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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 Farmers frequently make crucial decisions about fertilization, irrigation, and crop selection based on outdated or generalized information, leading to suboptimal yields, wasted resources, and environmental degradation.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

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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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Evertune Funded $15M to Revolutionize AI Marketing and Discovery Platform

AI Marketing

NEW YORK – In a significant move poised to reshape the digital marketing landscape, Evertune, a leader in Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and AI marketing.

Evertune was funded $15 million. The capital injection, led by Felicis Ventures, with participation from a roster of strategic angel investors from giants like Uber, OpenAI, and Meta, will fuel the company’s ambitious plans to scale its AI-driven platform. The funding will allow Evertune to expand its suite of tools, which are designed to help brands navigate the complex and rapidly evolving world of AI-powered search and discovery.

In an age where consumer journeys increasingly begin with a prompt to an AI model rather than a traditional search engine, Evertune is building the foundational technology that allows businesses to measure and influence their brand’s presence. . The company’s platform directly addresses a new and critical challenge for marketers: ensuring their brand is accurately and favorably represented in the AI-generated answers, overviews, and recommendations that are becoming a core part of daily life.

The rise of conversational AI has created a paradigm shift in how consumers discover products and services. Evertune’s technology, which it dubs Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), is at the forefront of this change. The platform works by generating over 100,000 questions to various AI models per brand, collecting a statistically significant amount of data to understand how these models perceive a brand, its products, and its competitors.

The insights provided go beyond simple visibility. Evertune’s platform analyzes the sentiment, key attributes, and language AI models use to describe a brand. For instance, it can reveal if a car manufacturer’s safety features are mentioned less frequently than its competitors, providing a clear, data-driven roadmap for content strategy. This level of detail allows marketers to not only track their brand’s “share of voice” in the AI world but also to actively influence it.

With the new funding, Evertune will accelerate the development of a comprehensive AI marketing suite. This expansion will go beyond its current focus on AI search optimization to address the full spectrum of AI-driven consumer touchpoints. This includes developing solutions for emerging advertising formats within AI models, preparing for the advent of AI commerce, and creating tools to help brands navigate the evolution of AI agents that will eventually make purchasing decisions on behalf of users.

Evertune’s CEO, Brian Stempeck, emphasized the urgency of this mission. “Marketing leaders can’t ignore AI’s transformative impact on consumer discovery and purchasing,” he stated. “As AI models and services continuously evolve, brand measurement must be equally dynamic. Evertune’s platform helps leaders analyze and optimize brand presence across the AI landscape. We provide brands with strategic insights that drive scalable results.” The company’s unique approach, which prioritizes direct, API-level access to major AI model providers like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic, ensures it provides the most comprehensive and precise AI visibility data on the market.

Evertune’s innovative technology has already garnered the trust of leading global brands, including Canada Goose, Miro, and WPP Media’s Choreograph. The platform has seen particularly strong adoption among B2B software companies, private equity portfolios, and high-consideration product categories such as automotive and healthcare, where a brand’s reputation and detailed attributes are paramount to the consumer decision-making process. The funding round signals a strong vote of confidence in Evertune’s ability to not only solve a pressing marketing challenge today but to also build the essential tools for the AI-powered future of commerce.

By: K. Tagura

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Comp AI Funded $2.6M to Revolutionize SOC 2 Compliance

Compliance

Comp AI, a San Francisco, CA-based a pioneering startup leveraging artificial intelligence to streamline and automate the often complex and time-consuming process of SOC 2 compliance.

Comp AI was funded $2.6 million led by OSS Capital and Grand Ventures, with participation from angel investors, signals strong confidence in Comp AI’s innovative approach to tackling the challenges of security and privacy audits.

SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is a widely recognized auditing standard that evaluates the security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy of service providers’ systems. Achieving and maintaining SOC 2 compliance is crucial for businesses that handle sensitive customer data, particularly Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) companies. However, the traditional SOC 2 audit process can be arduous, involving significant manual effort, extensive documentation, and considerable cost.

Comp AI aims to disrupt this landscape by offering an AI-powered platform that automates key aspects of SOC 2 compliance. Their solution continuously monitors an organization’s systems and controls, identifies potential risks and gaps, and provides actionable recommendations to ensure adherence to SOC 2 requirements. By automating evidence collection, policy mapping, and control monitoring, Comp AI significantly reduces the time, resources, and human error associated with the compliance process.

