Innovation

RRA Capital: Phoenix-Based Real Estate Bridge Lender Closes $27 Million Loan

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2024

RRA Capital, a Phoenix-based commercial real estate bridge lender and investment firm, announced closing a $27 million loan to acquire a four-property multifamily portfolio in North Carolina. This latest deal, executed in partnership with Emerald City Associates (ECA), marks a significant milestone in their collaboration, with the parties having now closed $62 million across seven loans in the past five months.

Interview With CGS Founder & CEO Phil Friedman: Building A Sustainable Global Technology Business

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2024

Computer Generated Solutions (CGS) has enabled global enterprises, regional companies, and government agencies to drive breakthrough performance through business applications, enterprise learning, and outsourcing services for 40+ years. Pulse 2.0 interviewed CGS founder and CEO Phil Friedman to learn more about the company.

Zinnia: $300 Million Strategic Funding Raised From Vista Credit Partners

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2024

Zinnia, a leading life and annuity (L&A) insurance technology company, announced $300 million in financing from Vista Credit Partners, a subsidiary of Vista Equity Partners and a strategic credit and financing partner focused on the enterprise software, data, and technology markets. The new financing will accelerate Zinnia’s go-to-market strategy.

Herald: Commercial Insurance Digital Infrastructure Secures $12 Million (Series A)

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2024

Herald, a leading digital infrastructure provider for commercial insurance, announced a $12 million Series A funding round co-led by Lightspeed Venture Partners and Brewer Lane Ventures with participation from Afore Capital and Underscore Venture Capital.

DeNexus: Cyber Risk Management Company Raises $17.5 Million (Series A)

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2024

DeNexus - a leader in end-to-end cyber risk management for operational technology (OT) - announced it has raised $17.5 million in a Series A funding round, positioning DeNexus to accelerate its growth and expand its innovative product offerings and markets.

Bright Uro: LUTS-Focused Medical Device Company Closes $32 Million (Series A)

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 31, 2024

Bright Uro, a medical device company to transform care for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) through innovations in urodynamics, announced today the second closing of its Series A funding round, which was oversubscribed by nearly 40% above and secured a total of $32 million for the company.

MOTORMIA: Automotive Platform Company Raises $8 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 31, 2024

MOTORMIA (a new automotive enthusiast platform aimed at transforming the automotive aftermarket industry through AI) has raised funding from multiple venture capital firms. And Mia, the platform's revolutionary AI virtual assistant, can tailor users' experiences to various levels of knowledge, generate AI vehicle renderings, make performance upgrade suggestions, and help users understand the best choices for specific build goals.

Birch Creek: $150 Million Credit Facility Closed With KKR

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 31, 2024

Birch Creek Energy (a utility scale solar and storage developer and independent power producer) and investment firm KKR announced today that Birch Creek has closed on a $150 million credit facility within KKR's High-Grade Asset-Based Finance (ABF) strategy via insurance accounts managed by KKR.

Blue Stripes: $20 Million (Series B) Closed To Create An Economically Sustainable Cocoa Supply Chain

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 31, 2024

Blue Stripes, a whole cacao brand on a mission to create a more ecologically and economically sustainable cocoa supply chain, announced it has closed a Series B funding round at $20 million. The Series B funding round’s lead investor, Zintinus, supports brands that develop innovative technologies in the food industry while adhering to a high standard of environmental responsibility, social equity, and strong governance practices. And Zintinus' investment support was supported with investment from The Hershey Company (one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in the world), Whole Foods Market (leading natural and organic foods retailer), and additional investors, including DMG Ventures, Hamilton Lane, and Praesidium.

Parakeet Health: $3 Million (Seed) Closed To Improve Patient Engagement For Healthcare Providers

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 31, 2024

Parakeet Health, a generative AI company focused on improving patient engagement for healthcare providers, announced the launching of its generative AI voice platform, which transforms how healthcare providers handle patient communication at scale. And the company also secured $3 million in seed funding led by Canvas Ventures with participation from CoFound Partners, StoryHouse Ventures and several prominent individual investors, including former One Medical CEO Tom Lee, MD, and former Twitter CTO Adam Messinger.

Final Boss Sour: Healthier Snack Alternative Brand Company Raises $3 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 31, 2024

Final Boss Sour - a gaming-themed healthier snack alternative brand known for its retro-gaming-inspired sour snacks - announced that it has raised $3 million in a seed funding round led by Science Inc. This funding round was joined by investors including Steve Aoki’s venture fund Aoki Labs, F4 Fund, GFR Fund, Uncommon Denominator, and with participation by Jason Calacanis' LAUNCH Fund and The Syndicate.

Finix: Full-Stack Payment Processor Company Secures $75 Million (Series C)

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 31, 2024

Finix, a full-stack payment processor enabling businesses to accept and send payments online and in-store, announced it has raised $75 million in Series C funding, led by Acrew Capital and co-led by Leap Global and Lightspeed Venture Partners, with participation from new investors Citi Ventures, Tribeca Venture Partners, and more. And existing investors, including Homebrew, Insight Partners, Inspired Capital, Cap Table Coalition, and others, also participated.