Innovation

GE Vernova Backlog Reaches $176 Billion As Power And Electrification Demand Accelerates

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

GE Vernova's backlog reached $176 billion during the second quarter of 2026 as demand for gas turbines, grid equipment, data center infrastructure, and long-term services continued to increase.

Schneider Electric Launches Upgraded Charge Pro Commercial EV Charging System In The U.S.

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

Schneider Electric has introduced an upgraded version of its Charge Pro Level 2 commercial electric vehicle charger in the United States, adding software, connector and deployment capabilities designed for property owners, workplaces and fleet operators.

Francisco Partners Raises $21 Billion Across Flagship And Agility Funds

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

Francisco Partners has closed $21 billion in capital commitments across its eighth flagship fund and fourth Agility fund, completing the largest fundraising effort in the technology investment firm's history.

Bregal Sagemount To Acquire Majority Stake In ATOZ Services

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

Bregal Sagemount has agreed to make a strategic growth investment in ATOZ Services, becoming the majority shareholder of the Luxembourg-based fund services platform. ATOZ Group and existing investor ICG will retain minority interests following the transaction.

Cirrus Logic Receives Scottish Enterprise Grant For Smart Energy Technology Development

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

Cirrus Logic has received a research and development grant from Scottish Enterprise to develop a next-generation smart energy technology platform and expand its engineering activities in Scotland. The amount of the grant was not disclosed.

Abstract Raises $25 Million To Expand Composable AI-Powered Security Operations Platformabstract

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

Abstract has raised $25 million in funding to expand its composable security operations platform as enterprises seek alternatives to traditional security information and event management systems. The round was co-led by Cheyenne Ventures and AVP, with participation from Olive Hill Ventures. Existing investors Crosslink Capital and Rally Ventures also joined the financing. The investment brings Abstract's total funding to nearly $50 million.

IBM To Acquire HRL Laboratories To Expand Quantum Computing, Sensing And Materials Research

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

IBM has signed a definitive agreement to acquire HRL Laboratories, a research and development company jointly owned by Boeing and General Motors. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Empery Digital Invests $20 Million In Cardinal Data Power For An 8% Stake

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

Empery Digital has invested $20 million in Cardinal Data Power, acquiring an approximately 8% ownership interest in the developer of large-scale powered data center campuses.

Elio Raises $21 Million Led By Innovation Endeavors And Xora For AI-Directed Sensors

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

Elio has raised $21 million to develop sensors that allow artificial intelligence systems to determine what information should be captured in real time. The funding round was led by Innovation Endeavors and Xora, with participation from Kevin Weil and Scribble Ventures. Existing investors UpWest and Resolute Ventures, which led Elio's previous round, also participated.

Prosper Medical Raises $16 Million Led By FUSE For AI-Powered Concierge Primary Care

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

Prosper Medical has raised $16 million to expand its AI-powered concierge primary care platform and physician network. The financing was led by FUSE, with participation from Aurum Partners, Better.vc, Cal Innovation Fund, Fluent, Latitude Capital, Knoll Ventures and WTI.

Alphabet Reports $109.9 Billion In Q1 2026 Revenue As Google Cloud Growth Accelerates To 63%

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

Alphabet reported revenue of $109.9 billion for the first quarter of 2026, representing a 22% increase from the prior-year period and the company's 11th consecutive quarter of double-digit growth.

TotalEnergies Reported $6 Billion Adjusted Net Income And $9.8 Billion Cash Flow In Q2 2026

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

TotalEnergies reported adjusted net income of $6.03 billion for the second quarter of 2026 as higher oil prices, refining margins and trading performance offset lower production and weaker results from its liquefied natural gas business.

Northrim BanCorp To Acquire PBCO Financial In $167.3 Million All-Stock Deal

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

Northrim BanCorp has agreed to acquire PBCO Financial Corporation in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $167.3 million, expanding the Alaska-based community bank into Oregon.

Optus Financial And M&F Bancorp Agree To More Than $105 Million Merger

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

Optus Financial Corporation and M&F Bancorp have signed a definitive merger agreement that will combine two of the United States' longest-established Minority Depository Institutions.

Jusfy Raises $15 Million Series A Led By Quona Capital

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

Jusfy has raised $15 million in Series A funding led by Quona Capital to expand its AI-native operating system for legal professionals in Brazil. The round also included Thomson Reuters Ventures, The LegalTech Fund, Maya Capital, SaaSholic, Spectra, Fluent Ventures, Endeavor, FJ Labs and other investors.

Naval Postgraduate School Brings NVIDIA DGX GB300 AI Supercomputer Online

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

The Naval Postgraduate School has commissioned an NVIDIA DGX GB300 supercomputer to expand artificial intelligence research, education and mission-focused technology development at the U.S. military's graduate university in Monterey, California.

