Pulse 2.0

Replit: $400 Million Series D At $9 Billion Valuation Raised To Expand AI Software Creation Platform

AT&T: $250 Billion Commitment To Expand U.S. Connectivity Infrastructure

MidOcean Energy To Acquire Additional Gorgon LNG Stake From JERA

Ondas: BIRD Aerosystems Acquisition Expands Airborne Missile Protection And ISR Capabilities

Sonida Senior Living: $1.8 Billion Merger With CNL Healthcare Properties

Watershield Industries Acquired By HKW

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 4:25 PM

HKW, a middle-market private equity firm focused on growth companies, announced the acquisition of Watershield Industries, a manufacturer and distributor of fire and rescue equipment serving municipal, wildland, and industrial customers across North America.

RBW Logistics: Acquisition Of Metrix Logistics Group Expands National 3PL Footprint

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 4:23 PM

RBW Logistics, a third-party logistics provider specializing in warehousing, distribution, and integrated supply chain services, announced that it has acquired Metrix Logistics Group, LLC in a move designed to expand its national presence and strengthen its operational capabilities. The transaction extends RBW’s geographic footprint into the Texas market while enhancing the company’s ability to serve customers across multiple regions.

McGuireWoods: Former SEC Regional Director And Sidley Austin Partner Join Securities Enforcement Practice

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 4:17 PM

McGuireWoods announced that it has added two partners to its Los Angeles office, strengthening the firm’s securities enforcement and regulatory counseling capabilities as part of its broader West Coast expansion. The firm hired Gary Leung, the former regional director of the Los Angeles office of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, along with Jodi Lopez, a nationally recognized attorney focused on accountant and auditor defense. Both attorneys joined McGuireWoods’ Securities Enforcement & Regulatory Counseling Practice Group.

Baker McKenzie: Technology And Cybersecurity Lawyer Frankie Tam Joins As Hong Kong Partner

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 4:13 PM

Global law firm Baker McKenzie announced that technology and cybersecurity lawyer Frankie Tam has joined its Hong Kong office as a partner in the firm’s Data, Technology, Privacy & Cybersecurity practice. Tam advises multinational companies on a broad range of technology transactions, including outsourcing, cloud infrastructure, commercial contracts and digital transformation initiatives. Her work also spans data privacy compliance and cybersecurity matters, as well as strategic transactions involving digital currencies, central bank digital currencies and stablecoins. She has supported financial institutions and technology companies on projects related to cross-border payment systems and other fintech innovations.

Hill & Smith: $36 Million Acquisition Of Freeberg Industrial Fabrication To Expand U.S. Engineered Solutions

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 4:11 PM

Hill & Smith PLC announced that it has agreed to acquire Freeberg Industrial Fabrication Corp. for an initial cash consideration of $36 million for 80% of the company’s equity, marking an expansion of the infrastructure solutions provider’s presence in the United States. The transaction, which is subject to U.S. regulatory approvals, also includes potential additional payments for the remaining 20% of the business depending on profitability through December 31, 2031, with earn-out consideration capped at $50 million.

Royal Bank Of Canada: Acquisition Of Mortgage Technology Platform Pinch Financial

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 4:09 PM

Royal Bank of Canada announced it has acquired Toronto-based Pinch Financial Incorporated, a fintech company offering mortgage qualification technology designed to streamline the home loan application process for Canadians.

Databricks: AI Data Platform Launches Genie Code Autonomous Data Engineering Agent

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 3:57 PM

Databricks has introduced Genie Code, an autonomous artificial intelligence agent designed to help data teams automate complex analytics, engineering, and machine learning workflows across enterprise data systems. Genie Code expands Databricks’ broader “Genie” family of AI tools and aims to shift data teams beyond code assistance toward agent-driven execution. Rather than merely generating code, the system is designed to plan, execute and maintain production data workflows under human supervision.

