Innovation

Portkey: Interview With Co-Founder Rohit Agarwal About The GenAI Developer Tooling Company

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 11, 2024

Portkey is building the critical tooling every AI team needs to ship reliable, cost-efficient, and performant LLM apps. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Portkey co-founder Rohit Agarwal to learn more about the company.

Prodoscore: Interview With CEO Sam Naficy About The Data Intelligence Solution

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 11, 2024

Prodoscore is an AI-based and employee-centric data intelligence solution dedicated to making teams more successful. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Prodoscore CEO Sam Naficy to learn more about the company. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Prodoscore CEO Sam Naficy to learn more about the company.

BlackRock Now Managing Record $11.5 Trillion Of Assets

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 11, 2024

BlackRock announced it reported a record $11.5 trillion of assets under management (AUM) for the third quarter. This is up from $9.1 trillion one year ago and $10.6 trillion in the last quarter.

University Of Manchester: Unit M Launched To Support Region’s Innovation Economy

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 11, 2024

The University of Manchester announced it launched a new capability called Unit M to rethink how it supports the region’s innovation economy. With a mandate to drive the University’s new approach to innovation, Unit M will connect and catalyze the innovation ecosystem in Manchester and the wider region to accelerate inclusive growth.

Apollo Funds Buying Barnes Group For $3.6 Billion

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 10, 2024

Barnes Group (a global provider of highly engineered products, differentiated industrial technologies, and innovative solutions) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by funds managed by Apollo Global Management affiliates in an all-cash transaction that values Barnes at an enterprise value of approximately $3.6 billion.

HUMAN: Cybersecurity Company Raises $50+ Million (Growth Capital)

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 10, 2024

HUMAN Security - a leading cybersecurity company committed to safeguarding every step of the customer’s online journey by defending against bots, fraud, and digital risk - announced $50+ million in growth capital led by WestCap with additional investment from Goldman Sachs, ClearSky, NightDragon, and Vertex Ventures US to support its mission in protecting the integrity of the digital world by ensuring every online interaction, transaction, and connection is authentic, secure, and human.

Citi Foundation: $25 Million Earmarked For Community Finance Innovation Fund

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 10, 2024

The Citi Foundation announced a new round of its Community Finance Innovation Fund. With this open Request for Ideas (RFI), the Citi Foundation is committing $25 million more in philanthropic support to a new cohort of nonprofit community finance innovators advancing financial inclusion and financial health in low-income communities across the US.

Windmill: $5 Million (Series A) Raised To Develop High-Performance Air Purifier

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 10, 2024

Windmill, a high-performance air care brand best known for modernizing the window air conditioner, announced the launch of its latest innovation: The Windmill Air Purifier. Built to elevate the rapidly growing air purifier category, this first-of-its-kind product combines sophisticated technology with contemporary, minimalist design, setting a new standard for indoor air care. And Windmill also announced the closing of a $5 million Series A funding round, backed by YETI CapitaI1, Pentland Ventures, Dot Capital, SuperAngel.Fund, and various other investors.

LVMH Signs $1 Billion Partnership With Formula One

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 10, 2024

LVMH announced a 10-year sponsorship deal with Formula One, valued at approximately $1 billion. Starting in 2025, this partnership will replace Rolex as the primary sponsor, placing LVMH’s prestigious brands—including Louis Vuitton, Moët Hennessy, and TAG Heuer—at the center of one of the world’s most glamorous sports.

Shore Capital Partners: Nearly $2 Billion Closed For Three Funds, With AUM Hitting $9.1 Billion

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 10, 2024

Shore Capital Partners - a private equity firm focused on lower-middle market investments - announced the closing of its inaugural Healthcare Advantage Fund, second Business Services Partners Fund, and first Shore Search Partners Fund. These three funds each exceeded their targets and together represent over $1.9 billion in commitments, bringing the firm’s assets under management to $9.1 billion.

