entrepreneurs Emmanuel Cassimatis and Thomas Wolf.

Workwize: $13 Million (Series A) Raised To Transform IT Asset Management

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 11:10 AM

Workwize, a platform for global IT hardware asset management, announced that it closed $13 million in Series A funding led by Klass Capital, with continued support from early-stage investors Peak and Graduate Entrepreneur Fund. This funding will fast-track Workwize's integration of AI-based automation, making it the first platform to fully automate the IT equipment lifecycle—from procurement and deployment to retrieval and disposal.

Teal Health: $10 Million (Seed) Closed To Launch Wand For At-Home Cervical Cancer Screening

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 11:06 AM

Teal Health, a women's health company with a goal of eliminating cervical cancer in the US, announced the closing of an additional $10 million in seed funding to support the upcoming launch of the Teal Wand, which is currently under FDA review and on track to be the US market's first FDA-approved at-home self-collect cervical cancer screening device. And this new funding round brings Teal Health's funding to $23 million to date as the company accelerates its product development and readies go-to-market plans.

Micron Biomedical: Series A Funding Extended To Over $33 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 11:03 AM

Micron Biomedical, a life science company that is developing the world’s first needle-free technology for drugs and vaccines that is based on dissolvable microarrays, today announced it secured over $16 million in a Series A3 financing round, bringing the Series A equity raise total to over $33 million. J2 Ventures and the Global Health Investment Corporation (GHIC) led the round which will expand commercial manufacturing of Micron’s technology.

Janus Henderson: Kelly Cavagnaro Named As Head Of North America Institutional

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 11:00 AM

Janus Henderson Investors announced the appointment of Kelly Cavagnaro as Head of North America Institutional within its North America Client Group, effective immediately. Cavagnaro will focus on expanding the firm’s institutional presence in North America by bringing the breadth and depth of Janus Henderson’s investment and solutions expertise to bear in helping its clients define and achieve superior financial outcomes. Based in Boston, Cavagnaro will report to Michael Schweitzer, the firm’s Head of North America Client Group.

Schwab Asset Management Launching The Schwab Core Bond ETF

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 10:57 AM

Schwab Asset Management, the asset management arm of The Charles Schwab Corporation, announced launching the Schwab Core Bond ETF (Trading under SCCR on the NYSE Arca). This is the business’s second actively managed fixed-income ETF after the launch in August 2024 of the Schwab Ultra-Short Income ETF (Trading under SCUS on the NYSE Arca). The first day of SCCR trading is expected to be on or about February 5.

Kiteworks: 2025 Cybersecurity Report Highlights Risks And Strategies For Content Protection

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 10:53 AM

Kiteworks, a company that delivers data privacy and compliance for sensitive content communications through its Private Content Network (PCN), recently released its “2025 Forecast for Managing Private Content Exposure Risk.” This report identifies 12 critical cybersecurity and compliance trends to define the year ahead. With an unprecedented surge in cyber threats and tightening regulatory landscapes, the report delivers actionable strategies for organizations to safeguard sensitive content, ensure compliance, and enhance operational efficiency.

Ashvattha: $50 Million (Series B Extension) Raised For Developing Nanomedicine Therapeutics

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 10:51 AM

Ashvattha Therapeutics - a clinical-stage company advancing a new class of nanomedicine therapeutics that traverse tissue barriers to selectively target and reprogram activated cells in regions of inflammation - announced additional financing as an extension of its Series B of up to $50 million led by Tribe Capital with existing investors led by Natural Capital. This funding will enable Ashvattha to complete the ongoing Phase 2 ophthalmology trial and Phase 1/2 neuroinflammation trial.

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance: $1.9 Billion In Loan Originations For 2024

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 10:47 AM

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance announced the company originated $782 million of loans in the fourth quarter of 2024, bringing annual loan originations to $1.9 billion.

HT Materials Science: Interview With CEO Thomas Grizzetti About The Heat Transfer Fluid Company

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 10:44 AM

HT Materials Science (HTMS) is the global leader in smart heat transfer fluids for commercial and industrial heating and cooling systems. Pulse 2.0 interviewed HT Materials Science CEO Thomas Grizzetti to learn more about the company.