Meta: AI Agent Social Network Moltbook Acquired To Bolster Superintelligence Labs

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 3:52 PM

Meta Platforms has acquired Moltbook, a niche social networking platform built specifically for artificial intelligence agents, as the technology giant intensifies its push into advanced AI systems and talent, according to Reuters. The acquisition brings Moltbook’s co-founders, Matt Schlicht and Ben Parr, into Meta’s AI research division, known as Meta Superintelligence Labs. The unit is led by Alexandr Wang, the former CEO of Scale AI, and focuses on advancing next-generation AI capabilities and autonomous systems.

Creighton University: $4 Million Gift Establishes The Greisch Center For Enterprise Value

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 3:45 PM

Creighton University announced that the Omaha-based Diabetes Care Foundation has committed $4 million to establish the Greisch Center for Enterprise Value, a new initiative designed to advance entrepreneurship and venture development across the university. The center is housed within Creighton’s Heider College of Business and will collaborate with innovators throughout every school and college at the institution.

Les Secrets De Loly: Quadrivio Lifestyle Fund II Acquires Majority Stake In Curly Haircare Brand

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 2:59 PM

Quadrivio Group has acquired a majority stake in French haircare company Les Secrets de Loly through its Lifestyle Fund II private equity vehicle, marking the fund’s entry into the beauty-care segment and positioning the brand for international expansion.

Uber: Robotaxi Partnership With Zoox For Autonomous Rides

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 2:56 PM

Uber Technologies announced a strategic partnership with Zoox to deploy purpose-built robotaxis on the Uber ride-hailing network, marking Zoox’s first collaboration with a third-party platform. The companies said Zoox robotaxis will begin operating through the Uber app in Las Vegas starting in summer 2026. Riders using Uber may be matched with a Zoox robotaxi on eligible trips once the service launches.

I Squared Capital: $10 Billion Raised For Infrastructure Fund, Says Report

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 2:54 PM

I Squared Capital is nearing $10 billion in commitments for its latest flagship infrastructure investment vehicle, underscoring strong institutional demand for assets tied to energy systems, transportation networks, and digital infrastructure, according to Bloomberg.

Salesforce: $25 Billion Senior Notes Offering To Fund Accelerated Share Repurchase

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 2:49 PM

Salesforce announced that it has priced an underwritten public offering totaling $25 billion in senior notes as the cloud software company moves to finance a major share repurchase.

Animaj: Google’s AI Futures Fund Investment To Accelerate AI-Native Kids’ Media Production

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 2:48 PM

Animaj announced that it has joined the AI Futures Fund of Google, securing an investment and strategic partnership designed to accelerate the production of AI-driven children’s content for YouTube.

Meta To Deploy Four New MTIA Accelerators Through 2027

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 2:45 PM

Meta Platforms announced plans to deploy four new generations of its in-house artificial intelligence accelerators as the company expands its custom silicon strategy to power AI workloads across its global platforms.

Nebius: $2 Billion Strategic Investment From NVIDIA To Build Hyperscale AI Cloud Infrastructure

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 2:44 PM

NVIDIA announced that it will invest $2 billion in Nebius as part of a strategic partnership to develop next-generation hyperscale cloud infrastructure for artificial intelligence.

Cellid: Interview With CEO Satoshi Shiraga About The Advanced Display Module Company

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 2:37 PM

Cellid is a company that develops advanced display modules, including high-performance waveguides and micro-projectors for AR glasses, alongside spatial recognition software to enable lightweight, immersive augmented reality experiences. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Cellid CEO Satoshi Shiraga to learn more.

Gumloop: $50 Million Raised For AI Automation And Agent Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 12:18 PM

Gumloop announced it has raised $50 million in Series B funding to expand its AI automation and agent platform designed to help employees automate work tasks. The round was led by Benchmark, with participation from Nexus Venture Partners, First Round Capital, Y Combinator, Box Group, The Cannon Project, and Shopify Ventures.

