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Familiar Therapeutics, a Redwood City, California-based biotechnology company developing treatments for companion animals, has launched with $5 million in seed funding to adapt advances in human medicine for dogs and cats. The financing was led by Pioneer Fund, Icehouse Ventures, and BreakTHRU, an investment syndicate comprising animal health industry leaders and veterinarians, with additional participation from angel investors.

Real Diagnostics, a clinical laboratory specializing in high-complexity molecular diagnostics and toxicology testing, has acquired SimplyTest, a provider of saliva-based oral health diagnostic tests. The acquisition expands Real Diagnostics' laboratory portfolio into periodontal health testing and establishes a new service offering for dental practices.

Forte Technologies, a national provider of managed IT, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and compliance services, has acquired Business Cyber Security Solutions (BCSS), an Illinois-based cybersecurity and regulatory compliance company. Following the acquisition, BCSS will operate as Forte Cyber Assurance, a dedicated practice providing cybersecurity assessments, compliance validation, and independent security oversight.

Troutman Pepper Locke has expanded its Health Care and Life Sciences Litigation Practice Group with the addition of partners Andreas Ringstad in Philadelphia and Debra Schreck in New York. The appointments strengthen the firm's capabilities in mass tort defense, product liability litigation, government investigations, and health care regulatory enforcement.

EPIC Microsystems develops semiconductor technology and power solutions designed for AI infrastructure, with a focus on Vertical Power Delivery and Hybrid Switch Cap architectures. The company is working to address the power-conversion challenges created by increasingly demanding GPUs, ASICs, and AI racks, including efficiency, current density, Z-height, thermal performance, and responsiveness to changing workloads. Pulse 2.0 interviewed EPIC Microsystems Chief Business Officer Aashish Malhotra to learn more about the company’s origins, its semiconductor technology, and the evolving power requirements of AI infrastructure. 

DashFuel, a cloud-native software platform serving petroleum wholesalers, carriers, and retailers, has received a growth investment from Five Elms Capital. The funding will support the company's product development, artificial intelligence capabilities, go-to-market expansion, and customer success initiatives as it scales its operations across the petroleum distribution industry.

FINNY, an AI-powered growth platform designed for financial advisors, and Visionary Square, a hybrid registered investment advisor (RIA), have announced a strategic partnership to help independent financial advisors accelerate client acquisition and organic business growth. Through the agreement, Visionary Square will cover FINNY subscription costs for its partner firms, providing access to AI-powered prospecting technology without additional subscription expenses.

Ultra Security, a Birmingham, Michigan-based cybersecurity company focused on securing autonomous artificial intelligence systems, has emerged from stealth with $10 million in seed funding. Investors in the round include Ludlow Ventures, Hidden Capital, Entrée Capital, Detroit Venture Partners, firedrop, and FDVC, alongside angel investors from the cybersecurity and software-as-a-service industries.

The YMCA of Greater San Francisco has released its 2025-2026 Annual Report, highlighting more than $120 million in resources directed toward programs and partnerships supporting community health, youth development, family services, mental wellness, food security, and social connection throughout the Bay Area.

Vinci Compass Investments Ltd. (VINP), a Latin American alternative investment and global solutions provider, has announced an agreement to acquire 100% of Austral Resseguradora (AustralRe), a leading independent reinsurance platform in Latin America, for approximately R$336 million. The acquisition will establish Vinci Permanent Capital Solutions (VPCS), a new business division designed to provide a permanent capital base supporting the firm's long-term growth across the region.

Bose Corporation, a global audio technology company, has acquired Skullcandy, a lifestyle audio brand known for its headphones, earbuds, and speakers. The acquisition expands Bose's consumer audio portfolio and supports its strategy of becoming a multi-brand products and technology company serving a broader range of customers and markets.

Global Asset Management Group, SEDI-CASE, the Alexander Hamilton Opportunity Zone Fund, and the TriFactor Capital Markets Network have announced a strategic alliance to establish a public capital marketplace supporting economic revitalization, real estate development, and infrastructure investment in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Dynatrace is an observability and software intelligence company that helps enterprises understand complex digital environments, automate operations, and improve business performance. As Chief Transformation Officer, Colleen Kozak leads enterprise-wide transformation initiatives spanning AI strategy, business observability, and operational modernization. She also oversees the company's internal AI strategy and its "Dynatrace on Dynatrace" implementation. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Kozak to learn more about enterprise transformation, Dynatrace Intelligence, autonomous operations, and the organizational changes required to succeed in the AI era.

Pascal, a Watertown, Massachusetts-based developer of next-generation cooling systems using solid refrigerants, has secured approximately $9.3 million in additional funding to advance the commercialization of its energy-efficient cooling technology. The financing includes $8.5 million in venture funding co-led by Sazze Partners and LB Investment, with participation from KDB Silicon Valley, along with $839,000 in government grants.

