💸 $65M Series A Rare-Earth Magnets; $20M Series A Analog IC Design; $1.6M Pre-Seed Autonomous Drones; €650K Pre-Seed Industrial AI & more | Deep Tech Capital Movements Vol. 31
The Week’s State of Deep Tech Capital: who’s Raising, who’s Betting, and why.
Welcome back to Deep Tech Capital Movements — the weekly report from The Scenarionist that highlights and analyzes capital dynamics in Deep Tech, from early-stage funding rounds to major fund launches.
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Venture is in the midst of a “hard mode” reset: capital is more selective, holding periods are longer, and scalability has shifted from code to concrete.
Strategic patterns used by leading deep tech investors to get better deals, faster access, and lower downstream risk.
Dear Friends,
Here’s the tape this week: capital continued to migrate toward the intersections where software disciplines physical processes—factory floors, grid edges, certified materials, and evidence-driven healthcare. AI remains the accelerant, but the checks are increasingly tied to bankability, pathways to procurement, and measurable IRR rather than demos or one-off pilots.
Industrial AI is edging from “analytics” toward closed-loop operations. GREÏ’s €650K pre-seed may look modest, but wiring multi-site camera networks and on-prem systems into a single operational surface for safety and efficiency is a meaningful capability step. GoodShip’s $25M Series B—preempted by Greenfield—validates freight orchestration as a durable category: coordinating carrier networks and pricing through tariff volatility is a P&L story, not a dashboard. SixSense’s $8.5M to improve wafer yield via computer vision, JEH Aerospace’s $11M to scale a software-defined manufacturing stack across the U.S. and India, support all point to the same behavior: shorten cycles, reduce scrap, and let buyers measure payback in weeks, not quarters.
Semis and compute plumbing showed steady momentum. Celera Semiconductor’s $20M Series A for analog design automation (via Nestos™ digital twins) targets the chronic bottleneck that delays mixed-signal programs; if time-to-spec reliably compresses, a lot of downstream roadmaps clear. NeoLogic’s $10M to pursue a performance-per-watt CPU architecture recognizes that power and thermals—not core counts—are now the hard constraints in AI-heavy data centers. Syenta’s A$8.8M pre-Series A on “Electronics 3D” for advanced packaging and interconnects, paired with SixSense’s yield analytics, suggests a broader impulse: turn silicon variability into predictable throughput with better CAD, better packaging, and smarter inspection.
Energy transition capital split along instrument lines—project finance for proven assets, venture for platform leaps. Kanin Energy’s dedicated credit facility with PaceZero is the right tool for waste-heat-to-power: technology risk largely retired, counterparty risk underwritten, construction and operations ahead. Australia’s NRN raised ~$67M (equity + debt) to scale household solar-plus-storage into virtual power plants, reflecting retailer-integrated grid services as a bankable product.
Equatic’s $11.6M Series A to scale seawater electrolysis (CDR + green hydrogen) and Claros Technologies’ $10M for UV-driven PFAS destruction are on the engineering-to-bankability path with MRV and regulatory hooks.
Aeronero’s $1.5M for atmospheric water generation and EDGX’s €2.3M to harden in-orbit edge AI compute point toward producing essentials—water and inference—closer to load, cutting logistics and latency.
Sovereign supply chains remain an explicit priority. Vulcan Elements’ $65M Series A to scale NdFeB magnet production in North Carolina (DoD-validated processes; U.S./ally-sourced inputs) is a practical response to geopolitical concentration risk. Combine that with JEH’s aerospace components stack and EDGX’s radiation-tolerant compute and you see a consistent pattern: certify capability, then scale capacity.
Procurement risk tends to decline when national capability is part of the mandate.
AI infrastructure concentrated around two leverage points: evaluation and lawful data. Datumo’s $15.5M targets enterprise-grade benchmarking and feedback operations for LLMs; Protégé’s $25M formalizes a governed marketplace for training data, citing 100+ partners spanning video, audio, and clinical datasets.
The implication is straightforward: durable advantage is drifting from model weights toward provenance, compliance, and verified behavior under load.Expect these to become standard line items in enterprise AI budgets.
