🔐 Cerby: Securing the Apps Identity Tools Forgot

San Francisco-based Cerby has raised a $40M Series B to automate identity security for “unmanageable” apps—tools like social media, marketing platforms, and legacy software that don’t support standard identity protocols like SSO or SCIM.

🕸️ Fixing the identity blindspot
• Targets “nonstandard” or “disconnected” apps often missed by Okta, Azure AD, etc.
• Automates provisioning, deprovisioning, and access control for these apps
• Solves shadow IT risks where employees use accounts outside IT’s reach

🔓 Plug-in security for legacy and SaaS
• Integrates with existing identity systems to extend control to unsupported tools
• Provides passwordless access, privileged identity management, and audit trails
• Works across SaaS, on-prem, mobile, and even smart TVs

💳 Series B fuels global scale
• $40M led by DTCP, with Okta Ventures, Salesforce Ventures, Two Sigma, Ridge, Bowery
• Funds expansion across North America and EMEA, and deeper enterprise integrations
• Customers include L’Oréal, Fox, Mattel, Ford, Carta—indicating strong enterprise fit

🚨 Identity security for the real world
• 30–40% of enterprise apps often fall outside standard identity controls
• Disconnected apps pose serious risks: long-lived access, ex-employee credentials, no MFA
• Cerby brings them under centralized governance—without requiring vendors to modernize

Cerby isn’t just filling a gap—it’s redefining the identity perimeter for enterprises living in a hybrid, app-sprawled world.

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V3V Ventures 🤝 Zokyo

We're thrilled to announce our collaboration with Zokyo — a team of world-class cybersecurity experts specializing in security reviews, penetration testing, fuzz testing, token economics, and ADGM DLT compliance.

🟪 Zokyo brings a deep technical edge and full-stack security to the Web3 space — from protocol audits to compliance support — making them a perfect partner as we double down on our mission to support the next generation of builders in AI, Infra, DePIN, RWA, and beyond.

With Zokyo’s elite security infrastructure and our hands-on approach to venture support — from fundraising to go-to-market — we’re excited to co-invest in the most ambitious teams shaping the decentralized future.

⚡ Chalk: Powering Real-Time AI Decisions at Scale

San Francisco-based Chalk has secured a $50 million Series A funding round, led by Felicis Ventures, with participation from Triatomic Capital, General Catalyst, Unusual Ventures, and Xfund. This investment values the company at $500 million and underscores its mission to provide infrastructure for instantaneous, intelligent decisions.

🧠 Enabling Real-Time AI Inference
• Chalk’s platform is designed to feed fresh, proprietary data into AI and machine learning models in real-time, moving beyond traditional batch processing methods.
• This capability is crucial for applications requiring immediate decision-making, such as fraud detection, identity verification, and personalized recommendations.
• Clients like MoneyLion and Sunrun utilize Chalk to enhance their services—MoneyLion for instant loan approvals and fraud prevention, and Sunrun for optimizing solar panel placements.

⚙️ Distinct from Traditional Data Platforms
• While platforms like Databricks and Snowflake focus on data preparation and governance, Chalk specializes in real-time inference, addressing the need for up-to-the-moment data processing.
• This distinction allows enterprises to make decisions based on the most current data, improving responsiveness and accuracy in various applications.

🚀 Strategic Growth and Expansion
• The new funding will accelerate the development of Chalk’s compute framework, enhancing integration and usability for developers.
• Plans include expanding engineering and go-to-market teams in San Francisco and New York, aiming to support a broader range of industries beyond fintech, such as healthcare and e-commerce.

🌐 Meeting the Demand for Real-Time AI
• As AI applications become more complex, the demand for real-time data processing grows.
• Chalk’s infrastructure is poised to meet this demand, enabling enterprises to deploy AI models that respond instantly to new information, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and customer experiences.

With this significant investment, Chalk is well-positioned to lead the evolution of AI infrastructure, facilitating real-time decision-making across various sectors.

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📊 Rillet: Rebuilding ERP for the AI Era

New York-based Rillet has secured a $25 million Series A funding round led by Sequoia Capital, with participation from existing investors including First Round Capital, Creandum, and Susa Ventures. This investment aims to transform accounting systems for mid-sized companies by leveraging AI and machine learning technologies.

