Articles tagged with "startup-funding"
Self-driving trucks startup Einride raises $100M
Einride, a Swedish startup specializing in electric and autonomous freight vehicles, has raised $100 million from new and existing investors, including its largest shareholder EQT Ventures and quantum computing firm IonQ. The company did not disclose its post-money valuation. Founded in 2016, Einride aims to disrupt the freight industry with its electric big rigs, autonomous pod-like trucks without steering wheels or pedals, and planning software for shippers. Its fleet operates across Europe, North America, and the UAE, serving clients such as PepsiCo, Carlsberg Sweden, and DP World. The startup has made progress with autonomous pods through partnerships with Apotea in Sweden and GE Appliances in the U.S. The new funding will support Einride’s efforts to scale its three core business products and accelerate the deployment of its autonomous freight technology. The company has faced challenges common to the autonomous vehicle sector, including the lengthy and costly transition from development to commercial operations. In recent leadership changes, co-founder Robert Falck stepped
robotautonomous-vehicleselectric-trucksfreight-technologytransportation-innovationstartup-fundinglogistics-automationPreparing for your later-stage raise: Insider strategies from top investors at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
The article highlights an upcoming session at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, scheduled for October 29 at the Builders Stage in San Francisco, focused on strategies for securing later-stage funding. The session emphasizes that raising late-stage capital requires more than just meeting revenue goals; founders must craft compelling narratives, monitor key metrics, and cultivate long-term investor relationships. Attendees can expect practical advice, candid insights, and actionable frameworks from experienced investors and founders to better prepare for major funding rounds. The panel features three prominent experts: Andrea Thomaz, CEO and co-founder of Diligent Robotics, who offers a founder’s perspective on building investor trust in AI hardware startups; Zeya Yang, partner at IVP with a background in AI-native startups and product leadership at major tech firms; and Lila Preston, head of growth equity at Generation Investment Management, known for scaling impact-driven companies with a global outlook. The article also promotes early registration for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, highlighting significant ticket savings available
robotAI-hardwaresocial-roboticscollaborative-roboticshealthcare-roboticsventure-capitalstartup-fundingTED leader’s $300M ‘valley of death’ fund might be just what later-stage climate tech needs
The article discusses a new $300 million fund called All Aboard, led by Chris Anderson, former head of TED Talks, designed to address the significant financing gap—often called the "valley of death" or "missing middle"—that climate tech startups face between early-stage funding and growth capital. This gap is especially wide in climate tech because many startups focus on hardware solutions that require expensive first-of-a-kind power plants or factories, often costing tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. All Aboard aims to provide equity or convertible equity investments, rather than loans or project-specific financing, to help startups secure the $100 million to $200 million rounds necessary to scale their technologies commercially. The fund brings together a coalition of prominent climate-focused venture firms, including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Khosla Ventures, and Energy Impact Partners, among others. While participation in the fund does not require investment from these partners, their involvement is intended to create a "Sequoia-like" signal to attract additional
energyclimate-techclean-energyventure-capitalstartup-fundingclimate-technologyenergy-investmentRivian spinoff Also raises another $200M to build e-bikes and more
Also Inc., a micromobility startup that was spun out of electric vehicle maker Rivian earlier in 2023, has secured an additional $200 million in funding from Greenoaks Capital. This latest investment raises Also’s valuation to $1 billion post-money. Previously, the company had raised $105 million from Eclipse Ventures shortly after its separation from Rivian. Originally formed as an internal project at Rivian in 2022 called Project Inder, Also began developing an e-bike with design input from Jony Ive’s firm LoveFrom. Now operating independently, Also aims to produce a range of micro-electric vehicles (micro-EVs) and plans to unveil its initial designs later this year. Both Rivian and Also have not provided comments on the funding or future plans as of the report.
