Innovation

HaysMac: Corporate Finance Firm Green Square Acquisition Expands M&A Advisory Capabilities

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

HaysMac, an award-winning accountancy, tax and advisory firm, announced the acquisition of Green Square, a specialist corporate finance advisory firm known for providing M&A advice to founders, management teams, and shareholders.

QatarEnergy: Offshore Uruguay Exploration Block Deals Expand South America Footprint

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

QatarEnergy has acquired participating interests in three offshore exploration blocks in Uruguay from BG International Limited, a subsidiary of Shell plc, marking the company’s first entry into Uruguay’s upstream sector.

Endologix: Pounce Thrombectomy System Acquisition Expands Vascular Intervention Portfolio

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

Endologix announced that it has acquired the Pounce™ Thrombectomy System from Surmodics in a transaction that closed on May 18, 2026. The acquisition expands Endologix’s vascular intervention portfolio with a fully mechanical thrombectomy platform designed for the non-surgical removal of thrombi and emboli from peripheral arteries.

Ondas: Omnisys Acquisition Strengthens AI-Powered Autonomous Defense Systems Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

Ondas announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Omnisys Ltd., an Israeli developer of AI-powered Battle Resource Optimization (BRO) software used for multi-domain defense planning and real-time battlefield decision-making. The deal represents a strategic expansion of Ondas’ software-defined autonomous defense platform as the company seeks to integrate orchestration and optimization capabilities across its growing portfolio of autonomous systems and defense technologies.

AP Technologies: Nitinol And Precision Laser Processing Added Through Blueacre Technology Acquisition

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

AP Technologies announced the acquisition of Blueacre Technology, a Dundalk, Ireland-based specialist in laser micromachining and nitinol processing for the medical device industry. The acquisition expands AP Technologies’ vertically integrated catheter platform into nitinol and precision laser processing while establishing the company’s first European operation within Ireland’s medtech corridor. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

International Paper: Dover Facility Acquisition Expands East Coast Packaging Footprint

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

International Paper announced it has acquired a converting facility from Delmarva Corrugated Packaging in Dover, Delaware, strengthening the company’s position in the growing East Coast packaging market. The acquisition is expected to enhance International Paper’s manufacturing capabilities, expand its regional presence, and increase capacity for sustainable packaging solutions.

Ennov: Strategic Growth Investment From Bregal Sagemount And Ardian To Expand AI-Driven Life Sciences Software Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

Ennov, a provider of end-to-end regulatory, quality, and clinical software solutions for life sciences and healthcare organizations, announced a strategic growth investment led by Bregal Sagemount with participation from Ardian. The investment will support Ennov’s expansion plans, including accelerating AI innovation, scaling its product offering, and expanding its global go-to-market operations.

Sardine: National Bank Of Canada Partnership Expands Digital Banking Fraud Prevention Capabilities

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

Sardine announced a multi-year partnership with National Bank of Canada to strengthen digital banking security and improve fraud operations efficiency across the bank’s platforms.

Dr. Scholl’s Parent Company Acquires VKTRY To Expand Performance Footwear And Sports Market Presence

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

Yellow Wood Partners announced that its portfolio company, Scholl’s Wellness Company, the parent company of Dr. Scholl’s, has acquired VKTRY, a performance insole and footwear innovation company known for its carbon fiber insole technology. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Azio AI: $750 Million Merger Agreement With Envirotech Vehicles Backed By Fairness Opinion

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

AZIO AI Corp. announced that it has executed a definitive merger agreement with Envirotech Vehicles, Inc. as part of EVTV’s strategic shift toward artificial intelligence infrastructure, data center operations, and compute capacity expansion. The transaction is structured at a $750 million valuation and is supported by an independent third-party fairness opinion.

PestCo Holdings Acquires Arizona Pest Control Provider University Termite & Pest Control

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

Thompson Street Capital Partners announced that its portfolio company PestCo Holdings has acquired University Termite & Pest Control, a Tucson, Arizona-based pest management company serving both commercial and residential customers. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Neurosoft Bioelectronics: $7.5 Million Seed Round Closed To Advance Stretchable Brain-Computer Interfaces

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

Neurosoft Bioelectronics announced it has closed a $7.5 million oversubscribed seed financing round to accelerate development of its stretchable and scalable brain-computer interface (BCI) platform. The funding will support the company’s minimally invasive neural interface technology, which has already been tested in 10 patients across clinical trials in the United States and Europe.

Valley Bank: $3.6 Billion Invested To Support Communities In 2025

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

Valley National Bancorp released its 2025 Corporate Social Responsibility Report, titled “Advancing What Matters: Driving change through agility and adaptability,” highlighting more than $3.6 billion invested in initiatives focused on affordable housing, small business growth, entrepreneurship, and financial empowerment across the communities it serves.

NAVER: Clone Labs Receives Investment For AI User Intent And Decision Prediction Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

NAVER D2SF, the corporate venture capital arm of NAVER, announced an investment in Clone Labs, an AI startup developing technology designed to predict user intent and automate decision-making on behalf of users. The company is building what it describes as a “User Model,” an AI system that records and analyzes users’ computer and agent usage patterns in real time to anticipate next actions and execute them autonomously.

