Innovation

Lineaje: Supply Chain Security Company Secures $20 Million (Series A)

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 8, 2024

Lineaje, a leader in continuous software supply chain security management, announced it raised $20 million in Series A funding led by Prosperity7 Ventures, Neotribe, and Hitachi Ventures, along with existing investor Tenable Ventures. This round also included participation from Carahsoft (the world’s largest software distributor serving the U.S. government) along with Wipro Ventures, Secure Octane Investments, J-Ventures and Alumni Ventures. And with additional contributions from executives at Zscaler, CrowdStrike, and Trellix, this investment brings Lineaje’s total funding to $27 million.

Perchwell: $25 Million (Series B) Raised To Empower Real Estate Agents

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 8, 2024

Perchwell, a modern data and workflow platform for residential real estate, announced its $25 million Series B financing. Lux Capital is leading the funding, which is joined by a group of strategic real estate and financial investors, including Starwood Capital Group, Flex Capital, Stellar MLS, REcolorado MLS, and California Regional MLS (CRMLS).

Humanity Protocol: An Interview With Founder and CEO Terence Kwok About This Web3 Security Company

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 7, 2024

Humanity Protocol is a company that is setting a new standard for secure and private digital interactions within the Web3 space. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Humanity Protocol founder Terence Kwok to learn more about the company.

Josh Kushner’s Thrive Capital Raises $5 Billion For Fund IX

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 7, 2024

Thrive Capital, a New York-based venture capital firm founded by Oscar Health co-founder Joshua Kushner, announced it has closed its ninth flagship fund at over $5 billion. This is the largest fund raised by the firm to date. Thrive IX features $1 billion designated for early-stage investments and $4 billion designated for growth-stage investments.

Onepak: Digital Supply Chain Platform Company Raises Funding From Nuveen

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 7, 2024

Onepak, a digital supply chain and reverse logistics platform that facilitates the flow of used IT hardware and e-waste for responsible repurposing, today announced it has raised $20 million from the Private Equity Impact team at Nuveen (the $1.2 trillion asset manager of TIAA). And the investment represents the first in the Nuveen Climate Inclusion Fund II and aligns with Nuveen’s goal of driving an inclusive transition to a low-carbon, circular economy.

Healx: Clinical-Stage Biotech Company Secures $47 Million In Series C

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 7, 2024

Healx, an AI-enabled, clinical-stage biotech company specializing in rare diseases, announced it has raised $47 million in a Series C round. This Series C round was co-led by Silicon Valley-based R42 Group and Atomico, one of Europe’s largest venture capital firms, with participation from new and existing investors including Balderton, Jonathan Milner, Global Brain, btov, Ayana Capital, o2h and VU Venture Partners.

venBio Reveals $528 Million Global Strategic Fund V

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 7, 2024

venBio announced the closing of venBio Global Strategic Fund V, which is its fifth life sciences venture capital fund, exceeding its target and closing on about $528 million in capital commitments in an oversubscribed fundraise. And the firm initiated the fundraise for Fund V in mid-April.

Sora Fuel: $6 Million Closed To Produce Sustainable Aviation Energy

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 7, 2024

Sora Fuel, a company producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using only water, air and renewable energy, announced it has raised an oversubscribed $6 million seed round. The Engine Ventures led the round, with Wireframe Ventures and others participating. And the funding will be used to expand Sora Fuel’s Boston-based team, develop commercialization partnerships and further advance the company’s novel technology.

Protect AI: AI/ML Security Company Raises $60 Million In Series B

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 7, 2024

Protect AI, a leading artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) security company, announced it has closed a $60 million Series B round of funding led by Evolution Equity Partners with participation from 01 Advisors, StepStone Group, Samsung, and existing investors Acrew Capital, boldstart ventures, Knollwood Capital, Pelion Ventures, and Salesforce Ventures. So far, the company has raised a total of $108.5 million to help organizations protect ML systems and AI applications from unique security vulnerabilities and emerging threats.

StartupOS: How This Company Boosted Growth For Over 5,000 Startups

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 7, 2024

StartupOS is an innovative platform that elevates startups and supports the broader innovation ecosystem. The company’s goal is to empower not only startup founders but also accelerators, enterprises, educational institutions, and community organizations. Pulse 2.0 interviewed StartupOS founder and CEO Paul Pluschkell to learn more about the company.

