Deep Tech Capital Movements Vol. 7
Weekly tracking of funding rounds, new funds, and strategic shifts in deep tech.
Welcome back to Deep Tech Capital Moments! Every week, we track funding rounds, new funds, and major strategic moves in deep tech—helping you to:
Spot the next big deal before it goes mainstream.
Benchmark your investments against the latest trends.
Track your competition.
Identify emerging trends before they become obvious.
See who’s backing what—and why.
If you’re building, investing, or betting on deep tech, this is for you!
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Startups Funding Updates
🔸 Fuse Vectors Secures €4.9M for Cell-Free Gene Therapy Innovation
Copenhagen-based Fuse Vectors secured €4.9M in pre-seed funding to scale its novel cell-free viral vector technology for gene therapy. The round was backed by HCVC, BioInnovation Institute, EIFO, and Innovation Fund. Fuse Vectors’ approach eliminates cell-based production bottlenecks, reducing costs and improving efficiency in AAV vector manufacturing.
Deal: Pre-Seed Round
Region: Denmark, Europe
Sector: Biotech, Gene Therapy, AI
🔸 DPhi Space Raises €2.2M to Democratize Space Access
Lausanne-based DPhi Space secured €2.2M in pre-seed funding to develop shared satellites for hosted payloads. The round was led by QBIT Capital, with support from Zurich Cantonal Bank, Apprecia Capital, and other investors. The funding will accelerate the launch of DPhi’s Clustergate platform, a plug-and-play satellite infrastructure designed to lower costs and increase accessibility for space missions.
Deal: Pre-Seed Round
Region: Switzerland, Europe
Sector: Space Tech, Satellite Infrastructure, AI
🔸 Gripp Secures $1.5M to Digitize Agricultural Operations
Indianapolis-based Gripp secured $1.5M in pre-seed funding to modernize agricultural operations management with a mobile-first platform. The round was led by Ag Ventures Alliance, with participation from Two Ravens, Infinity Holding Ventures, and other investors. Gripp’s QR-based system helps farmers track equipment, maintenance, and operational activities with ease.
Deal: Pre-Seed Round
Region: USA
Sector: AgTech, SaaS, Farm Management
🔸 Kapta Space Secures $5M to Develop Advanced Spaceborne Radar
Seattle-based Kapta Space emerged from stealth with $5M in seed funding to develop next-gen electronically-steered radar technology for spaceborne applications. The round was led by MetaVC Partners, with participation from Entrada Ventures and Blue Collective. Kapta's Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology will support both defense and commercial Earth observation markets.
Deal: Seed Round
Region: USA
Sector: Space Tech, Defense, Radar Imaging
🔸 Tereform Raises $1.25M to Scale Textile Recycling Innovation
Denver-based Tereform secured $1.25M in seed funding to expand its proprietary textile recycling technology. The round was led by AccelR8, with participation from Toyota Ventures. Tereform’s chemical recycling process deconstructs complex, blended fabrics into raw materials for sustainable textile production, enabling cost parity with virgin materials.
Deal: Seed Round
Region: USA
Sector: Circular Economy, Sustainable Fashion, Materials Science
🔸 Mitico Raises $4.3M to Slash Carbon Capture Costs
Mitico secured $4.3M in seed round to scale its innovative granulated metal carbonate sorption technology capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted from industries. The round was led by Exergon, with participation from Gore Ventures, AP Ventures, Halliburton Labs, SOSV, Freeflow Ventures, the SoCal Alliance for Innovation, and Deepbright Ventures.
Deal: Seed Round
Region: USA, California
Sector: Carbon Capture, Industrial Decarbonization
🔸 Kynda Secures €3M to Scale Alternative Meat Production
Hamburg-based Kynda secured €3M in seed funding to accelerate its mycoprotein-based alternative meat production. The round was led by Enjoy Ventures’ Invest-Impuls Scale fund, with participation from PHW Group and Clima Now. Kynda’s proprietary fermentation process converts agricultural by-products into sustainable protein for food and pet food industries.
