Innovation

Figma Buying Weavy For Advancing AI-Native Media Creation

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Figma has announced the acquisition of Weavy, an AI-driven media creation platform that integrates generative AI with professional editing tools. The newly formed entity, Figma Weave, will expand Figma’s creative ecosystem to include image, video, animation, motion design, and visual effects editing, all within a collaborative, browser-based environment.

EagleNXT Selling eBee VISION Drones To U.S. Army Battalion In Germany For Supporting Multinational Training Missions

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

AgEagle Aerial Systems, operating as EagleNXT, announced the sale of three eBee VISION drones to the U.S. Army’s 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment (1-4 IN), stationed at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) in Hohenfels, Germany. The deal highlights EagleNXT’s growing role in delivering advanced unmanned aerial solutions for defense and coalition training operations.

AscendantFX Buying FTNI For Enhancing Global Payables And Receivables Capabilities

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

AscendantFX Capital announced the acquisition of Financial Transmission Network, Inc. (FTNI), a leading provider of integrated receivables and payment processing solutions. The deal combines Ascendant’s cross-border payment expertise with FTNI’s automation platform, creating a unified suite of financial tools that streamline how businesses and financial institutions manage both incoming and outgoing payments.

Brookfield And Uni-China Form Cold Storage Joint Venture With Acquisition of Tsing Yi Industrial Site

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Brookfield, the New York–based global investment firm with over $1 trillion in assets under management, has entered into a joint venture with Māori Capital, the investment arm of Hong Kong’s Uni-China Group, to acquire a prime industrial site in Tsing Yi from Swire Properties. The collaboration marks the launch of a new cold storage platform designed to meet the growing demand for temperature-controlled logistics across Asia.

Ioffice Buying United Spaces To Create Sweden’s Largest Flexible Workspace Group

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Ioffice Business Group, a Swedish provider of flexible workspaces, has acquired United Spaces from real estate company Castellum, forming the largest coworking and serviced office group in Sweden. The combined entity now manages approximately 67,500 square meters of flexible office space nationwide.

Karman Space & Defense Buying Five Axis Industries For $88 Million To Expand Engine Subsystem Capabilities In Commercial Space Sector

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Karman Space & Defense, a leading U.S. developer of next-generation systems for space and defense applications, has acquired Five Axis Industries, a Washington-based manufacturer specializing in advanced engine subsystems for commercial space programs. The $88 million deal comprises $83 million in cash and approximately $5 million in Karman common shares.

Presidio Expanding European Presence With Acquisition Of Ergo

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Presidio, a leading global technology services and solutions provider, announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Ergo, an Ireland-headquartered IT solutions and managed services firm. The transaction, expected to close by the end of 2025 pending regulatory approval, represents a significant expansion of Presidio’s presence in Ireland and the UK, strengthening its position as a global digital transformation partner.

Steven Bartlett’s Steven.com Hits $425 Million Valuation Following Investment Round

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Steven Bartlett’s company Steven.com has reached a $425 million valuation following a significant new investment round led by Slow Ventures and Apeiron Investment Group. Other notable backers in this round include Philipp Freise (KKR), Second Sight Ventures, Tom Profumo (Active Partners), Magnus Grimeland (Antler), Gary Vaynerchuk, Kevin Rose (founder of Digg), Will Ahmed (Founder of Whoop), Bryan Johnson, Alex Hormozi, and Codie Sanchez. The raise marks what is believed to be Europe’s largest funding round for a creator holding company.

Grant Thornton Stax: Chen Liu Named As Partner To Support Growth Across Technology And Education Practices

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Grant Thornton Stax, a global strategy consulting firm and part of Grant Thornton Advisors, has appointed Chen Liu as Partner in its Chicago office. The move signals the firm’s continued expansion in advising private equity and corporate clients in the technology and education sectors.

