Innovation

Clone Labs: AI Startup Developing ‘User Models’ Raises Investment From NAVER D2SF

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 19, 2026

NAVER subsidiary NAVER D2SF announced an investment in Clone Labs, a startup focused on building AI systems that understand user intent and context. The financial terms of the investment were not disclosed.

Eisen: $18.5 Million Raised For Compliance Operations Infrastructure For Financial Services

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 19, 2026

Eisen announced $18.5 million in funding, including a $10 million Series A led by MissionOG and a previously unannounced $8.5 million seed round led by Index Ventures. Additional participation came from Cowboy Ventures, First Round Capital, Homebrew, and Restive Ventures. The company plans to use the funding to expand its compliance coverage and grow its team serving fintechs, financial institutions, and digital asset companies.

RADAR: $170 Million Raised At $1 Billion Valuation For AI-Powered Retail Intelligence Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 19, 2026

RADAR announced it has raised $170 million in Series B funding at a $1 billion valuation. The round was co-led by Gideon Strategic Partners and Nimble Partners, with participation from Align Ventures.

Cagent Vascular: $41 Million Series D Raised Following First Human Use Of Serranator SONIC IVL System

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 19, 2026

Cagent Vascular announced the successful completion of first human-use cases with the Serranator SONIC Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) System and the closing of an oversubscribed $41 million Series D financing round.

Benji: $6.25 Million Raised For Loyalty Partnership Infrastructure Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 19, 2026

Benji, a universal API platform for loyalty partnerships, announced a $6.25 million seed funding round led by Preface Ventures and Atinc, with participation from Great North Ventures, M25, and Hyde Park Venture Partners. The company said the funding will support the expansion of its engineering and go-to-market teams in Chicago and New York as it continues scaling integrations across its loyalty partnership network.

Blast Security: Interview With Co-Founder & CEO Boris Vaynberg About The Cloud Security Company

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 19, 2026

Blast Security provides a preemptive, AI-enabled cloud security platform that moves beyond traditional reactive detection by enforcing native, automated guardrails to prevent cloud risks, lateral movement, and misconfigurations before they emerge. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Blast Security co-founder and CEO Boris Vaynberg to learn more.

ProEncia Biotechnology: Pre-Seed Funding Raised To Advance Patent-Pending Periodontal Disease Treatments

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 19, 2026

ProEncia Biotechnology, a fast-growing biopharma startup based in the Twin Cities, announced that it has closed significant pre-seed funding to advance its next-generation periodontal disease treatment platform. The funding will support the continued development, commercialization, and licensing of the company’s pipeline of novel, non-invasive periodontal care products designed for patients across all stages of periodontal disease severity.

Thalo Labs: Investment Raised To Bring AI-Powered HVAC Diagnostics To Technicians

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 19, 2026

Thalo Labs announced an investment from Suffolk Technologies, the venture capital affiliate of Suffolk Construction, along with a strategic partnership to accelerate the adoption of AI-powered HVAC diagnostics and service intelligence. The investment reflects growing demand for more proactive and intelligent service models across the HVAC industry as contractors face labor shortages, aging infrastructure, and increasing system complexity.

Blank Bio: $7.2 Million Seed Financing Raised To Advance RNA Foundation Models For Precision Oncology

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 19, 2026

Blank Bio, an applied AI research lab focused on training foundation models for RNA, announced the closing of a $7.2 million seed financing round along with a strategic collaboration with Pacific Biosciences to advance RNA foundation models for precision oncology.

XPEL: $110 Million Manufacturing And Supply Chain Investment Includes San Antonio Expansion And China Facility Acquisition

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 19, 2026

XPEL, a global provider of protective films and coatings, announced an approximately $110 million manufacturing and supply chain investment that includes the expansion of its operations in San Antonio, Texas, and the acquisition of a manufacturing facility in China. The investment covers real estate, capital expenditures, and the China facility acquisition, and remains within the company’s previously announced $75 million to $150 million investment framework.

Forlong Biotechnology: RMB 120 Million Series Pre-B Financing Raised To Advance Cytokine Therapy Pipeline

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 19, 2026

Forlong Biotechnology, a clinical-stage biotech company focused on developing cytokine therapies for patients with severe unmet medical needs, announced the completion of an RMB 120 million, approximately $17.5 million, Series Pre-B financing round. The round was co-led by an undisclosed fund and Fudan Capital, with participation from Changshu Guofa Venture, Kunsheng Relay Fund, and other investors.

Accro Bioscience: $50 Million Series C Raised To Advance Immune Mediated Disease Pipeline

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 19, 2026

Accro Bioscience announced the closing of a $50 million Series C financing round led by OrbiMed, with participation from TCG Crossover (TCGX), LAV, Cenova Capital, and existing investors Shenzhen Capital Group (SCGC) and Oriza Holdings.

Full-Life Technologies: $150 Million Financing To Advance Clinical-Stage Radiotherapeutics Pipeline And Manufacturing Capabilities

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 19, 2026

Full-Life Technologies announced the completion of a US$150 million financing package comprised of approximately US$110 million in Series D equity financing and US$40 million in debt financing. The financing round was led by Vivo Capital and included participation from strategic partner SK Biopharmaceuticals along with Chengwei Capital, HSG, Junson Capital, Yunion, Plaisance, Sky9 Capital, TSG Capital, and other shareholders.

Pennant Group: Arizona Senior Living Expansion With Tucson Memory Care Acquisition

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 19, 2026

The Pennant Group announced the acquisition of the real estate and operations of Copper Canyon Memory Care, an established senior living community in Tucson, Arizona. The acquisition expands Pennant’s Arizona senior living operations by 40 units and strengthens the company’s presence in the state’s memory care market.

