Archives

sbe: Lifestyle Hospitality Company Closes $25 Million Facility

By Noah Long ● Nov 2, 2023

sbe - a leading lifestyle hospitality company that develops, manages, and operates world-class restaurants, lounges, and nightclubs - recently announced that it has partnered with Feenix Venture Partners on a $25 million credit facility to expand its footprint of iconic restaurants and lounges. sbe was advised by leading independent middle market investment bank and M&A advisory firm Meridian Capital.

Why UPS Is Buying Happy Returns

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2023

UPS recently announced that it has agreed to acquire Happy Returns from PayPal. Happy Returns is a U.S.-based software and reverse logistics company which enables frictionless, no-box, no-label returns for merchants and consumers.

TeselaGen Biotechnology: Radically Accelerating Therapeutics Product Development In Over A $600 Billion Market

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 2, 2023

TeselaGen is a company that has developed an AI-powered platform that radically accelerates product development of therapeutics, high-value chemicals, and agricultural products. Pulse 2.0 interviewed TeselaGen Biotechnology CEO and founder Eduardo Abeliuk to learn more.

AgentSync: Modern Insurance Infrastructure Company Raises $50 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2023

AgentSync - a leader in modern insurance infrastructure - recently announced an additional $50 million fundraising, bringing the company's total funding to $161 million. This funding round was co-led by existing investors Craft Ventures and Valor Ventures.

Why Nayax Is Buying Retail Pro International For $36.5 Million

By Dan Anderson ● Nov 1, 2023

Nayax - a global commerce enablement payments and loyalty platform designed to help merchants scale their business - recently announced that it will acquire 100% of Retail Pro International, a global leader in retail Point of Sale (POS) software with Tier 1 global brand names worldwide. After the deal is closed, the deal will meaningfully expand the scope of Nayax’s retail business and solutions to over 9,000 retailers with approximately 150,000 POS lanes in more than 100 countries, including access to an extensive, worldwide partner ecosystem of more than 80 distributors.

Oxide: Commercial Cloud Computer Company Secures $44 Million

By Dan Anderson ● Nov 1, 2023

Oxide Computer Company recently unveiled the world’s first commercial Cloud Computer, a true rack-scale system with fully unified hardware and software designed for on-premises cloud computing. And the company also announced a $44 million Series A financing round led by Eclipse with participation from Intel Capital, Riot Ventures, Counterpart Ventures, and Rally Ventures to accelerate production for Fortune 1000 enterprises. This brings the company’s total funding to $78 million.

Arteria AI: $30 Million Raised To Build Modern Documentation Infrastructure For Institutional Finance

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2023

Arteria AI - a market-leading applied AI company building modern documentation infrastructure for institutional finance - recently announced its oversubscribed $30 million Series B financing round led by GGV Capital U.S., with participation from all existing major investors, including Illuminate Financial, Information Venture Partners, BDC Capital and Citi. The round brings the company’s total funding to $50 million.

Why Outdoor Living Supply Is Buying Apache Stone

By Noah Long ● Nov 1, 2023

Outdoor Living Supply (OLS) - a distribution platform for outdoor living products focusing on hardscapes - recently announced today that it has acquired Apache Stone, a wholly owned subsidiary of Halquist Stone Company. And Apache Stone is a full-service distributor of masonry, hardscape, and landscape supplies. This deal expands OLS’ footprint in the Southwest, adding three strategic locations in Nevada and Arizona.

OfficeRnD: Strategic Growth Investment From Blue Star Innovation Partners Received

By Annie Baker ● Nov 1, 2023

OfficeRnD - a leading provider of coworking and hybrid work software - recently announced a strategic investment from Blue Star Innovation Partners (BSIP). This partnership with BSIP will enable OfficeRnD to expand its position as a market-leading software solution for coworking workspaces and businesses operating in hybrid work environments.

