Innovation

Apollo And 8VC Launch Multi-Billion-Dollar Partnership To Drive American Industrial Innovation

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 3, 2025

Apollo and 8VC have announced a strategic partnership aimed at fueling what they describe as the next wave of the American Industrial Renaissance. The initiative will deploy several billion dollars to support high-growth technology companies across advanced manufacturing, aerospace, energy, life sciences, logistics, and natural resources.

Zelestra: $60 Million In U.S. Tax Equity Funding Secured for 81 MW Jasper County Solar Project

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 3, 2025

Zelestra, a global renewable energy company focused on delivering multi-technology solutions for corporate and hyperscale clients, announced that it has closed a $60 million tax equity investment from Stonehenge Capital for its 81 MWdc (60 MWac) Jasper County Solar Project in Indiana. The project is expected to become fully operational in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Arlington Capital Partners: $6 Billion Fund VII Closed To Build Market Leaders In Strategic U.S. Industries

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 3, 2025

Arlington Capital Partners, a Washington, D.C.-area private investment firm focused on government-regulated industries, has closed Arlington Capital Partners VII (ACP VII) with total capital commitments of $6 billion. The fund surpassed its $4.75 billion target and hit its hard cap in less than five months, marking a 57% increase over the firm’s 2023 predecessor, ACP VI, and a more than 250% increase from ACP V, which closed in 2019.

Apiphani Buys Tradeoff Software To Enhance AI-Native Product And Engineering Leadership

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 3, 2025

Apiphani, an AI-native technology services and automation company focused on mission-critical enterprise applications, announced its acquisition of Tradeoff Software, an AI-driven product development firm founded by Braden Ericson. The acquisition enhances Apiphani’s product and engineering capabilities as the company continues advancing its proprietary automation and observability platform, luumen.

xMEMS: $21 Million Series D Raised For Scaling piezoMEMS Innovations for AI-Driven Consumer Devices

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 3, 2025

xMEMS Labs, the company behind the world’s first piezoelectric MEMS (piezoMEMS) fan-on-a-chip and a global leader in solid-state silicon speakers, announced the closing of a $21 million Series D funding round led by Boardman Bay Capital Management. The round also saw participation from Cloudview Capital, CDIB-TEN Capital, Harbinger Venture Capital, SIG Asia Investments (an affiliate of Susquehanna International Group), and other strategic investors.

Vietjet And University Of Oxford Reveal Net Zero Aviation Research

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

Vietjet and the University of Oxford have jointly announced the results of a landmark research initiative aimed at achieving Net-Zero emissions in global aviation. The announcement was made during Vietnam’s General Secretary To Lam's official visit to the United Kingdom, marking a pivotal moment in advancing sustainable air travel solutions.

Old Dominion University and Google Public Sector Launch MonarchSphere AI Incubator

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

Old Dominion University (ODU) and Google Public Sector have announced the launch of MonarchSphere, a first-of-its-kind AI incubator designed to embed artificial intelligence across every dimension of university research, teaching, and operations. The multi-year initiative, powered by Google Cloud, aims to establish ODU as a national model for AI-powered innovation and smart campus transformation.

MacKenzie Scott Donates $38 Million To Alabama State University In Largest Gift In School’s History

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

Alabama State University has received the largest single donation in its 158-year history: a $38 million unrestricted gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. The transformative donation represents a significant investment in the University’s long-term growth and an extraordinary vote of confidence in its mission, leadership, and vision for innovation.

NewPoint And Morgan Properties Close $350 Million Oversubscribed Fund Focused On Affordable Housing Investments

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

NewPoint Impact Fund I has completed its final close with $348 million in equity commitments, surpassing its original target range of $250 million to $275 million. The inaugural fund, co-sponsored by NewPoint Real Estate Capital and Morgan Properties, attracted participation from more than 180 institutional and individual investors across the United States, indicating strong investor interest in mission-driven housing investments.

Ownright: Interview With Co-Founder & CEO Robert Saunders About The Legal And Tech Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

Ownright is a digital-first legal technology platform that helps simplify the legal side of real estate transactions in Ontario, Canada. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Ownright co-founder and CEO Robert Saunders to gain a deeper understanding of the company.

