Innovation

IBM Partnering With SAP On Developing New AI Tools For The CPG And Retail Industries

By Annie Baker ● Jan 14, 2024

IBM recently announced its collaboration with SAP to develop solutions to help clients in the consumer packaged goods and retail industries enhance their supply chain, finance operations, sales, and services using generative AI.

Ansys Launches SimAI To Combine Simulation With Generative AI

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jan 14, 2024

Ansys recently launched its newest Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based technology Ansys SimAI, which is a physics-agnostic software as a service (SaaS) application that combines the predictive accuracy of Ansys simulation with the speed of generative AI.

What Google Revealed At CES 2024

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jan 9, 2024

Google GM and VP Sameer Samat revealed several new updates the company made at the CES 2024 event. These are the details.

Deepcell Partners With NVIDIA To Utilize Generative AI In Single Cell Research

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jan 9, 2024

Deepcell - a pioneer in AI-powered single-cell analysis to fuel deep biological discoveries - recently announced a research collaboration with NVIDIA to accelerate the development and adoption of advanced computer vision solutions in life sciences. And Deepcell - which already uses the NVIDIA A4000 and NVIDIA AI technology - will incorporate NVIDIA AI into its single-cell analysis technology, working collaboratively with NVIDIA to codevelop new uses for generative AI and multimodal applications in cell biology.

McAfee: Deepfake Audio Detection Technology Unveiled

By Annie Baker ● Jan 9, 2024

McAfee recently announced its AI-powered Deepfake Audio Detection technology (known as Project Mockingbird) at the Consumer Electronics Show. This new and proprietary technology was developed to help defend consumers against the surging threat of cybercriminals utilizing fabricated and AI-generated audio to carry out scams that rob people of money and personal information, enable cyberbullying, and manipulate the public image of prominent figures.

Twilio: Khozema Shipchandler Named As CEO

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jan 9, 2024

Twilio - the customer engagement platform that drives real-time and personalized experiences for today’s leading brands - announced that Khozema Shipchandler, formerly President of Twilio Communications, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer and will join the company’s Board of Directors, effective immediately. Shipchandler is succeeding Jeff Lawson, Twilio’s co-founder, who is stepping down as CEO and as a member of the Twilio Board. Jeff Epstein (a member of the Twilio Board and Lead Independent Director since 2017) has been appointed as Chair of the Twilio Board.

BigCommerce And Marketplacer Sign Strategic Partnership

By Annie Baker ● Jan 9, 2024

BigCommerce (a leading Open SaaS ecommerce platform for fast-growing and established B2C and B2B brands) and Marketplacer (a global technology platform that enables brands, retailers, suppliers, communities, and innovators to build and grow successful online marketplaces at scale) have announced a strategic partnership.

Apple Vision Pro To Become Available On February 2

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jan 8, 2024

Today Apple announced Apple Vision Pro will be available beginning Friday, February 2, at all U.S. Apple Store locations and the U.S. Apple Store online. The Vision Pro seamlessly blends digital content with the physical world and unlocks powerful spatial experiences through visionOS and it is controlled by the natural and intuitive inputs: a user’s eyes, hands, and voice.

Isomorphic Labs Signs Deal Valued Up To $1.7 Billion With Eli Lilly

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jan 7, 2024

Digital biology company Isomorphic Labs - a company with a goal of redefining drug discovery using the power of AI - recently announced that it has entered into a strategic research collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company.

Intel And DigitalBridge Form Articul8 To Offer Enterprise GenAI Software Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jan 4, 2024

Intel and global investment firm DigitalBridge Group announced the formation of Articul8 AI, an independent company offering enterprise customers a full-stack, vertically-optimized, and secure generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) software platform. And the platform delivers AI capabilities that keep customer data, training, and inference within the enterprise security perimeter.

Voyager Therapeutics Signs $1.2 Billion Capsid License Agreement And Strategic Collaboration With Novartis

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jan 2, 2024

Voyager Therapeutics - a biotechnology company dedicated to advancing neurogenetic medicines - today announced a strategic collaboration and capsid license agreement with Novartis Pharma AG, a subsidiary of Novartis AG, to advance potential gene therapies for Huntington’s disease (HD) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). And Voyager will provide Novartis a target-exclusive license to access Voyager’s TRACER capsids and other intellectual property for the respective diseases. Voyager and Novartis will collaborate to advance a preclinical gene therapy candidate for HD.