The $2.6 million in seed funding will be used to accelerate Comp AI’s product development, expand its engineering and sales teams, and further penetrate the market. The company plans to introduce new features and integrations to its platform, making it even more comprehensive and user-friendly. This includes enhanced risk assessment capabilities, automated audit report generation, and integrations with popular security and infrastructure tools.

Industry analysts believe that Comp AI’s innovative approach addresses a significant pain point for businesses. The increasing complexity of cloud environments and the growing emphasis on data protection have made SOC 2 compliance more critical than ever. However, the traditional manual process often strains resources and diverts attention from core business objectives.

Early adopters of Comp AI’s platform have reported significant benefits, including reduced audit preparation time, improved accuracy of compliance documentation, and continuous visibility into their security and control posture. By providing proactive alerts and recommendations, Comp AI helps organizations identify and address potential issues before they lead to compliance failures.

The successful seed funding round marks a significant milestone for Comp AI and underscores the growing demand for intelligent automation solutions in the realm of compliance. As businesses increasingly rely on cloud services and handle sensitive data, platforms like Comp AI are poised to play a crucial role in simplifying the complex landscape of regulatory requirements and fostering a stronger culture of security and trust. Comp AI is positioned to leverage the burgeoning tech talent in the region as it embarks on its mission to revolutionize SOC 2 compliance for businesses worldwide.

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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Startup Spark: From Vision to Funding with Angel Power

Vision

Every groundbreaking enterprise begins with a spark – a bold vision that ignites the entrepreneurial spirit. But transforming that vision into a tangible, thriving business requires more than just passion; it demands resources, strategic guidance, and often, crucial early-stage capital. This is where the “angel power” comes in, as angel investors play a pivotal role in nurturing nascent startups from their nascent stages to the cusp of significant growth.

The Genesis: Nurturing Your Vision and Defining Your Purpose

Before any talk of funding, a startup needs a crystal-clear vision. This isn’t merely a fleeting idea; it’s the “North Star” that will guide every decision and action. Think beyond profitability and focus on the impact you want to make. What problem are you solving? What unique value are you bringing to the market?

Developing this vision involves:

  • Identifying the Core Problem: Deeply understand the pain point your product or service addresses. This requires thorough market research and a keen understanding of your target audience.
  • Crafting a Unique Solution: How does you’re offering uniquely solve this problem, better than existing alternatives? This is your unique value proposition (UVP).
  • Defining Your Mission and Values: These form the DNA of your organization, attracting like-minded team members and resonating with potential customers and investors. A compelling mission statement articulates your purpose, while core values define your operational principles.
  • Understanding Your Market: Beyond the immediate problem, what is the total addressable market (TAM)? How big is the opportunity? Investors want to see scalable potential.

A well-defined vision provides direction, fosters internal alignment, and becomes a compelling story to share with the world, especially with potential investors.

From Idea to Execution: The Pre-Seed and Seed Stages

Once the vision is clear, the journey typically progresses through several stages, each with its own funding needs:

  • Pre-Seed Stage: This is the very beginning, where founders are refining their idea, conducting initial market research, and perhaps developing a basic proof-of-concept. Funding at this stage often comes from personal savings, friends, and family.
  • Seed Stage: At this point, the startup has usually launched a prototype or minimum viable product (MVP), is building its initial customer base, and is actively seeking external funding to further develop the product, validate market fit, and make initial key hires. This is where angel investors become incredibly vital.

The Power of Angels: More Than Just Money

Angel investors are high-net-worth individuals who invest their personal capital into early-stage companies, typically in exchange for equity or convertible debt. While their financial contribution is crucial, their “power” extends far beyond just capital.

