Pulse 2.0

Amazon To Invest Up To $4 Billion In Anthropic

Why Cisco Is Buying Splunk For $28 Billion

Nexusflow: Generative AI-Based Cybersecurity Company Raises $10.6 Million

EJF Capital: Over $100 Million Raised For EJF Ventures Fund

University Of Minnesota Tech Comm Reports New Startups Record For 2023

Purdue University Researchers Developing Field Test For Detecting SARS-CoV-2 Virus In Various Host Species

By Amit Chowdhry ● Yesterday at 5:30 PM

Purdue University has received $2.7 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for developing a field test that can measure and predict the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in a wide range of wildlife and farm animals.

University Of Michigan Reports Record Invention Number For 2023

By Amit Chowdhry ● Yesterday at 2:34 PM

Research driven by the University of Michigan generated a record 580 new inventions last year and launched 25 startup companies, ranging in scope from innovative therapies for the treatment of fibrosis to technologies aiding in substance abuse monitoring. U-M President Santa J. Ono had announced the university’s fiscal year 2023 research commercialization metrics at the annual Celebrate Invention event earlier this month by Innovation Partnerships, a unit based in the Office of the Vice President for Research.

Mapbox: Navigation Platform Company Raises $280 Million

By Noah Long ● Sep 29, 2023

Mapbox - a location platform powering navigation for Toyota, General Motors, and BMW - recently announced the completion of a $280 million Series E funding round led by SoftBank Group and its affiliate to drive investments into AI location services and further broaden its footprint in the automotive industry.

MotherDuck: Serverless Data Analytics Platform Company Raises $52.5 Million At $400 Million Valuation

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 29, 2023

MotherDuck - a builder of a serverless, easy-to-use data analytics platform based on the open-source database DuckDB - recently announced a $52.5 million round of funding. These are the details.

Why UPS Is Buying Logistics Provider MNX

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 29, 2023

UPS recently announced that it has agreed to acquire MNX Global Logistics (MNX), a global time-critical logistics provider. These are the details.

qbiq: AI-Based Real Estate Space Planning Company Raises $10 Million

By Annie Baker ● Sep 29, 2023

qbiq - a generative AI and visualization platform for real estate space planning - recently announced that it has raised $10 million in seed funding from strategic investors, including JLL Spark Global Ventures as well as 10D, Ocean Azul, Randomforest and M-FUND, to use generative AI to unlock the potential of any space and accelerate decision making.

Vero Technologies: Wholesale Financing And Loan Servicing Platform Company Secures $8.5 Million

By Annie Baker ● Sep 29, 2023

Vero Technologies - a wholesale financing technology and loan servicing platform - recently announced the closing of its $8.5 million Series A funding round.

Legit Security: Application Security Posture Management Platform Raises $40 Million

By Dan Anderson ● Sep 29, 2023

Legit Security - a cyber security company with an enterprise Application Security Posture Management (ASPM) platform that enables secure application delivery from code to cloud and protects an organization's software supply chain from attack - recently announced that it has successfully closed a $40 million venture capital round investment led by CRV with participation from existing investors Cyberstarts, Bessemer Venture Partners, and TCV.

Yotta Energy: Smart Solar Storage Solution Company Closes $8 Million

By Annie Baker ● Sep 29, 2023

Yotta Energy - a leading provider of innovative solar+storage solutions - recently announced it raised an $8 million funding round led by Evergy Ventures and with participation from strategic investors BlueScope and Cricetus Felix Ventures, and existing investors Copec WIND Ventures, EDP Ventures, Doral Tech Ventures, and the SWAN Impact Fund.

Vivante Health: Digital Digestive Platform Company Closes $31 Million In Funding

By Noah Long ● Sep 29, 2023

Vivante Health - a leader in digital digestive health - recently announced the closing of $31 million in Series B funding led by new investor Mercato Partners.

Transfr: Virtual Reality-Based Skills Training Company Raises $40 Million

By Dan Anderson ● Sep 29, 2023

Transfr - an emerging leader in virtual reality-based skills training for middle-skilled careers - recently announced a $40 million investment today.

Afterparty: $5 Million Secured To Help Creators With Fan Connections And Monetization

By Dan Anderson ● Sep 29, 2023

Afterparty - a platform empowering thousands of creators with the tools and technology for personal fan connections and monetization - recently announced that it has secured $5 million in funding.

Why Food-As-Medicine Platform Company Tangelo Is Buying Diet ID

By Annie Baker ● Sep 29, 2023

Tangelo - a "Food-as-Medicine" platform - recently announced the acquisition of Diet ID. Both companies are privately held, and the transaction details were not disclosed.

Kyros: Substance Use Disorder Recovery Services Company Closes $10.5 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 29, 2023

Kyros - a Minnesota-based technology platform providing Substance Use Disorder (SUD) recovery services - recently announced that it has raised an additional $10.5 million in funding to expand access to life-saving services. Existing investor Rally Ventures led the round.