🧾 AI-Driven Accounting Automation
• Rillet’s platform automates core financial reporting tasks by directly integrating with services like Salesforce, Stripe, Ramp, Brex, and Rippling.
• The system enables finance teams to close books in hours instead of weeks, providing real-time, reconciled financial data for faster decision-making.
• AI agents handle tasks such as accruals, reconciliations, and board reporting, reducing manual workloads for accounting teams.

🚀 Rapid Growth and Market Adoption
• Since its launch, Rillet has experienced a fivefold increase in revenue and has acquired nearly 200 customers, including companies like Windsurf and Decagon.
• The platform is replacing legacy systems like NetSuite, offering a faster and more efficient alternative for mid-sized businesses.
• Data migration to Rillet can be completed in as little as 4–6 weeks, significantly reducing the transition time compared to traditional systems.

💡 Expertise and Vision
• Founded by Nicolas Kopp, former U.S. CEO of N26, Rillet combines deep domain expertise with AI-native technology to rebuild the financial backbone of businesses.
• Sequoia Capital’s investment reflects confidence in Rillet’s approach to modernizing ERP systems and addressing the needs of today’s finance teams.

With this significant funding, Rillet is poised to lead the transformation of accounting systems, bringing AI-powered efficiency and real-time insights to mid-market enterprises.

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⛏ Buildots: Bringing AI-Powered Precision to Construction Sites

Tel Aviv and London-based Buildots has raised $45 million in Series D funding to expand its AI-driven construction management platform. The round was led by Qumra Capital, with participation from OG Tech Partners, TLV Partners, Poalim Equity, Future Energy Ventures, and Viola Growth — bringing total funding to $166 million.

📸 AI + Computer Vision for Construction Execution
• Buildots equips construction managers with 360° cameras mounted on hardhats, capturing real-time site footage during routine walks.
• AI models analyze the footage and compare it with design and schedule plans, flagging delays, errors, and deviations automatically.
• The platform helps teams move from reactive problem-solving to proactive project management, reducing costly mistakes and delays.

📈 Expanding Scope and Global Presence
• With growing traction in North America, Buildots will use the new capital to strengthen its U.S. presence and scale customer acquisition.
• Funds will also support product expansion across more construction lifecycle phases — including benchmarking future builds using historical project data.
• The company reports improving delivery reliability and saving millions across projects for tier-1 contractors.

🧠 Founders with Engineering DNA
• Founded in 2018 by Roy Danon, Yakir Sudry, and Aviv Leibovici — all Israeli Defense Forces tech unit veterans — the team blends construction insight with deep AI expertise.
• Qumra Capital’s Boaz Dinte is joining the board, reinforcing strategic support as Buildots targets larger enterprise deals.

Buildots is cementing its position as a category-definer in construction tech — can it become the default operating system for global project execution?

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📚 Grammarly: Transforming Writing Assistance into an AI Productivity Powerhouse

San Francisco-based Grammarly has secured a monumental $1 billion in non-dilutive financing from General Catalyst’s Customer Value Fund (CVF). This strategic investment aims to accelerate Grammarly’s evolution from a renowned writing assistant into a comprehensive AI-driven productivity platform.

🧠 AI-Powered Expansion and Strategic Growth
• The funding will bolster Grammarly’s sales and marketing efforts, facilitate strategic acquisitions, and enhance product development.
• With over 40 million daily users and annual revenues exceeding $700 million, Grammarly plans to integrate more communication and productivity tools, potentially hosting third-party applications on its platform.

💼 Innovative Financing Model
• Unlike traditional equity financing, this non-dilutive arrangement allows Grammarly to retain its ownership structure.
• General Catalyst will receive a capped return tied to the revenue generated from the capital used, aligning incentives without equity dilution.

🚀 Leadership and Vision
• The appointment of Shishir Mehrotra, former CEO of Coda, as Grammarly’s new leader underscores the company’s commitment to expanding its AI capabilities and productivity tools.
• While there are aspirations to go public, Grammarly is currently focused on product innovation and rapid growth.

This significant investment positions Grammarly to redefine the landscape of AI-powered productivity tools, building upon its strong foundation in writing assistance to offer a broader suite of solutions for users worldwide.