Bio and health carried the heavyweight checks and a clear barbell.
On one side, commercialization-stage therapeutics: SetPoint Medical’s $140M for vagus nerve stimulation in rheumatoid arthritis and Artbio’s $132M for targeted alpha radiopharmaceuticals—capital-intensive, regulated, but with deep moat potential if endpoints are met.
On the other, platform bets with translational intent: Tahoe Therapeutics’ $30M for AI models of living cells and Gameto’s $44M for stem-cell-derived reproductive platforms. Infrastructure plays round out the stack: Fountain Life’s $18M for imaging + multi-omics early detection and Citizen Health’s $30M for patient-controlled rare-disease data coordination.
Jocasta Neuroscience’s $35M Series A on longevity-related protein biology adds a mechanistic angle to neuro. The throughline is familiar but important: reimbursement logic and prospective evidence capture are the real products.
Mobility and field robotics were execution-oriented. Ultraviolette’s $21M to push India-made e-motorcycles into Europe, LatAm, and Southeast Asia (with connected diagnostics) is about manufacturing leverage and regulatory scaling. SAGA Robotics’ $11.2M to commercialize UV-C field robots, a >$2M raise for a Korean agri-robotics entrant, and Nomadic Drones’ pre-seed for autonomous inspection all read like RaaS models where utilization and service density determine unit economics.
Hyphen’s $25M for automated makelines translates the same logic to restaurants: more throughput per square foot. BinSentry’s $50M Series C—multi-year 100%+ growth and reported zero churn—underscores that sensor networks with clear safety/operational ROI travel quickly in legacy supply chains.
Materials and ingredients progressed with a procurement mindset. Prefer’s $4.2M for bean-free flavor extenders and Colorcon Ventures’ strategic investment in Phytolon’s fermentation-based colorants both aim at cost stability and clean-label performance for CPGs. These are supplier conversations, not science fairs.
Geographically, the U.S. still concentrates late-stage dollars (radiopharma, neuromodulation, semis, freight OS), but weekly formation was notably multipolar: Lithuania (industrial CV), Belgium (space-edge compute), Norway/U.K./U.S. (ag robots), Australia (VPPs, packaging), Israel (energy-efficient CPU, biopigments), South Korea (LLM eval, ag robotics), Canada (ag IoT), India (e-motorcycles, air-to-water), and Singapore/Canada (CDR plant exposure). Smoky Mountain’s $435M financing is also notable—details sparse, but size alone suggests a balance-sheet move worth monitoring.
On the fund side, structures are matching asset types. Audax Strategic Capital closed ~$1.3B for a non-control “mid-hold” strategy that helps sponsors compound performing assets without forcing exits. Pacific Avenue’s >$1.65B Fund II(plus a European sidecar) is positioned for complex carve-outs where operational value creation matters in a higher-rate regime. Marktlink’s €520M across a PE FoF and an AI-focused venture FoF channels entrepreneurial capital into manager selection at scale. Achmea IM’s €250M Private Equity Partnership with Neuberger Berman (impact focus on climate/health) pairs co-invest discipline with mission alignment. Delphinus launched an €80M evergreen to stay patient through deep-tech gestation. In India, Speciale Invest plans to deploy ₹6B ($69M) by 2029 into seed/pre-seed deep-tech across AI, space, climate, and dual-use—consistent with a broader self-reliance agenda.
What’s Driving the Checks
Pilot-to-plant is the center of gravity. Rounds explicitly fund certification, first manufacturing, and early commercial deployments rather than extended R&D.
Sovereignty is translating into purchase orders. Magnets, aerospace components, and in-orbit compute align with national capability programs, reducing demand risk and improving pricing power.
AI advantage is shifting to evaluation and data rights. Benchmarks, feedback ops, and licensed corpora are becoming table stakes for production-grade AI.
Evidence wins in bio. Platform ambition paired with near-term clinical catalysts and reimbursement clarity continues to clear the bar.
RaaS beats robotics “projects.” Utilization, maintenance curves, and density—not novelty—drive margin and retention.
