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Fruitist Funded $150M to Fuel Global Superfruit Expansion

Superfruit

Fruitist, a Los Angeles, CA-based producer of fresh fruits intended to offer a healthier snacking alternative. The company offers superfruit with flavor, consistent quality, and a fully integrated, tech-enabled global supply chain, enabling health-conscious consumers to enjoy nutritious, on-the-go snacks.

Fruitist was funded $150 million led by a vehicle managed by J.P. Morgan Asset Management, alongside other new and existing angel investors. New capital will accelerate company’s retail expansion and strengthen its position in the global snacking market.

The investment underscores a significant institutional confidence in Fruitist’s vertically integrated model and its strategic positioning in the booming “better-for-you” snacking category. Known for its signature premium line of Jumbo Blueberries and its popular single-serve Snack Cups, the Los Angeles-based company has redefined the market perception of berries—shifting them from a mere ingredient to a high-end, grab-and-go snack.

CEO and co-founder Steve Magami, who launched the business in 2012 with a focus on Peruvian blueberries, stated that the new capital will be strategically deployed across its global operations. “We are building an intelligence platform powered by our proprietary data,” Magami noted. “This investment allows us to significantly expand our agricultural footprint, enhance our cold chain logistics, and further integrate our technological advantages to ensure a year-round, premium supply.”

The company’s control over its entire value chain—from genetics and planting in multiple global regions to advanced packaging and distribution—is what attracted lead investor J.P. Morgan. Brad Demong, Managing Director at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, commented, “Fruitist has built a formidable moat around its business. We believe their control of the value chain, combined with their ability to drive premiumization in the berry category, positions them for durable and significant organic growth.”

Fruitist’s growth trajectory has been nothing short of meteoric. Earlier this year, the company reported annual sales surpassing $400 million, with its core blueberry sales tripling year-over-year. Its premium superfruit is currently sold in over 12,500 retail locations across 40 countries, including major US chains like Costco, Walmart, Trader Joe’s, and Whole Foods.

The funding will directly support an ambitious expansion of its growing areas, which already span across eight countries including Mexico, Chile, India, Morocco, China, and new regions opening in Oregon and California in the U.S. Key capital expenditures will include:

  • New Plantations and Infrastructure: Securing more acreage for premium blueberry varieties, as well as its strategic growth areas of blackberries, raspberries, and cherries.
  • Cold Storage and Automation: Investing in cutting-edge cold chain facilities and automation to maintain peak freshness and quality across its global supply line.
  • Technology Integration: Further developing its proprietary data-driven platform that models growing conditions, predicts optimal harvest windows, and reduces waste.

The company has also been an early adopter of advanced preservation technology, notably a partnership with RipeLocker to deploy low-atmosphere vacuum chambers that extend the shelf life of berries—a critical advantage in global distribution.

In a fascinating revelation, Fruitist’s data indicates a unique, unexpected growth driver: the rising popularity of GLP-1 prescription medications (such as Ozempic and Wegovy) for weight management. Magami shared that the company’s data shows consumers starting these treatments significantly increase their berry purchases, aligning with the medications’ emphasis on healthier eating habits and appetite changes.

The company is capitalizing on this wellness trend, bolstering its brand presence through strategic direct-to-consumer platforms and high-profile partnerships, such as becoming the official superfruit snack of USC Athletics and bringing on NFL quarterback Caleb Williams as both an investor and brand ambassador.

This $150 million round solidifies Fruitist’s position as a leading force not just in fresh produce, but in the global healthy snacking market. As the broader food industry grapples with inflation and shifting consumer demands, Fruitist’s ability to command premium pricing for a superior, healthy product proves that quality and strategic branding can successfully disrupt traditional commodity agriculture. The fresh capital ensures that Fruitist is poised to define the future of premium snacking on a global scale.

By: K. Tagura

Who we are: Funded.com is a platform that is A+ BBB accredited over 10+ years. Access our network of Angel Investors, Venture Capital or Lenders. Let us professionally write your Business Plan.

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Casium Funded $5M to Fuel Ambitious Expansion and Innovation Push

Innovation

Casium, a Seattle, WA-based AI-powered immigration and mobility solution for enterprises innovation that combines licensed legal expertise with technology.

