Venture Capital

Lilac Solutions: Lithium Extraction Technology Company Raises $145 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Feb 17, 2024

Lilac Solutions - a leader in lithium extraction technology - announced the closing of its Series C with $145 million of proceeds. This funding round brought Lilac’s total capital raised to $315 million. This financing was led by Mercuria, Lowercarbon Capital, and Breakthrough Energy Ventures, with participation from all major shareholders including T. Rowe Price Association, Engine Ventures, Aventurine, Presidio Ventures (a Sumitomo Corporation Group Company), and BMW i Ventures, among others. Lilac also welcomed Mitsubishi Corporation and The Nature Conservancy as new investors.

Bending Spoons: $155 Million Raised At $2.55 Billion Post-Money

By Amit Chowdhry ● Feb 17, 2024

Bending Spoons - a Milan, Italy-based company that has served over half a billion people across the globe through its suite of digital technology products, including Evernote, Remini, and Splice - announced a new equity financing round. Durable Capital Partners LP joins existing investors Baillie Gifford, Cox Enterprises, NB Renaissance, NUO Capital, and StarTIP (controlled by Tamburi Investment Partners) in participating in the round.

Ampersand Raises Funding From Beyond Capital Ventures

By Amit Chowdhry ● Feb 17, 2024

Beyond Capital Ventures (a women-led, emerging markets venture capital fund catalyzing purpose-driven startups) announced a recent investment in Ampersand, Africa's first electric transport energy company. The company is a pioneer of using electric motorcycles and battery-swapping networks to address the continent's growing carbon emissions and transportation challenges. And BCV's investment will support Ampersand's expansion plans, fortify its balance sheet, bolster R&D initiatives, and drive the development of manufacturing capabilities.

Upwards: National Childcare Network And Care Benefits Company Raises $21 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Feb 17, 2024

Upwards (formerly WeeCare) - a leading national childcare network and care benefits company - announced that it had closed a $21 million Series B financing round led by Alpha Edison, with participation from existing investors M13 and Fika Ventures. With this latest funding round, the company's total funding reaches $43.3 million, making it one of the most notable investments in childcare companies in recent years.

Sage Geosystems: Geopressured Geothermal System Company Raises $17 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Feb 17, 2024

Sage Geosystems announced the first closing of $17 million in Series A funding led by Chesapeake Energy Corporation (“Chesapeake”) (NASDAQ: CHK) and joined by technology investor Arch Meredith, Helium-3 Ventures and with continued support from existing investors Virya, LLC, Nabors Industries, and Ignis Energy. The investment will fully fund the first-of-its-kind 3MW commercial Geopressured Geothermal System (GGS) facility, which will be built in Texas.

Higharc: Homebuilding Operations Platform Closes $53 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Feb 17, 2024

Higharc - a connected cloud platform for homebuilding operations - announced a $53 million Series B funding round powered by over 18 industry leaders from construction, building products, manufacturing, and distribution. Previous investors Javelin Venture Partners, Lux Capital, and Vertex Ventures also joined the round. Spark Capital and Pillar VC led the round, with participation from SE Ventures (Schneider Electric's Venture Arm), Fifth Wall, Starwood Capital, Standard Investments, Home Depot, Ferguson, Simpson Strong-Tie, Mulhern+Kulp Engineering, Suffolk Technologies, RXR Realty, PSP Growth, Metaprop, SC Masterfund, Carl Bass (former Autodesk CEO) along with leaders from Mighty Buildings, Welcome Homes, CBRE, and Ware Malcomb. The funding will support Higharc's growth and expand its automated materials estimating and generative AI-based workflows.

Celadyne: Decarbonization And Hydrogen Solution Company Raises $4.5 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Feb 17, 2024

Celadyne - the decarbonization and hydrogen solution company - announced they had raised $4.5M in seed investment funding. The funding round was co-led by Maniv and Dynamo Ventures, with major participation from EPS Ventures.

Privy: Real Estate Investment Software Company Raises $4 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Feb 17, 2024

Privy (a real estate investment software platform providing curated information to individual investors and real estate agents focused on residential investment opportunities and wealth-building) announced it raised $4 million in non-dilutive growth capital from Cypress Growth Capital. Launched in 2019, over the past two years, Privy grew its customer base by 1000%, setting itself apart as a prop-tech success story that allows real estate investors and agents to find profitable deals with "push button" simplicity.

ScaleIP Raises $1.5 Million To Accelerate IP Business Intelligence Solution

By Amit Chowdhry ● Feb 17, 2024

ScaleIP (formerly LicenseLead) announced a $1.5 million pre-seed financing to accelerate its pioneering IP business intelligence solution. This funding round was led by the Greater Colorado Venture Fund, with participation from Tunitas Venture, Comeback Capital, Community Access Fund, and Seed Round Capital. This funding will accelerate ScaleIP's ability to help more IP teams monetize their under-valued patents.

Duetti: Music Financing Platform Company Secures $90 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Feb 17, 2024

Duetti - a music financing platform democratizing the music business by enabling catalog monetization for independent artists - announced $90 million in new funding. This includes $15 million of new equity and a new $75 million credit facility. The equity financing is led by Nyca Partners, Viola Ventures (Duetti's lead seed equity investor), and Cohen Circle.

Arch: HVAC Data Intelligence Contractor Company Raises $6.2 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● Feb 17, 2024

Arch - a data intelligence platform for HVAC contractors - announced that it had raised $6.2 million in seed funding from Gigascale Capital, Coatue, Floodgate, ReGen Ventures, and MCJ Collective. This investment comes as most Americans want to electrify their homes during a time of a shortage of installers and high upfront costs.