Deal: Seed Round
Region: Germany, Europe
Sector: Food Tech, Alternative Proteins, Fermentation
🔸 CircNova Secures $3.3M to Pioneer Circular RNA Therapies
Michigan-based CircNova secured $3.3M in seed funding to develop novel RNA-based therapies. The round was led by South Loop Ventures, with participation from Union Heritage, Michigan Rise, and others. CircNova’s AI-driven NovaEngine platform identifies and synthesizes circular RNA molecules, targeting applications in cancer and rare genetic diseases.
Deal: Seed Round
Region: USA
Sector: Biotech, RNA Therapeutics, AI
🔸 Variational AI Raises $5.5M to Accelerate AI-Powered Drug Discovery
Vancouver-based Variational AI raised $5.5M in an oversubscribed seed extension round to scale Enki, its AI-driven small molecule drug discovery platform. The round was led by Nimbus Synergies, with participation from Merck Global Health Innovation Fund and other investors. Variational AI’s technology rapidly generates optimized lead compounds, significantly reducing drug development time.
Deal: Seed Extension Round
Region: Canada, Global
Sector: Biotech, AI, Drug Discovery
🔸 Dispersa Secures $5.8M CAD to Scale Waste-Derived Biosurfactants
Montreal-based Dispersa secured $5.8M CAD in seed funding to commercialize PuraSurf®, the world’s first biosurfactant made from food waste. The round was led by Nàdarra Ventures, with backing from BDC Thrive Lab, Cycle Momentum, and other Canadian investors. Dispersa’s proprietary fermentation technology replaces petroleum-based surfactants in cleaning products, reducing environmental impact.
Deal: Seed Round
Region: Canada, Global
Sector: Cleantech, Circular Economy, Sustainable Chemicals
🔸 Starcloud Raises $10M to Build Space-Based Data Centers
Redmond-based Starcloud (formerly Lumen Orbit) secured $10M in additional seed funding to advance its orbital data center network. The round included participation from existing investors NFX, Y Combinator, and Andreessen Horowitz scout funds. Starcloud’s first satellite, launching in summer 2025, will test NVIDIA-powered AI compute in space.
Deal: Seed Round
Region: USA, Global
Sector: Space Tech, AI, Cloud Computing
🔸 Deepnight Raises $5.5M to Disrupt Night Vision Industry Using AI
San Francisco-based Deepnight secured $5.5M in seed funding to revolutionize night vision technology with AI-powered image processing. The round was led by Initialized Capital, with participation from Y Combinator, Vladlen Koltun, and angel investors. The funding will support the development of Deepnight’s AI-based night vision technology, offering a cost-effective digital alternative to traditional military-grade optics.
Deal: Seed Round
Region: USA
Sector: AI, Defense Tech, Imaging
🔸 Claros Raises €9.75M to Optimize Power Delivery for AI
McLean-based Claros secured €9.75M in initial funding to develop next-gen power management solutions for AI and high-performance computing. The round was backed by Red Cell Partners, General Catalyst, Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation, and others. The funding will accelerate the deployment of Claros’ integrated voltage regulator (IVR) technology to optimize data center energy efficiency.
Deal: Seed Round
Region: USA
Sector: AI, Energy Tech, Data Centers
🔸 QT Sense Raises €6M to Use Quantum Sensing for Disease Detection
Netherlands-based QT Sense secured €6M in funding to develop its quantum-sensing diagnostics platform, Quantum Nuova. The round was led by QDNL Participations, with support from angel investors and Interreg Europe. The funding will accelerate QT Sense’s commercialization of nanodiamond-based quantum sensors for early disease detection.
Deal: Seed Round
Region: Netherlands, Europe
Sector: Quantum Tech, MedTech, AI
🔸 Starcloud Raises $10M to Develop Space-Based Data Centers
Redmond-based Starcloud (formerly Lumen Orbit) secured $10M in additional seed funding to build space-based data centers. The round follows a $11M investment from NFX, Y Combinator, FUSE, and others. Starcloud plans to deploy megawatt-scale computing infrastructure in low Earth orbit, reducing reliance on terrestrial data centers.
