Innovation

Shein Reportedly Buying Everlane For $100 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

Fast fashion giant Shein is reportedly acquiring sustainable apparel brand Everlane in a deal valued at approximately $100 million, according to multiple reports. The acquisition marks a dramatic shift for Everlane, which built its reputation around sustainability, ethical sourcing, and “radical transparency.”

Quantum Bridge: $8 Million Raised To Fortify Global Networks Against Quantum Threats

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

Quantum Bridge Technologies announced it has closed an $8 million Series A funding round led by Primo Capital SGR to accelerate the global transition to quantum-safe cybersecurity infrastructure. The investment round included participation from Wayra, Cadenza VC, Club degli Investitori, HPE, and Bacchus Venture Capital. Combined with previous backing from investors including Alumni Ventures and the University of Toronto, Quantum Bridge has now raised a total of $16 million.

Infrawatch: $3 Million Pre-Seed Raised To Build Internet Infrastructure Intelligence Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

Infrawatch announced it has raised a $3 million pre-seed funding round to build what it describes as the Internet Infrastructure Intelligence Layer, a new cybersecurity platform category designed to help organizations identify and stop cyberattacks, fraud, scams, phishing, and online abuse before they happen.

CircuitHub: $28 Million Raised To Accelerate Electronics Production From Months To Days

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

CircuitHub announced it has raised $28 million in funding to expand its automated electronics manufacturing capabilities and accelerate electronics production timelines from months to days. The funding round was led by Plural and Sten Tamkivi, bringing the company’s total funding to date to $48 million.

Google: Intelligent Eyewear Launching This Fall With Gemini-Powered Features

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

Google announced at Google I/O 2026 that it is launching a new category of intelligent eyewear powered by Android XR and Gemini, with audio glasses arriving later this fall. The company said the glasses are designed to provide hands-free assistance, contextual information and app integration without requiring users to constantly look at their phones.

Legrand: Malaysia Power Engineering Acquisition Expands Datacenter Infrastructure Presence In Asia

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

Legrand announced the acquisition of SRS Power Engineering in Malaysia, further expanding the company’s footprint in Asia and strengthening its capabilities in low- and medium-voltage power protection solutions for datacenters and industrial applications.

Deep Fission: $156 Million IPO Launched For Underground Nuclear Reactor Technology

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

Advanced nuclear energy company Deep Fission announced the launch of its proposed underwritten initial public offering of 6 million shares of common stock. The company also intends to grant underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 900,000 shares at the initial public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions.

Kpler: Acquisition Of African Energy Intelligence Firm CITAC Expands Trade Analytics Coverage

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

Kpler announced the acquisition of CITAC, a market intelligence firm focused on Africa’s downstream energy sector, expanding the company’s suite of trade intelligence tools and strengthening its global Insight offering.

Grant Thornton Advisors: AI And Technology Services Expansion Through MCA Connect Acquisition

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

Grant Thornton Advisors announced it has signed an agreement to acquire MCA Connect, a consulting and technology firm focused on manufacturing and distribution companies. The deal is designed to strengthen Grant Thornton Advisors’ end-to-end digital, data and AI capabilities while expanding its technology-led advisory offerings.

Ripjar: 40% ARR Growth And Additional Investment Fuel Expansion Of AI-Native Screening Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

Ripjar announced a 40% increase in annual recurring revenue over the past 12 months while also securing additional primary capital investment from Long Ridge Equity Partners, underscoring continued confidence in the company’s position within the financial crime compliance market.

Redwood Trust: $125 Million Senior Notes Offering Priced At 9.75%

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

Redwood Trust announced the pricing of an underwritten public offering of $125 million aggregate principal amount of 9.75% senior notes due 2031. The company also granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional $18.75 million aggregate principal amount of notes to cover over-allotments. The offering is expected to close on May 27, 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.

Omnia Mechanical Group Acquires W&S Motor & Pump

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

Omnia Mechanical Group has announced the acquisition of W&S Motor & Pump. The deal expands Omnia’s pump and motor capabilities while strengthening its ability to serve property owners, managers, boards, facilities teams, and commercial clients throughout the New York region.

GHO Capital And CBC Group: $21 Billion Merger To Create Major Healthcare Investment Firm

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

Global Healthcare Opportunities (GHO) and CBC Group announced they have signed a definitive agreement to combine operations and create what the companies describe as the world’s largest dedicated healthcare investment manager, with more than $21 billion in assets under management.

Target: Jeff England Named EVP, Chief Global Supply Chain And Logistics Officer

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

Target announced that Jeff England will join the company as executive vice president and chief global supply chain and logistics officer, effective May 31. England will report to Target chief operating officer Lisa Roath and will oversee the company’s efforts to strengthen and accelerate its global supply chain and logistics operations.

