Venture Capital

Brightwood Capital Advisors Provides Financing For Critical Energy Infrastructure Services’ Refinancing And Strategic Acquisition

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

Brightwood Capital Advisors, a private credit firm focused on middle-market companies, announced it has provided senior secured financing to support Critical Energy Infrastructure Services, a portfolio company of White Wolf Capital Group, Inc. The deal refinanced the company's existing debt and provided acquisition financing to support its acquisition of One Tech Engineering, expanding its capabilities and strengthening its position as a provider of critical infrastructure services to the energy industry.

Wingspire Equipment Finance Backs Regional Air Travel Growth With $25 Million Aircraft Financing

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

Wingspire Equipment Finance announced a $25 million capital lease commitment for a private aviation and regional air travel company. An initial $8 million has been funded to support the acquisition and refurbishment of extended-range regional jet aircraft.

Bunkerhill Health Raises $55 Million Series B To Scale Agentic AI Platform For Health Systems

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

Bunkerhill Health, a San Francisco-based company that builds agentic AI infrastructure for hospitals and health systems, has closed a Series B funding round led by Khosla Ventures, with continued participation from Sequoia Capital, Felicis, Optum Ventures, and Y Combinator. The Series B brings total funding across all rounds to $55 million. The company's platform, Carebricks, is in production at Cleveland Clinic, the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), and Intermountain Health.

Fireworks Raises $1.5 Billion Series D At $17.5 Billion Valuation As ARR Surpasses $1 Billion

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

Fireworks, a San Mateo-based platform for building and serving specialized AI models, has raised a $1.505 billion Series D at a $17.5 billion valuation. The round was led by Atreides Management, Index Ventures, and TCV, with participation from existing investors Evantic, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and NVIDIA. Additional investors in the round include 20VC, Bessemer Venture Partners, Insight Partners, Lone Pine Capital, Menlo Ventures, Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, and others.

Citi Impact Fund Commits $25 Million To Housing Innovation Startups

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

The Citi Impact Fund has announced a $25 million commitment to invest in companies developing technology-enabled solutions for housing access, supply, and affordability across the United States. The commitment is part of Citi's broader Blueprint for Housing Opportunity initiative, a five-year, $60 billion effort to enhance U.S. housing affordability and help create or preserve 250,000 units.

Pagaya Closes $750 Million Auto ABS Transaction, Its Largest To Date

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

Pagaya Technologies, a global technology company delivering AI-driven product solutions for the financial ecosystem, announced the closing of RPM 2026-4, a $750 million upsized auto asset-backed securitization. This marks Pagaya's fourth fully pre-funded auto ABS transaction of 2026 and its largest to date, bringing the total amount of pre-funded auto ABS raised this year to $2.25 billion. The transaction features Pagaya's inaugural excess spread tranche, designed to optimize cash flow distribution and capture portfolio residual returns.

Silver Hill Energy Partners Closes Oversubscribed $1.277 Billion Fifth Fund for U.S. Shale Development

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

Silver Hill Energy Partners, a Dallas-based private energy company founded by Kyle D. Miller in 2011, has closed its fifth partnership and third institutional private equity fund, Silver Hill Energy Partners V, LP, at $1.277 billion in capital commitments — exceeding its fundraising target. Investors include endowments, pension funds, medical and family foundations, and family offices, with a majority being repeat investors from prior Silver Hill funds. Piper Sandler's private capital advisory group and Aviditi Advisors served as placement agents; Willkie Farr & Gallagher served as legal counsel.

Whale Raises $40 Million Series C3 Extension, Bringing Total Series C to $100 Million For Enterprise AI Expansion

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

Whale, a Singapore-headquartered enterprise AI company, has closed a $40 million Series C3 extension, bringing its total Series C financing to $100 million. The round was led by CMB International (via an CMBI investment fund focused on AI and frontier technology) and SMBC Asia Rising Fund, the corporate venture capital arm of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation. Additional participants include Krungsri Finnovate (the CVC arm of Krungsri/Bank of Ayudhya, part of MUFG), Singtel Innov8, Hyundai Motor Group, and Charisma Partners. Earlier Series C participants include Bosch Ventures, MTR Lab, MDI Ventures, Gentree Fund, and Linear Capital.

Fora Raises $60 Million Series D At $1 Billion Valuation As Travel Bookings Cross $3 Billion

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

Fora, a New York-based platform for independent travel advisors, has closed a $60 million Series D at a $1 billion post-money valuation. The round was led by Forerunner and Tactile Ventures, with continued participation from Thrive Capital, Insight Partners, and Heartcore Capital. New investors include PLUS Capital — alongside Amy Schumer and members of its artist and athlete collective — BlackPines Capital Partners, and Tribeca Venture Partners. The financing brings Fora's total funding to $138.5 million.