Watson’s: Carolinas Expansion Accelerates With Viridien Patio + Fireplace Acquisition

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 19, 2026

Watson’s, one of the nation’s largest retailers of home recreational products and furnishings, announced the acquisition of Charlotte-based Viridien Patio + Fireplace, a leading destination in the Carolinas for high-end outdoor furniture, outdoor kitchens, fireplace, and hearth products.

Lauxera Capital Partners: €520 Million Fund Raised For European Healthtech Expansion

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 19, 2026

Lauxera Capital Partners announced the successful close of its Lauxera Growth II fund at €520 million, surpassing its €500 million hard cap and nearly doubling the size of the firm’s debut fund. The oversubscribed fund was finalized less than 18 months after its first closing and reflects strong support from both returning and new limited partners, including Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Bpifrance, EIF (European Investment Fund), Sagard, Flextone, Swen Capital Partners, and Malakoff Humanis.

Sony Pictures Television Acquires Majority Stake In 32 Flavors To Expand Premium Unscripted Portfolio

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 19, 2026

Sony Pictures Television announced it has acquired a majority interest in Alex Baskin’s production company, 32 Flavors, as the studio continues expanding its premium unscripted programming business.

Scope: $20 Million Raised For AI Inspection Platform Transforming The TIC Industry

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 19, 2026

Scope, an AI workflow platform for the testing, inspection and certification (TIC) industry, announced it has raised $20 million in funding led by Index Ventures with participation from Susa Ventures, Entrepreneurs First, and Syndicate 1. The company also attracted notable angel investors including Mehdi Ghissassi, Cedric Pech, Naren Shaam, and Andy Szybalski.

Insider One: Bluecore Acquisition Strengthens Autonomous Customer Engagement Infrastructure

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 19, 2026

Insider One announced the acquisition of Bluecore, adding Bluecore’s retail identification and behavioral data capabilities to Insider One’s agentic customer engagement platform. The deal is designed to strengthen Insider One’s infrastructure for autonomous, AI-driven customer engagement at enterprise scale.

Sachem Capital And Industrial Realty Group: $3.4 Billion Combination To Create IRG Realty Trust, A Top-10 Public Industrial REIT

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 19, 2026

Sachem Capital Corp. and Industrial Realty Group announced a definitive contribution agreement to create IRG Realty Trust, Inc. (“IRGT”), a combined industrial real estate platform with an implied enterprise value of approximately $3.4 billion as of March 31, 2026. The deal will reposition Sachem from a mortgage-focused REIT into what the companies describe as a top-10 publicly listed industrial REIT by enterprise value.

TrumpRx.gov: Expansion Adds 600+ Generic Medications With Price Transparency Features

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 19, 2026

President Donald Trump announced an expansion of TrumpRx.gov that will add more than 600 generic medications to the platform, aiming to increase transparency and competition in prescription drug pricing for American consumers.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s Foundation: $108.3 Million Donated In CoreWeave AI Computing Resources For Research

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 19, 2026

The foundation established by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and his wife, Lori Huang, has purchased approximately $108.3 million worth of AI computing resources from CoreWeave and donated the computing capacity to universities and nonprofit research institutions focused on advancing artificial intelligence and scientific discovery.

Libsyn Appoints Todd Pringle As Vice President Of Product To Drive Creator Growth

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 19, 2026

Libsyn announced the appointment of Todd Pringle as Vice President of Product, reinforcing the company’s focus on accelerating innovation across its podcast publishing, distribution, monetization, and advertising platform.

RideNow Group: $35 Million In Additional Floorplan Capacity Secured To Expand Inventory Financing

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 19, 2026

RideNow Group announced that it has secured an additional $35 million in floorplan financing capacity, increasing the company’s total credit capacity to approximately $400 million. The added financing is designed to support several of the company’s major OEM relationships and strengthen inventory availability across its dealership network during the 2026 riding season.

Avid Bioservices: Maria Ebro Andreasen Appointed Chief People Officer To Support Growth And Talent Strategy

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 19, 2026

Avid Bioservices announced the appointment of Maria Ebro Andreasen as Chief People Officer as the biologics CDMO continues expanding its operations, workforce, and long-term talent initiatives to meet increasing customer demand.

Greenbriar Sustainable Living: Dominique Ramuz Appointed Managing Director Of Renewable Energy Advisory Board

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 19, 2026

Greenbriar Sustainable Living announced the appointment of Dominique Ramuz as Managing Director of the Renewable Energy Advisory Board. Ramuz, a Swiss national, brings more than 25 years of experience across energy, infrastructure, business transformation, corporate governance, and strategic leadership.

Gray Media: Jamie Bremer Named General Manager Of WFIE In Evansville

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 19, 2026

Gray Media announced that Jamie Bremer has been named the next General Manager of WFIE, the NBC affiliate in Evansville, Indiana, effective immediately.

InterVenn Biosciences: Alec Ford And Mitch Levine Join Board Of Directors

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 18, 2026

InterVenn Biosciences announced the appointment of Alec Ford and Mitch Levine to the company’s Board of Directors as it advances commercialization efforts for its glycoproteomic diagnostic solutions.

Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company Receives $27.3 Million Investment From Department Of War

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 18, 2026

Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company (PacSci EMC) announced that the Department of War (DoW) has invested $27.3 million in Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III funds to expand the production of the universal Arm Fire Device (AFD), a critical safety component used in solid rocket motor (SRM) applications.

Vortex Imaging: $12 Million Raised To Advance Computational Ultrasound Solutions

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 18, 2026

Vortex Imaging announced the closing of a $12 million financing round supported by existing and new investors, including 10D Ventures, Entrée Capital, Harel T.E.C Partnership, Connecticut Innovations, and PhiFund Ventures.