Casium was funded $5 million for significant capital injection is earmarked to propel the company’s ambitious expansion plans and accelerate its innovation development pipeline, signaling a pivotal moment for the burgeoning tech firm.

The funding round saw participation from a consortium of prominent venture capital firms, including leading-edge investors like Maverick Ventures with participation from the AI2 Incubator, GTMfund, Success Venture Partners, and angel investor Jake Heller, co-founder of Casetext with deep roots in the AI and enterprise software landscape. This strong endorsement from both institutional and individual investors underscores the confidence in Casium’s unique technological approach and its potential to disrupt multiple industries.

Priyanka Kulkarni CEO and founder of Casium stated that the $5 million investment is not just capital; it’s a validation of their vision, their technology, and the incredible team that has brought them to this point. They are immensely grateful for the trust placed in them by our investors, and they are eager to leverage this funding to scale their operations and push the boundaries of AI innovation even further.

Casium’s core strength lies in its proprietary AI platform, which utilizes advanced machine learning algorithms to provide unparalleled accuracy in forecasting, optimize complex operational workflows, and automate decision-making processes across various verticals. From enhancing supply chain efficiencies to personalizing customer experiences and predicting market trends, Casium’s solutions have already demonstrated tangible benefits for its early adopters.

The company plans to strategically deploy the newly acquired funds across several key areas. A substantial portion will be allocated to scaling its research and development initiatives. This includes expanding its team of AI engineers, investing in cutting-edge computing infrastructure, and exploring new frontiers in explainable AI and ethical AI development.

Furthermore, a portion of the funding will be dedicated to enhancing Casium’s customer success programs and building out its talent acquisition strategy. As the company grows, maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction and attracting top-tier talent will be paramount. Casium plans to invest in robust training programs, expand its customer support infrastructure, and implement innovative recruitment strategies to bring in the brightest minds in AI and related fields.

With this significant capital infusion, Casium is now well-equipped to execute its ambitious growth strategy, drive further innovation in the AI space, and ultimately, empower more businesses to harness the transformative power of intelligent automation and predictive analytics. The future looks bright for Casium as it embarks on this exciting new chapter of expansion and innovation.

By: K. Tagura

Who we are: Funded.com is a platform that is A+ BBB accredited over 10+ years. Access our network of Angel Investors, Venture Capital or Lenders. Let us professionally write your Business Plan.

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Cookiy AI Funded $7M to Power Consumer Insights with Agentic Voice

Consumer Insights

Cookiy AI, a Palo Alto, CA-based emerging leader in advanced artificial intelligence solutions, was funded $7 million. The investment was led by prominent venture capital firms Liquid2, Converge, GoAhead, and UpHonest, alongside other venture funds and strategic angel investors. Will accelerate the development and deployment of Cookiy AI’s groundbreaking agentic voice AI platform, poised to transform how businesses gather and leverage consumer insights fundamentally.

The capital infusion marks a significant milestone for Cookiy AI as it aims to disrupt the traditional market research landscape. Currently, understanding consumer sentiment and preferences often relies on laborious, time-consuming, and sometimes biased methods such as surveys, focus groups, and manual data analysis. Cookiy AI’s innovative approach promises to deliver richer, more authentic, and real-time insights by directly engaging with consumers through sophisticated, human-like voice AI agents.

Davin YC Dong, CEO and co-founder of Cookiy AI, stated that they are incredibly excited about this funding round and the strong validation it represents for their vision. Businesses are clamoring for deeper, more nuanced understandings of their customers. Traditional methods often fall short, struggling to capture the spontaneous, emotional, and context-rich feedback that truly drives decision-making. The agentic voice AI is designed to bridge this gap, offering a scalable, unbiased, and incredibly effective way to ‘listen’ to the market.

What sets Cookiy AI apart is its “agentic” voice AI. Unlike simple chatbots or scripted IVR systems, Cookiy’s agents can understand context, adapt their conversational flow, ask probing follow-up questions, and even infer emotional states from vocal nuances. This allows for far more natural and insightful interactions, mimicking the depth of a skilled human interviewer while achieving unprecedented scale and consistency.