What Angel Investors Bring to the Table:

  • Early-Stage Capital: Angels bridge the gap between initial founder/friends-and-family capital and larger institutional funding rounds (like Series A from Venture Capitalists). They are often willing to invest when a startup only has an idea or a nascent prototype, taking on higher risk.
  • Mentorship and Expertise: Many angel investors are successful entrepreneurs or seasoned industry veterans themselves. They bring invaluable experience, offering guidance on strategy, product development, market positioning, and navigating early-stage challenges.
  • Network Access: A good angel investor opens doors. They often have extensive networks of potential customers, strategic partners, future investors, and talent, significantly accelerating a startup’s growth.
  • Faster Decision-Making: Unlike larger VC firms, individual angel investors can often make investment decisions more quickly, which can be critical for fast-moving startups.
  • Credibility and Validation: An angel investment can act as a stamp of approval, signaling to other investors and the market that your startup has potential and is worth considering.

Angels are deeply invested in the success of the startups they back, often taking a proactive role in helping founders achieve key milestones and de-risk the business for future funding.

Attracting Angel Power: Crafting Your Pitch

Securing angel investment is a competitive process that requires a strategic approach and a compelling presentation.

Key Strategies to Attract Angel Investors:

  1. Do Your Homework: Research potential investors. Understand their investment focus, portfolio companies, and what industries or stages they typically invest in. Tailor your approach to their interests.
  2. Build a Strong Network: Attend startup events, pitch competitions, and industry conferences. Engage with online communities like AngelList and LinkedIn. Networking is about building relationships, not just transactional asks. Focus on offering value and fostering genuine connections.
  3. Develop a Solid Business Plan: While not a static document, a clear business plan demonstrates your understanding of the market, your strategy, and your financial projections. It’s your roadmap to growth.
  4. Create a Persuasive Pitch Deck: This is your primary tool for making a strong first impression. It should be concise (10-15 slides is ideal), visually appealing, and tell a compelling story.

Essential Components of an Angel Investor Pitch Deck:

  • Cover Slide: Company name, logo, and a memorable tagline.
  • Executive Summary: A brief, high-level overview of your business.
  • Problem Statement: Clearly articulate the pain point you’re addressing.
  • Solution & Product Overview: How your product/service solves the problem, with visuals.
  • Market Opportunity: Data-driven insights into TAM, SAM, and SOM.
  • Business Model: How you will generate revenue (revenue streams, pricing).
  • Traction: Proof points of progress (users, sales, partnerships, waitlists).
  • Competitive Landscape: Analysis of competitors and your unique differentiation.
  • Go-to-Market Strategy: How you will acquire customers.
  • Team: Highlight the experience and expertise of your founding team.
  • Financial Projections: Realistic forecasts of revenue, expenses, and profitability.
  • Funding Request & Use of Funds: Exactly how much you’re seeking and how it will be deployed.
  • Closing Slide: Contact information and a clear call to action.

Practice your pitch relentlessly, anticipate questions, and be prepared to articulate your vision, strategy, and team’s capabilities with confidence and passion.

The Journey Continues: Beyond the Angel Round

Securing angel funding is a significant milestone, but it’s just one step in the entrepreneurial journey. Angel investment typically provides the runway for a startup to achieve critical milestones, such as product-market fit, significant user growth, or early revenue. These achievements then position the company for subsequent, larger funding rounds from venture capitalists or other institutional investors.

The “Startup Spark” ignites with a powerful vision, and “Angel Power” often provides the crucial fuel to transform that vision into a blazing success. By understanding the role of angel investors, meticulously preparing your pitch, and building genuine relationships, you can significantly increase your chances of attracting the capital and mentorship needed to launch and scale your dream enterprise.

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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Legion Funded $38M for AI Security Revolution

AI Security

Legion, a NYC-based in a significant leap forward for cybersecurity, Legion, an innovative AI Security Operations Center (SOC) platform.

Legion was funded $38M in combined seed and Series A funding. This considerable investment, led by Coatue with participation from Accel and Picture Capital, alongside angel investors from tech giants like Google, CrowdStrike, and Wiz, positions Legion at the forefront of a new era in AI-driven security.

The cybersecurity landscape is grappling with an escalating volume of threats and a critical shortage of skilled personnel, leading to widespread alert fatigue and inefficient response times. Traditional AI-driven SOCs often require complex integrations and struggle to adapt to unique organizational environments, limiting their effectiveness and trust among security teams. Legion addresses these fundamental challenges with a groundbreaking, browser-native AI SOC companion designed to revolutionize how security operations are conducted.