Key Emerging Trends
Analog automation + advanced packaging compress silicon schedules; yield software moves from “nice-to-have” to mandatory.
Project finance re-enters decarb stacks; blending equity with credit and non-dilutive capital lowers WACC and smooths milestone risk.
VPPs professionalize: retailer-aligned programs and MRV rigor convert flexibility into dependable revenue.
Data licensing marketplaces mature as provenance/consent become procurement checkboxes for AI buyers.
“Near-the-load” production (water, energy, inference) reduces logistics and latency; design for edge reliability over cloud convenience.
Fewer science expos, more industrial systems. Capital is rewarding teams that remove variance, compress cycle times, and translate hard tech into repeatable cash flows—on the line, on the grid, and in the clinic.
See you next Monday.
— Giulia
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Reverse Diligence: How Three Advanced Energy Materials Companies Beat the Scaling Bottleneck
Amprius, Nexeon & Enovix: A reverse DD analysis of three real-world scale-ups on moats, capital discipline, and scaling advanced materials for next-generation high-energy-density electronics.
Startup Deal Activities to Watch
🔸 GREÏ Raises €650K Pre-Seed to Deploy AI Monitoring Across Complex Industrial & Retail Sites
Kaunas-based GREÏ secured a €650K pre-seed round to scale an AI-powered operational intelligence platform that unifies camera feeds and on-site systems to flag safety risks and inefficiencies in real time. The company plans to expand its modular AI architecture, connect hundreds of cameras, and push into European markets, moving from pilots to commercial deployments. FIRSTPICK backed the round as GREÏ targets manufacturing, logistics, and multi-site retail operations.
Deal: Pre-Seed
Region: Lithuania, Europe
Industry: AI / Computer Vision
Sector: Industrial Operations & Retail Facilities
Tech: Operational Intelligence, Real-Time Video Analytics, Multi-Sensor Integration
🔸 Kanin Energy Secures Credit Facility from PaceZero Capital Partners to Advance Waste-Heat-to-Power Projects
Kanin Energy obtained a dedicated credit facility from PaceZero Capital Partners to accelerate development of waste-heat-to-power assets across North America. The financing is structured to help Kanin move projects from late-stage development into construction and operation. The company converts industrial waste heat into baseload, zero-emission electricity for hosts and grid operators.
Deal: Credit Facility (Undisclosed Size)
Region: North America
Industry: Clean Energy
Sector: Waste Heat to Power
Tech: Heat Recovery, Power Generation, Project Development
🔸 Celera Semiconductor Raises $20M Series A to Automate Analog IC Design
San Jose–based Celera Semiconductor closed a $20M Series A led by Maverick Silicon to expand its analog design automation platform. Its Nestos™ library of digital twins for analog functions accelerates custom analog IC development for OEMs working on AI, edge computing and other high-performance applications. Funds will support bringing more Nestos-driven analog ICs to market and scaling customer deployments.
Deal: Series A ($20M)
Region: United States, North America
Industry: Semiconductors / EDA
Sector: Analog IC Design
Tech: Analog Design Automation, Digital Twins, Design Acceleration
🔸 Tahoe Therapeutics Raises $30M to Build AI Models of Living Cells
Palo Alto–based Tahoe Therapeutics raised $30M to create large-scale AI models that simulate cellular behavior, aiming to accelerate drug discovery and mechanistic insights. The startup intends to partner with pharma and AI companies to co-develop therapeutics and foundational bio-AI models. The new capital supports building datasets and training pipelines to model complex cell states.
Deal: Series A ($30M)
Region: United States, North America
Industry: Biotech / AI
Sector: Drug Discovery Platforms
Tech: AI Biological Models, Single-Cell Data Modeling, Computational Biology
🔸 Ultraviolette Secures $21M to Take India-Made Electric Motorcycles Global
Indian e-motorcycle maker Ultraviolette raised $21M in an all-equity round led by TDK’s corporate venture arm to accelerate international expansion. The company plans to grow its European footprint, enter Latin America and Southeast Asia, and broaden its product portfolio to 14 models by 2027. Funds will also bolster manufacturing capacity and connected diagnostics across its vehicles.