Imagine a product launch where a brand can instantly conduct thousands of in-depth “interviews” with target consumers, gathering feedback on features, pricing, and messaging within hours. Or a service provider understanding pain points and desires across their entire customer base, identifying emerging trends long before they appear in aggregated data. This is the promise of Cookiy AI.

The funding will primarily be allocated to three key areas: expanding the engineering and AI research teams to refine agentic capabilities further; enhancing the platform’s scalability and security infrastructure; and accelerating market penetration through strategic partnerships and sales initiatives. Cookiy AI plans to expand its current team of 30 to over 70 within the next 18 months, attracting top talent in AI, machine learning, and conversational design.

Early pilot programs with select Fortune 500 companies have yielded impressive results, demonstrating Cookiy AI’s ability to uncover unexpected consumer preferences and pain points that traditional methods missed. One early adopter in the CPG sector reported a 25% increase in product feature adoption after implementing insights gleaned from Cookiy’s voice AI agents.

The company’s commitment to ethical AI and data privacy is also a cornerstone of its operations. Cookiy AI emphasizes transparency with consumers regarding data collection and use, adhering to the highest privacy standards, including GDPR and CCPA.

With this substantial investment, Cookiy AI is poised to lead the charge in transforming how businesses connect with their customers, promising a future where consumer insights are not just data points, but deeply understood narratives that drive innovation and growth. The age of agentic voice AI for consumer insights has officially begun.

By: K. Tagura

Who we are: Funded.com is a platform that is A+ BBB accredited over 10+ years. Access our network of Angel Investors, Venture Capital or Lenders. Let us professionally write your Business Plan.

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Peer AI Funded $12.1M to Turbocharge Drug Approvals

Drug Approvals

Peer AI, a San Francisco, CA-based in a significant boost to the burgeoning field of AI-powered life sciences, Peer AI, a pioneering company dedicated to streamlining drug approvals, announced today it has successfully funded a $12.1 million. This substantial investment will accelerate the deployment and enhancement of its intelligent regulatory workflow platform, a solution poised to dramatically reduce the time and cost associated with bringing life-saving medications to market.

The Series A funding round was led by Flare Capital Partners and SignalFire. Other investors included Greycroft, Atria, Alumni Ventures, Gaingels, and Mana Ventures, along with angel investors. While the specific investors were not immediately disclosed, industry insiders suggest a strong belief in Peer AI’s potential to disrupt a historically complex and often protracted process. This capital infusion will be directed towards expanding Peer AI’s engineering and product teams, scaling its operational capabilities, and further developing its proprietary AI algorithms to meet the increasing demand from pharmaceutical and biotech companies.

At the core of Peer AI’s offering is an advanced platform designed to navigate the labyrinthine world of drug regulatory submissions. The current drug approval process is notorious for its extensive documentation, stringent compliance requirements, and iterative review cycles, often stretching timelines by months, if not years. Peer AI aims to untangle this complexity through the application of sophisticated artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing.

“Our mission at Peer AI is clear: to empower pharmaceutical companies to bring vital drugs to patients faster and more efficiently,” stated Anita Modi, CEO and co-founder of Peer AI, in an exclusive interview. “This funding is a testament to the hard work of our team and the transformative potential of our technology. The regulatory landscape is incredibly nuanced, and traditional methods simply can’t keep pace with the innovation happening in drug discovery. We’re building the intelligent infrastructure that bridges that gap.”

Peer AI’s platform leverages AI to analyze vast amounts of regulatory data, identify potential compliance risks, and even generate portions of submission documents, significantly reducing manual effort and human error. It acts as an intelligent co-pilot for regulatory affairs professionals, providing real-time insights, automating repetitive tasks, and ensuring adherence to the ever-evolving guidelines set by regulatory bodies like the FDA, EMA, and others globally.

One of the key innovations highlighted by Modi is the platform’s ability to learn and adapt. “Every regulatory submission presents unique challenges,” she explained. “Our AI doesn’t just follow rules; it learns from past successful submissions, identifies patterns in regulatory feedback, and proactively flags areas that might require additional attention. This predictive capability is a game-changer, allowing companies to anticipate and address issues before they become bottlenecks.”