“Most AI-driven SOCs still require complex integrations, and even then, they fail to adapt to each organization’s unique environment, making them difficult for enterprise teams to fully trust,” stated Ely Abramovitch, co-founder and CEO of Legion. “Legion is the first browser-based platform designed to scale your team’s best instincts into AI-driven workflows. It’s fully trained within your environment, by your team, for your team. Our goal is to turn your expertise into scalable automation, letting the security team focus on what’s really important.”

What sets Legion apart is its unique approach to learning and automation. The platform utilizes vision models and a lightweight browser extension to observe and record security analyst workflows in real-time. This includes everything from triaging simple alerts to conducting complex investigations, meticulously capturing the decision-making processes of top-performing analysts. This “tribal knowledge” is then converted into automated models that can be executed at scale, on demand, and without the need for cumbersome integrations or APIs.

Legion’s innovative system operates in three modes: Learning Mode, where it passively observes and organizes knowledge; Guided Mode, where it runs entire workflows through analysts’ browsers, maintaining human oversight; and Autonomous Mode, where it proactively investigates and responds to threats 24/7, only involving human teams when necessary. This flexibility allows organizations to gradually embrace automation at their own pace, ensuring a seamless transition and fostering trust in the AI’s capabilities.

The impact of Legion’s platform is already being felt across various sectors. The company is actively collaborating with Fortune 500 enterprises in critical industries such as energy, healthcare, and finance. Early adopters have reported remarkable results, including a significant reduction in investigation and response times—some by as much as 90%. In some instances, organizations have been able to fully internalize their SOC operations with Legion, eliminating the need for external headcount, while in others, Legion’s automation has provided the equivalent capacity of several additional analysts without new hires.

Founded in 2024 by security veterans Ely Abramovitch (CEO), Michael Gladishev (VP R&D), and Eyal Fisher (CTO)—alumni of Microsoft Sentinel and Cambridge AI research—Legion’s leadership brings a deep understanding of the challenges plaguing modern security operations. Their collective experience has informed the development of a platform that directly addresses issues such as tool proliferation, process complexity, and talent shortages.

The $38 million funding infusion will enable Legion to further accelerate its research and development efforts, expand its team, and scale its reach to a broader market. With cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated and the demand for robust security solutions at an all-time high, Legion’s browser-native AI SOC platform promises to be a game-changer, empowering security teams to work more efficiently, reduce burnout, and ultimately, safeguard critical assets with unprecedented precision and speed. The revolution in AI security has officially begun, and Legion is leading the charge.

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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Nexxa.ai Funded $4.4M to Revolutionize Heavy Industries with Specialized AI

Specialized AI

Nexxa.ai, a Sunnyvale, CA-based, a trailblazing AI-native company, has announced a successful $4.4 million pre-seed funding round, spearheaded by a16z Speedrun. This significant investment is poised to accelerate Nexxa.ai’s mission to embed highly specialized AI agents into the core operations of heavy industries, from manufacturing and energy to mining and logistics. The funding signals a strong belief in Nexxa.ai’s innovative approach to tackling complex industrial challenges with intelligent automation.

Heavy industries, long the backbone of global economies, are grappling with an urgent need for digital transformation. Faced with increasing regulatory pressures, evolving investor expectations, sustainability mandates, and intricate operational complexities, traditional methods are often insufficient. While the promise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has loomed large, its widespread adoption in these sectors has been hampered by unique obstacles: fragmented legacy systems, a shortage of specialized AI expertise, and the sheer complexity of industrial processes that demand a nuanced understanding beyond general-purpose AI.

This is precisely where Nexxa.ai steps in. The company is developing specialized AI agents designed to seamlessly integrate with existing industrial software and support engineers in executing highly technical tasks. Unlike broad AI solutions, Nexxa.ai’s platform is built to understand and learn the intricacies of industrial operations from the ground up, enabling AI agents to either collaborate with human engineers or autonomously assist them. This “Full Self Computing” approach aims to streamline business processes through cognitive Robotic Process Automation (RPA), offering a pay-per-use model that eliminates upfront costs and provides unparalleled flexibility and scalability for businesses of all sizes.

