Tag: Venture Capital

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 Farmers frequently make crucial decisions about fertilization, irrigation, and crop selection based on outdated or generalized information, leading to suboptimal yields, wasted resources, and environmental degradation.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

EdgeRunner AI is a Seattle, WA-based developer of a generative AI platform designed for domain-specific AI for the warfighter, defense community, and regulated enterprises. The company offers a platform for on-device AI agents, ensuring data privacy, security, and performance across various hardware platforms. Thus, it enables defense professionals and regulated enterprises to enhance operational efficiency while safeguarding sensitive data.

EdgeRunner AI was funded $12 million, led by Madrona Ventures, with participation from seed lead Four Rivers Ventures. New angel investors HP Tech Ventures and Alumni Ventures joined, bringing the total funding to $17.5M. Matt McIlwain, Managing Director at Madrona Ventures, will join EdgeRunner AI’s board of directors.

The new funding will accelerate the deployment of EdgeRunner’s “edge AI” systems—tools that run advanced machine learning models on local hardware, eliminating reliance on cloud computing or constant connectivity.

At its core, EdgeRunner is solving a problem that’s long plagued defense and tactical operations: how to run robust AI systems in environments where internet access is unreliable or nonexistent.

Edge AI refers to artificial intelligence that runs on devices rather than in distant data centers. This allows for real-time decision-making in the field, whether it’s identifying threats via drone footage, parsing local radio chatter, or guiding autonomous ground vehicles—all without a data uplink.

EdgeRunner’s hardware and software stack is designed for these harsh, bandwidth-constrained conditions. The company’s flagship product, Praetorian, is a compact, ruggedized AI module that can be mounted on drones or vehicles or carried by soldiers. It runs large language models (LLMs) and vision systems directly on-device, allowing for autonomous sensor data analysis and instant recommendations.

Until now, most military AI has relied heavily on cloud infrastructure or large server deployments, often far from the field. EdgeRunner is flipping that model. Its edge devices process data locally, improving speed and reliability and adding a layer of operational security by keeping sensitive data off networks.

The U.S. Department of Defense has already shown interest. EdgeRunner is currently piloting its systems with several defense agencies under small-scale contracts, and Schiavo said the company is actively expanding these partnerships.

While the initial focus is defense, EdgeRunner sees potential for its tech in disaster response, border security, and even space missions—any scenario where latency is critical and connectivity can’t be guaranteed.

The $12 million injection will help EdgeRunner double its engineering team, expand its testing programs, and refine its product suite. According to Red Cell Partners, the investment is not just about a promising startup—it’s about reshaping the way critical AI systems are deployed.

As the Pentagon and allied forces look to modernize their tactical capabilities, companies like EdgeRunner may be the key to unlocking battlefield-ready AI without a signal to function.

EdgeRunner’s funding marks a significant vote of confidence in the future of offline AI. With battlefields, borders, and crisis zones growing more complex, the ability to bring high-performance AI to the edge isn’t just a technical challenge—it’s a strategic imperative.

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.

ALT Sports Data is a San Diego, CA-based operator of a proprietary trading platform designed for modeling and distributing betting markets for alternative sports. The platform offers real-time odds and pricing, pre-match and live odds services, and in-play betting markets for specialist sports. It leverages advanced data models and market insights to engage with a global fanbase of over one billion alternative sports enthusiasts, enabling sportsbook operators to reach and retain untapped audiences.

ALT Sports Data was funded $5 million led by Relay Ventures and Eberg Capital, with participation from Motley Fool Ventures, Scrum Ventures, and a consortium of strategic angel investors.

The funding marks a significant step forward for the company as it aims to solidify its position in the evolving sports betting landscape, particularly in the underserved and fast-growing alternative sports segment. These include action sports like skateboarding, surfing, motocross, and others with passionate fanbases but limited presence in mainstream betting platforms.

ALT Sports Data has focused on aggregating and monetizing real-time data from non-traditional sports. With the legalization of sports betting continuing across the United States and other key markets, the company is tapping into an emerging niche: fans and bettors looking for deeper engagement with alternative sports.

NXTbets is central to this strategy. The platform offers curated betting insights, performance data, and real-time odds for events that typically fly under the radar of traditional sportsbooks. According to the company, NXTbets saw a 150% increase in user activity over the past six months, driven by a growing appetite for niche content and a surge in alternative sports events worldwide.

The newly raised capital will be used to scale internal operations, improve data infrastructure, and forge new partnerships with sports leagues, content creators, and sportsbooks. A portion of the funding will also go toward enhancing NXTbets’ user interface and expanding coverage to include more live events, betting models, and content formats, such as short-form video and interactive tools.

The move comes when alternative sports are gaining mainstream traction, particularly among younger audiences. Events like the X Games and Red Bull-sponsored competitions have built global fanbases, and more recently, action sports have gained Olympic recognition.

Analysts see ALT Sports Data’s approach as aligned with broader sports media and betting industry trends. As personalized content and micro-betting grow, niche sports could be a key battleground for user attention and retention.

By focusing on high-engagement, underrepresented sports, ALT Sports Data is positioning itself at the intersection of content, betting, and community. This combination could prove decisive in the coming years.

The company plans to integrate more machine-learning tools into its data platform, allowing for predictive modeling and customizable betting experiences. It also plans to roll out multilingual support and localized content in Europe and Latin America, where alternative sports have strong followings.

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.

SlashExperts, a San Francisco, CA-based developer of a customer engagement platform designed to convert sales backchannels and customer references into scalable revenue opportunities. The company platform offers customizable booking systems, CRM integrations, and expert-driven conversion tools, enabling business-to-business sales and marketing teams to connect prospects with customer advocates, accelerate pipelines, and improve deal win rates.

SlashExperts was funded $2 million led by Social Leverage with Touring Capital and Veridical Ventures also participating, among other angel investors. The company intends to use the funds to enhance its platform’s features, ensuring connections between buyers and users.

SlashExperts has quickly emerged as a key player in the B2B marketing and sales ecosystem. Its core platform facilitates meaningful interactions between product buyers and actual users, offering transparent peer-driven insights, feedback, and guidance. This latest funding aims to accelerate product development, enhance AI-driven recommendation features, and expand go-to-market efforts across North America and Europe.

Braydan Young the CEO of SlashExperts commented, the new funding is a major milestone for SlashExperts. Their vision is to close the trust gap in B2B buying decisions by amplifying the voices of actual users. This capital enables them to double down on building smarter, more intuitive tools that help businesses make faster and more informed purchasing decisions.

In the hyper-competitive B2B space, the move signals a broader shift toward user-led growth (ULG) models, complementing the now widespread product-led growth (PLG) approach. By giving actual users a voice in the evaluation process, SlashExperts believes companies will see higher satisfaction and lower churn after onboarding new tools.

As the B2B landscape becomes increasingly complex, platforms like SlashExperts are positioning themselves as the trusted layer between marketing promises and real-world product use. With this fresh round of funding, the company is well-positioned to redefine how businesses connect, evaluate, and buy technology in a saturated and often opaque market.

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.