The impact of such a platform could be far-reaching. Expediting drug approvals means faster access to new treatments for patients suffering from critical illnesses. For pharmaceutical companies, it translates into significant cost savings, reduced operational overhead, and a competitive edge in a highly competitive market. With drug development costs often soaring into the billions, any technology that can trim timelines and improve efficiency is a welcome development.

The company plans to use a portion of the new capital to forge strategic partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies, running pilot programs to showcase the platform’s efficacy on real-world regulatory submissions. This collaborative approach will not only refine their technology but also build a robust evidence base for its transformative impact.

As Peer AI embarks on this next phase of growth, the $12.1 million investment marks a significant milestone. It underscores the growing confidence in AI’s ability to tackle some of the life sciences industry’s most enduring challenges, promising a future where innovative medicines reach those in need with unprecedented speed and efficiency. The race to accelerate drug approvals just got an intelligent boost.

By: K. Tagura

Who we are: Funded.com is a platform that is A+ BBB accredited over 10+ years. Access our network of Angel Investors, Venture Capital or Lenders. Let us professionally write your Business Plan.

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SolidCore.ai Funded $4M to Bridging the Enterprise GenAI Trust Gap

GenAI

SolidCore.ai, a Menlo Park developer of an enterprise-grade security and compliance platform designed to facilitate the adoption of GenAI by providing visibility, control, and auditability. 

SolidCore.ai was funded $4 million led by Runtime Ventures with participation from Epic Ventures and notable cybersecurity angel investors, aims to help businesses adopt generative AI safely and with confidence.

Generative AI, especially large language models (LLMs), promises to revolutionize enterprise operations, from automating customer service to accelerating software development. However, its rapid adoption has introduced significant security and compliance challenges. The nondeterministic and creative nature of LLMs, which can generate novel outputs, poses risks like data leakage, misconfigurations, and the creation of inaccurate or biased information. Many organizations are hesitant to fully integrate these powerful tools due to a lack of visibility and control, fearing they can’t meet governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) requirements.

This hesitation creates a paradox: businesses want the competitive advantage that GenAI offers, but they’re held back by the very real threat of exposing sensitive data or violating new regulations. The market is missing a foundational layer of infrastructure that allows enterprises to confidently scale their GenAI applications while ensuring they remain secure and compliant.

SolidCore.ai was founded by Eric Chiu and Hemma Prafullchandra, two seasoned cybersecurity leaders with a history of solving complex infrastructure security problems during the cloud computing transition. Chiu, who previously founded HyTrust, and Prafullchandra, a former CTO for M365 Security and Compliance at Microsoft, recognized a parallel between the cloud migration security challenges of the past and the current state of GenAI adoption. They developed SolidCore.ai to provide the missing infrastructure layer for this new era.

The company’s core offering is an immutable system of record that captures every single interaction with an LLM-based application, including prompts, responses, and configuration details. By integrating at the API level within the client’s cloud environment, SolidCore.ai creates a complete, real-time log of all GenAI activity without impacting performance. This comprehensive record serves as the foundation for its key features:

  • Real-time risk detection: SolidCore.ai continuously monitors for policy violations, such as unauthorized data access or risky usage patterns, and alerts security and compliance teams instantly.
  • Continuous compliance monitoring: The platform automates compliance monitoring and aligns with emerging frameworks like NIST AI RMF and ISO/IEC 42001.
  • Audit-ready evidence: It generates defensible, audit-ready reports, providing the evidence needed for legal and regulatory scrutiny.

SolidCore.ai’s solution is designed to give security, legal, and compliance teams the visibility and control they need to govern first-party GenAI applications. Its multi-cloud support for major providers like AWS Bedrock and Azure AI Services, along with the ability to handle custom models, makes it a versatile solution for large organizations.

The investment and the emergence of SolidCore.ai from stealth mark a crucial step in the evolution of enterprise AI. It signifies a growing recognition that the rapid development of GenAI cannot be sustained without a robust foundation of security and governance. For CIOs and other technology leaders, the funding means a viable path forward for responsibly deploying GenAI applications at the speed innovation demands. SolidCore.ai’s solution promises to turn a major business concern into a managed risk, allowing companies to unlock the full potential of GenAI without putting their data or reputation at risk.