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🕊️ Empathy: Scaling AI-Driven Bereavement Support with $72M Series C

New York-based Empathy has secured a $72 million Series C funding round led by Adams Street Partners, with participation from General Catalyst, Index Ventures, and a coalition of strategic investors. This brings the company’s total funding to $162 million.

🧭 Empathy Alliance: A Strategic Coalition for Compassionate Innovation
• Empathy has launched the Empathy Alliance, a consortium of leading financial institutions and insurers, including Aflac Ventures, Allianz Life Ventures, Citi Impact Fund, Munich Re, MetLife, New York Life, Securian, and TIAA Ventures.
• The Alliance aims to reimagine cultural standards around access to support during life’s most challenging moments.

📈 Expanding Reach and Product Offerings
• Empathy’s platform now supports over 45 million lives across North America, partnering with eight of the top ten U.S. life insurers and over 1,000 employers.
• The recently launched Empathy LifeVault™ allows users to create and securely store legally binding estate plans and essential documents in minutes.

🤖 Integrating AI with Human-Centered Care
• Empathy utilizes AI to enhance its Care Team’s speed, accuracy, and reach, providing real-time insights, guidance, and automation.
• Despite the integration of AI, human care remains central to Empathy’s mission, ensuring compassionate support at scale.

💬 Leadership Perspective
• “We’re honored to support millions of families in their toughest times,” said Ron Gura, Co-Founder & CEO of Empathy.
• Tom Bremner, Partner at Adams Street, added, “Empathy is addressing a critical need with a thoughtful, mission-driven approach to supporting families through life’s challenging moments.”

With this significant funding and strategic partnerships, Empathy is poised to further innovate and expand its platform, providing comprehensive support for individuals navigating loss and legacy planning.

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🧠 Vima: Pioneering the First Oral Therapy for Dystonia

Boston-based Vima Therapeutics has emerged from stealth with $60 million in Series A financing to advance its first-in-class oral treatment for dystonia and related movement disorders. The round was led by Atlas Venture, with participation from Access Industries and Canaan.

🧬 Targeting the Root of Movement Disorders
• Vima’s lead candidate, VIM0423, targets muscarinic cholinergic receptors in the brain, aiming to directly address the neurological basis of dystonia.
• Unlike current therapies that primarily mask symptoms, VIM0423 is designed to offer a disease-modifying, oral solution with improved safety and tolerability.
• A Phase 1 trial is already underway, with Phase 2 expected in Q4 2025.

👥 Unmet Need in a Neglected Space
• Dystonia affects over 1 million people in the U.S., yet treatment options remain limited and largely symptomatic.
• Vima is initially focused on isolated dystonia, impacting 100,000+ individuals, but sees broader potential across related movement disorders.
• Existing therapies often fail due to poor tolerability and lack of efficacy, creating a clear opportunity for innovation.

🧪 Experienced Team, Fast-Moving Pipeline
• CEO and founder Dr. Bernard Ravina is a movement disorder specialist with deep CNS drug development experience.
• The R&D team is led by Dr. Judith Dunn, former Head of Global Clinical Development at Roche and Biogen.
• The company combines CNS biology, medicinal chemistry, and translational neuroscience to accelerate pipeline development.

💭 Strategic Angle
• By focusing on muscarinic receptor modulation—a validated but underutilized pathway—Vima aims to reopen a clinically relevant target with a next-gen approach.
• Backing from Atlas, Canaan, and Access suggests confidence in both the scientific platform and commercialization path.

With a significant war chest and a leadership team rooted in neuroscience, Vima is betting big on delivering the first oral, disease-modifying therapy for dystonia—a category still waiting for its breakthrough.

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🏋️‍♀️ RoxFit: Powering the Digital Future of Hybrid Fitness Training

York-based RoxFit is building the definitive training platform for the fast-growing world of Hyrox and hybrid fitness. Backed by a £800K pre-seed round led by DSW Ventures, with participation from York Angels and international investors, the company is accelerating product development to meet surging demand.

🧠 Built for Competitive Functional Athletes
• RoxFit combines race result analysis, training plans, and performance tracking tailored specifically for hybrid racing.
• Its PaceMe smartwatch integration delivers live pacing feedback during workouts and races—critical in time-based competitions like Hyrox.
• Since launching in 2024, RoxFit has surpassed 100,000 downloads, signaling early product-market fit in a passionate niche.