QAD Buying Phenix Software To Help Manufacturers Improve Productivity

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 10, 2024

QAD - a leading provider of next-generation manufacturing and supply chain solutions in the cloud - announced it closed the acquisition of Phenix Software to help manufacturers improve productivity and accelerate factory performance. This solution (now called QAD Advanced Scheduling) optimizes production decisions by determining what products to make on each production line in the best possible sequence to minimize changeovers, maximize inventory, and align cost and service goals.

Asaas: Brazil-Based Financial Technology Company Secures R$820 Million (Series C)

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 10, 2024

Asaas, a financial technology company specializing in developing financial automation solutions for SMEs, announced it raised a R$820 million Series C round led by BOND, with participation from Softbank, 23S Capital, and Endeavor Catalyst.

Betr: Alex Kuwada Named As Head of Marketing

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 10, 2024

Betr Holdings, a leading sports gaming and media company, announced the addition of industry veteran Alex Kuwada to its executive team. Alex Kuwada, formerly the Senior Director of Growth at FanDuel, joined Betr as Head of Marketing.

Automated Industrial Robotics Buying Ireland-Based Robotics & Drives

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 10, 2024

Automated Industrial Robotics announced the acquisition of Robotics & Drives (RDS), an Ireland-based industrial automation company focused on delivering innovative solutions through robotics technology. The deal further reinforces AIR’s presence in Europe, strengthens the company’s ability to integrate robotics solutions into its automated systems, and adds to the product portfolio. The deal was funded primarily by an additional Ares Management Private Equity fund investment. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Butterfly Equity Buying Luxury Wine Company The Duckhorn Portfolio For $1.95 Billion

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 10, 2024

The Duckhorn Portfolio, which is North America’s premier luxury wine company, and Butterfly Equity (a Los Angeles-based private equity firm specializing in the food and beverage sector) announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement, pursuant to which Duckhorn will be acquired by private equity funds managed by Butterfly in an all-cash transaction that values the company at approximately $1.95 billion.

Zeal: Modern Payroll Platform Company Raises $15 Million (Series B)

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 10, 2024

Zeal, a modern payroll platform designed for powering the workforce of today and tomorrow, announces the closing of a $15 million Series B funding round. This latest funding round, which Portage led with continued support from existing investors Spark Capital and Commerce Ventures, marks a major milestone in Zeal’s mission to redefine payroll for innovative staffing companies, gig-work platforms, and HR service providers, including industry leaders like Wonolo, Qwick, Lawtrades, Band of Hands, and WorkGenius.

Sanas: Interview With CEO & Co-Founder Max Serebryakov About The Accent Translation Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 10, 2024

Sanas is a company that is transforming communication by giving multilingual speakers a choice when it comes to how they communicate. This is a step towards empowering individuals, advancing equality, and deepening empathy. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Sanas CEO and co-founder Max Serebryakov to learn more about the company.

Nada: $25 Million Credit Facility Signed With Kawa Capital

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 10, 2024

Nada - a leading fintech company offering homeowners debt-free access to home equity - announced it has secured an up to $25 million revolving credit facility from Kawa Capital Management, an alternative asset management firm with over $3 billion in assets under management and renowned for its expertise in structured real estate and credit markets. This facility enhances Nada's ability to scale its home equity agreement (HEA) origination platform and support its Cityfunds investment program.

Driver: $8 Million (Seed) Funding Raised For Simplifying Technical Documentation

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 10, 2024

Driver announced it emerged from stealth mode and the company unveiled its AI-based platform that instantly decodes technology and automates the creation of interactive documentation. And Driver also announced $8 million in seed funding, led by GV (Google Ventures), with participation from Y Combinator and over a dozen early-stage and angel investors.

97212 Ventures: Interview With Founder Eyal Bino About The Israel-Based Venture Firm

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 10, 2024

97212 Ventures is a seed fund exclusively focused on investing in top early stage Israeli startups committed to building category defining companies in NYC. Pulse 2.0 interviewed 97212 Ventures founder Eyal Bino to learn more about the firm.