As Eric Chiu stated that the first wave of enterprise migration to the cloud drove massive business value, but it opened significant security and compliance gaps. The stakes are even higher with GenAI, and SolidCore gives enterprises the missing infrastructure layer they need to move with speed. With its solution now available and the backing of key investors, SolidCore.ai is positioned to become a critical partner for any organization serious about building a trustworthy and secure AI strategy.

By: K. Tagura

Who we are: Funded.com is a platform that is A+ BBB accredited over 10+ years. Access our network of Angel Investors, Venture Capital or Lenders. Let us professionally write your Business Plan.

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Oriane Funded $1.5M to Revolutionize Video Search Engine with AI

Video

Oriane, a Dover, CO-based the internet is rapidly becoming a video-first experience, yet finding specific information within the vast ocean of visual content remains a significant challenge. Oriane, an ambitious new startup, is poised to change that, announcing today that it has successfully funded $1.5 million in a pre-seed funding round. This substantial investment will fuel the development of its groundbreaking AI-powered search engine, designed specifically for the video-centric digital landscape.

The funding round saw participation from a consortium of prominent investors, including Clint Capital (FR), followed by Hartmann Capital (US), Secways (ES), Archipelago Next (IC), and strategic angel investors from Google, PayPal, Sony, and Jellysmack. The confidence demonstrated by these tech luminaries underscores the immense potential of Oriane’s vision to unlock the wealth of knowledge currently trapped within video content.

says Julien Rosilio, CEO and co-founder of Oriane said, the internet has undergone a seismic shift towards video, but their ability to search and extract information from it has lagged far behind. Traditional search engines are ill-equipped to handle the nuances of visual and auditory data. They are building Oriane to be the definitive solution, enabling users to find precisely what they’re looking for, no matter how deeply embedded it is within a video.

The core of Oriane’s technology lies in its sophisticated AI models, capable of not only transcribing audio but also analyzing visual cues, identifying objects, recognizing faces, and understanding contextual nuances within video content. This multi-modal approach goes far beyond simple keyword matching, enabling a deeper, more intelligent understanding of the video’s actual content.

The implications of Oriane’s technology are far-reaching. For content creators, it offers improved discoverability and the ability for their audiences to more easily engage with specific segments of their work. For researchers and educators, it provides a powerful tool to sift through lectures, documentaries, and interviews, extracting critical information with unprecedented efficiency. For everyday users, it promises a more intuitive and less frustrating experience navigating the ever-growing video landscape.

The $1.5 million funding will be primarily allocated to expanding Oriane’s engineering team, further refining its AI models, and scaling its infrastructure to handle the immense processing demands of video indexing. The company plans to launch a private beta in early 2024, inviting a select group of users to test its initial product and provide valuable feedback.

As the internet continues its inexorable march towards a video-first future, Oriane is positioning itself at the forefront of innovation, promising to make the sprawling, dynamic world of video content as searchable and accessible as text. With its strong team, impressive seed funding, and a clear vision, Oriane is set to redefine how we interact with and extract knowledge from the digital realm.

By: K. Tagura

Who we are: Funded.com is a platform that is A+ BBB accredited over 10+ years. Access our network of Angel Investors, Venture Capital or Lenders. Let us professionally write your Business Plan.

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Meroka Funded $6M to Empower Healthcare of Independent Doctors

Healthcare

Meroka, a NYC-based provider of healthcare consulting services, intends to make independent practice ownership the default path for physicians in all specialties. The company offers a community that advocates autonomy and provides tools and support for independent practice, enabling physicians to offer transition practice ownership to their employees.

Meroka was funded $6 million, led by Better Tomorrow Ventures & Slow Ventures, with participation from 8VC and other strategic angel investors.

The company’s mission is to “restore humanity in healthcare” by empowering independent physician practices with technology and a unique employee ownership model. This dual-pronged approach aims to combat corporate consolidation in healthcare, providing independent care teams with the tools to focus on patient care rather than administrative burdens.

The healthcare industry has undergone a significant shift toward consolidation, with hospital systems, private equity firms, and insurance companies now employing the majority of physicians. This trend often leads to increased administrative tasks and a feeling of disenfranchisement among healthcare professionals. Meroka seeks to reverse this by providing a platform that not only streamlines practice operations but also gives every team member a stake in the business. This employee ownership model is designed to foster a sense of shared purpose and long-term commitment, ensuring that practices remain in the hands of the people who care for patients daily.

