Archives

Opticore: $7.5 Million Secured For Advancing Photonic Computing Chips

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 19, 2025

Opticore, a company developing next‑generation optical computing solutions, announced it has secured $7.5 million in new financing to accelerate the development of its breakthrough photonic chip technology. This latest round builds on the company’s pre‑seed funding from last year, bringing its total capital raised to $14.5 million. The funding round included participation from Neotribe Ventures and Thunderbolt Ventures, alongside other backers who see the potential for Opticore’s approach to redefine high‑performance computing.

GTCR Buying Smart Home Security Company SimpliSafe

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 19, 2025

SimpliSafe, a renowned name in the smart home security market, has announced that it has reached an agreement to be acquired by GTCR. The deal will see GTCR purchase the company from its current majority owner, Hellman & Friedman. As part of the transition, Christian Cerda will continue to lead SimpliSafe as Chief Executive Officer, while founders Chad and Eleanor Laurans will remain involved as significant investors and members of the board of directors.

Infinity Loop: Interview With CEO Nithin Mummaneni About The Enterprise Contract Management Company

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 19, 2025

Infinity Loop is a company that is transforming enterprise contract management by combining AI-native intelligence with strategic negotiation expertise. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Infinity Loop CEO Nithin Mummaneni to gain a deeper understanding of the company.

4Patriots: Interview With Co-Founder & CEO Allen Baler About The Emergency Preparedness Company

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 19, 2025

4Patriots provides emergency preparedness products designed for self-reliance during natural disasters, power outages, and other emergencies. Pulse 2.0 interviewed 4Patriots co-founder and CEO Allen Baler to gain a deeper understanding of the company.

Unvale: Interview With Founder & CEO Casey Lawlor About The Storyteller Publishing Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 19, 2025

Unvale is a company where the next generation of storytellers develops entire worlds of content, grows their audience, and publishes the next big hit. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Unvale founder and CEO Casey Lawlor to gain a deeper understanding of the company.

Classiq: Interview With Co-Founder & CEO Nir Minerbi About The Quantum Computing Software Company

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 19, 2025

Classiq is a company that provides a software platform for quantum computers to simplify quantum algorithm development. It does this by transforming high-level functional models into optimized quantum circuits, enabling developers to create and deploy sophisticated quantum applications without deep quantum expertise. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Classiq co-founder and CEO Nir Minerbi to gain a deeper understanding of the company.

Alvarez & Marsal: Pierre de Raismes Named As Managing Director

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 18, 2025

Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) has named Pierre de Raismes as Managing Director in its Private Equity Performance Improvement (PEPI) practice, where he will head the Private Equity Financial Services team. Based in Paris, his appointment reflects A&M’s ongoing expansion of its PEPI practice across Europe and its commitment to strengthening commercial due diligence and post-deal transformation capabilities.

Groq: $750 Million Raised At $6.9 Billion Valuation For AI Inference Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 18, 2025

Groq, a leader in AI inference technology, has raised $750 million in new financing, valuing the company at $6.9 billion post-money. The funding round was led by Disruptive, with significant participation from BlackRock, Neuberger Berman, Deutsche Telekom Capital Partners, and a large U.S.-based West Coast mutual fund manager. Existing investors — including Samsung, Cisco, D1, Altimeter, 1789 Capital, and Infinitum — also contributed.

Baker McKenzie: Sumon Dantiki Named As Partner And Co-Chair Of National Security Practice

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 18, 2025

Baker McKenzie has announced that Sumon Dantiki, a former senior official at the U.S. Department of Justice, has joined its Washington, DC office as a partner in the Litigation and Government Enforcement Practice and as co-chair of the firm’s National Security Practice. Dantiki is widely recognized for his expertise in cybersecurity, national security, and complex investigations, especially in matters involving the intersection of technology, security, and legal risk.

NVIDIA Investing $5 Billion In Intel As Part Of Collaboration

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 18, 2025

Intel and NVIDIA have unveiled a major collaboration to co-develop multiple generations of custom products for both data centers and personal computing. The partnership aims to combine Intel’s leading CPU technologies and x86 ecosystem with NVIDIA’s AI and accelerated computing expertise, connected through NVIDIA’s high-speed NVLink technology.