Aspinity: Near-Zero Power AI Solutions Company Secures $5 Million

By Annie Baker ● Sep 29, 2023

Aspinity - a leader in near-zero power AI solutions - recently announced that it had closed $5 million in Series B funding from current investors Anzu Partners, Birchmere Ventures, Mountain State Capital and Riverfront Ventures.

Laudio: Empowering Frontline Healthcare Leaders Through Automation In A $100 Billion Market

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 29, 2023

Laudio is a company that empowers and connects frontline healthcare leaders to drive outcomes that matter. And with its intelligent leadership solution, Laudio automates repetitive work and serves daily recommendations and best practices that help frontline leaders gain better visibility into their teams, find opportunities for meaningful connections, and discover clearer paths to achieving their goals. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Laudio co-founder and CEO Dr. Russ Richmond to learn more.

Cato Networks: Single-Vendor SASE Platform Company Closes $238 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 28, 2023

Cato Networks - a provider of the world’s leading single-vendor SASE platform - recently announced it raised $238 million in equity investment, bringing total funding to $773 million.

age1 Closes $35 Million To Invest In Longevity Biotech Companies

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 28, 2023

age1 - a VC firm catalyzing the next generation of founder-led longevity biotech companies - recently launched to build a community of visionaries advancing new therapeutics, tools, and technologies targeting aging and age-related disease. And age1’s specialized team has an industry-leading track record and unwavering commitment to the field, having pioneered the first longevity-focused venture capital fund in 2011 (five years ahead of any other fund of its type) and since backed multiple IPOs and acquisitions.

ReCode Therapeutics: $50 Million Raised To Power The Next Wave Of mRNA And Gene Correction

By Dan Anderson ● Sep 28, 2023

ReCode Therapeutics - a clinical-stage genetic medicines company using precision delivery to power the next wave of mRNA and gene correction therapeutics - recently announced the closing of an extension to its Series B financing, raising an additional $50 million and the appointment of Kouki Harasaki, Ph.D., founding and managing partner of Bioluminescence Ventures (BLV), to the company’s board of directors.

Mural Health: Clinical Trial Participant Management Platform Company Secures $8 Million

By Noah Long ● Sep 28, 2023

Mural Health Technologies - a next-generation clinical trial participant management platform - recently announced that it has raised $8 million in seed funding, led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with participation from Virtue VC, Operator Partners, Arkitect Ventures, Correlation Ventures, and Project Mayhem Ventures.

Briya: Healthcare Data Exchange Platform Raises $11.5 Million In Funding

By Noah Long ● Sep 28, 2023

Briya - an end-to-end healthcare data exchange platform - recently announced the completion of an $11.5 million Series A round of financing, bringing the company’s total funding to $17 million. Team8 led this funding round, and it includes existing investors Insight Partners and Amiti Ventures and is joined by the George Kaiser Family Foundation.

VerImmune: Over $3 Million Closed For The Development Of Novel Virus-Inspired Particle Platform

By Dan Anderson ● Sep 28, 2023

VerImmune - an early-stage biotechnology company specializing in developing innovative products based on a novel Virus-inspired Particle (ViP) technology platform - recently announced securing an additional $3.125 million from follow-on seed financing and a partnership milestone payment.

DataBlend: iPaaS Provider Company Raises Seed Funding Round

By Annie Baker ● Sep 28, 2023

DataBlend - a leading finance-focused Integration Platform-as-a-Service (iPaaS) provider - recently announced that it raised seed funding led by FreshTracks Capital and The Dudley Fund. And DataBlend founder Ethan Carlson noted that investors from Vermont joined the company's mission to provide secure and stress-free data integrations for finance and accounting professionals. And as a native of Vermont, Carlson finds it exciting to see the local investment community supporting his company's vision.

HealNow: $5.5 Million Secured To Bring Modern Solutions To Pharmacies And Their Patients

By Noah Long ● Sep 28, 2023

HealNow recently announced a $5.5 million seed round led by Bonfire Ventures. And additional investors participating in the round include Walkabout Ventures, Remarkable Ventures, Alabama Futures Fund, Impulsum Ventures and a number of prominent fintech and healthcare investors.

Cecilian Partners: Proptech Company Closes $11 Million In Series A

By Annie Baker ● Sep 28, 2023

Cecilian Partners - a leading proptech firm providing end-to-end digital solutions for home builders and land developers - recently announced that it has raised $11 million in its first institutional equity round led by Resolve Growth Partners. And Cecilian plans to use the growth funding to accelerate product innovation, expand headcount in critical areas, and continue developing the industry's most client-centric customer success team.