Meroka’s all-in-one platform is a key part of its strategy. It integrates various functions, including billing, staffing, compliance, data analytics, and recruiting. By automating these time-consuming tasks, the technology frees up physicians and their staff to dedicate more time to their patients. This is particularly crucial for independent doctors who often wear multiple hats, juggling clinical responsibilities with the business side of running a practice.

The core of Meroka’s philosophy is the belief that when care teams are empowered and fulfilled, patients receive better care. The company’s technology is designed to eliminate friction points that can distract from the doctor-patient relationship, such as cumbersome paperwork and complex billing processes. Meroka’s platform provides real-time data and insights, helping practices manage their operations more efficiently and protect their revenue. For example, the system can compare contracted rates with actual reimbursements to catch underpayments, a common issue for independent practices.

By allowing physicians to spend less time on administrative tasks and more time with patients, Meroka aims to restore the “joy and fulfillment” that initially drew many to the profession. Dr. Maria Sophocles, a nationally recognized OB/GYN and one of Meroka’s early partners, attests to this. She states that partnering with Meroka gave her “the joy of practicing medicine on my terms and the time to focus on what matters most.” This sentiment underscores a growing desire among healthcare professionals to regain their autonomy and reconnect with their original purpose.

Meroka’s CEO, Alex Barrett, emphasizes that the company is not trying to “save” independent medicine but rather “unlock its full potential.” The goal is to provide a platform that enables physicians to build and own their futures, preserving their clinical independence in a rapidly changing landscape. The $6 million in funding will be used to expand the company’s commercial footprint and advance its platform, supporting practices in various specialties, including OB/GYN, primary care, and pediatrics.

The company’s approach is a direct challenge to the growing trend of corporate healthcare. By combining employee ownership with powerful, user-friendly technology, Meroka offers a compelling alternative for independent physicians. It’s a move that recognizes the value of the relationships at the heart of healthcare—the one between a doctor and a patient, and the one among a care team. The company believes that this focus on restoring humanity is not just a moral imperative but a sound business strategy, ultimately leading to better outcomes for both providers and patients.

By: K. Tagura

Who we are: Funded.com is a platform that is A+ BBB accredited over 10+ years. Access our network of Angel Investors, Venture Capital or Lenders. Let us professionally write your Business Plan.

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Soil Action Funded $5.25M to Power AI-Driven Agri tech Soil

Action

Soil Action, a Laramie, WY-based agtech company providing a platform that combines AI and sensors to deliver real-time soil chemistry insights.

Soil Action, a groundbreaking startup was funded $5.25 million in seed funding to spearhead a revolution in soil chemistry. The company aims to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) with affordable, advanced sensors to provide farmers with unprecedented insights into their soil’s health and composition. This significant investment underscores a growing recognition of the critical role soil plays in global food security and environmental sustainability.

The round was led by R7 Partners, with participation from Climactic VC, Dolby Family Ventures, Ponderosa Ventures, The University of Wyoming Foundation, and other strategic angel investors in Ag Ventures Alliance.

For centuries, farming practices have relied heavily on traditional methods of soil analysis, which are often time-consuming, expensive, and offer limited real-time data. Farmers frequently make crucial decisions about fertilization, irrigation, and crop selection based on outdated or generalized information, leading to suboptimal yields, wasted resources, and environmental degradation. Farmers often struggle with varying soil types and the impact of climate change, making precise soil management all the more vital.

Traditional soil testing involves sending samples to labs, a process that can take weeks. By the time results are available, soil conditions may have changed, rendering the data less relevant. Furthermore, the cost of frequent testing can be prohibitive for many small and medium-sized farms. This knowledge gap creates a significant barrier to sustainable and efficient agricultural practices.

Soil Action’s innovative solution tackles these challenges head-on by combining cutting-edge AI with a network of affordable, in-field sensors. These sensors are designed to continuously monitor a wide range of soil parameters, including nutrient levels, pH, moisture content, organic matter, and even microbial activity. The data collected by these sensors is then fed into Soil Action’s proprietary AI platform.