PharmaDrug To Buy 40% Stake in Canurta, Expanding Botanical Therapeutics Portfolio

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

Toronto-based PharmaDrug, a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of natural medicines, announced it has signed a definitive securities exchange agreement with Canurta Limited Partnership and its limited partners, the parent entity of Canurta Inc. The transaction marks a significant step in PharmaDrug’s strategy to advance its biotechnology footprint through innovative botanical therapeutics.

BKV Buying Controlling Stake In Power JV To Expand Energy Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

BKV Corporation announced that it has entered into a definitive purchase agreement with Banpu Power US Corporation (BPPUS) to acquire one-half of BPPUS’ ownership interest in BKV-BPP Power. Upon closing, BKV will hold a 75% controlling stake in the power joint venture, furthering its long-term growth and energy diversification strategy.

Morgan Stanley To Buy EquityZen, Expanding Its Private Markets Ecosystem

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

Morgan Stanley announced that it has agreed to acquire New York-based EquityZen, a leading marketplace for private shares. The acquisition is expected to strengthen Morgan Stanley’s position in private markets by enhancing its end-to-end service offerings for private companies, employees, and investors.

Uncommon Equity Buys Michigan-Based HopCat Casual Dining Chain

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

Uncommon Equity (UEQ), a Chicago-based private investment partnership, has acquired Grand Rapids-based Project BarFly, the parent company of the HopCat restaurant group. The deal expands UEQ’s portfolio with one of Michigan’s most recognizable casual dining brands. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

SocialNext Buys Marketing News Canada, Expanding National Media Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

SocialNext, one of Canada’s leading marketing conference series and professional communities, has announced the acquisition of Marketing News Canada (MNC), a national media platform known for its podcasts, industry news, and storytelling. The acquisition brings together two major brands that share a mission to strengthen and celebrate Canada’s marketing industry nationwide.

Coats: Acquisition Of OrthoLite Completed To Expand Global Footwear Capabilities

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

Coats Group, a leader in apparel and footwear components, announced that it has completed the acquisition of OrthoLite, a market leader in footwear materials and the top brand in premium insoles. The move represents a significant milestone in Coats’ long-term strategy to strengthen its position in the global footwear industry through expansion into the premium insole market.

InterDigital Buying AI Startup Deep Render To Advance AI-Native Video Compression

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

InterDigital, a research and development company specializing in mobile, video, and AI technologies, has acquired London-based Deep Render, an artificial intelligence startup pioneering video and image compression technologies. The acquisition enhances InterDigital’s leadership in video compression and expands its AI talent pool, reinforcing the company’s long-term strategy to lead in next-generation video and wireless innovation.

Boyd Group To Buy Joe Hudson’s Collision Center In $1.3 Billion Deal

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

Boyd Group Services has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Joe Hudson’s Collision Center (JHCC) from TSG Consumer Partners LP for approximately $1.3 billion. The acquisition, which adds 258 collision repair locations across 18 U.S. states, will bring Boyd’s total network to 1,273 locations across North America.

Ares Management To Buy BlueCove, Creating Ares Systematic Credit Strategy

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

Ares Management announced that one of its affiliates has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the entire outstanding share capital of BlueCove Limited, a London-based systematic fixed income manager. The deal, expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, will form a new integrated business known as Ares Systematic Credit.

Cicor Technologies To Buy TT Electronics In £287 Million Deal

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

Cicor Technologies, a global provider of full-cycle electronic solutions for the healthcare technology, industrial, aerospace, and defense sectors, has announced its firm intention to acquire UK-based TT Electronics plc, a London Stock Exchange-listed engineered electronics company serving performance-critical applications. The Board of Directors of TT Electronics has unanimously supported the offer, and TT shareholders are expected to vote on the transaction in December 2025.