💼 Team with Proven Fitness Tech Chops
• CEO Ben Wilson leads product and engineering, with a background in building user-first tech products.
• CMO Joey Allott, formerly at Runna (acquired by Strava), brings proven expertise in fitness growth and community building.
• Chair Tom Sermon, ex-CEO of The Global Corporate Challenge (acquired by Virgin Pulse), adds global scaling experience in digital health.

🚀 Positioned at the Heart of a Fitness Revolution
• Hybrid fitness—combining endurance and functional strength—is one of the fastest-growing competitive formats globally.
• RoxFit aims to become the central digital platform for athletes training for Hyrox, DEKA, and similar events.
• The team will use the new capital to enhance personalization, expand content, and deepen race-specific features.

With its purpose-built tech, focused leadership, and early traction, RoxFit is poised to lead the digital transformation of hybrid training—meeting athletes where the sport is headed, not where it’s been.

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⚡ Heron Power: Tesla Alums Transforming the Future of Grid Technology

Heron Power, founded by former Tesla engineers, is developing next-generation power electronics and control systems designed to make the electric grid more stable, resilient, and capable of integrating renewable energy sources seamlessly.

🔋 Innovating for a Smarter, More Flexible Grid
• The company’s modular and scalable technology enables utilities and microgrids to manage energy flow dynamically, addressing challenges posed by intermittent renewables like solar and wind.
• Their solutions focus on improving grid stability and accelerating response times, key factors as power networks evolve toward decentralization and decarbonization.

🔬 Expertise Rooted in Industry Experience
• Heron Power’s leadership team comes from Tesla’s Powertrain and Energy divisions, combining deep engineering knowledge with practical experience in battery and grid-scale power systems.
• This expertise underpins the company’s ability to develop utility-ready technologies that meet real-world demands.

🚀 Scaling to Meet Growing Energy Infrastructure Needs
• Recently closing a $38 million Series A led by Energy Impact Partners, Heron Power plans to use the capital to expand product development, pilot deployments, and commercial partnerships.
• The company aims to work closely with utilities and energy regulators to accelerate adoption of its grid modernization technologies amid rising global demand.
• As grids worldwide transition toward cleaner energy and smarter management, Heron Power is positioned to capture a significant share of this expanding market.

With its strong technical foundation and strategic growth plans, Heron Power is poised to drive critical innovation in the energy sector’s shift toward a cleaner, more reliable grid.

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🩺 Omada Health: Reinventing Chronic Care

Omada Health, a digital health pioneer, is preparing to go public on the Nasdaq with a targeted $1.1 billion valuation. Its virtual care platform tackles chronic conditions with a hybrid model that’s gaining traction as employers seek scalable, cost-effective health solutions.

📱 A Platform for “Between-Visit” Care
• Omada’s solution manages diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and mental health through a continuous virtual care model, supplementing traditional healthcare.
• The company serves over 2,000 employers and health plans, with more than 679,000 active members as of Q1 2025.
• Programs integrate devices, behavioral coaching, and clinical services—designed to reduce hospital visits and improve long-term outcomes.

📈 Financial Growth and IPO Momentum
• Omada filed for an IPO aiming to raise $158M by offering 7.9M shares at $18–$20 each.
• Revenue grew 38% YoY in 2024 to $169.8M, with a 57% jump in Q1 2025 alone, hitting $55M.
• Losses are narrowing: Q1 2025 net loss was $9.4M vs. $19M in Q1 2024—indicating a path toward profitability.

💼 Backers and Boardroom Strength
• Investors include Andreessen Horowitz, Fidelity, U.S. Venture Partners, and Wellington.
• IPO underwriters include Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, and JPMorgan, signaling strong institutional confidence.

🌐 Strategic Timing as Virtual Care Rebounds
• Omada’s IPO comes amid a cautious market, where others like Klarna and StubHub are waiting.
• But demand for scalable, outcome-based healthcare is resurging, especially from employers focused on chronic care ROI.
• The IPO could serve as a bellwether for the digital health sector’s second wave—more grounded in clinical results and payer value.

With traction, tightening financials, and a model aligned to long-term trends in employer health and value-based care, Omada could emerge as a category-defining public company in digital chronic care.