Maxio: Interview With CEO Branden Jenkins About The Financial Operations Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

Maxio is a comprehensive financial operations platform that provides billing, subscription management, and revenue recognition for B2B SaaS businesses, and as CEO, Branden Jenkins leads the company’s strategic growth, product innovation, and go-to-market efforts. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Maxio CEO Branden Jenkins to learn more.

Holley Performance Brands: Sarah Apple Appointed As Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

Holley Performance Brands announced the appointment of Sarah Apple as Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, effective immediately. The Nashville-based automotive aftermarket company said Apple will join the senior leadership team and oversee the company’s legal function, including corporate and board governance, regulatory matters, strategic transactions and business operations.

The Siegfried Group: Michael Fox Appointed CEO As Rob Siegfried Transitions To Executive Chair

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

The Siegfried Group announced that Michael Fox has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, effective July 2026. Founder and current CEO Rob Siegfried will transition into the role of Executive Chair.

Google Workspace: New AI Features Add Voice Tools, Image Creation And Personal AI Agent

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

Google announced a series of new AI-powered features and products for Google Workspace, introducing conversational voice capabilities across Gmail, Docs and Keep, a new image creation and editing app called Google Pics, expanded AI Inbox functionality and a 24/7 personal AI agent named Gemini Spark.

Analog Devices: $1.5 Billion Acquisition Of Empower Semiconductor Expands AI Power Portfolio

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

Analog Devices announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Empower Semiconductor in an all-cash transaction valued at $1.5 billion. The deal is designed to strengthen Analog Devices’ position in high-density, energy-efficient power delivery systems for AI infrastructure and other compute-intensive applications.

Meta: $200 Billion Louisiana AI Data Center Reshapes Rural Economy And Politics

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

Meta is building what could become the world’s largest artificial intelligence data center campus in rural Louisiana, a project known internally as Hyperion. According to a Bloomberg feature, the development has rapidly transformed Richland Parish’s economy, infrastructure, politics, and culture as CEO Mark Zuckerberg pushes aggressively to expand the company’s AI computing capabilities, according to Bloomberg.

DoorDash: Tim Castree Joins As Chief Marketing Officer

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

DoorDash announced that Tim Castree has joined the company as chief marketing officer, effective May 18, 2026. The appointment comes as DoorDash continues expanding its platform beyond restaurants and food delivery into broader local commerce offerings.

ISC: $1.2 Billion Take-Private Deal By Plenary Americas Announced

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

Information Services Corporation announced that it has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Plenary Americas in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $1.2 billion enterprise value.

Healthy Extracts: Imaraïs Beauty Acquisition Expands Reach Into $730 Billion Beauty Market

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

Healthy Extracts announced the acquisition of Imaraïs Beauty, the women’s health and beauty brand co-founded by fitness personality Sommer Ray and supplement entrepreneur Aaron Hefter. The transaction marks Healthy Extracts’ expansion into the global beauty and personal care market and is expected to increase the company’s 2026 annualized revenue run rate outlook by 20% to more than $24 million by year end.

Storytel Group: Overamstel Publishers Acquisition Strengthens Benelux Publishing Presence

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

Storytel Group announced the acquisition of 100% of independent Dutch and Belgian publisher Overamstel Publishers, further expanding the company’s publishing footprint and customer offering across the Benelux region, one of Storytel’s core markets.

Happy Belly Food Group Acquiring Remaining 50% Of PHIRO Fresh Greek Grill

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

Happy Belly Food Group announced it has exercised its right to acquire the remaining 50% of PHIRO Fresh Greek Grill, making the fast casual Greek restaurant chain a wholly owned subsidiary of the company.

Carmela Foods: Acquisition Of J. Prescott Company Expands Specialty Food Distribution Footprint Into Kentucky

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

Carmela Foods, a family-owned specialty food distributor serving the Midwest, announced the acquisition of J. Prescott Company, a Cincinnati-based business with more than 40 years of customer relationships in the specialty food market.

Mistral AI Acquires Emmi AI Acquired To Build Industrial Engineering AI Stack

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

Mistral AI announced it is acquiring Emmi AI in a strategic deal designed to strengthen Europe’s industrial AI capabilities and create what the company describes as the leading AI stack for industrial engineering.

Swapfiets Acquires Dance To Expand European Bike Subscription Leadership

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

Swapfiets announced it has acquired Dance, bringing together two of Europe’s leading bike subscription brands in a deal that significantly expands the company’s footprint across major urban markets including Paris, Berlin, and Hamburg.

Addtech: Nijhuis Engineering Acquisition Expands Rail And Road Machinery Solutions Portfolio

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

Addtech announced that its business area Addtech Electrification has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in Nijhuis Engineering B.V.

Nexalin: $1.3 Million PONM Acquisition Expands AI-Integrated Neurostimulation Platform Ahead Of FDA Trial

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 21, 2026

Nexalin Technology announced it has acquired PONM from GreenLight Ventures in a $1.3 million stock transaction designed to strengthen the digital infrastructure behind Nexalin’s HALO Clarity neurostimulation platform and Nexalin NeuroCarevirtual clinic.