Green Cabbage: Spend Analytics Company Raises Strategic Funding From Sorenson

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 10, 2024

Green Cabbage, a global leader in spend analytics and the only cost-reduction company offering a subscription-based model with a savings guarantee, announced a Series A funding round by Sorenson Capital. This new funding round will support Green Cabbage's continued expansion and mission to drive innovation in procurement and workforce market intelligence.

BizzyCar: $15 Million Growth Round Raised For Transforming Auto Service Platforms

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 10, 2024

BizzyCar - a leading autotech solution that exponentially increases service revenue by automating recalls - announced the closing of its $15 million growth funding round. The oversubscribed round was led by Dealer Tire, with participation from existing investors.

Loot Labs: $6 Million (Seed) Raised To Expand Collectibles Platform BOXED.GG

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 10, 2024

Loot Labs, a Seattle-based startup that empowers collectors with convenient ways to enjoy their hobby, announced that it has secured $6 million in a seed round investment led by BITKRAFT Ventures, with participation from Sfermion, Fabric Ventures, and Everyrealm. Loot Labs is using the investment to expand its gamified collectibles platform, BOXED.GG, into the digital video game collectibles market, starting with a beta for Counter-Strike 2 skins launching on October 28.

Corvus Robotics: $18 Million (Series A) Secured To Advance Autonomous Inventory Management Systems

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 10, 2024

Corvus Robotics, a provider of autonomous inventory management systems, announced an updated version of its Corvus One system. This allows the company to fly its drone-powered system in a lights-out distribution center without any added infrastructure like reflectors, stickers, or beacons. This newest generation product is supported by an $18 million Series A round and seed funding led by S2G Ventures and Spero Ventures. Watch the Corvus One drones fly in a lights-out warehouse.

Kiva AI: $7 Million (Seed) Closed To Deliver Compliant Data Solutions For Developing Specialized AI Applications

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 10, 2024

Kiva AI, a platform designed for delivering high-quality and compliant data solutions at scale for developing specialized AI applications in industries like healthcare, finance, and law, has announced the close of a $7 million seed round led by CoinFund. And additional investors include Protagonist, Hashkey, Peer VC, and entrepreneurs such as Bill Tai, Slava Rubin, Cyrus Massoumi, Brian Norgord, and Jack Herrick.

Athletes Untapped: Interview With Founder & CEO Gene Williams About The Private Sports Coach Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 10, 2024

Athletes Untapped is an online marketplace that connects parents and kids with private sports coaches for in-person training. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Athletes Untapped founder and CEO Gene Williams to learn more about the company.

Maven Clinic: Women’s Health Virtual Clinic Company Raises $125 Million (Series F)

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 10, 2024

Maven Clinic, the world's largest virtual clinic for women's and family health, announced that it has raised a $125 million Series F funding round led by StepStone Group. The company's existing investors, General Catalyst, Sequoia, Oak HC/FT, Icon Ventures, Dragoneer Investment Group, and Lux Capital, participated in the round. And this funding brings Maven's total to over $425 million.

Kinetik: Interview With CEO Sufian Chowdhury About The Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Company

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 10, 2024

Kinetik is a company that is reimagining the way Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) works. The company has partnered with health plans, brokers, and transportation providers nationwide to develop the largest digitally integrated healthcare transportation network in the country. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Kinetik CEO Sufian Chowdhury to learn more about the company.

Orasis Pharmaceuticals: $78 Million (Series D) Raised To Support Launch Of Qlosi

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 10, 2024

Orasis Pharmaceuticals, a ophthalmic pharmaceutical company focused on reshaping vision possibilities, announced a $78 million Series D round to support the commercial launch of Qlosi (pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution) 0.4%, a novel corrective eye drop for the treatment of presbyopia in adults.

Waymark: Interview With CEO Alex Persky-Stern About The AI Video Creator Company

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 10, 2024

Waymark is a breakthrough AI production platform that uses a single prompt to create stunning personalized commercials and spec spots in minutes without creative skills needed. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Waymark CEO Alex Persky-Stern to learn more about the company.