Deal: Equity Round ($21M)
Region: India / Global Expansion (Europe, LatAm, SEA)
Industry: Electric Vehicles
Sector: Two-Wheelers / Mobility
Tech: Battery Systems, Connected Diagnostics, Vehicle Electronics
🔸 Datumo Raises $15.5M to Expand LLM Evaluation, Challenging Scale AI
Seoul-based Datumo closed $15.5M to scale its platform for LLM data and evaluation workflows. Backed by strategic investors including Salesforce, the company targets enterprise-grade benchmarking, feedback pipelines and data ops for foundation models. The round will fund product expansion and go-to-market efforts beyond Korea.
Deal: Funding Round ($15.5M)
Region: South Korea, Asia
Industry: AI Infrastructure
Sector: LLM Data & Evaluation
Tech: Model Evaluation, Data Tooling, Benchmarking Pipelines
🔸 Fountain Life Raises $18M to Scale Longevity Health Screening Centers
Fountain Life, co-founded by Tony Robbins and Peter Diamandis, raised $18M to expand preventive health centers focused on early disease detection. The company offers advanced imaging and multi-omic testing designed to catch conditions before symptoms arise. New funding supports clinic growth and platform enhancements for proactive, data-driven longevity care.
Deal: Funding Round ($18M)
Region: United States, North America
Industry: Healthtech
Sector: Preventive / Longevity Care
Tech: Advanced Imaging, Multi-Omics, AI-Assisted Screening
🔸 GoodShip Raises $25M Series B for Freight Orchestration
Supply chain platform GoodShip secured a $25M Series B, preempted by Greenfield Partners, to advance freight orchestration and analytics. The company helps shippers coordinate complex carrier networks and optimize costs amid tariff-driven volatility. Capital will support product, data insights and enterprise expansion.
Deal: Series B ($25M)
Region: United States, North America
Industry: Supply Chain Software
Sector: Freight & Logistics Tech
Tech: Orchestration, Predictive Analytics, Data Platform
🔸 Terra AI Is Raising Up to $20M Series A to Sell Mining/Energy AI
Terra AI is pursuing up to $20M in Series A financing to commercialize AI tools for mining and energy companies. The platform aims to improve exploration, drilling and extraction efficiency as critical minerals demand rises. Proceeds will scale product delivery and partnerships with industrial operators.
Deal: Series A (Up to $20M, in progress)
Region: United States (Industry Focus: Global Mining/Energy)
Industry: Industrial AI
Sector: Mining Tech / Energy Ops
Tech: Geoscience AI, Operations Optimization, Decision Support
🔸 Vulcan Elements Raises $65M Series A to Scale U.S. Rare-Earth Magnet Production
Vulcan Elements secured a $65M Series A led by Altimeter Capital to build out a commercial-scale facility in Durham, North Carolina. The company manufactures high-performance NdFeB permanent magnets for defense and commercial applications and aims to scale from pilot to hundreds of tonnes annually. The business emphasizes a China-independent supply chain with U.S./ally-sourced materials and DoD-validated processes.
Deal: Series A ($65M)
Region: United States, North America
Industry: Advanced Manufacturing / Critical Minerals
Sector: Permanent Magnets
Tech: NdFeB Magnet Production, Materials Processing, On-shoring
🔸 JEH Aerospace Raises $11M to Modernize Aerospace Manufacturing
JEH Aerospace closed an $11M round to advance software-defined precision manufacturing for aerospace components. The company, which operates between the U.S. and India, will use the funding to scale its integrated software-to-factory stack. Investors include Elevation Capital and other backers focused on deep-tech industrial modernization.
Deal: Funding Round ($11M)
Region: U.S. & India (Global Supply Chain)
Industry: Aerospace / Advanced Manufacturing
Sector: Precision Components, Industrial Software
Tech: Software-Defined Manufacturing, Digital Twins, Automation
🔸 SixSense Raises $8.5M to Power AI-Driven Semiconductor Manufacturing
SixSense secured $8.5M to scale its AI platform for semiconductor yield improvement and defect detection. The company’s tools aim to reduce scrap and increase throughput by spotting pattern anomalies across wafer and packaging steps. Funds will support R&D and global customer expansion in advanced fabs.