Bold Security: $40 Million Raised For AI Endpoint Security Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 12:17 PM

Bold Security announced that it has emerged from stealth with $40 million in funding to develop an AI-driven platform designed to secure enterprise endpoint devices. The funding round included participation from Bessemer Venture Partners, Picture Capital, and Red Dot Capital Partners. The company said the capital will support expansion of its go-to-market efforts, global scaling, and continued development of its AI-powered security platform.

Microsoft: Copilot Health AI Tool Launches To Analyze Medical Records And Wearable Data

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 12:13 PM

Microsoft announced the launch of Copilot Health, a new artificial intelligence feature designed to help users better understand their health information by bringing together medical records, wearable data, and personal health history in one place.

Google: Gemini-Powered Navigation Rolling Out To Google Maps Users Worldwide

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 12:09 PM

Google announced that Gemini-powered navigation is rolling out in Google Maps, bringing a hands-free, conversational experience that lets users interact with the navigation system while driving.

Google: AI System Uses Historical News Data To Predict Flash Floods

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 12:05 PM

Google announced an expansion of its AI-driven flood forecasting capabilities, introducing a new approach that uses historical news reports and artificial intelligence to improve flash-flood predictions. The effort is designed to help communities, emergency responders, and governments better prepare for sudden flooding events, particularly in areas where traditional flood monitoring infrastructure is limited.

Carson Wealth: $245 Million Firm Furstenau Financial Joins As 41st Wholly Owned Office

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 12:00 PM

Carson Group announced that Furstenau Financial has joined the firm as a wholly owned Carson Wealth office, expanding its presence in Nebraska and adding another advisory team from LPL Financial to its network. The move brings the number of wholly owned Carson Wealth offices to 41.

Cryptio: $45 Million Raised For Digital Asset ERP And Financial Data Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 11:57 AM

Cryptio, a financial data transformation and enterprise resource planning platform built for digital assets, announced that it has raised $45 million in Series B funding. The round was co-led by BlackFin Capital Partners and Sentinel Global, with participation from 1kx, Alven, BlueYard Capital, and Ledger Cathay Capital.

Waiv: $33 Million Raised For AI Precision Oncology Testing Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 11:55 AM

Waiv, a Paris-based developer of AI-powered precision oncology testing technology, announced it has raised $33 million in financing to accelerate global deployment of its AI precision testing platform and expand its clinical-grade diagnostic offerings.

XCath: $30 Million Raised For Neuro-Endovascular Surgical Robotics Development

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 11:53 AM

XCath, a medical device company developing robotic technology for neuro-endovascular procedures, has secured $30 million in Series C funding to advance development and commercialization of its endovascular surgical robot. The round was co-led by Crescent Enterprises and Dr. Fred Moll, chairman of the company’s board of directors.

Build-A-Bear Workshop: Chris Hurt Named CEO As Sharon Price John Plans Retirement

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 11:50 AM

Build-A-Bear Workshop announced a leadership transition as longtime President and Chief Executive Officer Sharon Price John plans to retire from the role effective June 11, 2026, following the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting. The company’s board of directors has appointed Chris Hurt, currently Chief Operations and Experience Officer, to succeed Price John as chief executive officer as part of a multi-year succession planning process.

First Quantum Minerals: $340 Million Sale Of Çayeli Mine To Cengiz Insaat

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 11:48 AM

First Quantum Minerals announced that it has entered into a binding agreement to sell the Çayeli mine in Türkiye to Cengiz Insaat, a company controlled by Cengiz Holding, for $340 million in cash.

Alternative Wealth Partners Announces Strategic Evolution And Visual Rebrand

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 11:37 AM

Alternative Wealth Partners, a Dallas-based private equity firm founded by capital strategist and fund manager Kelly Ann Winget, announced a strategic evolution of its platform alongside a comprehensive visual rebrand as the firm expands its role within the private wealth ecosystem.

Qurrent: $15 Million Series A Raised For Autonomous Digital Workforce Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● Today at 11:35 AM

Qurrent, a San Francisco-based developer of autonomous digital workforce technology, has raised $15 million in Series A funding to expand its platform designed to automate complex back-office operations for enterprises.