Deal: Seed Round
Region: USA, Global
Sector: Space Tech, Cloud Computing, AI
🔸 Magdrive Propels US Expansion with $10.5M Seed Round
UK-based Magdrive secured $10.5M in seed funding to develop high-power electric plasma thrusters for satellites. The round was led by Redalpine, with participation from Founders Fund, Alumni Ventures, and Entrepreneur First. The funding will support R&D and Magdrive’s first in-space demonstration mission in June 2025.
Deal: Seed Round
Region: UK, USA
Sector: Aerospace, Space Propulsion, AI
🔸 Rune Raises $6.2M to Modernize Military Logistics
Virginia-based Rune, a defense tech startup founded by former Anduril employees, secured $6.2M in seed funding to develop AI-powered military logistics software. The round was led by Andreessen Horowitz, with backing from Point72 Ventures, XYZ Venture Capital, and industry executives. Rune’s TyrOS software automates supply tracking and resupply predictions for frontline units.
Deal: Seed Round
Region: USA
Sector: Defense Tech, AI, Logistics
🔸Arsenale Bioyards Raises €9.5M to make biomanufacturing economically viable
Arsenale Bioyards secured €9.5M in seed funding to scale its AI-driven bio-manufacturing platform. The round was led by Planet A and byFounders with participation from CDP Ventures, Acequia Capital, Plug N Play, Grey Silo Ventures as well as industrial family offices. The company will use the funds to support its infrastructure expansion and accelerate its commercialization roadmap in the food and cosmetics industries.
Deal: Seed Round
Region: Italy, Europe
Sector: Biotech, AI, Manufacturing
🔸 VRAI Secures €5M Series A for Dual-Use Defence Tech
Dublin-based VRAI secured €5M in Series A funding to expand its AI-powered simulation technology for defense and aerospace. The round was led by Beringea, with participation from Enterprise Ireland, Northstar Ventures, and Irish family offices. The funding will accelerate VRAI’s US expansion and enhance its HEAT training platform for military and high-risk environments.
Deal: Series A
Region: Ireland, USA
Sector: Defense Tech, AI, Simulation
🔸 Cambium Raises $18.5M to Turn Waste Wood into Usable Lumber
Baltimore-based Cambium secured $18.5M in Series A funding to scale its AI-powered platform for sustainable wood processing. The round was led by VoLo Earth Ventures, with participation from NEA, Dangerous Ventures, and others. Cambium’s supply chain technology repurposes urban wood waste into high-value materials, reducing carbon emissions and supporting circular economy efforts.
Deal: Series A
Region: USA
Sector: AI, Circular Economy, Sustainable Materials
🔸 Quantum Machines Raises $170M to Power the Next Phase of Quantum Computing
Israel-based Quantum Machines secured $170M in Series C funding to expand its quantum computing control and orchestration platform. The round was led by PSG Equity, with participation from Intel Capital, Red Dot Capital Partners, and other investors. The funding will support Quantum Machines' mission to seamlessly integrate quantum and classical computing, enabling rapid development and deployment of quantum technologies.
Deal: Series C
Region: Israel, Global
Sector: Quantum Computing, AI, Semiconductors
🔸 Eikon Therapeutics Raises $350.7M to Advance Clinical-Stage Drug Pipeline
Eikon Therapeutics secured $350.7M in Series D funding to accelerate its clinical-stage drug programs. The round was led by Eikon with participation from new investors such as Lux Capital, Alexandria Venture Investments, AME Cloud Ventures, and General Catalyst. Eikon’s drug discovery platform integrates super-resolution microscopy and AI-driven molecular analysis, with a pipeline focused on oncology and neurological disorders.
Deal: Series D
Region: USA
Sector: Biotech, Drug Discovery, AI
🔸 Nomagic Raises $44M to Scale European Picking Robot Deployments
Polish-founded Nomagic secured $44M to expand its AI-powered robotic picking solutions for warehouse automation. The round was led by EBRD Ventures, with participation from Khosla Ventures, Almaz Capital, and the European Investment Bank. The funding will support Nomagic’s European expansion and further development of its justPick robotic system.
Deal: Unspecified
Region: Poland, Europe
Sector: Robotics, AI, Warehouse Automation
🔸 CarbonQuest Secures $20M to Scale Carbon Capture Deployment
Washington-based CarbonQuest secured $20M in funding to expand its Distributed Carbon Capture™ technology across North America. The round was led by Riverbend Energy Group, with participation from Energy Capital Ventures and Aligned Climate Capital. The funding will accelerate commercialization efforts and improve cost-efficiency for carbon capture in commercial and industrial applications.