The $4.4 million pre-seed round, which saw participation from Augment Ventures, Propeller Ventures, Plug and Play, Beat Ventures, SBI, Untapped Ventures, Cross Atlantic Angels, and prominent angel investors Rick Berry and Pat McCarthy, will be instrumental in Nexxa.ai’s strategic expansion. The funds will be primarily allocated to growing its engineering team, accelerating the development of its specialized AI capabilities, and scaling its solutions into additional industrial sectors.

The impact of specialized AI in heavy industries cannot be overstated. From predictive maintenance that anticipates equipment failures and drastically reduces downtime, to enhanced quality control through machine vision systems that detect defects imperceptible to the human eye, AI is already demonstrating its transformative power. In logistics, AI-driven solutions are revolutionizing demand forecasting, optimizing intricate supply chains, and streamlining transportation routes for greater efficiency and reduced environmental impact.

However, the path to widespread AI adoption in these sectors is fraught with challenges. Data quality and fragmentation remain significant hurdles, as does the often-cited “skills gap” within the workforce. Integrating new AI systems with decades-old legacy infrastructure can be a technical and logistical nightmare. Furthermore, measuring the exact return on investment (ROI) for complex AI projects can be elusive, making executive buy-in difficult.

Nexxa.ai’s focus on “specialized AI” directly addresses many of these pain points. By developing AI agents that speak the language of industrial engineers and understand the nuances of specific equipment and workflows, the company aims to overcome the integration barriers and accelerate the realization of tangible value. Their emphasis on integrating with legacy industrial software is a critical differentiator, acknowledging the realities of deeply entrenched operational systems.

Looking ahead, the future of AI in heavy industries is bright, with specialized solutions like those offered by Nexxa.ai paving the way for unprecedented efficiency, safety, and sustainability. As industries continue to navigate an increasingly complex global landscape, the ability to leverage intelligent automation that is finely tuned to their unique demands will not just be a competitive advantage, but a necessity for long-term resilience and growth. Nexxa.ai’s successful funding round positions it at the forefront of this crucial industrial revolution, promising to unlock new levels of productivity and innovation for the sectors that power our world.

By: K. Tagura

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Collate Funded $10M to Unleash Enterprise Data Intelligence

Data Intelligence

Collate, the Menlo Park, CA-based the innovative company behind the rapidly growing open-source project OpenMetadata, announced that it was successfully funded $10 million in Series A funding. The round, led by Venrock with participation from strategic angel investors from Unusual Ventures and Karman Ventures, positions Collate to significantly accelerate its mission of solving complex data intelligence challenges for enterprise customers.

Despite massive investments in data platforms, businesses globally continue to grapple with extracting full value from their data and AI initiatives. The explosion of data and diverse tools has led to pervasive data silos, fragmentation, and a fundamental disconnect between business and technical teams. Issues such as a lack of trust in data due to quality concerns, and manual, fragmented tooling that stifles productivity, are rampant across organizations. Collate aims to directly address these pain points with its AI-powered platform for “agentic data intelligence.”

Suresh Srinivas CEO of Collate stated, Collate’s Series A couldn’t come at a more critical time, they’re during an AI race — not just for getting data ready for AI, but for how AI itself helps prepare that data. The winners will be organizations with highly functioning data teams augmented by AI.

Collate’s platform, built on the open-source core of OpenMetadata, provides a unified solution for data discovery, observability, and governance. OpenMetadata itself has seen phenomenal growth, boasting over 9,800 members and a 3,000% increase in community engagement, a testament to its relevance and utility within the data ecosystem. The recent $10,000 grant from Bloomberg’s FOSS Contributor Fund further underscores its importance to the open-source community.

The new capital infusion will be strategically deployed across several key areas to fuel Collate’s growth and innovation. A significant portion will go towards accelerating the OpenMetadata community, fostering further collaboration and development. Collate also plans to expand its engineering investment in AI agent development, enhancing the platform’s ability to automate tasks and drive collaboration for data teams. Furthermore, the funding will scale go-to-market operations for both enterprise and cloud-native organizations, and bolster customer success services, particularly for Fortune 500 customers.

Collate’s leadership team, including CEO Suresh Srinivas and CTO Sriharsha Chintalapani, brings extensive experience in modern data infrastructure. Their backgrounds include significant contributions to industry-standard tools like Apache Hadoop and Apache Kafka, and leadership roles at companies such as Hortonworks and Uber, where they were instrumental in shaping data cultures. Their vision for Collate is centered on delivering AI-powered data discovery, observability, and governance through a Unified Knowledge Graph, a democratized user experience, and open-source technologies.

