Pulse 2.0

OpenAI Reportedly Raises $11 Billion At $1.25 Trillion Valuation As Funding Round Targets $20 Billion

Shield To Buy Echodyne For $5.3 Billion And Raise $2.5 Billion At $28.8 Billion Valuation

Stage 2 Capital: $100 Million Fund Close Expands Early-Stage B2B AI Investing

Marble: $11 Million Seed Round Backs Institutional Trading And AI Infrastructure Finance Launch

XLIO: $100 Million In Additional Funding Expands Startup Building For Corporate Acquirers

PuppyGraph: $10 Million Series A Supports Enterprise AI Graph Query Expansion

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 5:00 PM

PuppyGraph has raised $10 million in Series A funding led by Particle Future and defy.vc, bringing its total funding to $15 million as it expands engineering and enterprise sales efforts.

Lumbra: $25 Million Series A Funds AI Agent Expansion Into Regulated Industries

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 4:59 PM

Lumbra has raised $25 million in Series A funding co-led by Point72 Ventures and Ansa, with continued participation from Costanoa, to expand its AI agent platform beyond national security into regulated commercial markets.

Beacon Pointe Advisors: $905 Million Edge Wealth Management Acquisition Expands New York Presence

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 4:58 PM

Beacon Pointe Advisors has acquired New York City-based Edge Wealth Management, adding approximately $905 million in client assets under management and expanding its Manhattan investment advisory presence.

Path Robotics: $300 Million Series E At $2.45 Billion Valuation Funds Manufacturing AI Expansion

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 4:58 PM

Path Robotics has raised $300 million in Series E financing at a $2.45 billion post-money valuation, providing capital to expand its physical AI technology beyond welding into additional manufacturing tasks and robotic platforms. Georgian led the round, with participation from existing investors Addition, Drive Capital, IronArc Ventures, Tiger Global, Yamaha Motor Ventures and its affiliates. D. E. Shaw Ventures and NAVER Ventures also participated. Georgian Partner Emily Walsh will join Path Robotics’ board of directors.

LPL Financial Brings In $390 Million Firm Contour Wealth Management

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 4:36 PM

LPL Financial has added Contour Wealth Management, a Pennsylvania-based financial advisory practice serving approximately $390 million in client assets, to its broker-dealer and registered investment advisory platforms. Financial advisor Joe Borgese, a certified financial planner, joins LPL from Cetera alongside a team focused on comprehensive financial planning and multigenerational client relationships.

Daylight: $80 Million Series B Led By Goldman Sachs Alternatives Supports AI Security Expansion

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 4:09 PM

Daylight has raised $80 million in Series B funding led by Growth Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, bringing its total funding to $120 million as it expands its business combining AI agents with human cybersecurity expertise. Existing investors Bain Capital, Craft Ventures, Vintage Partners and Maple Capital participated in the round. Daylight said its revenue grew more than 40 times over the past year, with demand coming from Fortune 500 enterprises and AI-native companies. Its customers include Lovable, LastPass, Rogo, dLocal and Miro.

Ascot Group: Neil Mayer Named CEO Of High Net Worth Personal Lines Business

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 3:44 PM

Ascot Group has appointed Neil Mayer as chief executive officer of High Net Worth Personal Lines, a newly created role overseeing the formation, launch and growth of an insurance business serving affluent and ultra-affluent households.

Joan Workplace: Interview With Co-Founder And CTO Luka Birsa About ePaper Technology, Workplace Management, And Digital Innovation

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 12:53 PM

Joan Workplace is a workplace management platform developed by Visionect that combines wireless ePaper devices with software for meeting room booking, desk reservations, visitor management, and digital signage. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Visionect Co-Founder and CTO Luka Birsa to learn more about his background, the origins of Joan Workplace, its workplace technology solutions, customer success stories, financial milestones, competitive advantages, and future growth plans.

SEI And Carlyle: Private Markets Fund Launch Expands Access To Private Equity, Credit, And Real Assets

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 10:29 AM

SEI and Carlyle have launched the SEI Carlyle Private Markets Fund (PRVTX), a closed-end interval fund designed to provide wealth investors with access to institutional private market investments through a single investment vehicle. The fund combines Carlyle's private markets capabilities with SEI's portfolio construction, asset allocation, and liquidity management expertise.

