Innovation

VastAdvisor: AI-Based Wealth Management Platform Launches Native CRM Integrations With Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, And HubSpot

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 23, 2026

VastAdvisor announced the launch of native integrations with Salesforce Financial Services Cloud, Microsoft Dynamics 365, and HubSpot, expanding its AI-powered organic growth platform for wealth management advisors.

Mercury: $200 Million Series D Raised At $5.2 Billion Valuation For AI-Native Banking Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 23, 2026

Mercury, the fintech company focused on modern banking solutions for startups and businesses, announced a $200 million Series D funding round at a $5.2 billion valuation. The round was led by TCV and included participation from existing investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Coatue, CRV, Sapphire Ventures, Sequoia Capital, and Spark Capital. The latest raise brings Mercury’s total primary and secondary funding to approximately $700 million.

MidOcean Energy: $120 Million Investment From The Arab Energy Fund As Part Of Equity Raise

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 23, 2026

MidOcean Energy, a liquefied natural gas company formed and managed by EIG, announced a $120 million equity investment from The Arab Energy Fund as part of its current equity capital raise.

Addepar: AI Innovation Expanded Across Agents, Data And Workflow Capabilities

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

Addepar announced a series of new AI, data, and workflow automation capabilities at its annual AddeConf26 conference, expanding the company’s push to embed artificial intelligence directly into the workflows used by investment professionals. The updates build on the earlier launch of Addison, Addepar’s native AI experience, and are designed to help firms unify data, improve operational intelligence, and support more informed investment decision-making across increasingly complex global portfolios.

Motivity Acquires Calmanac To Build Unified ABA Clinical And Practice Management Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

Motivity announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Calmanac, bringing together two ABA-native technology teams under a single platform focused on clinical integrity and operational efficiency for applied behavior analysis providers.

Heartland Food Products Group: Americas Acquisition Expands Sweetener Portfolio

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

Heartland Food Products Group announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Americas business of Whole Earth Brands, including the Equal, Whole Earth, Swerve, and Chuker sweetener brands across North America and Latin America. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Baszucki Group: £1.17 Million Funded For Oxford University Ketogenic Therapy Trial Targeting Early Psychosis

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

Baszucki Group announced a £1.17 million grant to support a randomized controlled trial at the University of Oxford evaluating the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of ketogenic therapy for patients at clinical high risk of psychosis (CHR-P). The study will examine whether a modified ketogenic diet can improve both mental and physical health outcomes for patients experiencing early symptoms associated with psychotic disorders.

BAI Capital: $600 Million First Close Announced For New $800 Million Fund

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

BAI Capital announced the first close of its latest USD fund, which is targeting $800 million in total commitments. The first close reached $600 million, reflecting continued institutional investor confidence in the firm's track record, deep connections within Asia's technology ecosystem, and global investment capabilities.

Fresha: $80 Million At $1 Billion Valuation Raised From KKR For AI-Powered Beauty And Wellness Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

Fresha, an AI-powered marketplace and business management platform for the beauty and wellness industry, announced an $80 million primary growth investment from funds managed by KKR at a valuation of more than $1 billion.

Hark: $700 Million Series A Raised For Personalized AI And Hardware Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

Hark announced it has raised more than $700 million in Series A funding at a $6 billion post-money valuation. The oversubscribed round was led by Parkway Venture Capital and included participation from NVIDIA, AMD Ventures, ARK Invest, Brookfield, Greycroft, Intel Capital, Prime Movers Lab, Qualcomm Ventures, Salesforce Ventures, and Tamarack Global.

Havas: Acquisition Of Format Expands Next-Generation Corporate Influence Communications

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

Havas announced the acquisition of Format in a strategic move led by Havas Paris to accelerate the development of next-generation corporate influence communications. The deal strengthens Havas Paris’ capabilities across media relations, social media, content creators, and content production as communications channels continue to evolve.

GoEngineer: Latin America Expansion Through SKA Acquisition

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

GoEngineer announced the acquisition of SKA, Latin America’s leading SOLIDWORKS and engineering technology reseller, extending the company’s full-service engineering partner model into Latin America. Following the transaction, SKA will operate as SKA, a GoEngineer company.

Yosi Health: Interview With CEO Hari Prasad About The Digital Front Door Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

Yosi Health is an advanced digital front door and workflow automation platform that supports the entire patient journey before, during, and after the visit, helping clinics reduce administrative burden while improving patient satisfaction. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Yosi Health CEO Hari Prasad to learn more.

AIAI Holdings: Interview With CEO Todd Furniss About The Diversified Holding Company

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

AIAI Holdings (Ai² Holdings) is an AI-enabled, diversified holding company that acquires, integrates, and scales businesses across multiple industries such as healthcare, civil construction, and blockchain data infrastructure by applying licensed artificial intelligence to improve operational efficiency and financial performance. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Ai² Holdings CEO Todd Furniss to learn more.

GE Vernova Acquires Robotech Automation To Accelerate Robotics And Automation Capabilities

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

GE Vernova announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Robotech Automation, a robotics and automation systems integrator based near Montreal, in a move designed to accelerate the company’s robotics and automation capabilities.

Mayville Engineering Company: $100 Million Public Offering Closed Following Full Underwriters’ Option Exercise

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

Mayville Engineering Company announced the closing of its underwritten public offering of 5,000,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $20.00 per share, generating total gross proceeds of approximately $100 million before underwriting discounts, commissions, and offering expenses.

Conduent: $164 Million Public Transit Business Sale To Modaxo Announced

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

Conduent announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Public Transit business to Modaxo for $164 million as the company continues efforts to simplify its portfolio and strengthen its balance sheet.

The Motorcoach Store: $60 Million Commitment Fuels Millennium Luxury Coaches Unification

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

The Motorcoach Store announced that Millennium Luxury Coaches is joining the Motorcoach Store family, bringing together two major names in the luxury motorcoach industry under a unified growth strategy.

Soluna Holdings: $8.8 Million Acquisition Completes Full Ownership Of Project Dorothy 1 Campus

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

Soluna Holdings announced it has acquired the remaining equity interest in Project Dorothy 1B (D1B) from Navitas Global for approximately $8.8 million, completing the company’s equity consolidation of the Dorothy 1 campus in Silverton, Texas.

Red Cat: Acquisition Of Quaze Technologies Expands Wireless Power Capabilities For Autonomous Systems

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

Red Cat Holdings announced it has acquired Quaze Technologies, adding wireless power transfer capabilities to its all-domain drone and robotic systems portfolio. The acquisition is designed to address one of the largest operational challenges facing autonomous systems, reliable field charging and persistent power access across air, land, and maritime environments.

HR Path: Acquisition Of TEC360 People Expands Latin America Presence

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 22, 2026

HR Path announced the acquisition of TEC360 People as part of its strategy to strengthen its footprint in Latin America.

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.