U.S. And Saudi Arabia Sign 30-Year Multibillion-Dollar Civil Nuclear Agreement

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

The United States and Saudi Arabia have signed a 30-year civil nuclear cooperation agreement that would give American companies a central role in developing the kingdom’s nuclear energy program, according to The WSJ.

BusinessNext Raises $40 Million From ServiceNow Ventures At $700 Million Valuation

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

BusinessNext has raised $40 million in a Series C funding round from ServiceNow Ventures, valuing the Indian banking software company at approximately $700 million, according to Reuters. Through the investment, ServiceNow acquired roughly a 5% interest in BusinessNext. The companies will also form a strategic partnership focused on expanding and governing artificial intelligence tools used by financial institutions.

Advyzon Launches Embedded Agentic AI Platform For Wealth Management Firms

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

Advyzon has launched Advyzon AI, an embedded agentic intelligence system designed to help financial advisory firms analyze information, coordinate workflows and execute tasks across the company’s wealth management platform.

Ford And Geely Plan Valencia Manufacturing Joint Venture To Produce Five Vehicles Beginning In 2028

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

Ford and Geely Auto plan to establish a European manufacturing joint venture centered on Ford's assembly plant in Valencia, Spain, as the automakers seek to improve factory utilization, lower production costs and expand their low- and zero-emission vehicle offerings.

Nestlé And Platinum Equity To Create $5.6 Billion Water And Premium Beverages Company Peranel

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

Nestlé and Platinum Equity have agreed to create Peranel, a standalone water and premium beverages company valued at approximately $5.6 billion.

Robinhood Launches $695 Platinum Card With More Than $3,000 In Annual Benefits

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

Robinhood has launched the Robinhood Platinum Card, a premium credit card aimed at high-spending customers with enhanced rewards across dining, travel, health and wellness.

Nerd Apply: Interview With Brothers And Co-Founders Braden And Cooper Weissman About College Admissions Data

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

Nerd Apply is a college admissions data platform that helps counselors centralize historical information and explore real, de-identified student profiles containing academic and nonacademic context. Its network case studies enable counselors to search completed admissions outcomes from across the country and find examples relevant to the students they advise. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Nerd Apply brothers and co-founders Braden Weissman and Cooper Weissman to learn more.

Tending: Interview With Founder And CEO Artem Manilov About Digital Grave Care And Memorial Restoration

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

Tending is a technology-driven grave care platform that enables families to remotely order headstone restoration, cleaning, maintenance, flower placement, and other memorial services through its website and mobile app. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Tending Founder and CEO Artem Manilov to learn more.

Ropedia Raises $30 Million In Pre-A Funding To Scale Physical AI Data Infrastructure

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

Ropedia has raised $30 million across two pre-A funding rounds to expand its data infrastructure platform for robotics and embodied artificial intelligence systems. The Singapore-based company raised $22 million in its latest round after previously securing $8 million in March 2026. The financing included angel investors, long-term financial investors and strategic partners with experience in artificial intelligence, enterprise technology, robotics, mobility and infrastructure.

Bluebeam: Interview With Head Of Product Luke Prescott About AI-Powered Construction Technology

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

Bluebeam provides collaboration and workflow software that helps architects, engineers, builders, trades, and owners review documents, manage construction workflows, and coordinate projects in real time. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Bluebeam Head of Product Luke Prescott to learn more.

AlTi Tiedemann Global Appoints Cesar Pachon To Lead Miami Office

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

AlTi Tiedemann Global has appointed Cesar Pachon as Managing Director and head of its Miami office as the wealth manager expands its presence in South Florida. Pachon has more than 20 years of experience advising ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families and entrepreneurs. His background includes helping internationally connected families manage assets and financial interests across multiple jurisdictions.

Barings Provides Financing For Quad-C’s Acquisition Of Armstrong Transport Group

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

Barings has provided senior secured credit facilities supporting Quad-C's acquisition of Armstrong Transport Group. Financial terms of the acquisition and financing were not disclosed.

Magnific: Interview With Co-Founder & CEO Joaquin Cuenca Abela About The Creative Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

Magnific (formerly Freepik) is an AI-powered creative platform that provides professional tools for generating and enhancing images, videos, and audio. The platform allows creators and enterprises to use multiple top-tier AI models in one place. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Magnific co-founder and CEO Joaquin Cuenca Abela to learn more.

BlueQubit And Partners Receive $1.5 Million In DOE Grants For AI-Driven Quantum Error Correction

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 23, 2026

BlueQubit and its research partners have received U.S. Department of Energy Genesis Mission grants totaling $1.5 million to advance artificial intelligence-based quantum error correction.