UAV: $105 Million In Sales Contract LOIs Secured For Dart Series Airships

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 7:10 AM

UAV, a leader in innovative manned and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies, announced a few updates on its latest advancements in airship technology and its growing global presence. And with several global contracts currently under negotiation, UAV continues to position itself as a leader in sustainable aviation solutions. These agreements, which are represented by Letters of Intent (LOIs), outline additional contracts valued at a minimum of $105 million for a system of three DART Series (Detachable-Airship-Retractable Tether) airships.

SuperDial Buying MajorBoost For Expanding Voice AI Capabilities

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 7:08 AM

SuperDial, a voice AI company automating phone calls for healthcare organizations, has acquired MajorBoost. This fellow innovator has developed an AI-powered system to automate waiting on hold and navigating insurance companies’ Interactive Voice Response (IVR) phone trees. And this acquisition augments SuperDial’s capabilities in automated dialing, IVR and hold navigation, and collecting information over the phone from live representatives.

NV5 To Buy Infrastructure Engineering Provider Group Delta

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 7:03 AM

NV5, a technology, certification, and consulting solutions provider, has agreed to acquire Group Delta, a provider of infrastructure engineering, testing, and environmental PFAS services. Based in Irvine, California, Group Delta specializes in Southern California's large-scale water, electrical utility, and transportation infrastructure.

Apollo To Buy Argo Infrastructure Partners, Adding $6 Billion Of Assets

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 7:03 AM

Apollo has agreed to acquire Argo Infrastructure Partners, a leading mid-market asset manager targeting essential infrastructure assets in North America, in a stock and cash transaction. And at closing, Argo will add about $6 billion of high-quality assets to the Apollo infrastructure platform and an experienced team of more than 20 professionals focused on core and core plus infrastructure equity opportunities.

Kratos: Hypersonic System Program Award Received With Potential Value Of About $100 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 7:01 AM

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions - a technology company in Defense, National Security and Global Markets - announced that it has recently received an approximate $100 million total potential value hypersonic system program award. And about $15 million of funding has been received by Kratos at contract award, with significant increased funding expected in the second half of Kratos fiscal year 2025.

Act III Holdings: Strategic Investment In Honest Greens Barcelona

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 6:59 AM

Act III Holdings, an investment firm with $1+ billion in assets dedicated to partnering with consumer-facing brands, announced a strategic investment in Honest Greens Barcelona. This rapidly growing mission-driven restaurant brand based in Barcelona, Spain, is renowned for its commitment to wholesome, chef-driven, and affordable meals delivered in a fast-casual setting. And Act III’s involvement will provide capital and expertise to help scale Honest Greens as it continues its rapid expansion, supporting its goal to transform the dining landscape across Europe.

DTE Energy: $3.3 Billion Spent With Michigan Suppliers In 2024

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 6:57 AM

DTE announced it spent $3.3 billion with Michigan businesses in 2024, creating and sustaining nearly 14,000 jobs nationwide. And the company continues to be a leader in partnering with local suppliers. It has invested over $24 billion with Michigan-based suppliers since 2010, creating or sustaining 92,000 Michigan jobs.

Advisor360° Buys GenAI Provider Company Parrot AI

By Amit Chowdhry ● Yesterday at 4:56 PM

Advisor360°, a leading provider of integrated technology for enterprise wealth management firms, announced it acquired Parrot AI, a Boston-based generative AI technology firm. This deal builds on Advisor360°’s existing AI capabilities with the addition of Parrot AI’s premium software—enabling advisors to record, transcribe, and summarize meetings to produce shareable notes and files that securely and seamlessly integrate with all major meeting and conferencing platforms.

Sidley Brings In M&A Partners David Grubman And Adam Cromie To New York Office

By Amit Chowdhry ● Yesterday at 4:55 PM

Sidley announced that David Grubman and Adam Cromie had joined Sidley’s M&A practice as partners in the New York office. Grubman joins from Jones Day, where he was M&A Chair for the Americas for the firm’s corporate practice. He will be the global co-leader of Sidley’s M&A practice. Cromie joins from Simpson Thacher, where he was an M&A partner. He worked with Grubman previously for seven years.

Enable Buying Pricing Engine Company Flintfox

By Amit Chowdhry ● Yesterday at 4:54 PM

Enable, an AI-based rebate management leader, announced the acquisition of the pricing engine Flintfox. This strategic deal brings together rebate and pricing management expertise to deliver a unified solution for managing trading partner incentives, enabling organizations to drive better collaboration, align incentives with strategic goals, and maximize profitability.