Why Lumentum Is Buying Cloud Light For $750 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2023

Lumentum Holdings and Cloud Light Technology Limited recently announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Lumentum will acquire Cloud Light with a transaction value of approximately $750 million, subject to certain adjustments. At the time of closing, transaction consideration will be paid in cash, and the assumption and substitution of outstanding unvested Cloud Light options. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies and by Cloud Light’s shareholders.

Ares Management: $6.6 Billion Pathfinder II Alternative Credit Fund Closed

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2023

Ares Management - a leading global alternative investment manager - recently announced the final closing of Ares Pathfinder Fund II, L.P. and Ares Pathfinder Fund II (Offshore), L.P. (and together with parallel vehicles Pathfinder II) at $6.6 billion in commitments. This fund was oversubscribed and closed at its hard cap, which exceeded its $5 billion target and was approximately 80% larger than the predecessor fund with a total commitment of $3.7 billion. The fund held its final closing only seven months following its first closing in March 2023.

Inlyte Energy: $8 Million Secured To DevelopGrid Batteries Made With Iron And Salt

By Noah Long ● Nov 1, 2023

Inlyte Energy has announced its $8 million seed funding to develop the first generation of its grid batteries made with the most abundant materials – iron and table salt. And Inlyte's solution utilizes the proven design of the previously commercialized sodium metal halide battery to create an energy storage system with high efficiency, long lifetime, competitive energy density, excellent safety, and at an ultra-low cost.

Ascendant: Consumer Brand Management Company Receives Growth Funding Package From Decathlon

By Annie Baker ● Nov 1, 2023

Ascendant - a consumer brand management company with expertise in repositioning and building a legacy consumer product business - has received a growth funding package from Decathlon Capital Partners to support its expansion. The details of the revenue-based investment package were not disclosed.

HackerOne: Ethical Hacker Community Surpasses $300 Million In All-Time Rewards

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2023

HackerOne - a leader in Attack Resistance - recently announced its ethical hacker community has surpassed $300 million in total all-time rewards on the HackerOne platform. And thirty hackers have also earned more than one million dollars on the platform, with one hacker surpassing four million dollars in total earnings.

Funnel: $32 Million Closed To Advance Adoption Of Renter Management Software Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2023

Funnel Leasing - the first Renter Management Software platform - recently announced the completion of a $32 million Series B-2 financing round to unlock the new operating model for multifamily leaders. This financing round was led by RET Ventures, the leading VC investor in “rent tech” - whose 50+ strategic investors comprise the largest group of apartment owners and operators working together to drive innovation in multifamily, representing over 2.5 million rental units.

Cranium: Enterprise AI Security And Trust Software Company Raises $25 Million

By Noah Long ● Nov 1, 2023

Cranium - a leading enterprise AI security and trust software company - recently announced that the company has raised $25 million in Series A funding. Telstra Ventures led the funding round with participation from KPMG LLP and SYN Ventures. Both participating investors previously provided seed funding when Cranium emerged from stealth six months ago, and it spun out of KPMG with additional investment from SYN Ventures.

Betteromics: $20 Million Raised To Develop Clinical-Grade SaaS Platform To Empower Life Sciences Professionals

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2023

Betteromics - a company that has developed a clinical-grade compliant Software-as-a-Service platform that empowers life sciences professionals with the latest AI and computational techniques - recently announced that it has raised $20 million in a Series A financing led by Sofinnova Partners and Triatomic Capital, with participation from SHAKTI.

Omnidian: Solar Asset Management Company Raises $25 Million

By Dan Anderson ● Nov 1, 2023

Omnidian - a leader in solar asset management for both commercial and residential clients across the country and with an expanded international presence in Australia since 2022 - recently announced that it successfully closed a $25 million funding round.

Direqt: $4.5 Million Secured To Advance AI Chatbot Platform

By Annie Baker ● Nov 1, 2023

Direqt - the first AI chatbot platform built exclusively for publishers - recently announced $4.5 million in funding from a private consortium of entrepreneurs and executives, including Todd Parker, former Global Head of Business Development for Business Messaging at Google, NFL Hall of Famer Dan Marino, Peter Callahan, Former CEO of American Media, Ron Antevy, Founder & CEO e-Builder and Dave Walsh, Partner at Kayne Anderson.