Enterprise customers frequently encounter challenges related to poor data quality, lack of data awareness, and the sheer complexity of managing vast and disparate data ecosystems. Collate’s platform directly tackles these issues by providing a single source of truth for data sources, pipelines, and products. With over 90 data connectors, its solution enables seamless search, facet, and preview capabilities across an organization’s entire data estate, fostering collaboration and empowering data practitioners.

The impact of robust data intelligence on enterprise strategy is profound. Companies no longer just compete on products or price, but on actionable, timely insights derived from well-structured and understood data. Collate’s “agentic approach,” uniquely powered by richer metadata context from its knowledge graph and open-source core, is designed to solve these “last-mile” data challenges, enabling enterprises to innovate faster with AI and data. This investment marks a significant step forward in making advanced data intelligence accessible and actionable for businesses striving for a truly data-driven future.

By: K. Tagura

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Parspec Funded $20M to Modernize Construction Procurement

Construction

Parspec, a San Mateo, CA-based developer of an artificial intelligence platform designed to serve the supply chain for the building and construction industry. The company’s platform provides information and online workflows to support the selection and sale of construction products by leveraging artificial intelligence to create a submittal instantly, enabling sales agents and distributors to author and manage product submittals online hassle-free.

Parspec was funded $20 million led by Threshold Ventures (formerly DFJ), with participation from existing venture investors including Innovation Endeavors, Building Ventures, Heartland Ventures, and other strategic angel investors from Hometeam Ventures.

The global construction materials industry, valued at around $5 trillion, remains highly fragmented comprised of manufacturers, distributors, sales reps, and contractors. Parspec targets this complexity with AI-driven tools that streamline specification discovery, quoting, and procurement workflows. Using advanced vertical AI, Parspec’s platform enables users to match project specifications with suitable materials in seconds.

Ahead of this round, Parspec has seen impressive momentum:

  • 200+ customers live on the platform
  • Over $10 billion in materials quoted
  • 4× year-over-year revenue growth

These metrics reflect strong adoption and effectiveness in automating traditionally manual and error-prone procurement processes.

With fresh capital on board, Parspec plans to expand its AI offerings and deepen its footprint across the construction ecosystem:

  • New AI features spanning the full project-order lifecycle
  • Enhanced collaboration tools for contractors, agents, distributors, and manufacturers
  • Continued scaling of its customer base domestically and internationally

Threshold Ventures principals Mo Islam and Josh Stein will also be joining the company’s board, strengthening its ties with strategic industry partners.

Construction tech startups have attracted significant investor attention recently. The space has seen companies like HammerTech and Higharc secure Series B rounds ranging from $50 million to $75 million. Parspec’s $20 million raise places it firmly within the Series A growth stage, positioning it as a strong contender in a rapidly evolving sector.

Why This Matters

  1. Combatting fragmentation
    Construction materials supply chains are notoriously disjointed—with data often siloed across stakeholders. Parspec seeks to unify this with a centralized, intelligent platform.
  2. Improving accuracy and speed
    Manual product specification is prone to delays and errors. AI helps accelerate quoting and ensures better compliance with project requirements.
  3. Driving digital transformation
    With only a minority of materials procurement workflows fully digitized, Parspec’s momentum validates the demand for automation and AI in construction.

Outlook & Growth Trajectory

  • Parspec will channel the new funding into product innovation, scaling efforts, and partnership formation.
  • Continued customer acquisition is expected, especially across contractors and manufacturers seeking efficiency gains.
  • International expansion, though not explicitly announced, is a logical next step—especially as supply chains become more globalized.

Parspec’s $20 million Series A marks a pivotal moment in construction technology: its AI-first approach tackles persistent inefficiencies in supply chains head-on. With robust growth metrics and backing from top-tier investors, the company is well-positioned to scale and reshape procurement workflows across the industry.

As AI becomes increasingly central to industrial transformation, Parspec’s solution not only promises cost and time savings—it could fundamentally change how construction projects source and manage materials.

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.