Stori: Mexico-Based Consumer Finance Platform Raises $212 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 7, 2024

Stori, a pioneering Mexican startup focused on transforming consumer finance with a suite of groundbreaking products and services, announced a new round of equity and debt financing totaling $212 million. This includes $105 million in equity led by Notable Capital and BAI with participation from new and existing investors ACE Redpoint Ventures, GIC, General Catalyst, Goodwater, Lightspeed Ventures, and Tresalia, and $107 million in new debt financing provided by Goldman Sachs and Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP. This investment represents a major set up in valuation over the previously announced unicorn round.

BBTruck: Supply Chain Tech Company Raises Over $6 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 7, 2024

BBTruck, a leader in supply chain and logistics technology, announced the successful closure of its pre-series A funding round. Led by Oasis Venture, H2U, and StarWorks Entrepreneurial Venture Capital, this round has brought BBTruck's total funding to $6.5 million.

Carketa: Data And Intelligence Software Provider Raises $4.4 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 7, 2024

Carketa - a leading provider of end-to-end data and intelligence software for the automotive industry - announced the successful close of a $4.4 million early growth round. This funding round was led by new investor Capital Eleven, with participation from new and existing investors, including Crosslink Capital, Origin Ventures, Allegis Capital, and Peak Ventures.

Bilt Rewards: Loyalty Platform Company Raises $150 Million At $3.2 Billion Valuation

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 7, 2024

Bilt Rewards, which is the nation's largest loyalty program for the home and neighborhood, announced it has raised an additional $150 million in funding. This funding round was led by Teachers’ Venture Growth (TVG) - which is the late-stage venture and growth investment arm of Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan - with participation from existing investors and new endowments including Vanderbilt University Endowment and the University of Illinois Foundation. This round of funding comes just a few months after Bilt's $200 million raise in January, valuing the company at $3.1 billion.

StarTree: Enabling Businesses To Gain Insights From Data

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 7, 2024

StarTree is a cloud-based software company that enables business customers to derive advanced insights from real-time and historical data. Pulse 2.0 interviewed StarTree co-founder and CEO Kishore Gopalakrishna to learn more about the company.

Thumbtack: $75 Million Raised From Silicon Valley Bank And Hercules Capital

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 6, 2024

Thumbtack, a technology company helping millions of people confidently care for and improve their homes, announced $75 million in financing from Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), a division of First Citizens Bank, and Hercules Capital. This debt facility provides access to efficient capital and liquidity for Thumbtack as it continues to bring the $600 billion home services industry online.

Growlink: Environment Agriculture Solutions Provider Closes $2 Million In Seed Funding

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 6, 2024

Growlink, a leading controlled environment agriculture (CEA) provider of advanced IoT controllers, sensors, and cultivation software, announced the closing of its $2 million seed funding round led by Casa Verde. And Growlink's co-founders, Ted Tanner and David Holmes, built technology companies together for 26+ years with two previous exits and are dedicated to creating data-driven tools that empower growers to maximize their yield with minimal resources.

Seeq: Industrial Analytics, AI, And Monitoring Leader Secures $50 Million In Series D

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 6, 2024

Seeq, a leader in industrial analytics, AI, and monitoring, announced today it has closed a $50 million Series D funding round led by leading global investment firm Sixth Street Growth, with participation from existing investors including Insight Partners, Altira Group, Second Avenue Partners, and Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures.

Climatize: Impact Investing Company Raises $1.75 Million In Pre-Seed Funding

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 6, 2024

Climatize, an SEC-registered impact investing platform that enables investors to fund renewable energy projects while earning up to 10% annually, announced the close of a $1.75 million pre-seed round led by Myriad Venture Partners. The funding round also includes investments from Climate Capital, Techstars, Responsibly Ventures, and Temerity Capital. And notable angel investors include the co-founder of GoFundMe, the former operating partner of Bessemer Ventures, and the head of Americas for a utility-scale renewable energy developer Low Carbon.