Upfort: Cyber Security And Insurance Platform Company Closes $8 Million

By Noah Long ● Nov 1, 2023

Upfort - a leading cyber security and insurance platform - recently announced it has raised $8 million in a Series A funding round led by SYN Ventures, with additional participation from Eniac Ventures, Fika Ventures, Altai Ventures, Chaos Ventures, Aquila Capital Partners, Gaingels and Cyber Mentor Fund.

Fibracast: $44.6 Million Round Closed To Advance Membrane Technologies For Wastewater Treatment

By Annie Baker ● Nov 1, 2023

Fibracast - a leading developer and manufacturer of innovative membrane technologies for advanced water and wastewater treatment - announced that it has closed a $44.6 million issue of Class A Preferred Shares.

Why Blue Owl Capital Is Buying Funds Managed By Cowen Healthcare Investments

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 1, 2023

Blue Owl Capital recently announced an agreement to acquire funds managed by Cowen Healthcare Investments (CHI), a life sciences investment manager, from CIM. The deal is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Assureful: E-Commerce Insurance Provider Closes $1.5 Million

By Annie Baker ● Nov 1, 2023

Assureful - the first insurance provider built exclusively for Amazon and eCommerce sellers - recently announced it has closed a $1.5 million pre-seed funding round led by Markd. The funding round also included participation from Greenlight Re Innovations.

Abridge: Clinical Documentation Company Secures $30 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 31, 2023

Abridge - a leader in generative AI for clinical documentation - recently announced a Series B raise of $30 million, led by Spark Capital. The funding round also included existing investor Bessemer Venture Partners, as well as several leading healthcare innovators, including CVS Health Ventures, Kaiser Permanente Ventures, Lifepoint Health, Mayo Clinic, SCAN Group, UC Investments (University of California), and the American College of Cardiology.

Klu: LLM Application Platform Company Raises $1.7 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 31, 2023

Klu - a leading large language model (LLM) application platform for building, evaluating, and optimizing AI applications - recently announced that it has raised a $1.7 million pre-seed funding round led by Firstminute Capital. Scouts from top VC firms, including a16z, Sequoia Capital, Craft Ventures, and Atomico, also participated alongside angel investors from Superhuman, IBM, Productboard, and other leading technology companies.

Abingworth: Transatlantic Life Sciences Investment Firm Closes $356 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 31, 2023

Abingworth - a leading international life sciences investment group, part of global investment firm Carlyle - recently announced the final closing of its new Clinical Co-Development Co-Investment Fund at $356 million. Abingworth Clinical Co-Development Co-Investment Fund (CCD-CIF) was significantly oversubscribed, exceeding a target of $300 million.

1337: $4 Million Raised To Connect Niche Communities

By Annie Baker ● Oct 31, 2023

1337 - a generative AI platform committed to connecting niche communities through hyper-personalized interests - recently emerged from stealth today with the announcement of a $4 million pre-seed round. The investors include Credo Ventures, GFR Fund, Treble Capital, Roosh Ventures, and individuals including Hugging Face CEO Clément Delangue and impact investor Natalia Vodianova.

Why Accenture Is Buying Comtech Group And ConcentricLife

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 31, 2023

Accenture recently announced that it has acquired Comtech Group and ConcentricLife. These are the details of the deals.

SavvyMoney: How This Company Is Disrupting The Credit Score Market

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 31, 2023

SavvyMoney is a credit score solution for every online and mobile banking platform, helping people understand or improve their scores. Pulse 2.0 interviewed SavvyMoney president and CEO JB Orecchia to learn more about the company.

How Skillable Helps Organizations Upskill Their Employees

By Amit Chowdhry ● Oct 31, 2023

Skillable is a company that focuses on validated experiences and challenge-centric learning to transform how organizations upskill their customers, partners and employees. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Skillable Executive Chairman and Co-founder Corey Hynes, a network engineer and software developer turned entrepreneur, to learn more.