Pattern Energy: $11 Billion In Financing Closed For Largest Clean Energy Infrastructure Project In U.S. History

By Amit Chowdhry ● Dec 29, 2023

Pattern Energy Group LP - a leader in renewable energy and transmission infrastructure - recently announced that it has closed an $11 billion non-recourse financing and begun full construction of SunZia Transmission and SunZia Wind, the largest clean energy infrastructure project in U.S. history.

MediWound Receives $6.7 Million U.S. DoD Funding For Advancing NexoBrid Development

By Amit Chowdhry ● Dec 29, 2023

MediWound - a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on next-generation enzymatic therapeutics for tissue repair - recently announced that the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), through the Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC) has awarded MediWound an additional $6.7 million in non-dilutive funding for developing NexoBrid as a non-surgical solution for field-care burn treatment for the U.S. Army.

U.S. Air Force Awarding Viasat Up To $900 Million For Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract

By Annie Baker ● Dec 29, 2023

Viasat - a global leader in satellite communications - recently announced it will work with the U.S. Air Force's Life Cycle Management Center (USAF LCMC) to transition and integrate new innovative technologies and capabilities as part of a $900 million ceiling, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. As part of the multi-award contract – known by its initialism LCMC XA IDIQ – Viasat is expected to prototype and test systems, hardware, software, and cybersecurity solutions to provide integrated and multi-domain capabilities for the USAF.

Bluebird Network: Communications Infrastructure Provider Closes $285 Million In Senior Secured Credit Facilities

By Amit Chowdhry ● Dec 19, 2023

Bluebird Network - a communications infrastructure provider and operator of more than 11,000 miles of fiber and two data centers - recently announced that it has received $285 million of five-year Senior Secured Credit Facilities. The proceeds from the Credit Facilities were used to refinance Bluebird's existing indebtedness and will fund ongoing capital expenditures including network upgrades, expansion into new markets, and an awarded Middle Mile grant build. TD Securities acted as Lead Left Arranger on the financing and is the Administrative Agent for the Credit Facilities.

Kong Hits $100 Million In Annual Recurring Revenue

By Amit Chowdhry ● Dec 13, 2023

Kong Inc - a leading developer of cloud API technologies - announced today that it has surpassed $100 million in annual recurring revenue. The company’s success results from a commitment to product excellence, a laser focus on the user and customer experience, and the growth of Kong Konnect, its unified cloud API platform - which helps organizations unleash developer productivity and accelerate time to market.

MaterialsZone: Long-Term Commercial Agreement With Kafrit Group To Develop Improved Products

By Amit Chowdhry ● Dec 13, 2023

MaterialsZone - a leading Materials Informatics platform for manufacturers’ R&D teams, and Kafrit Group - a global masterbatches and compounds producer - announced today their long-term commercial agreement enabling Kafrit Group to better utilize their data to develop improved products and provide an unparalleled customer experience to its clients.

Withings Launches Heart Health Hybrid Smartwatch ScanWatch Nova

By Amit Chowdhry ● Dec 8, 2023

Withings - a leader in connected health devices and the inventor of the first hybrid smartwatch - recently announced its latest innovation: ScanWatch Nova. This new iteration provides a powerful health scan in a splendid luxury diver-style watch with crucial health benefits to track health metrics and activity, including on-demand electrocardiogram, SpO2, body temperature 24/7, advanced activity tracking, and in-depth sleep analysis.

Certa And Castellum.AI Partnering To Offer Professionals With Financial Crime Risk Data For Improved Third-Party Risk Management

By Amit Chowdhry ● Dec 7, 2023

Certa (a leader in third-party management solutions) announced today a partnership with Castellum.AI (a global financial crime risk platform). This partnership integrates Castellum.AI risk screening into Certa’s TPRM platform, providing compliance and procurement professionals access to the most accurate, reliable, and fastest information on sanctions, export controls, adverse media, beneficial ownership, etc.

Ford Pro And Xcel Energy Partnering On Installation Of 30,000 EV Charging Ports For Business Fleets By 2030

By Amit Chowdhry ● Dec 6, 2023

Ford Pro (the commercial division within Ford Motor Company) and Xcel Energy (a national leader in clean energy) recently announced a unique collaboration to support the deployment of 30,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging ports in Xcel Energy service territories across the U.S. by 2030 with most upfront costs offset by Xcel for qualifying business fleet customers.

Carta Healthcare: Brent Dover Named As CEO

By Amit Chowdhry ● Dec 6, 2023

Carta Healthcare - a health tech company aiming to harness the value of clinical data - announced today the appointment of Brent Dover as chief executive officer. Dover succeeds former CEO Matt Hollingsworth - who co-founded Carta Healthcare in 2017 and remains a board member. And in his new role, he will continue to focus on product innovation, business development, and strategic partnerships for Carta Healthcare’s market-leading solutions.