OpenAI: S$300 Million Commitment For ‘OpenAI For Singapore’ Initiative

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

OpenAI announced the launch of “OpenAI for Singapore,” a partnership with Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) designed to support the country’s National AI Strategy. The initiative includes a commitment of more than S$300 million and marks the company’s first Applied AI Lab outside of the United States.

JPMorgan Chase Launches German Retail Bank With Ambition To Reach Top Tier Of Market

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

JPMorgan Chase has officially launched its Chase-branded digital retail bank in Germany, marking the company’s expansion into Europe’s largest economy as it aims to become one of the country’s top consumer banking players. The launch follows years of preparation and hiring and represents the second European market for the bank after its UK debut in 2021, according to Reuters.

Zvoove: Acquisition Of profitask Expands Managed Payroll And Outsourced Sales Services For Staffing Companies

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

zvoove Group announced the acquisition of profitask GmbH, a specialist provider of managed payroll administration and outsourced sales services for temporary staffing companies across Germany. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Matador Resources: $1.1 Billion Delaware Basin Expansion Through Federal Lease Sale

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

Matador Resources Company announced the successful acquisition of 5,154 net undeveloped acres in the core of the Delaware Basin as part of the Bureau of Land Management oil and gas lease sale held this week. The Dallas-based company said the acquisition represents a strategic $1.1 billion expansion of its asset base in Southeast New Mexico.

Aberdeen Investments And DigitalBridge Acquire Equans Infra & Mobility

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

Aberdeen Investments and a vehicle controlled by DigitalBridge Group have acquired the asset-based e-mobility activities of Equans Infra & Mobility in the Netherlands. The business, which specializes in delivering scalable and sustainable e-mobility infrastructure, will now operate under the new name Velian.

Antler: £25 Million Commitment From British Business Bank For UK Fund II

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

The British Business Bank announced a £25 million cornerstone commitment to Antler’s UK Fund II, marking the Bank’s first commitment to Antler and reinforcing support for ambitious founders and innovators across the UK.

Avista Healthcare Partners To Acquire German VMS Platform sanotact Group

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

Avista Healthcare Partners announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire sanotact Group GmbH, a Germany-based vitamins, minerals, and supplements platform, alongside strategic co-investor Damier Group. Existing investor FLOTTE Beteiligungen GmbH will reinvest in the company as part of the transaction.

iA Financial Group: $500 Million Offering Announced For Unsecured Subordinated Debentures

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

iA Financial Group announced an offering of $500 million aggregate principal amount of 4.158% fixed/floating unsecured subordinated debentures due May 26, 2036.

Sentinel Global: Interview With Founder & Managing Partner Jeremy Kranz About The VC Firm

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

Sentinel Global is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm that invests in enterprise technology founders developing AI, blockchain, and open computing architectures to reshape global markets. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Sentinel Global founder and managing partner Jeremy Kranz to learn more.

Qurie: €2.2 Million Raised For Electrocaloric Refrigeration Systems

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

Qurie, a Freiburg-based startup developing next-generation electrocaloric cooling systems, has secured €2.2 million in Seed funding. The round was jointly backed by HTGF | High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), Technology Transfer Fund TT49, and Aepikur GmbH.

Everis Medical: Acquisition Of Hood Laboratories Expands Head & Neck And Airway Management Portfolio

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

Everis Medical, a medical device company focused on Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, and adjacent surgical specialties, announced the acquisition of Hood Laboratories, a privately held medical technology company based in Pembroke, Massachusetts. The acquisition expands Everis Medical’s portfolio of ENT, airway, and thoracic devices while strengthening its position in airway management.

Prelude: $20 Million Series A Raised To Build The Onboarding And Trust Layer For The AI Age

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

Prelude, a company building onboarding and trust infrastructure for the AI era, announced it has raised $20 million in Series A funding led by 20VC, with participation from existing investors Singular, Seedcamp, Deel, and FDJ UNITED Ventures.

Engine Room: Growth Investment From Red Iron Group To Expand Life Science Finance Capabilities

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

Red Iron Group announced a strategic growth investment in Engine Room, a finance and accounting partner focused on venture-backed life science companies. The investment is intended to support organizational expansion, enhance service capabilities throughout the client life cycle, and increase the use of technology and AI to improve client outcomes. Engine Room will continue operating independently under its existing brand and leadership structure.

CFTC: DJ Hennes Named Director Of Market Participants Division

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission announced that DJ Hennes has been appointed director of the Market Participants Division, according to an announcement from CFTC Chairman Michael S. Selig.

Sound Wave Innovation: $17 Million Raised For Ultrasound Alzheimer’s Therapy

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

Japanese medical startup Sound Wave Innovation has raised approximately $17 million (2.65 billion yen) in Series C financing to advance its ultrasound-based therapy for early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. The funding will support the completion of the company’s pivotal clinical trial, which is expected to conclude by the end of 2026, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Boston Scientific: $1.5 Billion Investment In MiRus To Advance Novel TAVR Technology

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

Boston Scientific announced a $1.5 billion strategic investment in MiRus in exchange for an approximately 34% equity stake in the privately held medical technology company. The agreement also gives Boston Scientific an exclusive option to acquire MiRus’ investigational SIEGEL Balloon Expandable Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) system, subject to additional milestone-based payments and regulatory achievements.