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🤖 Inven: Transforming Private Market Deal Sourcing with AI

Helsinki-based fintech startup Inven has secured $12.75 million in Series A funding to revolutionize how private market deals are sourced. By leveraging artificial intelligence, Inven aims to provide investment professionals with a more efficient and insightful approach to identifying opportunities in the private sector.

🔍 AI-Powered Deal Discovery
• Inven’s platform continuously analyzes data from over 21 million companies across 160+ countries, utilizing information from millions of sources, including company websites, news outlets, and regulatory filings.
• The AI-native system employs advanced natural language processing to process unstructured data, enabling it to surface investment opportunities that might otherwise go unnoticed.

💼 Strategic Funding and Expansion Plans
• The Series A round was co-led by Ventech and Vendep Capital, with participation from angel investor Risto Siilasmaa, founder of F-Secure and former Chair of Nokia, along with existing backers Lifeline Ventures and Joint Effects.
• With the new capital, Inven plans to double or triple its workforce over the next 12 to 18 months, focusing on expanding its AI engineering, product development, and customer success teams.
• The company also aims to broaden its presence in North America and other key financial hubs globally.

👥 Experienced Founding Team
• Founded in 2022 by former consultants from McKinsey and BCG—Niilo Pirttijärvi, Ekku Jokinen, and Tommi Kupiainen—Inven was born out of firsthand experience with the inefficiencies in traditional deal sourcing methods.
• Their combined expertise in consulting and technology has been instrumental in developing a platform that addresses the complexities of the private market landscape.

📈 Growing Adoption Among Investment Professionals
• Over 700 firms across Europe and the U.S., including investment banks, private equity firms, and consultants, are currently utilizing Inven’s platform to streamline their deal sourcing processes.
• The platform’s ability to deliver timely and relevant insights has made it an invaluable tool for professionals seeking a competitive edge in the market.

With its innovative approach and strong backing, Inven is poised to become a leading force in the evolution of private market deal sourcing.

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🎮 Oncade: Reshaping Game Distribution by Putting Power Back in Players’ Hands

San Francisco-based gaming startup Oncade has raised $4 million in seed funding to reinvent how games are sold and shared. By letting developers sell directly to players—and rewarding communities that help spread the word—Oncade is flipping the script on app stores and traditional game distribution channels.

⚙️ A New Model for Game Monetization
• Oncade enables developers to launch their own storefronts, sell games directly, and bypass fees from Steam, the App Store, and Google Play.
• The platform lets players act as affiliates—promoting games and in-game items in exchange for revenue share.
• It supports presales, live ops, and global payouts via stablecoin rails, offering speed, transparency, and ownership.

🚀 Backed by Builders and Gaming Vets
• The $4M round was led by a16z crypto’s CSX initiative, with participation from Balaji Srinivasan, Twitch co-founder Kevin Lin, and other gaming insiders.
• Oncade plans to use the funds to scale its platform and grow its developer base across mobile and PC ecosystems.

👾 Founded by Gaming Industry Veterans
• Co-founders Stavros Lee and Greg Reisdorf bring deep experience from EA, Activision, OUYA, Meta, and Coinbase.
• Their vision: empower developers and players to share in the economics of game publishing and discovery.

📉 Tackling the Discovery and Cost Problem
• Game studios today face steep platform fees and rising customer acquisition costs.
• Oncade turns discovery into a community-driven function—rewarding creators, streamers, and players who help games find their audience.

By decentralizing distribution and aligning incentives, Oncade is giving the gaming world a platform that’s more open, more direct, and more player-first.

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🧬 Hormona: Revolutionizing Women’s Hormone Health with AI and At-Home Testing

London-based health-tech startup Hormona has secured $6.6 million (£5M) in seed funding to transform how women monitor and manage their hormonal health. By integrating AI-driven analytics with at-home testing, Hormona aims to provide women with real-time insights into their hormonal fluctuations, eliminating the need for frequent lab visits and invasive procedures.

🔬 Innovative Approach to Hormone Monitoring
• Hormona’s at-home tests are fully quantitative, covering the complete clinical range with over 90% accuracy compared to standard venous blood samples.
• The platform offers ongoing monitoring at a fraction of the cost of traditional hormone panels, which can exceed $175 per test.
• Users receive personalized insights into their hormonal phases, symptom-reduction strategies, cycle-specific nutrition advice, and partner alerts through a monthly subscription model.