Wonder Raises $650 Million Series D At $9 Billion Valuation To Accelerate Food Tech Platform Expansion

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

Wonder, a vertically integrated food technology platform founded by Marc Lore, has raised $650 million in a Series D round at a $9 billion pre-money valuation. Existing investors Accel, GV (Google Ventures), and New Enterprise Associates participated alongside new investors including funds managed by AllianceBernstein, ARK Invest, and Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management. Goldman Sachs, Jefferies, and J.P. Morgan acted as placement agents.

Applied Computing Raises $20 Million Led by KBR To Scale Orbital, An AI Foundation Model For Energy Operations

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

Applied Computing, a UK-based AI company, has raised $20 million in a funding round led by KBR, the global engineering and technology services firm, with Databricks Ventures joining as a new investor. The announcement follows the company's annual demo day, held at the Energy Institute in London, where Applied Computing demonstrated Orbital, described as the first foundation model built specifically for energy operations working live.

Syntetica Raises $30 Million Series A to Scale Dual-Stream Nylon Recycling Technology

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

Syntetica, a French green chemistry startup developing a process to recycle both Nylon 6 and Nylon 6.6 simultaneously, has closed a $30 million Series A led by Bpifrance Green Venture, with strategic participation from lululemon and MAS Holdings. Additional investors in the round include SWEN Capital Partners and the European Innovation Council, alongside returning backers EQT Ventures, 1st Kind, Volta Circle, MILINVEST, and Athletico Ventures.

HEICO Corporation Closes $1.2 Billion Senior Notes Offering

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

HEICO Corporation announced that it closed an offering of $550 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.950% Senior Notes due 2031 and $650 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.400% Senior Notes due 2036. HEICO will use the net proceeds from the sale of the notes to pay down outstanding borrowings under its $2.2 billion revolving credit agreement, leaving the company with substantial ability and flexibility to fund future potential acquisitions.

LightPath Technologies Receives $11 Million Follow-On Infrared Camera Order For Counter-Drone Applications

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

LightPath Technologies (Nasdaq: LPTH), an Orlando-based provider of optics and infrared imaging systems, has received an $11 million follow-on purchase order for infrared cameras from an undisclosed leading global technology customer, for use in counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) applications. The order continues a purchasing relationship previously established through prior orders with the same customer and reflects growing demand for LightPath's infrared camera systems in public safety and defense markets.

Stark Power Secures Up To NIS 146 Million (About $48 Million) To Accelerate Growth

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

Stark Power, a US-focused energy infrastructure and data center development company, announced an equity raise of up to approximately NIS 146 million (~$48 million), anchored by Migdal Insurance, one of Israel's largest institutional investors, along with the company's current largest shareholders.

Glacis Labs Raises $6.8 Million To Scale ZeroDelta Digital Asset Clearing Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

Glacis Labs raised $6.8 million in seed funding to expand ZeroDelta, its multichain clearinghouse designed to match, net, and settle digital asset transactions across blockchain networks. The round was led by Lightspeed Faction, with participation from Franklin Templeton, Coinbase Ventures, Again, formerly known as IDC Ventures, Protein Capital, and Techni Ventures. Glacis Labs plans to use the funding to expand its team, scale operations, and accelerate the commercial rollout of ZeroDelta.

Proaction Announces $4.2 Million In Funding To Build The Modern Alternative To Legacy Fleet Management Services

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

Proaction, an AI-native fleet management technology and services company, announced $4.2 million in funding to build a modern alternative to the expensive, outdated methods commercial fleets are traditionally managed. New investors include GTMfund, Breakers, Aviso Ventures, and Iowa InnoVenture, with continued participation from Holman Growth Ventures and the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

Neko Health Raises $700 Million Series C Ahead Of U.S. Launch

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

Neko Health raised $700 million in Series C funding to open its first U.S. clinics and expand its technology-driven preventive healthcare platform across additional markets. The round was led by Lightspeed Venture Partners and co-led by O.G. Venture Partners, with participation from existing investors Atomico, General Catalyst, and Lakestar. New investors included Liberty City Ventures, Positive Sum, and BDT & MSD. David Ofer of O.G. Venture Partners is expected to join Neko Health’s board of directors, subject to regulatory approval.

Jacobs Secures Three UK National Highways Contracts For Viaduct Renewal And Project Management

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

Jacobs, a Dallas-based global infrastructure and engineering firm with approximately $12 billion in annual revenue, has secured three new contracts with National Highways, the UK government company responsible for operating, maintaining, and improving England's motorways and major A-roads. The awards expand Jacobs' role across the strategic road network in design, asset renewal, and project management.

