Startups

VenstraMedical: Strategic Investment Raised To Drive Next-Generation Cardiac Support Device Development

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 19, 2025

Cardiovascular medical-device company VenstraMedical today announced a significant investment from Minnesota-based venture capital firm Highcroft Capital, which will accelerate the company’s development of its next-generation percutaneous ventricular assist device (pVAD). The funding underscores VenstraMedical’s ambition to transform temporary mechanical circulatory support for patients in cardiogenic shock or undergoing high-risk coronary interventions.

Lifordi Immunotherapeutics: Strategic Investment Raised As Sanofi Ventures Joins $112 Million Round

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 19, 2025

Clinical-stage biotech company Lifordi Immunotherapeutics, which is focused on developing antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, announced that it has secured a strategic investment from Sanofi Ventures — the venture-capital arm of global healthcare company Sanofi — alongside additional funding from its existing investors including ARCH Ventures, 5AM Ventures, and Atlas Venture. The funding brings Lifordi’s total capital raised to $112 million to date.

Chargeflow: $35 Million Series A Closed To Advance AI-Driven Chargeback Automation for Enterprise Merchants

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 19, 2025

Chargeflow announced the closing of a $35 million Series A funding round, which includes a $10 million debt facility, bringing the company’s total funding to $49 million. The round was led by Viola Growth with participation from existing investor OpenView Venture Partners.

Ursa Major Raises $100 Million Series E Round, Garners Additional $50 Million Debt Funding, And Books $115 Million in Contracts

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 19, 2025

Aerospace and defense firm Ursa Major Technologies has announced the successful closing of a $100 million Series E financing round, complemented by commitments of $50 million in debt funding. The investment comes as the company simultaneously announced over $115 million in bookings through the first three quarters of 2025, signaling robust momentum across both government and commercial sectors.

Apono: $34 Million Series B Raised To Advance AI-Driven Cloud Access Security

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 19, 2025

Cloud identity and security firm Apono announced today that it has closed a $34 million Series B funding round, bringing its total funding to over $54 million. The round was led by U.S. Venture Partners (USVP) with participation from Swisscom Ventures, Vertex Ventures, 33N Ventures, and existing investors.

Big Rentals: $2.8 Million Seed Funding Raised To Digitize U.S. Equipment Rental Industry

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 19, 2025

Big Rentals announced that it has secured $2.8 million in seed funding. SNAK Venture Partners led the round with participation from Ironspring Ventures, Forum Ventures, the LAUNCH Fund (founded by Jason Calacanis), and NuFund Venture Group.

Hapiko: $7 Million Raised To Launch Stickerbox, An AI-Powered Sticker Printer for Kids

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 19, 2025

Brooklyn-based creative tech firm Hapiko announced the launch of its new product, Stickerbox — described as the first AI-powered voice-to-sticker printer built specifically for children. The device enables kids to verbally describe an image, such as “a dinosaur on a skateboard” or “a Viking ship sailing through outer space.” Then it prints a high-quality black-and-white sticker that children can colour and customise. The product works without a smartphone or laptop, offering independent, hands-on play.

Captain T Cell: €20 Million Funding Raised To Propel Next-Gen Solid Tumor TCR-T Programs Into Clinic

By Amit Chowdhry ● Nov 19, 2025

Biotech firm Captain T Cell announced today the successful closing of an equity financing round, bringing its total available funding to €20 million, together with previously secured grants. The funds are earmarked to drive the company's proprietary pipeline—specifically its lead autologous TCR-T program, CTC127, into a first-in-human Phase I trial, and push its allogeneic “off-the-shelf” TCR-T platform toward clinical readiness.