BRKZ: $30 Million Growth Debt Raised From Stride To Advance Saudi Arabia’s Construction Sector Expansion

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

BRKZ, a leading B2B managed marketplace for building materials in Saudi Arabia, has secured up to $30 million in growth debt financing from Stride Ventures. The new facility aims to strengthen BRKZ’s ability to offer flexible payment solutions for contractors and partner factories, supporting the rapid expansion of the Kingdom’s construction sector amid a surge in mega and giga-projects.

Emerald AI: $18 Million Seed Extension Raised To Advance Power-Flexible AI Infrastructure

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

Emerald AI, a fast-growing innovator at the intersection of artificial intelligence and energy infrastructure, announced that it has raised an additional $18 million in seed extension funding, bringing its total funding to $42.5 million. The new capital will accelerate the company’s mission to transform AI data centers into flexible grid assets that can dynamically adjust their energy use to support grid stability and resilience.

Catalyx Space: $5.4 Million Seed Funding Closed To Advance Orbital Logistics Infrastructure

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

Catalyx Space, a San Francisco-based space infrastructure company developing end-to-end hardware, software, and operations for orbital logistics, has closed an oversubscribed $5.4 million Seed funding round led by Outlander VC. The round follows a $1.7 million pre-seed raise in January, which culminated in Catalyx’s first successful capsule drop test within just six months.

Helex: $3.5 Million Seed Funding Closed To Advance Non-Viral Gene Therapies for Genetic Kidney Diseases

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

Helex, a therapeutics company pioneering targeted non-viral gene therapies for kidney diseases, has raised an oversubscribed $3.5 million Seed round led by pi Ventures, with participation from Bluehill Capital, SOSV, and a global syndicate of investors. The new funding brings Helex’s total capital raised to over $6 million.

Starr To Buy IQUW Group, Becoming Ninth-Largest Lloyd’s Agency

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

Starr, a global investment and insurance organization, announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire IQUW Group. This move will expand its underwriting classes and strengthen its position across international markets. Once completed, the acquisition will make Starr’s managing agency the ninth-largest operating agency at Lloyd’s.

Convey Expanding Utility Engagement Capabilities With Acquisition Of Powerley

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

Convey, formerly known as Message Broadcast, has announced the acquisition of Powerley, a SaaS pioneer in AI-powered home energy management and real-time appliance-level insights. The deal strengthens Convey’s position as a leading customer engagement platform for utilities and regulated industries while enhancing its suite of intelligent communication and energy analytics tools.

Jensen Partners Buying Baier Associates To Enhance EMEA Executive Search Capabilities

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2025

Jensen Partners, a leader in executive search and advisory for capital raising, announced the acquisition of Baier Associates (UK), an award-winning executive search and consulting firm specializing in alternative investments. The transaction marks a significant milestone in Jensen Partners’ continued expansion across EMEA, enhancing its global capabilities in capital formation, investments, and strategic advisory services.

Supreme Group: Olly Johnston Named As EVP For Driving Platform Growth

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Supreme Group, a Trinity Hunt Partners–backed platform specializing in healthcare and life sciences marketing and communications, has appointed Olly Johnston as Executive Vice President, Platform Growth & Transformation. The appointment reinforces the company’s focus on expanding its integrated capabilities and accelerating value creation for clients across the healthcare and life sciences sectors.

Syracuse University Launches Nation’s First Center For The Creator Economy

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Syracuse University has announced the establishment of the Center for the Creator Economy, marking the first academic center in the United States dedicated to studying and advancing the creator-driven economic landscape. Formed through a collaboration between the Martin J. Whitman School of Management and the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, the initiative places the University at the forefront of preparing students for the evolving world of digital entrepreneurship, media, and commerce.

BioCardia’s CardiAMP HF II Phase 3 Trial Reaches Milestone With First Patient Enrollment At University Of Wisconsin

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

BioCardia, a leader in cellular and cell-derived therapeutics for cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, announced that the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health has enrolled its first patient in the company’s ongoing Phase 3 CardiAMP HF II clinical trial. The trial evaluates BioCardia’s CardiAMP cell therapy for patients with ischemic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who continue to show elevated markers of heart stress despite optimized medical therapy.