VentureMed: $28 Million Series C Raised For Advancing FLEX VP System And Global Vascular Care Expansion

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

VentureMed Group, a Minnesota-based medical device innovator focused on vessel preparation and access management technologies for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and arteriovenous fistulas and grafts (AVF, AVG), announced the completion of a $28 million Series C financing round. The funding was led by S3 Ventures, with participation from existing investors, including Endeavour Vision.

Protective Life To Buy Portfolio Holding, Expanding Dealer Wealth and F&I Capabilities

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Protective Life, a U.S. subsidiary of Japan’s Dai-ichi Life Holdings, has agreed to acquire Portfolio Holding and its subsidiaries from private equity firm Abry Partners.

Sensor Tower: Strategic Investment Raised From Shinhan Securities

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Sensor Tower, a leading provider of competitive intelligence across the digital economy, announced it has secured a strategic investment from Shinhan Securities, one of South Korea’s largest securities brokerage and investment banking firms, and a subsidiary of Shinhan Financial Group. The investment will support Sensor Tower’s ongoing product innovation, particularly in web and generative AI datasets.

Dream Exchange: Strategic Investment Raised From Elwood Blackwell

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Dream Exchange announced that veteran consumer packaged goods executive Elwood Blackwell has made a strategic investment in the company, marking another milestone for the minority-controlled exchange initiative. The Chicago-based platform is working toward becoming the first minority-controlled licensed stock exchange in U.S. history, pending SEC approval.

Surgical Automations: $3.4 Million Seed Funding Raised To Advance AI-Based Endoscopy Robotics

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Surgical Automations, a Dallas-based surgical-robotics company operating in stealth mode, has closed an oversubscribed $3.4 million seed round to accelerate development of its next-generation gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy platform. The funding round was co-led by Dr. Fred Moll, founder of Intuitive Surgical, and TurboStart, a Bengaluru-based cross-border venture capital firm.

Array Buying Onaroll To Expand Workforce Engagement And Performance Capabilities

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Array, a technology-driven workforce solutions platform, has announced the acquisition of Onaroll, a goals-and-rewards platform designed to boost workforce performance, efficiency, and retention. The acquisition aligns Onaroll’s recognition-and-reward approach for frontline employees with Array’s broader mission of transforming how work is bought, sold, and delivered.

Xavo Buying Laboperator From Labforward

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Xavo, a leader in Sample Management and Laboratory Execution Systems, announced it has acquired Laboperator from Labforward GmbH, expanding its portfolio and enhancing its mission to create a unified digital platform that integrates research, development, and manufacturing into a single intelligent ecosystem.

FirstSun Capital Bancorp And First Foundation: $785 Million Merger Announced, Forming $17 Billion Regional Bank

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

FirstSun Capital Bancorp and First Foundation have agreed to merge in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $785 million, creating a $17 billion regional bank with a strong presence in some of the nation’s fastest-growing markets, including Southern California.

Voyager Technologies Expanding U.S. Space Propulsion Reach Through ExoTerra Acquisition

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Voyager Technologies announced that it has acquired ExoTerra Resource, a company known for its advanced electric propulsion systems. The acquisition aims to strengthen Voyager’s capability to deliver U.S.-based propulsion solutions for both defense and commercial space markets.

OpenSpace Expands Visual Intelligence Capabilities With Acquisition Of Disperse

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

OpenSpace, a San Francisco-based leader in Visual Intelligence for builders, has announced the acquisition of London-based Disperse, a construction progress tracking company. The deal unites two pioneers in construction technology, combining image-based intelligence, progress analytics, and verified data into a single, trusted platform for builders worldwide.

Cadre To Buy TYR Tactical For $175 Million In Strategic Military Gear Expansion

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Cadre Holdings, a renowned manufacturer and distributor of safety equipment for law enforcement, military, nuclear, and first-responder markets, announced today the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire TYR Tactical, LLC, a family-owned manufacturer specializing in high-performance tactical gear. The transaction underscores Cadre’s ambition to broaden its mission-critical product offerings and accelerate growth in overseas military markets.

