Archives

Bench IQ: AI-Powered Legal Tech Company Raises $2.1 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

Bench IQ - a groundbreaking AI-powered legal technology company - is transforming the landscape of legal research by offering unparalleled insights into judges' rulings. And the company recently announced the successful closure of a $2.1 million pre-seed funding round.

Relish: $10 Million Raised To Optimize Procurement Systems And Processes

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

Relish - a leading provider of solutions for businesses to optimize procurement systems and processes - announced it closed a $10 million Series A funding round from Boston-based growth equity firm Volition Capital. Since being founded in 2020, the company rapidly established itself as a dominant solution provider that enables customers to optimize and maximize the value of their existing procurement software investments like SAP, Coupa, and Workday.

Why WebMD Is Buying Healthwise

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

WebMD Health (an Internet Brands company and a leader in health information services for consumers, physicians and other healthcare professionals) recently announced it has joined forces with Healthwise, Incorporated, the patient and member health education and engagement company, by acquiring Healthwise's current operating assets.

Ryan Asdourian Named As Chief Marketing Officer At Lumen

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

Lumen Technologies has named Ryan Asdourian as its new Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). In this role, Asdourian will oversee brand and product marketing and corporate communications. Asdourian will report to Lumen President and CEO Kate Johnson starting next week and serve as a member of the executive team.

Why Groq Is Buying Definitive Intelligence

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

Groq (a generative AI solutions company) recently announced it has acquired Definitive Intelligence (a company redefining how businesses utilize data and empowering organizations to unlock actionable insights), all powered by AI.

Anthro Energy: $20 Million Raised To Unlock The Potential Of Lithium Ion Batteries

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

Anthro Energy announced two major milestones: the closing of an over-subscribed $20 million Series A financing round and the completion of UN 38.3 battery certification, a key global safety standard for lithium battery transport. Collaborative Fund led the financing, with significant participation from existing investors such as Union Square Ventures, Emerson Collective, and Voyager Ventures. Energy Revolution Ventures, Ultratech Capital Partners, Nor'easter Ventures, and Overlap Holdings. The funding will be used to build a Bay Area-based pilot production facility to commercialize and scale Anthro's advanced battery technologies.

Qualiti.ai: Test Automation Solutions Company Raises Strategic Funding From Crosslink Capital

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

Qualiti.ai - a leader in AI-driven test automation solutions - announce a strategic investment from Crosslink Capital and the appointment of Tim Stewart as Chief Technology Officer. And these developments reinforce Qualiti’s commitment to transforming the software testing landscape through innovative technology.

Aktiia: Wrist-Worn 24/7 Optical Blood Pressure Monitoring Company Raises CHF 27 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

Aktiia - the Swiss HealthTech innovator that developed the world’s first wrist-worn 24/7 optical blood pressure monitoring device - announced the completion of a CHF 27 million (USD 30M) funding round, led by Redalpine with participation from an international investor syndicate including Khosla Ventures, Molten, Translink Capital, Verve, and 415 Capital. And this strategic infusion of capital will accelerate Aktiia’s mission to ease the global burden of hypertension by providing groundbreaking insights into blood pressure management through AI-driven technology, currently used by over 60,000 customers and dozens of healthcare organizations.

Figure: AI Robotics Company Raises $675 Million At $2.6 Billion Valuation And Deal Signed With OpenAI

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

Figure - an AI robotics company developing general-purpose humanoid robots - recently announced that it had raised $675 million in Series B funding at a $2.6 billion valuation with investments from Microsoft, OpenAI Startup Fund, NVIDIA, Jeff Bezos (through Bezos Expeditions), Parkway Venture Capital, Intel Capital, Align Ventures, and ARK Invest. And this investment will accelerate Figure's timeline for humanoid commercial deployment.

Why Endava Is Buying GalaxE Solutions For Up To $405 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

Endava - a leading technology services company combining sophisticated engineering, industry expertise and a people-centric mindset - recently announced it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% ownership of GalaxE Group, a global IT and business solutions provider headquartered in New Jersey, United States.

Super League Selling Minehut Business Unit To GamerSafer

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

Super League - a leading creator and publisher of content experiences and media solutions across the world’s largest immersive platforms - recently announced it has sold its Minehut business unit to GamerSafer, a security and online gamer experience startup. And the Board of Directors of Super League and GamerSafer have approved the transaction, which is now complete.

Why Fortune Brands Is Buying SpringWell For About $105 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

Shenandoah Telecommunications Company Selling Towers For $310 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

Shenandoah Telecommunications Company announced that it has entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Vertical Bridge Holdco to sell its tower portfolio and operations to Vertical Bridge for $310.3 million in cash.

Wolter: Material Handling Solutions Company Raises Funding From BBH Capital Partners

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

Wolter - a leading provider of material handling solutions, automation, overhead cranes, industrial dock and door services, and power systems - announced a significant growth investment from BBH Capital Partners (BBHCP). This strategic partnership will enable Wolter to accelerate its expansion plans, including acquisitions and real estate investments, further solidifying its position in the industry.

Why First Advantage Is Buying Sterling Check For $2.2 Billion

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

First Advantage - a leading provider of employment background screening, identity, and verification solutions - recently announced that it has entered into a definitive purchase agreement to acquire Sterling Check, a provider of background screening and identity services. And First Advantage will issue a combination of cash and stock valuing Sterling at approximately $2.2 billion, including Sterling’s outstanding debt.

Vibe.co: Streaming TV Ad Platform Company Secures $22.5 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

Vibe.co recently announced a successful Series A funding round of $22.5 million led by venture firm Singular. And they plan to utilize these funds to continue building a more efficient streaming TV advertising ecosystem and become the #1 CTV ad resource for SMBs.