📌 Founders Driven by Personal Experience
• Founded in 2020 by CEO Karolina Löfqvist and COO Jasmine Tagesson, Hormona was born out of Löfqvist’s personal struggle with undiagnosed hormonal issues.
• Their combined expertise in consulting, user experience, and product development has been instrumental in creating a platform that addresses the complexities of women’s hormonal health.

📈 Rapid Growth and User Engagement
• Hormona’s app has been downloaded in over 190 countries, experiencing 30% month-over-month growth.
• The platform boasts an 80% user retention rate after one year, indicating strong user engagement and satisfaction.

💼 Strategic Funding and Expansion Plans
• The seed round was led by Helsinki-based Voima Ventures and co-led by SuperNode Global in London, with participation from DLF Ventures, Nascent Invest, and Techstars.
• The new capital will support the launch of additional hormone tests, expansion of B2B partnerships, and enhancement of infrastructure, marketing, and customer support.
• Voima Ventures’ Inka Mero and SuperNode’s Gina King will join Hormona’s all-female board, bringing valuable expertise to guide the company’s next growth phase.

Hormona’s innovative approach and strong backing position it to become a leading force in the evolution of women’s hormonal health management.

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⚡️ REplace: Fast-Tracking Clean Energy Projects with AI Site Intelligence

REplace, a climate tech startup based in the U.S., has raised $2.1 million in pre-seed funding to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy and data center infrastructure. The startup uses AI to drastically cut the time it takes to assess land and grid compatibility—one of the biggest bottlenecks in clean energy development.

🧠 Instant Site Selection with AI
• REplace’s platform evaluates over 50 variables—including grid access, land ownership, permitting complexity, and market dynamics—to identify optimal sites for energy projects.
• What previously took weeks or months can now be done in seconds, helping developers avoid dead-end projects and start building faster.

💸 Pre-Seed Backing from Climate and Infra Angels
• The $2.1M round was led by Gravity Climate and Techstars, with participation from Malbec Ventures, Adam/a, and angels with backgrounds in solar, energy, and data infra.
• This brings REplace’s total funding to $2.175M. The capital will be used to expand engineering capacity, enhance its AI feature set, and scale across U.S. markets.

🚀 Traction with Industry Leaders
• Already in use by major players like Iberdrola (via Kyoto), EDF Renewables, Doral Energy, Elawan, and Bithenergy, REplace is proving its value to large-scale energy developers.
• The platform helps reduce early-stage failure risk—critical in a market where 80% of U.S. clean energy projects stall before reaching construction.

👨‍💻 Founded by Developers, for Developers
• REplace was founded in 2023 by Matias Sigal (CEO) and Alan Algamis (CTO), both with experience navigating energy development challenges firsthand.
• Their insight into the friction in site selection helped shape REplace’s core product: an AI-first tool that removes uncertainty at the earliest stage.

In a world racing to electrify everything, REplace wants to make sure projects don’t die on the drawing board. Will AI finally unblock clean energy at scale?

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🛸 Neuralink: Building Brain-Computer Interfaces for Thought-Based Control

Elon Musk’s Neuralink has raised $650 million in Series E funding to accelerate the rollout of its brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies. The round boosts Neuralink’s valuation to nearly $9 billion, marking one of the largest financings in the neurotech sector to date.

🧬 Brain Implants That Let You Control Devices by Thought
• Neuralink’s first product, Telepathy, uses ultra-thin threads implanted in the brain to detect neural activity and translate it into digital commands.
• It enables patients with severe paralysis to control devices—like phones, keyboards, or robotic limbs—just by thinking.
• Five people have already received the implant, with trials underway in the U.S., Canada, and UAE.

💸 Deep Bench of Backers in Series E
• Investors in this mega-round include Founders Fund, Sequoia, Thrive Capital, Lightspeed, and ARK Invest.
• The new capital will support R&D, clinical deployment, and scaling the patient onboarding process.
• Neuralink has now raised over $1 billion since its founding in 2016.