Ondas Buys Stake In Insight Intelligent Sensors To Expand AI Sensing Capabilities

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Ondas Holdings has acquired a controlling interest in Israel-based Insight Intelligent Sensors Ltd., strengthening its AI-driven electro-optical sensing capabilities and expanding its multi-domain autonomy ecosystem. The move deepens Ondas’ reach across defense, homeland security, and environmental resilience markets.

Dott: €85 Million Raised Through Nordic Bond Issuance And Series D Extension

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Dott, a leading European shared micromobility company, announced it has raised a total of €85 million through two complementary financing transactions: the issuance of €70 million in senior secured floating rate bonds in the Nordic market and a minimum of €15 million in preferred equity as an extension of its Series D round.

Reflectiz: $22 Million Series B Raised For Expanding AI-Driven Web Exposure Management Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Reflectiz, a leader in web exposure management, has raised $22 million in a Series B funding round led by Fulcrum Equity Partners, with participation from Capri Ventures, YYM Ventures, AFG Partners, and others.

Criteo: Edouard Dinichert Named As Chief Customer Officer

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Global commerce media platform Criteo has announced the appointment of Edouard Dinichert as Chief Customer Officer, effective December 1, 2025. Based in New York City, Dinichert will report directly to Chief Executive Officer Michael Komasinski and oversee global sales and operations for Criteo’s Performance Media business.

SilverSky: Bruce Wirt Named As Chief Commercial Officer

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

SilverSky, a leading cybersecurity company providing managed extended detection and response (MxDR) services, has announced the appointment of Bruce Wirt as its new Chief Commercial Officer.

Eli Lilly To Invest Over $1.2 Billion In Puerto Rico Expansion To Boost U.S. Oral Medicine Manufacturing

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Eli Lilly and Company announced plans to invest over $1.2 billion to expand and modernize its Lilly del Caribe manufacturing site in Carolina, Puerto Rico, significantly increasing its oral medicine production capacity in the United States. The expansion aims to integrate advanced technologies and enhance the company’s ability to manufacture a growing portfolio of oral solid medicines across therapeutic areas including cardiometabolic health, neuroscience, oncology, and immunology.

Articul8: Interview With Founder & CEO Arun Subramaniyan About The Enterprise AI Company

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Articul8 AI is an enterprise software company focused on generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) solutions for large, complex organizations. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Articul8 founder and CEO Arun Subramaniyan to gain a deeper understanding of the company.

Lockheed Martin And Google Public Sector Collaborating To Bring GenAI To National Security Environments

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Lockheed Martin and Google Public Sector have announced a new strategic collaboration to deploy Google’s advanced generative AI technologies, including its Gemini models, within Lockheed Martin’s secure AI Factory infrastructure. The partnership, unveiled during the Google Public Sector Summit 2025 in Washington, D.C., is designed to enhance mission-critical capabilities across aerospace, space exploration, and cybersecurity through on-premise and air-gapped AI deployment.

Legora: $150 Million Series C At $1.8 Billion Valuation Raised To Advance AI Innovation in Legal Services

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

Legora, a collaborative AI platform transforming the legal profession, has closed a $150 million Series C funding round at a valuation of $1.8 billion. The round was led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with continued participation from existing backers ICONIQ, General Catalyst, Redpoint Ventures, Benchmark, and Y Combinator. The new capital will support the company’s rapid global expansion and accelerate its growing product roadmap.

The Mobile-First Company: $12 Million Closed To Expand Its AI Suite for Small Teams

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2025

The Mobile-First Company has raised $12 million (€10 million) in a Seed round led by Base10 Partners and Lightspeed Venture Partners to accelerate the development of its mobile-first AI software for small businesses. The funding will support the company’s expansion into new product lines, its relocation to Miami, and plans to hire more than 30 people locally and remotely.