IsoEnergy: $4.56 Million Share Exchange To Increase Premier American Uranium Stake To 22.1%

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 10:03 AM

IsoEnergy has agreed to acquire 13,642,775 common shares of Premier American Uranium from Sachem Cove Opportunity Fund in a share exchange valued at approximately $4.56 million. The proposed transaction will increase IsoEnergy's ownership of Premier American Uranium to approximately 22.1% on a non-diluted basis, strengthening its exposure to uranium development and exploration opportunities in the United States.

Sapient Capital: Wealthgate Trust Company Acquisition Expands Family Office And Corporate Trustee Services

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 10:02 AM

Sapient Capital has completed its acquisition of Wealthgate Trust Company, a Nevada-licensed trust company specializing in fiduciary and trust administration services for ultra-high-net-worth families. The transaction provides Sapient with an affiliated corporate trustee and expands its ability to coordinate investment management, estate planning, and multigenerational wealth strategies.

Fort Point Capital: US Propane Platform Launch Includes Atlanta Propane Exchange And North Carolina Propane Exchange Acquisitions

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 10:01 AM

Fort Point Capital has launched US Propane, a new propane distribution platform formed through the simultaneous acquisitions of Atlanta Propane Exchange and North Carolina Propane Exchange. The transactions establish an initial operating presence in Georgia and North Carolina, with plans to expand through additional partnerships with locally owned propane businesses.

Primordial Labs: $18 Million Series A Funding To Expand AI-Powered Military Command And Control Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 9:59 AM

Primordial Labs, a defense technology company developing natural-language command and control software for military systems, has raised $18 million in Series A funding to expand deployment of its Anura platform. The investment will support the company's engineering and product development operations while accelerating adoption across military vehicles, aircraft, and uncrewed systems. The financing was led by Ballistic Ventures, with participation from existing investors Squadra Ventures and Lockheed Martin Ventures.

Staera Semiconductor: $4.6 Million Pre-Seed Funding To Develop Optical Interconnect Technology For AI Chips

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 9:59 AM

Staera Semiconductor has emerged from stealth with $4.6 million in pre-seed funding to develop optical interconnect technology that integrates light-based data links directly into silicon chips. Formerly known as New Silicon Corporation, the company is advancing its Lightwire platform to address data movement limitations affecting AI computing systems. The financing was led by Openspace Capital, with participation from SGInnovate, Black Kite Capital, 28 Holdings, In Group, and Decimus Technologies.

Taproot Capital: Talent Tree Executive Network Launch Expands Support For Emerging Private Equity Managers

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 9:54 AM

Taproot Capital has established the Taproot Talent Tree Executive Network, bringing together experienced professionals from across the private equity industry to support emerging investment managers. The initiative will provide participating firms with access to guidance involving operations, fundraising, investment processes, technology, legal matters, and other activities required to build institutional investment organizations.

Silver Oak Services Partners: CCS Facility Services Sale To Wind Point Partners Follows Growth To $360 Million Revenue

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 9:53 AM

Silver Oak Services Partners has completed the sale of CCS Facility Services to Wind Point Partners, concluding an investment partnership during which the commercial cleaning and facilities services provider expanded into 15 states and increased annual revenue to more than $360 million.

Curaleaf: Aurora Cannabis Acquisition Bid Receives Competition Clearances In Canada And Germany

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 9:52 AM

Curaleaf Holdings has received all required competition law clearances for its proposed acquisition of Aurora Cannabis, strengthening its position in a contested takeover process involving a competing acquisition agreement between Aurora and Organigram Global.

PitchBook: Free Startup Platform And AI-Powered Origin Launch Expand Access To 25 Million Companies

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 9:52 AM

PitchBook has introduced two offerings designed to connect early-stage companies with venture capital investors: PitchBook for Startups, which provides eligible founders with free access to its market intelligence platform, and PitchBook Origin, an AI-native deal sourcing product covering approximately 25 million companies and 250 million individual profiles.

Sparxity: $90 Million Total Funding To Advance Sparse-Native AI Computing And Semiconductor Technology

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 9:48 AM

Sparxity, a German semiconductor and AI infrastructure company developing sparse-native computing systems, has closed its Series A financing, bringing its cumulative funding to $90 million. The investment will support the development of specialized chips designed to improve the efficiency of AI inference by concentrating computing resources on the operations that are needed. The round was led by ICM HPQC Fund, with participation from Lockheed Martin Ventures, GlobalFoundries, GS Futures, Cloudberry Ventures, TGFS, and the European Innovation Council Fund.