Deal: Funding Round ($8.5M)
Region: Asia (Global Customers)
Industry: Semiconductors / AI
Sector: Manufacturing Analytics & Quality
Tech: Computer Vision, Yield Analytics, Anomaly Detection
🔸 NRN Raises $67M Series A for Distributed Energy Platform
Sydney-based National Renewable Network (NRN) raised $67M in equity and debt to expand virtual power plants and household solar-plus-battery programs. NRN partners with retailers to offer systems with no upfront costs while aggregating capacity into VPPs. The capital supports additional deployments and new utility partnerships across Australia.
Deal: Series A ($67M, equity + debt)
Region: Australia, APAC
Industry: Energy / Cleantech
Sector: Distributed Energy Resources, VPPs
Tech: Solar + Storage, VPP Orchestration, Grid Services
🔸 Protégé Raises $25M Series A to Expand AI Training-Data Exchange Platform
New York–based Protégé raised a $25M Series A led by Footwork to scale a governed marketplace enabling proprietary content owners to license data for AI model training. The company reports 100+ data partners and catalogs spanning hundreds of thousands of hours of video and audio plus large clinical datasets. Funds will deepen product, expand verticals (e.g., audio, motion capture), and grow enterprise relationships.
Deal: Series A ($25M)
Region: United States, North America
Industry: AI / Data Platforms
Sector: Training-Data Access & Governance
Tech: Data Licensing, Compliance, Secure Exchange
🔸 Prefer Raises $4.2M to Launch Sustainable, Bean-Free Flavors
Singapore’s Prefer raised $4.2M to commercialize fermentation-based coffee and cocoa extenders that help brands manage cost and supply volatility. The round, led by At One Ventures and Chancery Hill Ventures, supports scaling production and new partnerships across APAC. Prefer’s ingredients target price-parity and taste while lowering environmental impact.
Deal: Funding Round ($4.2M)
Region: Singapore, APAC
Industry: FoodTech / Climate
Sector: Sustainable Ingredients
Tech: Precision Fermentation, Flavor Chemistry, B2B Ingredients
🔸 Smoky Mountain Closes $435M in Financing
Smoky Mountain finalized $435M in financing to support its strategic initiatives. The capital structure is designed to fund growth, operational execution and long-term development plans. Further details on use of proceeds and lenders were not disclosed in the brief.
Deal: Financing ($435M)
Region: United States, North America
Industry: (Undisclosed)
Sector: Corporate Finance
Tech: N/A
🔸 SAGA Robotics Raises $11.2M to Commercialize UV-C Agricultural Robots
Norway-founded SAGA Robotics secured $11.2M to scale Thorvald, its autonomous robot that controls powdery mildew using UV-C light in vineyards and strawberry farms. The company plans to triple its U.S. footprint and reach 30% penetration of UK tabletop strawberries. Funding moves the business from early traction to large-scale commercial adoption.
Deal: Funding Round ($11.2M)
Region: Norway / U.K. / United States
Industry: AgTech / Robotics
Sector: Crop Protection & Farm Automation
Tech: UV-C Treatment, Autonomy, RaaS
🔸 Citizen Health Secures $30M for Patient-Powered Rare Disease Platform
Citizen Health raised $30M to build a patient-centric platform for rare disease care coordination and research participation. The company plans to expand data infrastructure and tools that help patients control and contribute their health data. Capital will support product development and partnerships across the rare disease ecosystem.
Deal: Funding Round ($30M)
Region: United States, North America
Industry: Healthtech
Sector: Patient Data & Care Platforms
Tech: Data Interoperability, Consent Management, Analytics
🔸 Gameto Raises $44M Series C for Stem-Cell-Derived Reproductive Therapies
Gameto closed a $44M Series C to advance stem-cell-derived therapies and in-vitro models for women’s reproductive health. The company will channel funds into clinical development and platform expansion with biotech partners. The raise underscores investor interest in next-gen reproductive medicine modalities.