Inscora: Cyber Insurance Broker Solutions Company Raises $2 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 6, 2024

Inscora, a Montreal-based company providing automated cyber risk assessment and sales enablement solutions for cyber insurance brokers, announced it has raised $2 million in funding. The funding round was led by Luge Capital, and participants included Desjardins Capital, Accelia Capital, Inovia Capital, and angel investors from the cybersecurity industry.

H3X: High Power Density Electric Motor Manufacturer Raises $20 Million In Series A

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 6, 2024

H3X, a leading manufacturer of high power density electric motors, announced today a $20 million oversubscribed Series A raise. This funding round was led by Infinite Capital, with participation from Hanwha Asset Management, Cubit Capital, Origin Ventures, Industrious Ventures, Venn10 Capital, and follow-on investors that include Lockheed Martin Ventures, Metaplanet, Liquid 2 Ventures, and TechNexus.

Muon Space: End-To-End Space Systems Provider Closes Over $56 Million In Series B

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 6, 2024

Muon Space, an end-to-end Space Systems Provider that designs, builds, and operates mission-tailored low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations, announced the successful completion of a $56.7 million Series B funding round led by Activate Capital. Acme Capital and existing investors Costanoa Ventures, Radical Ventures, and Congruent Ventures all joined the round. This funding accelerates the buildout of Muon's Halo Platform and positions the company to scale the spectrum of capabilities it delivers to a growing customer base.

Groq: Fast AI Inference Company Raises $640 Million Series D At $2.8 Billion Valuation

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 6, 2024

Groq, a leader in fast AI inference, announced it has secured a $640 million Series D round at a valuation of $2.8 billion. The funding round was led by funds and accounts managed by BlackRock Private Equity Partners with participation from existing and new investors, including Neuberger Berman, Type One Ventures, and strategic investors, including Cisco Investments, Global Brain's KDDI Open Innovation Fund III, and Samsung Catalyst Fund.

Degreed: An Interview With CEO David Blake About This Fast-Growing Enterprise Learning Experience Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 6, 2024

Degreed is a technology suite that combines lifelong learning and data-driven development to accelerate workforce capabilities. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Degreed CEO David Blake to learn more about the company.

Octane: $50 Million Series E Raised To Transform Buying Processes For Major Recreational Purchases

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 6, 2024

Octane, a fintech company transforming the buying experience for major recreational purchases, announced that it has closed its Series E funding round with $50 million in new equity capital. And Octane has raised $242 million in total equity funding so far.

Integrate: The Story Behind This Enterprise B2B Focused Demand Management SaaS Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 6, 2024

Integrate is a company that offers a cross-channel demand management SaaS platform for enterprise B2B demand and marketing operations teams. To learn more about the company, Pulse 2.0 interviewed Integrate CEO Jeremy Bloom.

FleetPulse Raises Additional Funding From NFI Ventures and Ironspring Ventures

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 6, 2024

FleetPulse, a leading innovator in trailer telematics, announced additional funding from NFI Ventures, a venture capital group run by NFI (a prominent 3PL) and Ironspring Ventures (a VC firm with deep transportation and logistics experience). This new funding aims to enhance FleetPulse's development of customer-focused innovations and expedite product commercialization.

Cato Networks Passes $200 Million In ARR

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 5, 2024

Cato Networks, the creator of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), announced it surpassed $200 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) in the second quarter of this year—doubling its total ARR in under two years.

SafeGuard Privacy: SaaS-Based Compliance Company Raises $3.6 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 5, 2024

SafeGuard Privacy, a SaaS-based compliance platform that enables publishers, agencies, brands, data providers, and tech platforms to assess, audit, and comply with global privacy laws, announced it has closed a $3.6 million funding round. And the company's new funding round was led by TechOperators, Dynamism Capital, Sidekick Partners, and two other existing investors.

Ema: Gen AI Company Increases Series A To $50 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Aug 5, 2024

Ema, a generative AI (GenAI) company creating the universal employee of the future, announced its Series A total of $50 million after adding $36 million in funding led by Accel and Section 32. This funding round also includes participation from Prosus Ventures, Sozo Ventures, Hitachi Ventures, Wipro Ventures, SCB 10X, Colle Capital, and Frontier Ventures. The company has raised $61 million so far, and since it emerged from stealth in March, Ema has more than tripled its customer base.