The AI system processes this vast amount of data, identifies complex patterns, and develops highly accurate predictive models. Instead of just presenting raw data, the AI translates this information into actionable insights and recommendations for farmers. For example, it can advise on the precise amount and type of fertilizer needed, predict potential nutrient deficiencies before they impact crops, and suggest optimal watering schedules.

One of the most compelling aspects of Soil Action’s strategy is its commitment to affordability and accessibility. By developing cost-effective sensors, the company aims to democratize access to advanced soil science, making it available to a much broader range of farmers, including those in developing countries. The potential impact extends beyond individual farm productivity. With more farmers adopting these technologies, there will be a massive increase in the global dataset on soil health. This aggregated, anonymized data can then be used by researchers, policymakers, and agricultural organizations to develop more effective regional and national agricultural strategies, address food security concerns, and mitigate the environmental impact of farming on a larger scale.

With this new capital, Soil Action plans to accelerate research and development, expand its team of scientists and engineers, and rapidly deploy its technology to pilot farms globally. The company’s immediate focus will be on refining its AI algorithms and scaling up sensor production to meet anticipated demand. The ambition is clear: to not just improve individual farm yields, but to catalyze a paradigm shift in how humanity manages its most precious resource – the soil. The journey to revolutionize soil chemistry has just begun, and Soil Action is at the forefront of this vital endeavor.

By: K. Tagura

Who we are: Funded.com is a platform that is A+ BBB accredited over 10+ years. Access our network of Angel Investors, Venture Capital or Lenders. Let us professionally write your Business Plan.

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Convoke Funded $8.6M to Fuel AI-Powered Biopharma Operating System

AI-Powered

Convoke, a San Francisco a pioneering technology company developing an artificial intelligence AI-powered operating system for the biopharmaceutical industry.

Convoke was funded $8.6 million led by Kleiner Perkins and Dimension Capital, with participation from ACME, Comma Capital, Liquid2, Not Boring Capital, Audacious, Lux Capital, and angel investors including Qasar Younis, Erik Torenberg, and other.

The investment will be used to accelerate the development and commercialization of their innovative platform, designed to streamline and optimize various aspects of drug discovery and development.

The biopharmaceutical sector faces significant challenges, including lengthy timelines, high costs, and a low success rate in bringing new therapies to market. Convoke aims to address these hurdles by leveraging the power of AI to create a unified operating system that integrates data, workflows, and insights across the entire drug development lifecycle.

While the company has remained relatively tight-lipped about the specifics of their technology, Convoke has indicated that their platform will utilize machine learning algorithms to analyze vast datasets, including preclinical, clinical, and real-world data. This analysis is expected to provide researchers and drug developers with valuable insights, enabling them to make more informed decisions, identify promising drug candidates more efficiently, and predict potential challenges early in the development process.

Convoke’s vision aligns with the growing trend of incorporating AI and machine learning into drug discovery and development. Several other companies and research institutions are actively exploring the use of AI to accelerate the identification of drug targets, optimize clinical trial design, and personalize medicine. However, Convoke’s approach of building a comprehensive operating system that integrates various aspects of the process sets them apart.

The potential benefits of such a platform are substantial. By centralizing data and workflows, Convoke aims to improve collaboration among research teams, reduce redundancies, and accelerate the overall drug development timeline. The ability of AI to analyze complex datasets could also lead to the identification of novel drug targets and biomarkers that might be missed by traditional methods. Furthermore, optimized clinical trial design, guided by AI predictions, could lead to more efficient trials with higher success rates.

The company has not yet announced a specific timeline for the full commercial launch of its operating system. However, the successful completion of this funding round suggests that Convoke is making significant progress towards its goal of revolutionizing the biopharmaceutical industry through the power of AI.

The development of AI-powered tools for drug discovery and development holds immense promise for patients and the healthcare system. If Convoke’s operating system can deliver on its potential, it could contribute significantly to bringing new and effective therapies to market faster and more cost-effectively, ultimately benefiting individuals facing a wide range of diseases. The biopharmaceutical industry and keen observers will undoubtedly be watching Convoke’s progress with considerable interest in the coming months and years.

By: K. Tagura

Who we are: Funded.com is a platform that is A+ BBB accredited over 10+ years. Access our network of Angel Investors, Venture Capital or Lenders. Let us professionally write your Business Plan.