Deal: Series C ($44M)
Region: United States, North America
Industry: Biotech
Sector: Reproductive Health
Tech: Stem-Cell Platforms, Organoid/Model Systems, Translational R&D
🔸 Jocasta Neuroscience Raises $35M Series A to Advance Longevity Protein Program
Jocasta Neuroscience raised a $35M Series A to develop therapeutics based on longevity-related protein biology. Funds will support preclinical programs, platform validation and team growth. The company aims to translate longevity science into disease-modifying neuro therapies.
Deal: Series A ($35M)
Region: United States, North America
Industry: Biotech
Sector: Neuro / Longevity
Tech: Protein Therapeutics, Target Discovery, Preclinical Models
🔸 Hyphen Raises $25M Series B to Scale Automated Makelines
Restaurant automation startup Hyphen secured $25M Series B to accelerate deployment of its automated “makelines” for QSR and fast-casual brands. The systems increase throughput and consistency while reducing labor bottlenecks. Funding expands manufacturing capacity, product features and market coverage.
Deal: Series B ($25M)
Region: United States, North America
Industry: Robotics / Foodservice
Sector: Kitchen Automation
Tech: Robotics, Computer Vision, Workflow Software
🔸 Claros Technologies Raises $10M to Advance ClarosTechUV PFAS Destruction
Claros Technologies raised $10M to scale its ClarosTechUV system for degrading PFAS in water streams. The capital supports pilot deployments, regulatory validation and manufacturing expansion. The company targets industrial and municipal customers seeking permanent PFAS destruction.
Deal: Funding Round ($10M)
Region: United States, North America
Industry: Environmental Tech
Sector: Water Treatment
Tech: UV-Driven PFAS Destruction, Advanced Oxidation, Reactor Engineering
🔸 Equatic Raises $11.6M to Remove CO₂ and Produce Green Hydrogen from Seawater
Equatic closed an $11.6M Series A led by C3H (Temasek Trust) and Kibo Invest to scale seawater electrolysis that permanently stores carbon and co-produces green hydrogen. Funds will support engineering, manufacturing and commercial projects including a 100-ktpa CDR facility. The company has pilots in Los Angeles and Singapore and plans a commercial plant in Canada.
Deal: Series A ($11.6M)
Region: United States / Singapore / Canada
Industry: Climate Tech
Sector: Carbon Removal & Green Hydrogen
Tech: Seawater Electrolysis, MRV Standards, Direct Air Capture Integration
🔸 BinSentry to Expand Globally After $50M Raise
Following its $50M round, BinSentry will “expand aggressively” in North America and continue growth in Brazil, scaling its AI-enabled sensors and logistics platform. The company reports multi-year 100%+ growth and zero churn since launch, with enterprise clients like Cargill and Wayne-Sanderson Farms. Lead Edge Capital led the Series C; proceeds fund scaling, integrations and safety outcomes.
Deal: Series C ($50M)
Region: Canada & United States, North America
Industry: AgTech / Industrial IoT
Sector: Feed Logistics
Tech: Solar IoT Sensors, 3D Imaging, AI Forecasting
🔸 Colorcon Ventures Invests in Phytolon to Advance Natural Colorants
Colorcon Ventures made a strategic investment in Phytolon, which develops fermentation-based natural food colorants. The partnership aims to accelerate commercialization of stable, vivid, clean-label colors for CPG brands. The move supports Colorcon’s broader portfolio in natural ingredient innovation.
Deal: Strategic Investment (Undisclosed)
Region: Israel (Phytolon) / Global CPG
Industry: FoodTech / Ingredients
Sector: Natural Colorants
Tech: Precision Fermentation, Biopigments
🔸 EDGX Closes €2.3M to Boost Onboard AI Compute for Satellites
EDGX announced a €2.3M round to accelerate development and space-grade certification of its onboard AI compute modules. The company targets faster insights and lower downlink costs by processing at the edge in orbit. Proceeds will fund productization and early customer integrations.
