Innovation

Keep: C$108 Million Raised For Helping Small Business Banking In Canada

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 20, 2025

Keep, which is Canada's first all-in-one financial platform built exclusively for small businesses, announced a C$108 million in new funding as it emerged from stealth mode. This funding includes C$33 million in equity financing led by Tribe Capital, a C$71 million credit facility from Coventure (Treville), and a C$4 million venture debt line from Silicon Valley Bank. This funding round attracted strong participation from existing and new investors, including Rebel Fund, Liquid2 Ventures, Cambrian, and Assurant Ventures. Notable individual investors include founders and executives from fintech leaders such as Robinhood, Venmo, Stripe, Plaid, Chime, Coinbase, Ramp, and Alloy.

New Gen: $4.5 Million Seed Secured For AI-Based Commerce Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 20, 2025

With AI platforms like ChatGPT transforming how people and AI agents search and shop, brands are pressured to deliver seamless, intelligent experiences. Between July 2024 and February 2025, traffic to U.S. retail websites from generative AI sources grew by 1,200%. To power the future of AI-based shopping and digital retail, New Generation (New Gen), a technology company redefining commerce for the AI internet, launched publicly with $4.5 million in seed funding.

veritree: $6.5 Million Series A Raised And 100 Million Trees Pledged

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 20, 2025

veritree, a platform focused on verified nature restoration, announced it has reached a landmark milestone of 100 million trees pledged across its global projects, from Kenya to the U.S. to Canada. The news comes along with a $6.5 million Series A financing round led by Pender Ventures, with participation from Garage Capital, Northside Ventures, and Diagram Ventures.

Flock: $20 Million Series B Raised For Developing Retirement Solution For Landlords

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 20, 2025

Flock, a retirement solution for landlords, announced a $20 million Series B round, led by Renegade Partners, with participation from existing investors Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Primary Ventures, Susa Ventures, 1Sharpe Ventures, and others.

FanBasis: $20 Million Series A Secured For Powering Next-Gen Digital Businesses

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 20, 2025

FanBasis, an end-to-end ecosystem powering digital businesses, announced a $20 million Series A funding round led by Left Lane Capital, with participation from notable celebrities and internet entrepreneurs Ryan Serhant, Gerard Piqué, Connexa Capital, KSI, Vikkstar, Zerkaa, Miniminter & The Sidemen via Upside Ventures, and Gerard Piqué.

Sweep: $22.5 Million Series B Raised For Agentic Workspace For Business Systems

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 20, 2025

Sweep, a leading agentic workspace for business systems, announced $22.5 million in Series B funding led by Insight Partners with participation from Bessemer Venture Partners.

Scoutbee: Interview With CEO Gregor Stühler About The Supplier Connection Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 20, 2025

Scoutbee is a buyer/supplier network helping businesses find and evaluate the right suppliers faster, smarter, and more efficiently. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Scoutbee CEO Gregor Stühler to learn more about the company.