energyelectric-bikesmicromobilityelectric-vehiclesstartup-fundingsustainable-transportationRivian-spin-offTulum Energy rediscovered a forgotten hydrogen tech and used it to raise $27M
Tulum Energy emerged from a forgotten discovery made between 2002 and 2005 by engineers at the Techint Group, who accidentally created a pyrolysis reaction in an electric arc furnace that split methane into pure hydrogen and solid carbon without producing carbon dioxide. This reaction, which was initially overlooked due to limited interest in methane pyrolysis and hydrogen at the time, was rediscovered by Techint’s corporate venture arm, TechEnergy Ventures, as they sought cleaner hydrogen production methods. Leveraging this accidental innovation, Techint spun out Tulum Energy, which recently secured an oversubscribed $27 million seed funding round led by TDK Ventures and CDP Venture Capital to develop the technology commercially. Tulum Energy’s approach to methane pyrolysis stands out because it does not require expensive catalysts, unlike some competitors, and uses a modified version of widely available electric arc furnace technology. The company plans to build a pilot plant in Mexico adjacent to a Techint steel plant, with the potential for the plant to directly
energyhydrogen-productionmethane-pyrolysisclean-energyelectric-arc-furnacecarbon-emissionsstartup-fundingThree powerhouses cover how to prepare now for your later-stage raise at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, taking place October 27–29 at Moscone West in San Francisco, will feature a crucial session on preparing for later-stage fundraising, specifically targeting founders aiming for significant funding rounds like Series C. The panel, scheduled for October 29 on the Builders Stage, emphasizes that successful late-stage capital raises require more than just strong revenue; founders must craft compelling narratives, monitor key metrics, and nurture investor relationships well in advance. This session promises practical frameworks and candid insights to help startups strategically position themselves for major funding. The panel includes three industry experts: Zeya Yang, a partner at IVP with a background in AI-native startups and product leadership; Lila Preston, head of growth equity at Generation Investment Management, known for scaling impact-driven companies globally; and Andrea Thomaz, CEO and co-founder of Diligent Robotics, who brings firsthand founder experience in AI and robotics innovation. Their combined perspectives offer a comprehensive guide for founders preparing to raise substantial capital. Att
robotAIautomationroboticshealthcare-roboticsstartup-fundingventure-capitalStartups Weekly: No sign of pause
The article "Startups Weekly: No sign of pause" highlights the continued dynamism in the startup ecosystem despite major industry events like WWDC, with June seeing numerous significant deals and IPO announcements. It underscores that startup trajectories are often nonlinear, exemplified by neobank Chime’s near-collapse in 2016 before its highly anticipated IPO. Other notable startups include Nucleus Genomics, which offers controversial embryo genetic testing, and Automattic, the WordPress.com owner, which continues to support its personal CRM app after raising substantial venture capital. The piece also details key venture capital and funding developments, spotlighting several large and strategic investments. Multiverse Computing raised about $215 million for its technology that reduces the size and cost of large language models, while enterprise AI company Glean’s valuation surged to $7.2 billion. Other highlighted startups include Fervo Energy, backed by Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Catalyst for geothermal projects; German nuclear fuel startup Proxima Fusion; delivery robot company Coco Robotics
energygeothermal-energyfusion-energyroboticsdelivery-robotsAI-integrationstartup-fundingStandard Nuclear emerges from the ashes of a failed startup
Standard Nuclear has launched with $42 million in funding to develop advanced nuclear fuel, building upon assets acquired from the bankruptcy of Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC) for $28 million. The new company’s CEO, Kurt Terrani, was formerly USNC’s vice president. The funding round was led by Decisive Point, with participation from Andreessen Horowitz and others. Standard Nuclear has secured $100 million in non-binding fuel sales projected for 2027 and is collaborating with customers such as Nano Nuclear Energy and Radiant Industries. The company acknowledges that acquiring USNC’s assets accelerated its timeline. USNC had focused on commercializing TRISO fuel—uranium pellets coated with carbon- and ceramic-based layers—which is considered safer and more meltdown-resistant than traditional nuclear fuel, though it has not been widely used since its development in the 1950s. USNC’s history was marked by a broad and ambitious business model, including two reactor designs, nuclear propulsion, and spacecraft heating systems, but it was primarily funded by a single investor, Richard Hollis Helms, who invested over $100 million plus loans. Helms, a former CIA Arabist, founded USNC after retiring from intelligence work. Despite efforts to raise more capital in 2022, USNC struggled financially and declared bankruptcy in October 2024 amid mounting debts and payroll issues. Standard Nuclear, led by Decisive Point founder Thomas Hendrix, purchased USNC’s fuel-related assets in a bankruptcy auction completed in February 2025, establishing its operational base and continuing the development of TRISO fuel technology.
energynuclear-energyadvanced-nuclear-fuelTRISO-fuelstartup-fundingnuclear-materialsnuclear-reactorsSupio, an AI-powered legal analysis platform, lands $60M
AIlegaltechstartup-fundingventure-capitalautomationlegal-analysistechnologyNear Space Labs nabs $20M to take its high-res imaging Swift robots into the stratosphere
Near-Space-Labshigh-resolution-imagingstratosphereaerial-photographystartup-fundinghelium-balloon-technologySeries-B-roundA16z backs UK startup Dex to scale ‘AI talent agent’ and recruitment matchmaker
AI-recruitmenttalent-matchingstartup-fundingAndreessen-HorowitzUK-techemployee-retentiontechnology-innovation