Blackstone Buying Hill Top Energy Center For Nearly $1 Billion

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 18, 2025

Blackstone has announced that private equity funds affiliated with Blackstone Energy Transition Partners have reached a definitive agreement to acquire Hill Top Energy Center, a 620-megawatt natural gas power plant in Western Pennsylvania, from Ardian for nearly $1 billion. The acquisition underscores Blackstone’s strategy to expand energy infrastructure critical to powering the AI economy.

PGIM And Partners Sign Strategic Partnership For Delivering Multi-Asset Investment Solutions

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 18, 2025

PGIM, the $1.44 trillion global investment management business of Prudential Financial, and Partners Group, one of the largest private markets investment firms in the world, have entered into a strategic partnership to create and deliver a range of multi-asset portfolio solutions for both individual and institutional investors.

DLA Piper: Shana Ramirez Added As Partner In Leveraged Finance Practice

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 18, 2025

DLA Piper has announced that Shana Ramirez has joined the firm as a Partner in its Leveraged Finance practice, based in the Los Angeles office. Her appointment strengthens the firm’s capabilities in advising on a broad spectrum of financing transactions for both lenders and borrowers.

KKR Buys Hoken Minaoshi Hompo For Expanding Insurance Distribution in Japan

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 18, 2025

KKR has announced the acquisition of Hoken Minaoshi Hompo Group, a significant insurance distributor in Japan. The purchase was made from funds managed by Advantage Partners, a Japanese private equity firm. This investment is expected to support Hoken Minaoshi Hompo Group’s growth by enhancing its sales capabilities and pursuing both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions.

Kirkland & Ellis: Kara Kuchar Named As Partner To Enhance Fintech Practice

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 18, 2025

Kirkland & Ellis has announced the appointment of Kara Kuchar as a partner in its firm, bringing significant expertise in fintech regulation to its legal team. Kara specializes in payments, licensing, and regulatory compliance, and her arrival enhances the firm’s ability to advise clients navigating the fast-evolving financial technology landscape.

LCM Partners: €3.8 Billion First Close Of Credit Opportunities 5 Strategy

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 18, 2025

LCM Partners, a leading private credit manager in Europe and part of Brookfield’s strategic credit partner network, has announced the first close of its flagship Credit Opportunities 5 strategy, known as COPS 5. The firm has secured €3.8 billion in commitments across both its commingled fund and single investor managed accounts. This marks a significant step toward its goal of raising €6 billion for the strategy.

Ropes & Gray: European Reach Expanded With New Office In Milan And Key Appointments

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 18, 2025

Ropes & Gray, a law firm known for its work with private equity clients, has opened a new office in Milan, Italy. This expansion strengthens the firm’s presence in Europe and supports its strategy to meet growing demand for cross-border legal expertise. The Milan office follows the recent opening of a Paris location and builds on the firm’s established operations in London.

Altera: 51% Stake Acquired By Silver Lake From Intel

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 18, 2025

Altera has announced the completion of a significant investment deal with Silver Lake, a global technology-focused investment firm. Silver Lake has acquired a 51% stake in Altera from Intel Corporation, which will retain the remaining 49%. This deal marks a significant milestone for Altera, officially establishing it as the world’s largest independent company focused solely on field-programmable gate array (FPGA) solutions.

ENTRO: Majority Stake Bought By Levine Leichtman Capital

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 18, 2025

Levine Leichtman Capital Partners has announced a new partnership with ENTRO Service GmbH. The firm has bought a majority interest in ENTRO, working alongside the company’s founders Claudio Tubach and Philipp Westphal, as well as the current management team. While the financial details of the transaction were not disclosed, the move signals LLCP’s confidence in ENTRO’s business model and growth potential.

Baker McKenzie: Tom Oslovar Joins As Partner In Transactional Practice Group

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 18, 2025

Baker McKenzie has announced that Tom Oslovar has joined its Palo Alto office as a Partner in the Transactional Practice Group. With over ten years of experience advising clients across Silicon Valley and the United States, Oslovar brings deep expertise in intellectual property and technology-focused mergers and acquisitions. His work spans a wide range of industries, including advising founders, investors, legal teams, and boards on how to develop and commercialize technology effectively.

Seki Furniture: Investment Raised From L Catterton To Support Growth

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 18, 2025

L Catterton has announced a strategic investment in Seki Furniture, a major furniture company based in Japan. This partnership is designed to help Seki Furniture grow further in Japan’s steadily expanding furniture market by tapping into L Catterton’s deep experience in the consumer sector.