👁 Expanding Into Vision Restoration
• Neuralink is also working on Blindsight, a device aimed at restoring sight to the blind by bypassing damaged optic nerves.
• The FDA granted it “Breakthrough Device” status, expediting its path to human trials.
• It reflects Neuralink’s broader ambition to treat neurological conditions, not just enhance healthy brains.

⚔️ Racing Ahead in a Crowded Field
• Neuralink is in active competition with startups like Synchron, Paradromics, and Precision Neuroscience, which are also racing to bring BCI products to market.
• Unlike its rivals, Neuralink is taking a high-bandwidth, fully implantable approach—betting on long-term AI integration and full-brain interfacing.

With a $9B valuation and FDA-cleared trials underway, Neuralink is no longer just a moonshot—it’s a serious contender to redefine the relationship between humans and machines. But can it move fast enough to maintain its lead?

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🧠 Paradromics: Achieving a Milestone in Brain-Computer Interface Technology

Paradromics, a neurotechnology startup based in Austin, Texas, has successfully completed its first human implantation of the Connexus brain-computer interface (BCI), marking a significant advancement in the field.

🧪 First Human Implantation of Connexus BCI
• On May 14, 2025, during a scheduled epilepsy surgery at the University of Michigan, neurosurgeons temporarily implanted the Connexus device into a patient’s temporal lobe.
• The procedure lasted approximately 10 to 15 minutes, during which the device recorded neural activity, demonstrating its capability to capture meaningful brain signals.

💡 Advancements in Neural Signal Recording
• Connexus features a compact design—smaller than a dime—with 420 electrodes capable of high-resolution signal capture at the neuron level.
• This design aims to decode speech-related neural activity more precisely, potentially translating brain signals into speech, text, and cursor movements.

🔬 Transition to Clinical Trials
• Following this successful procedure, Paradromics plans to initiate long-term clinical trials by the end of 2025, pending FDA approval.
• The trials will focus on individuals with severe motor impairments, such as those resulting from ALS, stroke, or paralysis, aiming to restore communication abilities.

💰 Strategic Partnerships and Funding
• In February 2025, Paradromics announced a strategic investment from Saudi Arabia’s Neom, signaling growing international interest in BCI technology.
• To date, the company has raised nearly $100 million in funding, supporting its mission to develop high data-rate BCI systems.

🏁 Positioning in the BCI Landscape
• Paradromics’ recent achievement positions it as a notable competitor to other BCI developers, including Elon Musk’s Neuralink, which has also been conducting human trials.
• The successful human implantation of Connexus underscores Paradromics’ commitment to advancing neurotechnology and its potential to impact individuals with severe motor impairments.

As Paradromics moves forward with clinical trials, the company’s innovative approach to brain-computer interfaces holds promise for transforming the lives of individuals facing significant communication challenges.

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💳 Chime: Digital Banking Pioneer

Chime, the mobile-first fintech known for eliminating banking fees, has officially filed for its long-awaited IPO. The company is aiming for an $11.2 billion valuation—less than half its 2021 private market peak but still one of the largest fintech exits in years.

🏦 Mobile Banking for the Underserved
• Offers no-fee checking, high-yield savings, and early access to paychecks via partner banks (Bancorp and Stride).
• Targets the 60M+ Americans earning under $100K, positioning itself as the anti-bank bank.
• Became a category-defining brand through simplicity, gamified savings tools, and rapid mobile onboarding.

📈 IPO Mechanics and Market Signal
• Chime plans to list under the ticker CHYM, offering 32M shares at $24–$26 each—raising up to $832M.
• The offering is led by Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, and Morgan Stanley.
• This IPO is seen as a bellwether for fintech recovery after a muted market in 2022–2024.

💰 From $25B Down to Earth
• Last valued at $25B in 2021 (led by Sequoia), Chime is repricing in line with public comps like SoFi and Nubank.
• The company will use proceeds to cover RSU taxes and invest in customer growth.
• Despite the markdown, Chime remains one of the most successful consumer fintechs to date.

🛸 Founded for Frictionless Finance
• Founded in 2013 by Chris Britt (ex-Comcast) and Ryan King (ex-Plaxo), who saw big banks profiting off consumer mistakes.
• Their thesis: “No overdraft fees” and automated savings would resonate with middle-income users burned by traditional banks.

Chime’s IPO could reopen the fintech floodgates—but will public markets reward growth without big margins?

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