IBM Consulting And Palo Alto Networks Expanding Strategic Cybersecurity Partnership

By Amit Chowdhry ● Dec 5, 2023

IBM Consulting and Palo Alto Networks recently announced that they will expand their strategic partnership to enable clients to strengthen their end-to-end security postures and navigate evolving security threats. Palo Alto Networks will be in a select group of strategic IBM Consulting partners, and IBM Consulting will be a premier security services partner for Palo Alto Networks.

Generation Food Rural Partners Launching Nexture Bio To Transform Cultivated Meats

By Amit Chowdhry ● Dec 5, 2023

Big Idea Ventures (BIV) - a global leader in early-stage alternative protein and food technology investing - recently announced its third portfolio company through the Generation Food Rural Partners Fund (GFRP). Nexture Bio develops novel technologies to support the advancement of alternative meat products.

TruaID: This Digital Identity Verification Product Helps People Keep Personal Information More Secured

By Amit Chowdhry ● Dec 2, 2023

Digital identity and screening company Trua recently announced it has launched a new product called TruaID, which will give consumers a greater sense of security with their private information while providing businesses with a more efficient means of screening customers and prospective employees. TruaID eliminates the need for users to repeatedly provide businesses, government agencies or potential employers with their private personal information such as Social Security number, driver’s license, birth certificate, or other documents.

QuantHealth Launches Katina To Help Pharma Researchers Run Significant Protocols At Scale

By Amit Chowdhry ● Dec 1, 2023

QuantHealth - an AI-powered clinical trial design startup - recently announced a major product upgrade to its platform to simulate trials at scale and expedite, de-risk and optimize drug development. Katina provides clinical researchers with an AI-guided workflow that simulates hundreds of thousands of potential trial protocol combinations of patient groups, treatment parameters, and different endpoints to maximize the trial success probability while considering additional operational and commercial considerations.

May Mobility: New CFO And $105 Million Series D Funding Round

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 30, 2023

May Mobility - a leader in developing and deploying autonomous vehicle (AV) technology - recently announced the company's $105 million Series D funding round. And the company also revealed that Anna Brunelle has joined as CFO.

Radiology Partners Unveils AI Integration Platform With AWS HealthImaging

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 30, 2023

Radiology Partners (RP) - a leading radiology practice in the U.S. through its owned and affiliated practices - recently announced the launch of its RPX AI orchestration platform on Amazon Web Services (AWS). And RPX AI is RP’s AI orchestration and integration platform, and it utilizes AWS HealthImaging, a HIPAA-eligible service for storing, analyzing, and sharing medical images at petabyte scale. RP selected AWS HealthImaging to advance its ability to seamlessly deploy a suite of AI tools across any reading platform, creating a highly accessible and adaptable solution for hospitals and health systems to deliver high-quality, technology-enabled care.

Next DLP Partners With Torq And Signs Rivian As A Customer To Prevent Data Loss And IP Theft

By Annie Baker ● Nov 20, 2023

Next DLP - a leader in insider risk and data protection - recently announced a strategic partnership with security hyperautomation pioneer Torq in a deal designed to combat insider risk through heightened detection and automated response actions. And electric adventure vehicle company Rivian will utilize the deep visibility provided by the joint solution to shine a light on insider risk to prevent accidental data loss and stop malicious theft of valuable intellectual property. This will fully integrate Next DLP's Reveal Platform, a user-centric, flexible, cloud-native, AI/ML-powered cybersecurity solution, with the enterprise-grade Torq Hyperautomation platform, which automates and connects complex security infrastructures at a dramatic scale.

Emerging Travel Group Reports Turnover Of More Than $2 Billion

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 18, 2023

Emerging Travel Group - a global travel company operating the RateHawk, ZenHotels, and Roundtrip brands - recently announced its turnover of over $2 billion in the first three quarters of 2023, as the third quarter saw record revenue. And the Group's net booking value is up 40% in Q1-Q3 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. This record performance has supported a strong first nine months overall.

Cyber Innovation Center: $129 Million In Federal Funding Awarded

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 10, 2023

The Cyber Innovation Center (CIC) - a catalyst for the development and expansion of a knowledge-based workforce - recently announced a total of $129 million in federal funding to continue industry-leading innovation through CYBER.ORG and STRIKEWERX, its leading subsidiary organizations driving innovation in the region.