Invest in Women Taskforce Surpasses £115 Million Deployed Across 22 Deals

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

The Invest in Women Taskforce, a UK initiative backed by His Majesty's Treasury and the Department for Business and Trade, has announced that more than £115 million in capital has now been deployed through its funding pool across 22 deals, with additional transactions in the pipeline. The milestone marks the transition of the Taskforce's work from capital-raising to active deployment into women-led and mixed fund managers and businesses.

DeweyLearn Raises $5 Million Series A To Scale AI-Powered Skills Assessment

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

DeweyLearn has raised $5 million in an oversubscribed Series A funding round to expand its multimodal artificial intelligence platform for evaluating real-world skills and delivering expert-level feedback at scale. SJF Ventures led the round, with participation from Catalysis Capital, Morningside, Owl Ventures and other investors.

Uplift Investors Closes Debut Fund At $670 Million Hard Cap

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

Uplift Investors, a Darien, Connecticut-based private equity firm focused on services investing, has closed its inaugural fund with $670 million in capital commitments at its hard cap. The firm was founded in March 2025 by Will Hausberg, Doug Rosenstein, and Brad Skaf, three partners who have invested together on every deal for the past decade. Capital came from a diversified base of limited partners including pensions, endowments, foundations, insurance companies, and family offices.

Northbase Finance Closes Capital Partnership With Oaktree to Support Equipment Financing Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

Northbase Finance announced the closing of a revolving credit facility with Oaktree through its Asset-Backed Finance strategy, providing up to $300 million in scalable financing capacity. The facility will support the continued expansion of Northbase's North American equipment financing platform, focused on critical operating assets across power generation, compression, energy transformation infrastructure, and industrial markets in the United States and Canada.

Mauna Kea Technologies Secures €4 Million Optional Shareholder Loan To Support Commercial Expansion

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

Mauna Kea Technologies, a Paris and Boston-based medical device company and inventor of the Cellvizio confocal laser endomicroscopy platform, has established a shareholder loan agreement with long-standing investor Vester Finance for up to €4 million in optional financing over 24 months. As of the announcement date, no funds have been drawn. The company retains sole discretion over whether and when to access the facility, with no contractual obligation to draw, and may suspend or terminate the agreement at any time at no cost.

AST SpaceMobile Proposes $1 Billion Convertible Senior Notes Offering To Expand Space-Based Cellular Network

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

AST SpaceMobile has announced plans to offer $1 billion in convertible senior notes due 2034 through a private placement to qualified institutional buyers.

Kind Designs Closes $10 Million Round to Scale 3D-Printed Living Seawalls

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

Kind Designs, a Miami-based climate resilience company, announced the close of a $10 million Pre-Series A round at a $70 million valuation, bringing the company's total funding to date to $21.5 million. The company had set out to raise $5 million but drew nearly $20 million in investor interest, pushing it to double the round. The round was backed by Mark Cuban, NY Angels, TaMiami, former Washington D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty, and NBA forward Kyle Kuzma.

Beacon Security Raises $13 Million Seed Funding To Build AI-Native Cyber Defense Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

Beacon Security has raised $13 million in seed funding to expand its agentic cybersecurity platform and provide enterprises with a trusted data foundation for human analysts and autonomous security agents. Notable Capital led the round, with participation from Holly Ventures, AlphaDrive Ventures, SVCI, Jefferies Family Office and more than 60 cybersecurity founders and chief information security officers. The investor group includes founders associated with Talon, Descope, Gem Security, Dig Security and Cider Security.

Xenter Raises $58.25 Million Series B To Accelerate TechMed Platform Commercialization

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

Xenter has raised $58.25 million in Series B funding to support the commercial launch of its diagnostics business, expand manufacturing capacity and advance its wireless medical devices and AI-enabled healthcare intelligence platform.

Lockheed Martin Ventures Opens London Office And Earmarks $100 Million For UK And European Defense Tech Investments

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

Lockheed Martin is expanding its venture capital operations into the United Kingdom and Europe, opening a London office and committing at least $100 million of its $1 billion Lockheed Martin Ventures fund to investments in British and European defense technology startups. The move follows Lockheed Martin's April 2026 decision to more than double the fund's investment capacity from $400 million to $1 billion — the largest capital increase in the fund's history.

NxLite Completes $13.1 Million Series A And $3.5 Million Debt Facility And Adds Erin Sawyer to Board

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jul 16, 2026

NxLite, the manufacturer of air-stable, energy-efficient coatings for glass and polymeric substrates, announced the final close of its Series A financing, a $3.5 million debt facility from RSF Social Finance, and the appointment of technology supply chain leader Erin Sawyer to its board of directors.