Dwight Capital and its affiliate, Dwight Investment Management, completed $607 million in seniors housing financings during the third quarter of 2026, supporting skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and other healthcare real estate assets across 17 states. The transactions included HUD-insured loans, bridge financings, and revolving lines of credit (RLOCs), reflecting the firms' continued activity in the seniors housing and healthcare financing markets.

Cognizant, a global technology services and consulting company, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire DyFlex Solutions, an Australia-based SAP consulting and enterprise transformation firm. The proposed acquisition will strengthen Cognizant's artificial intelligence, enterprise technology, and SAP services capabilities across Australia and New Zealand while expanding its expertise in several major industry sectors.

Side, a global video game development and services provider, has acquired Roboto Entertainment, a Chengdu, China-based boutique game art studio specializing in environment design and world-building. The acquisition expands Side's global creative production capabilities and strengthens its presence in mainland China, where demand for high-quality game development services continues to grow.

RhymeQ, a quantum computing software startup based in Karlsruhe, Germany, and Zürich, Switzerland, has raised $2.2 million in pre-seed funding to make quantum computing more accessible to software developers worldwide. The funding round was led by Ground State Ventures, with participation from Vanagon Ventures, Plug and Play, and Freiraum Ventures.

BIT Asset Management AG, a Zurich-based asset management subsidiary of Singapore-headquartered digital asset platform BIT, has received approval from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) to launch the Bitcoin Fund ETF (ticker: BBIT). The fund will be Switzerland's first exchange-traded fund to invest directly in bitcoin and is described by the company as Europe's only spot bitcoin ETF.

Bregal Milestone, a European software-focused growth private equity firm, has announced a majority growth investment in Nethive S.p.A., an Italian cybersecurity services and software company. Alongside the investment, Bregal Milestone has supported Nethive's acquisition of JoyComm S.r.l., an Italian IT security specialist, as part of a strategy to expand its cybersecurity capabilities and market presence.

SolarWinds is advancing its approach to IT management through SW1, an agentic AI system designed to help organizations manage increasingly complex digital environments while maintaining human oversight and control.

H.I.G. Capital, a global alternative investment firm managing $75 billion, has announced that one of its affiliates has acquired a majority stake in L4A, an Italian infrastructure services company specializing in maintaining, renewing, and upgrading essential infrastructure assets.

Mission North, a strategic communications agency serving technology companies and other high-growth businesses, has acquired cred, a communications agency specializing in executive thought leadership, speaking engagements, and live events.

Stone-Goff Partners, a growth-oriented private equity firm focused on technology-enabled business-to-business services, has announced an investment in Quandary Consultants, a Denver-based provider of regulatory compliance and environmental consulting services for critical infrastructure operators.

Failure Is An Option examines the less visible realities of building and leading venture-backed technology companies, including failure, uncertainty, luck, difficult ethical decisions, emotional pressure, and the limits of even strong execution. Drawing on roughly 30 years running early-stage, venture-funded technology companies in Silicon Valley, Mike Grossman presents those experiences through candid essays intended to capture what entrepreneurship can actually feel like from the CEO's seat. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Grossman to learn more about the ideas behind the book and the lessons he has drawn from decades of company-building. 

Vertice, a London-headquartered AI-powered procurement technology company, has launched a Procure-to-Pay (P2P) solution designed to help enterprise finance and procurement teams manage purchasing, invoices, payments, and supplier relationships through a unified platform.

PRC-Saltillo, a global provider of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technology, has acquired Ner Chat, the New York-based developer of Glint, a visual-support creation platform used by educators, therapists, and specialists. The acquisition brings together PRC-Saltillo's established communication technology capabilities with Ner Chat's software designed to simplify the creation of personalized educational and communication materials.

Barclays reported third-quarter 2026 total income of £7.4 billion (approximately $9.9 billion), representing a 3% increase from £7.2 billion (approximately $9.6 billion) in the corresponding period of 2025. The British banking group also reported profit before tax of £2.32 billion (approximately $3.10 billion), up 12% from £2.08 billion (approximately $2.78 billion) a year earlier, supported by growth in UK lending, stronger equities trading performance, and continued momentum across its corporate banking operations.

Lockheed Martin reported third-quarter 2026 revenue of $20.7 billion, an 11% increase from $18.6 billion in the corresponding period of 2025. The global defense technology company also reported net earnings of $1.85 billion, up 14% from $1.62 billion a year earlier, while diluted earnings per share increased to $7.97 from $6.95.

Collective Health is the leading, independent TPA and Care Navigator, providing self-funded employers with a unified platform for health plan administration, cost management, member care, benefits navigation, and partner integration. Its offerings include Collective TPA, My Collective, Care Navigation, Collective Compass, The Partner Collective, and Collective AI, which supports member interactions, Member Advocates, implementation, and enrollment. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Kaushik Bhaumik, PhD, Chief Revenue Officer at Collective Health to learn more about the company’s commercial strategy, its approach to healthcare cost transparency, and how it is helping employers manage increasingly complex health benefits.