Sunrun: Captona Preferred Equity Investment Supports 9,400 Residential Solar And Battery Storage Projects

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 9:47 AM

Sunrun has partnered with Captona on a preferred equity project financing transaction involving 9,400 residential solar and battery storage projects across more than 20 U.S. states. The investment supports a portfolio representing approximately 74 megawatts of solar generation capacity and 110 megawatt-hours of battery storage.

HASI: $500 Million Green Notes Offering To Support Renewable Energy And Sustainable Infrastructure Investments

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 9:47 AM

HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital (HASI) has priced a $500 million registered public offering of green junior subordinated notes bearing an interest rate of 7.850% and maturing in 2057. The financing will support the company's sustainable infrastructure investment strategy, including projects involving renewable energy, storage, and energy efficiency.

CIBC Innovation Banking: Growth Financing To Support PortX’s AI-Native Banking Integration Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 9:46 AM

CIBC Innovation Banking has provided growth capital financing to PortX, a Seattle-based financial technology company developing an AI-native integration platform for community banks and credit unions. The financing will support PortX's product development and expansion as financial institutions seek more efficient ways to connect banking systems, fintech applications, and payment networks.

Heritage Holding: Nashville Sheet Metal Acquisition Expands Commercial HVAC Services In The Mid-South

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 9:45 AM

Heritage Holding has acquired Nashville Sheet Metal, a Tennessee-based sheet metal fabrication and installation business serving commercial and industrial customers. The acquisition expands Heritage's commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning services platform while adding specialized manufacturing expertise and established customer relationships in the Mid-South region.

King Risk Partners: Lott & Gaylor Insurance Acquisition Expands Southwest Florida Brokerage Operations

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 9:43 AM

King Risk Partners has acquired Lott & Gaylor Insurance, a Fort Myers, Florida-based insurance agency with more than 40 years of experience serving individuals, families, and businesses throughout Southwest Florida. The transaction expands King Risk Partners' regional presence and adds an established brokerage team with expertise in personal insurance, commercial coverage, and employee benefits.

Smith + Howard: Two Accounting Firm Acquisitions Expand Southeastern Presence To 16 Offices

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 9:43 AM

Smith + Howard has completed the acquisitions of Hagler & Brocato in Alabama and Byrne|Zizzi in Mississippi, strengthening its national accounting and advisory platform and expanding its geographic reach throughout the Southeastern United States. The transactions bring the firm's total number of acquisitions to 11 and increase its presence to nearly 900 professionals across 16 offices in the United States and India.

Mobix Labs: Q4 Revenue Surges 129% As Gross Margin Expands To 44.5%

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 9:41 AM

Mobix Labs reported preliminary fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 revenue of approximately $1.81 million, representing a 129% sequential increase, as the company's operating turnaround gained momentum. The advanced connectivity and sensing technology provider also reported a significant improvement in gross margin, higher product revenue, and reductions in operating losses and balance-sheet liabilities.

Liberty Mutual Investments: Growth Financing For Synergy Pet Group Expands Pet Benefits And Veterinary Software

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 9:39 AM

Liberty Mutual Investments has provided growth capital through debt financing to Synergy Pet Group, a provider of pet insurance, employee benefits, and veterinary technology. The financing will support the company's continued expansion across pet services while providing additional resources for its subscription-based veterinary practice management software business.

Core Home: Tochi Snacks Acquisition Expands Consumer Products Portfolio Into Food And Beverage

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 9:39 AM

Core Home has acquired Tochi Snacks, a family-founded food company specializing in Asian-inspired gourmet popcorn and crispy salmon chips, expanding its consumer products portfolio into the food and beverage sector. The transaction closed in October 2026 and provides Tochi with access to Core Home's sourcing, logistics, product development, and retail distribution resources.

Mubadala Capital: LSV Advisors $5 Billion Secondaries Platform To Receive Strategic Minority Investment

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 9:38 AM

Mubadala Capital, the alternative asset management subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a minority ownership stake in LSV Advisors, a New York-based investment manager specializing in GP-led secondary transactions. The partnership will expand Mubadala Capital's alternative investment capabilities while supporting the continued growth of LSV, which manages approximately $5 billion in assets and commitments.

Charles Schwab: $300,000 Foundation Grants And One Million Meals Support Nationwide Hunger Relief

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 9:37 AM

Charles Schwab and the Charles Schwab Foundation have expanded their community support efforts through the company's annual Season of Giving initiative, which brought together more than 4,000 employees to help pack over one million meals while awarding $300,000 in grants to hunger-relief organizations.