Harbinger Motors: Commercial Electric Vehicle Company Secures $60 Million

By Annie Baker ● Sep 28, 2023

Harbinger Motors - a Southern California-based automotive manufacturer - recently announced it has secured $60 million in Series A funding from a diverse consortium of investors led by Ridgeline and THOR Industries. Along with Greycroft, Harbinger is also excited to welcome new investors Riverstone Holdings, Acequia Capital, and Squarepoint Capital as contributors to Harbinger's Series A through deeply-rooted energy, sustainability, transport, and infrastructure-focused investment funds. And each of these investors shares a commitment to sustainability through mobility transformation.

Enko: Designing Safe And Sustainable Solutions For Crops In A $60 Billion Market

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 28, 2023

Enko is a company that designs safe and sustainable solutions to farmers’ biggest crop threats today, from pest resistance to new diseases. By applying the latest drug discovery and development approaches from pharma to plants, Enko is bringing an innovation model to agriculture and meeting farmers’ evolving needs. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Enko Chem CEO and Founder Jacqueline Heard to learn more.

Merchants Fleet: How This Company Offers Flexible Funding And Services For Utilizing Vehicles To Run Operations

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 28, 2023

Merchants Fleet is a rapidly growing fleet management company that provides flexible funding and service options for organizations that utilize vehicles to run their operations. Merchants Fleet offers comprehensive and customizable fleet solutions, serving as a single source for all vehicle needs. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Merchants Fleet Chairman, CEO, and President Brendan P. Keegan to learn more.

Radix: A Mission To Transform Decision-Making Processes By Offering Teams Data Visualization Tools

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 28, 2023

Radix Technologies aims to change how the industry makes decisions by equipping teams with real-time data and visualization tools that produce reliable and insightful market trends. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Radix Technologies chief marketing officer Nadav Avni to learn more.

TimelyCare: Offering Complete Clinical Care At More Than 300 Campuses

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 28, 2023

TimelyCare is a company that provides complete clinical care, advanced technology, and expert guidance to improve college students’ physical and mental health. And as the leading virtual health and well-being solution for students,TimelyCare provides a comprehensive virtual solution that expands the breadth of campus resources and empowers students to be well and thrive. Pulse 2.0 interviewed TimelyCare CEO and co-founder Luke Hejl to learn more.

Amazon To Invest Up To $4 Billion In Anthropic

Why Cisco Is Buying Splunk For $28 Billion

Nexusflow: Generative AI-Based Cybersecurity Company Raises $10.6 Million

EJF Capital: Over $100 Million Raised For EJF Ventures Fund

University Of Minnesota Tech Comm Reports New Startups Record For 2023

Purdue University Researchers Developing Field Test For Detecting SARS-CoV-2 Virus In Various Host Species

University Of Michigan Reports Record Invention Number For 2023

Mapbox: Navigation Platform Company Raises $280 Million

MotherDuck: Serverless Data Analytics Platform Company Raises $52.5 Million At $400 Million Valuation

Why UPS Is Buying Logistics Provider MNX

qbiq: AI-Based Real Estate Space Planning Company Raises $10 Million

Vero Technologies: Wholesale Financing And Loan Servicing Platform Company Secures $8.5 Million

Legit Security: Application Security Posture Management Platform Raises $40 Million

Yotta Energy: Smart Solar Storage Solution Company Closes $8 Million

Vivante Health: Digital Digestive Platform Company Closes $31 Million In Funding

Transfr: Virtual Reality-Based Skills Training Company Raises $40 Million

Afterparty: $5 Million Secured To Help Creators With Fan Connections And Monetization

Why Food-As-Medicine Platform Company Tangelo Is Buying Diet ID

Kyros: Substance Use Disorder Recovery Services Company Closes $10.5 Million

Aspinity: Near-Zero Power AI Solutions Company Secures $5 Million

Laudio: Empowering Frontline Healthcare Leaders Through Automation In A $100 Billion Market

Cato Networks: Single-Vendor SASE Platform Company Closes $238 Million

age1 Closes $35 Million To Invest In Longevity Biotech Companies

ReCode Therapeutics: $50 Million Raised To Power The Next Wave Of mRNA And Gene Correction

Mural Health: Clinical Trial Participant Management Platform Company Secures $8 Million

Briya: Healthcare Data Exchange Platform Raises $11.5 Million In Funding

VerImmune: Over $3 Million Closed For The Development Of Novel Virus-Inspired Particle Platform

DataBlend: iPaaS Provider Company Raises Seed Funding Round

HealNow: $5.5 Million Secured To Bring Modern Solutions To Pharmacies And Their Patients

Cecilian Partners: Proptech Company Closes $11 Million In Series A

Harbinger Motors: Commercial Electric Vehicle Company Secures $60 Million

Enko: Designing Safe And Sustainable Solutions For Crops In A $60 Billion Market

Merchants Fleet: How This Company Offers Flexible Funding And Services For Utilizing Vehicles To Run Operations

Radix: A Mission To Transform Decision-Making Processes By Offering Teams Data Visualization Tools

TimelyCare: Offering Complete Clinical Care At More Than 300 Campuses

Consumer Tech