HALA: $157 Million Raised To Expand Fintech Services For Small Businesses Across the Middle East

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 18, 2025

HALA Holding, a leading fintech company based in Saudi Arabia, has announced the completion of a $157 million Series B funding round. This marks one of the most significant Series B investments in the region’s fintech sector. The round was led by The Rise Fund, part of TPG’s global impact investing strategy, and Sanabil Investments, which the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia owns. A wide range of other investors also participated, including QED, Raed Ventures, Impact 46, MEVP, Isometry Capital, Arzan VC, BNVT Capital, Kaltaire Investments, Endeavor Catalyst, Nour Nouf Ventures, Khwarizmi Ventures, and Wamda Capital.

Asterion Industrial Partners: €3.4 Billion Closed for Third Infrastructure Fund

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 18, 2025

Asterion Industrial Partners, a European investment firm specializing in mid-market infrastructure, has announced the final close of its third fund, Asterion Industrial Infra Fund III FCR. The fund secured €3.4 billion in commitments, exceeding its original target of €3.2 billion. Including additional co-investment commitments, the total capital raised for the Fund III strategy reaches €3.65 billion.

Hunter Point Capital: Phiras Soubra Appointed As Managing Director To Expand Middle East Presence

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 18, 2025

Hunter Point Capital, an independent investment firm known for providing strategic support and capital solutions to alternative asset managers, has announced the appointment of Phiras Soubra as Managing Director for the Middle East. This newly created role reflects the firm’s commitment to deepening its relationships with investors and alternative investment firms across the region. Soubra will work closely with the global capital formation team - which is led by Conway Bate - to build new partnerships and strengthen HPC’s presence in key Middle Eastern markets.

Kin: $50 Million Series E Raised At $2 Billion Valuation For Home Insurance Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 18, 2025

Kin, a digital-first home insurance company known for its direct-to-consumer model, announced the closing of a $50 million Series E funding round. This round was oversubscribed and completed at a pre-money valuation of $2 billion, signaling strong investor confidence in Kin’s approach to modernizing home insurance. Along with the equity raise, Kin secured a $200 million debt facility, using $145 million to refinance existing obligations.

Latham: Mohammed Shaheen Rejoins Chicago Office As Partner In Banking & Private Credit Practice

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 18, 2025

Latham & Watkins announced it has welcomed back Mohammed Shaheen as a partner in its Chicago office, where he will contribute to the firm’s Banking & Private Credit Practice. Shaheen brings a wealth of experience in representing banks and private credit funds in a wide range of complex financial transactions. His work includes advising on credit facilities, leveraged buyouts, acquisition financing, and corporate restructurings.

Kriya: $320 Million Series D Closed For Advancing Gene Therapy Pipeline

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 18, 2025

Kriya Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing gene therapies for chronic illnesses, has announced the completion of a $320 million Series D funding round. This substantial investment was co-led by Patient Square Capital and Premji Invest, with additional support from well-known investors in the life sciences and technology sectors, including Peter Thiel, Narya Capital, The T1D Fund, and other long-term backers.

Adaptive Security: Additional OpenAI Investment Brings Series A To $55 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 18, 2025

Adaptive Security, a company focused on preventing social engineering attacks powered by artificial intelligence, has announced an additional investment from the OpenAI Startup Fund. This new funding brings the total raised in its Series A round to $55 million.

Clifford Chance: Andrea Gede-Lange Joins U.S. Private Equity Practice As Partner

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 18, 2025

Law firm Clifford Chance has expanded its Private Equity practice in the United States by welcoming Andrea Gede-Lange as a new partner. This move is part of the firm’s broader strategy to enhance its private capital capabilities across key international markets.

Dig Energy: $5 Million Raised To Transform Geothermal Heating And Cooling

By Amit Chowdhry ● Sep 18, 2025

Dig Energy has raised $5 million in venture capital to move its innovative geothermal drilling technology from testing into real-world pilot installations. Azolla Ventures and Avila VC led this funding round. Several other investors also joined the round, including Conifer Infrastructure Partners, Suffolk Technologies, Mercator Partners, Koa Labs, and early backers Baukunst and Drew Scott. In addition to financial support, Dig has received recognition and assistance from programs like Suffolk Technologies' BOOST accelerator and the U.S. Department of Energy's EPIC Prize.