Zellis Buying HR Software Company elementsuite

By Amit Chowdhry ● Yesterday at 4:52 PM

Zellis announced a definitive agreement to acquire elementsuite, an AI enabled HR software company. As part of the deal, elementsuite will be combined with Zellis, the largest provider of payroll and HR software to the UK and Ireland, creating an end-to-end AI-powered HR and Payroll platform.

Holly: $2.2 Million Raised To Modernize Government Hiring

By Amit Chowdhry ● Yesterday at 4:51 PM

Holly, an AI-based platform modernizing government hiring, announced the closing of its $2.2 million oversubscribed pre-seed round, led by J2 Ventures with participation from Roble Ventures, Gaingels, and prominent angel investors. This funding will support Holly's platform as it works to solve the million-job government workforce vacancy crisis.

Ouro Medicines: $120 Million Raised For Developing Immune Reset Therapeutics

By Amit Chowdhry ● Yesterday at 4:50 PM

Ouro Medicines, a biotechnology company creating immune reset therapeutics for people living with chronic immune-mediated diseases, announced its launch with $120 million in funding. And the company was launched by Monograph Capital in partnership with GSK plc. And the Series A funding round was co-led by TPG Life Sciences Innovations, NEA, and Norwest Venture Partners, with participation from Monograph Capital, GSK, UPMC Enterprises, Boyu/Zoo Capital, LongRiver Investments, and other unnamed investors.

Overhaul: $55 Million Raised For Advancing Supply Chain Risk Management Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● Yesterday at 4:47 PM

Overhaul, an industry leader in active supply chain risk management and intelligence, announced the completion of $55 million in equity funding led by Springcoast Partners, with follow-on participation from existing investors Edison Partners and Americo. The growth investment from Springcoast will fuel Overhaul's continued advancements in AI and support its strategic acquisition roadmap.

Phase Four: In-Space Propulsion Design Company Raises Series C Funding

By Amit Chowdhry ● Yesterday at 4:43 PM

Phase Four, a leader in advanced in-space propulsion design and manufacturing, announced the first closing of its Series C funding round. The company has secured nearly 60% of the target raise with strong participation from new and existing investors. The funding round was led by Artemis Group Capital, the Oklahoma-based investment firm helmed by former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, underscoring the growing confidence in Phase Four's innovative propulsion solutions.

Timberlyne Therapeutics: $180 Million (Series A) Raised For Advancing CM313

By Amit Chowdhry ● Yesterday at 4:41 PM

Timberlyne Therapeutics - a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies for autoimmune disorders - announced the closing of a $180 million Series A financing to advance CM313, a potentially best-in-class monoclonal antibody targeting CD38, for diseases of high unmet medical needs. The funding was led by investors Abingworth, Bain Capital Life Sciences, and Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners, with participation from Boyu Capital, Lilly Asia Ventures, Braidwell LP, and 3H Health Investment.

Farther Brings In $650 Million SignalPoint Asset Management Team

By Amit Chowdhry ● Yesterday at 4:25 PM

Farther, a leading technology-driven wealth management firm, announced it has welcomed SignalPoint Asset Management to its platform. And with about $650 million in client assets under management, SignalPoint represents Farther’s most significant partnership to date, solidifying its reputation as a rapidly growing RIA.

AccountsIQ: Accounting Software Company Buys ExpenseIn

By Amit Chowdhry ● Yesterday at 4:22 PM

AccountsIQ, a leading provider of cloud-based accounting software, announced its acquisition of ExpenseIn. This expense management software empowers businesses to take control of their expense and invoice management process. And ExpenseIn, which joins the AccountsIQ Group and will continue trading with its existing name, shares AccountsIQ’s values and customer-centric approach.

Stellex Capital Buying Electrical Services Company ICS Holding

By Amit Chowdhry ● Yesterday at 4:19 PM

Stellex Capital Management, a New York-based middle-market private equity firm, announced that it has completed an acquisition of Industrial Construction Services Holding (ICS), a leading provider of electrical services. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Speyside Equity Advisers Completes Acquisition Of GSC Technologies

By Amit Chowdhry ● Yesterday at 4:17 PM

Speyside Equity Advisers - a private equity firm that invests in middle-market, buyout transactions in the manufacturing and value-added distribution sectors - announced that it has completed the acquisition of GSC Technologies. The deal will enable Speyside's continued investment in GSC and fuel the company's next growth phase. GSC is a leading manufacturer of plastic goods in North America.