Dunes Point Capital Closes Fund III At $800 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

Dunes Point Capital, LP (DPC) announced it has closed Dunes Point Capital Fund III, with total capital commitments of $800 million, which exceeded the Fund's target of $775 million. And the fund has already invested $415 million and completed seven company acquisitions: Atalys, FastLap, K-1 Packaging Group, Kwalu, Roofing Services Solutions, Stanton Carpet, and Warshaw Supply.

Kanbrick: Long-Term Investment Partnership Firm Raises $220 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

Kanbrick - a long-term investment partnership focused on family and founder-owned companies - announced it has raised $220 million in capital. Kanbrick makes majority and minority investments in consumer, industrial, and business services companies with $5 million to $50 million in EBIT.

FogPharma: $145 Million Raised To Discover And Develop Helicon Therapeutics

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

FogPharma - a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to delivering a new class of therapies that go beyond the limits of currently available medicines using its Helicon peptide platform - announced the successful closing of a $145 million Series E financing round. And the funding was led by Nextech Invest with participation from other new investors including RA Capital Management, Rock Springs Capital, General Catalyst, Marshall Wace, Samsara Biocapital, Foresite Capital, Symbiosis, Catalio Capital Management, Sixty Degree Capital and former chairman and CEO of Johnson & Johnson, Alex Gorsky.

EasyKnock: Home Equity Solutions Company Raises $28 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

Home equity solutions platform EasyKnock announced the completion of a $28 million Series D funding round. And Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures, the venture capital arm of Northwestern Mutual, a financial services company, join new and existing investors in the round.

Plant-Based Dog Food Brand PawCo Secures $2 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

PawCo Foods - a plant-based pet nutrition brand dedicated to providing high-quality, sustainable, and scientifically-formulated food for dogs - announced a $2 million seed funding round led by Elevate Ventures, and other angel investors such as Arash Ferdowsi, co-founder of Dropbox. And with this funding round, PawCo will scale its operations by opening a second production facility (a midwest location to complement its current facility in California). And the brand will further invest in growth, research and development, new recipes and marketing tactics to drive awareness for the plant-based pet food category.

BlossomHill Therapeutics: $100 Million Raised To Address Unmet Medical Needs In Oncology And Autoimmune Diseases

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

BlossomHill Therapeutics - a biotechnology company focused on designing and developing small molecule medicines for treating cancer and autoimmune diseases - announced the closing of a $100 million Series B financing round. The funding was led by Colt Ventures with participation from new and existing investors, including Cormorant Asset Management, OrbiMed, Vivo Capital, Hercules BioVentures Partners LLC, Plaisance Capital Management LLC, and H&D Asset Management, and others.

Fervo Energy: Geothermal Development Company Raises $244 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

Fervo Energy - a leader in next-generation geothermal development - announced that it had raised $244 million in new funding led by Devon Energy, a pioneer in shale oil and gas. And this funding will unlock Fervo’s next phase of growth, deploying proven technology adapted from the oil and gas industry at scale to deliver commercially viable 24/7 carbon-free energy.

Elda River Capital Management Completes Spin-Out From Magnetar

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

Elda River Capital Management recently announced its launch as an independent real assets-focused investment firm. Elda River launched with approximately $1.5 billion in assets under management in a spin-out from Magnetar and has offices in Houston, Texas; Evanston, Illinois; and London, United Kingdom.

Baseimmune: £9 Million In Funding Raised To Predict Future Pathogen Mutations To Generate Novel Vaccines

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

Baseimmune - a biotech company that uses proprietary, deep learning AI to predict future pathogen mutations to generate novel vaccines - recently announced the closing of £9 million in Series A funding led by new investors MSD Global Health Innovation Fund and IQ Capital, with participation from existing investors including Hoxton Ventures, Creator Fund, Beast Ventures and Maki.vc.

Prolocor: $1.7 Million Secured To Develop Precision Diagnostic Test To Predict Risks Of Thrombosis

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

Prolocor - a healthcare startup developing an innovative precision diagnostic test with the potential to predict the risk of thrombosis by quantifying FcγRIIa (pFCG test) - recently announced that they have successfully raised $1.7 million in bridge financing. The funding included significant participation by Green Park & Golf Ventures (GPG Ventures) and by the Labcorp Venture Fund.

Salvo Health: $5 Million Raised To Expand GI Provider Enablement for Wraparound Care

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

Salvo Health recently announced the closing of a $5 million Seed Prime round led by City Light Capital and Human Ventures to expand deployment of its wraparound GI care at providers including gastroenterology private practices, health systems, and ACOs.

Alto CEO And Co-Founder Eric Satz Discusses Alternative Investments

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

Alto is a self-directed IRA administrator with a mission of providing alternatives for all. Where alternative assets were once reserved for the ultra-rich, now retail and accredited investors can diversify their portfolios by investing in quality alternative investments like private equity, venture capital, real estate, farmland, and crypto using retirement funds. Pulse 2.0 discussed alternative investments with Alto CEO and co-founder Eric Satz to learn more.

Workleap: How This Company of Employee Experience Software Helps Modernize Workplaces At A Faster Pace

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

Workleap is an ecosystem of powerfully simple employee and digital experience software that helps modern workplaces have a greater impact at a fast pace. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Workleap president and general manager Martin Gourdeau to learn more.

NorthRock Partners Acquires Minkoff Wealth Partners And Opens SF Office

By Amit Chowdhry ● Mar 4, 2024

NorthRock Partners - a full-service financial and lifestyle advisory firm - announced it has opened its first office in California, acquiring San Francisco-based Minkoff Wealth Partners. This move also marks the firm’s first acquisition since announcing a formal partnership with Sammons Financial Group.