Deal: Funding Round (€2.3M)
Region: Belgium, Europe
Industry: SpaceTech
Sector: Satellite Compute
Tech: Edge AI, Radiation-Tolerant Systems, In-Orbit Processing
🔸 Nomadic Drones Announces $1.6 M Pre-Seed Round to Build Autonomous Drone Systems
Nomadic Drones revealed a pre-seed raise to accelerate development of autonomous drones and supporting software. Funds will go toward engineering hires, flight testing and early customer pilots. The company is positioning for industrial and inspection use cases.
Deal: Pre-Seed $1.6 M
Region:
Industry: Robotics / Aerial Systems
Sector: Industrial Drones
Tech: Autonomy, Navigation, Mission Software
🔸 SetPoint Medical Raises $140M to Commercialize Rheumatoid Arthritis Therapy
SetPoint Medical raised $140M in private financing to support FDA submission and commercialization of its vagus nerve stimulation therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. The company is expanding leadership and preparing for launch activities. The funding positions SetPoint to scale manufacturing and post-market evidence generation.
Deal: Private Financing ($140M)
Region: United States, North America
Industry: MedTech
Sector: Neuromodulation / Autoimmune
Tech: Vagus Nerve Stimulation, Implantable Devices
🔸 Korean Agri-Robotics Startup Raises >$2M to Launch All-in-One Farm Robot
A South Korean agri-robotics startup closed a round exceeding $2M to bring an all-in-one farm robot to market. The system targets labor-intensive tasks in protected growing environments and smallholder operations. Funding supports productization, pilot programs and early commercial rollout.
Deal: Funding Round (> $2M)
Region: South Korea, Asia
Industry: AgTech / Robotics
Sector: Protected Agriculture
Tech: Mobile Robotics, Sensing, Task Automation
🔸 NeoLogic Raises $10M for Energy-Efficient CPU Development
Israel’s NeoLogic raised $10M to develop a new CPU architecture aimed at significantly improving performance-per-watt in data centers. The startup will invest in silicon validation, toolchains and early customer engagements. The round reflects market demand for lower-power compute as AI workloads surge.
Deal: Funding Round ($10M)
Region: Israel, Middle East
Industry: Semiconductors
Sector: Server / Data Center Compute
Tech: Novel CPU Microarchitecture, Energy Efficiency
🔸 Syenta Raises A$8.8M Pre-Series A for “Electronics 3D” Chip Packaging
Australian startup Syenta raised A$8.8M pre-Series A to advance its “Electronics 3D” approach for advanced chip packaging and interconnects. The company will expand engineering and ramp pilot lines with local partners. Its technology targets faster, denser, and more sustainable electronic manufacturing.
Deal: Pre-Series A (A$8.8M)
Region: Australia, APAC
Industry: Electronics / Semiconductors
Sector: Advanced Packaging
Tech: Additive Electronics, 3D Interconnects
🔸 Aeronero Raises $1.5M to Scale Air-to-Water Technology
India’s Aeronero raised $1.5M to accelerate manufacturing and deployment of its atmospheric water generation systems. The company will focus on reliability and cost improvements for water-scarce regions. New investors include Callapina Capital and Rezwan Razack of Prestige Group.
Deal: Funding Round ($1.5M)
Region: India, APAC
Industry: Climate Adaptation / Hardware
Sector: Water Generation
Tech: Atmospheric Water Generation, Dehumidification, Filtration
🔸 Renée Cosmetics Secures $30M to Scale D2C Beauty Brand
Renée Cosmetics raised $30M to expand product lines, distribution and marketing in India’s fast-growing beauty market. The capital will be used to strengthen omnichannel presence and accelerate new product development. Investors are backing the brand’s strong digital traction and unit economics.
Deal: Funding Round ($30M)
Region: India, APAC
Industry: Consumer / Beauty
Sector: D2C Cosmetics
Tech: E-commerce, Digital Marketing, Product R&D
🔸 Artbio Secures $132M to Accelerate Precision Radiopharmaceuticals
Artbio raised $132M to advance targeted alpha therapy programs and expand its radiopharmaceutical pipeline. The funding supports clinical development, manufacturing capacity and regulatory initiatives. The company aims to bring precision radiotherapies to patients across multiple cancer indications.