Deal: Unspecified
Region: USA
Sector: Climate Tech, Carbon Capture, Energy
🔸 Skylo Raises $30M to Scale Direct-to-Device Satellite Service Worldwide
Mountain View-based Skylo secured $30M in funding to expand its direct-to-device satellite network, enabling seamless connectivity for smartphones, vehicles, and IoT devices. The round was led by NGP Capital, with participation from ntel Capital, BMW i Ventures, Samsung Catalyst Fund, and Next47. The funding will support Skylo's expansion into new regions, including Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand, in partnership with Viasat125.
Deal: Unspecified
Region: USA, Global
Sector: Satellite Communications, Connectivity
🔸 STAX Engineering Secures $70M to Advance Maritime Carbon Capture
Los Angeles-based STAX Engineering raised $70M to scale its maritime emissions capture technology. The round included $60M in debt financing from Firstime Credit and Deutsche Bank Private Credit & Infrastructure, alongside $10M in SAFE equity. The funding will drive the commercialization of STAX’s mobile emissions control units and support carbon capture trials with Seabound at the Port of Los Angeles.
Deal: Debt & Equity Financing
Region: USA
Sector: Climate Tech, Maritime, Carbon Capture
Venture Capital Updates
🔹 Perplexity Launches $50M Seed and Pre-Seed VC Fund
Perplexity AI, the $9B-valued AI search startup, has launched a $50M seed and pre-seed venture fund. Unlike OpenAI’s Startup Fund, Perplexity is using its own capital to anchor investments. The fund is managed by F7 Ventures co-founders Kelly Graziadei and Joanna Lee Shevelenko.
🔹 Khosla Ventures Seeks $3.5B in Fresh Capital
Khosla Ventures is raising $3.5B across three funds—$1.75B for its ninth core venture fund, $1.1B for growth-stage startups, and $650M for seed-stage investments. The firm, known for early bets on OpenAI, has grown its fund target by 17% from 2023’s $3B raise. Founded by Vinod Khosla, the firm’s MDs include Keith Rabois, who previously backed DoorDash, Affirm, and Stripe.
🔹 Key Cambridge, UK VC Launches $126M Fund to Stem Later-Stage Flight
Cambridge Innovation Capital (CIC) launches £100M ($126M) Opportunity Fund to back later-stage deep tech and life sciences startups in Cambridge. Anchored by Aviva Investors and British Patient Capital, the fund aims to fill the U.K.'s scale-up capital gap. Early investments include Pragmatic Semiconductor and Riverlane. CIC has invested $757M in 40+ companies, with past exits like Gyroscope Therapeutics ($1.5B sale to Novartis) and PetMedix ($285M acquisition by Zoetis).
🔹 Afore Capital Raises $185M for Fourth Fund and Launches Founders-in-Residence Program
Afore Capital, a pre-seed-focused VC firm, raised a $185M fourth fund to back early-stage startups with a more flexible investment approach. The firm, founded by Anamitra Banerji and Gaurav Jain, will continue writing checks up to $2M but is also launching a Founders-in-Residence (FIR) program to support entrepreneurs still in their ideation stage. Afore has backed over 200 startups, including Modern Health, BenchSci, and Hightouch.
🔹 TPG Spinout Greenfield Partners Raises $400M Fund to Back Early Growth Companies
Greenfield Partners, a TPG spinout, has raised a $400M third fund to invest in early growth-stage startups. With a strong presence in the Israeli tech ecosystem, the firm focuses on scaling companies efficiently and has backed firms like Guardicore (acquired for $600M by Akamai) and Avanan ($300M acquisition by Check Point).
🔹 NextView Ventures Raising Up to $135M for Sixth Fund
NextView Ventures, a seed-stage VC firm, is raising up to $135M for its sixth fund, per an SEC filing. With offices in NYC, Boston, and San Francisco, the firm invests in startups shaping the Everyday Economy, across B2B, B2C, SaaS, fintech, and healthcare.