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Specialized Angel Networks: The Key to Cross-Border Investing

Angel Networks

Specialized angel networks are changing the game for startups and investors, especially in the context of cross-border investing. They address the complexities of global investments by providing expertise, a vetted deal flow, and a supportive community. For investors, these networks offer a way to diversify their portfolios internationally, while for startups, they open doors to foreign capital and invaluable global mentorship.

What Are Specialized Angel Networks?

Angel networks are groups of high-net-worth individuals who pool their resources to invest in promising early-stage companies. Unlike generalist networks that invest across various sectors, specialized angel networks focus on a single industry or technology, such as FinTech, MedTech, or sustainable energy. This specialization is a key differentiator. The investors in these networks often have deep, hands-on experience and connections within their chosen field. They are not just providing capital; they are offering strategic guidance, industry-specific knowledge, and access to a powerful network of contacts. This targeted approach significantly increases the likelihood of success for the startups they back.

The Rise of Cross-Border Investing

The global startup ecosystem is more interconnected than ever. Cross-border investing—where an investor in one country backs a startup in another—is no longer a niche activity. Driven by the search for higher returns and portfolio diversification, investors are looking beyond their domestic markets. For startups, attracting foreign investment is a way to access larger pools of capital, gain international credibility, and tap into new markets. However, this type of investing is fraught with challenges.

Overcoming Challenges in Cross-Border Investing

Investing across borders presents significant hurdles that can deter even the most experienced investors. These challenges include:

  • Regulatory and Legal Complexities: Each country has its own set of laws regarding business registration, intellectual property, and investment. Navigating these varied legal frameworks can be a time-consuming and costly process.
  • Currency and Tax Issues: Fluctuations in currency exchange rates can impact returns, and differing tax laws (including the risk of double taxation) can complicate financial planning.
  • Lack of Local Knowledge: Understanding a foreign market’s cultural nuances, consumer behavior, and competitive landscape is crucial but difficult from afar. This information asymmetry creates a significant risk of making a poor investment decision.
  • Operational and Monitoring Difficulties: It’s hard for an investor to provide hands-on mentorship and monitor a startup’s progress when they are in a different time zone and a thousand miles away.

This is where specialized angel networks truly shine.

How Specialized Angel Networks Bridge the Gap

Specialized angel networks are uniquely equipped to tackle the challenges of cross-border investing. They act as a bridge between geographically distant investors and startups, creating a more efficient and effective global funding pipeline.

For Investors: Risk Mitigation and Curated Deal Flow

For an investor looking to invest abroad, a specialized network is a lifesaver. Instead of trying to navigate a foreign market alone, they can rely on the network’s local expertise. The network’s local partners and members vet deals, perform due diligence, and provide a curated flow of investment opportunities that have already been screened for viability. This local presence and in-depth knowledge significantly mitigate the risks associated with cultural differences and information gaps. Furthermore, the pooled capital of the network allows investors to participate in larger, more impactful deals with a reduced individual risk.

For Startups: Access to Capital and Global Mentorship

For a startup, attracting a foreign investor can be a game-changer. A specialized angel network provides access to a diverse group of investors who share a common interest in their specific sector, no matter where they are located. This isn’t just about money; it’s about gaining global credibility. Being backed by a well-regarded international network signals to the market that the startup has significant potential.

Moreover, the collective expertise within the network means the startup can access a global team of mentors with deep industry insights. For a MedTech startup, this might mean getting advice from a seasoned healthcare executive in Europe or a biotech specialist in Asia. This kind of cross-border mentorship is invaluable for a company with global ambitions, helping them to refine their product, develop a market-entry strategy, and navigate international expansion.

The Future of Global Angel Investing

Specialized angel networks are fundamentally reshaping the landscape of global startup finance. They are creating a more structured, efficient, and less risky way for both investors and startups to engage in cross-border transactions. As technology continues to shrink the world and more capital seeks international opportunities, these networks will play an increasingly vital role in fostering innovation and connecting entrepreneurial talent with the resources they need to thrive on a global scale. By focusing on niche sectors and leveraging collective expertise, they are building a more robust and interconnected ecosystem for the next generation of world-changing companies.

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