Deal: Funding Round ($132M)
Region: United States / Europe
Industry: Biotech
Sector: Radiopharmaceuticals / Oncology
Tech: Targeted Alpha Therapy, Isotope Supply, Radiochemistry
Venture Capital & Fund Activities to Watch
🔹 Audax Strategic Capital Raises $1.3B for Inaugural Fund
Audax Strategic Capital closed its first Audax Private Equity Solutions Fund above target at approximately $1.3 billion, with Audax contributing about 20% of LP commitments. Roughly one-third of the fund is already invested across eight deals in North America and Europe, providing flexible, non-control “mid-hold” capital to help sponsors grow performing assets. The LP base spans public and private pensions, funds of funds, insurers, asset managers, banks, family offices, and HNWIs; Ropes & Gray served as legal counsel, and no placement agent was used.
🔹 Pacific Avenue Capital Partners Closes Over $1.65B for Second Fund
Pacific Avenue closed Fund II with more than $1.65 billion in commitments, complemented by a €100+ million European sidecar to pursue opportunities across the region. The raise finished in under four months and drew strong interest from public pension funds, consultants, endowments, foundations, insurance companies, funds of funds, and family offices. The firm focuses on complex middle-market situations and carve-outs, with Lazard as exclusive placement advisor and Weil, Gotshal & Manges serving as legal counsel.
🔹 Cerulean Ventures Targets $50M Second Fund for Physical AI & Nature Tech
Cerulean remains “non-consensus,” aiming its second fund at $50 million to back pre-seed and early-stage startups applying AI to real-world environmental and supply-chain challenges. The GP, anchored again by One Small Planet, is warehousing deals following a first $10 million fund that made 35 investments. Portfolio themes include deforestation-free agriculture, sustainable pharma supply chains, and geospatial “AI for Earth observation,” with the firm positioning for larger ownership stakes at earlier stages.
🔹 Marktlink Capital Raises €520M Across Private Equity and AI-Focused Venture Funds
Amsterdam-based Marktlink Capital secured €520 million for two new vehicles: €440 million for a PE fund-of-funds targeting 11 managers (including Hg, Adams Street Partners, Egeria, and Mill Point Capital) and €80 million for a venture fund backing top VC managers in high-growth tech and AI. Operating a fund-of-funds and feeder model with a €250k minimum, the manager has amassed over €2.5 billion in commitments since 2020, largely from Dutch entrepreneurs and families. The latest close follows a rapid PE FoF raise above a €300 million target and a venture fund reaching its €80 million hard cap.
🔹 Achmea IM Launches €250M Private Equity Impact Fund with Neuberger Berman
Achmea Investment Management introduced the “PE Partnership Fund – Healthy People & Planet 2025,” a €250 million vehicle focused on companies advancing climate action, biodiversity, healthy nutrition, and health. Structured as a 10–12 year, closed-end fund, it will emphasize co-investments in buyout and growth deals alongside Neuberger Berman Private Markets. Dutch pension funds have already committed €225 million at first close, with initial investments expected in Q4 2025.
🔹 Delphinus VC Launches €80M Evergreen Fund for Deep-Tech Spinouts
Delphinus Venture Capital debuted with an €80 million evergreen fund to back research-intensive startups from pre-seed through scale-up, prioritizing health innovation, green tech, and digital science. The fund is a collaboration among the Aarhus University Research Foundation, HEARTLAND, Norlys, and Salling Group, aiming to fill Denmark’s long-term capital gap for science-based ventures. With an evergreen structure, returns are recycled to support extended development cycles typically required by deep-tech spinouts.
🔹 Speciale Invest to Deploy $69M in Indian Deep-Tech Startups by 2029
Chennai-based Speciale Invest plans to invest 6 billion rupees (~$69 million) over four years in seed and pre-seed startups across AI, space, climate tech, and dual-use defense. The firm expects to back 18–20 companies with initial check sizes of ₹70–100 million, reserving more than half the fund for follow-ons. The strategy aligns with India’s push for self-reliance in advanced manufacturing and builds on Speciale’s track record with companies such as ePlane and Agnikul Cosmos.