Startups

How TRIC Robotics is reducing pesticide use on strawberries using UV light

Strawberries are the most popular berry in the U.S. for both consumers and farmers alike. They’re also some of the most pesticide-reliant fruits and consistently top the Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen” list of the most contaminated produce. TRIC Robotics, a San Luis Obispo, California-based, think it can help strawberry farmers reduce chemical use with […]

How TRIC Robotics is reducing pesticide use on strawberries using UV light Read More »

Amazon backs programmable optics startup Lumotive

Programmable optics startup Lumotive has added a few more strategic backers to its recent Series B round. Redmond, Washington-based Lumotive reopened its recent Series B funding round to bring in Amazon, through its Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund, and ITHCA Group, the technology investment arm of Oman’s sovereign wealth fund, as investors. These fresh funds bring

Amazon backs programmable optics startup Lumotive Read More »

Figma’s Dylan Field will cash out about $60M in IPO, with Index, Kleiner, Greylock, Sequoia all selling, too

When Figma announced its initial hoped-for price range on Monday ($25-$28), it also revealed an unusual decision for its highly anticipated IPO.  It will allow existing shareholders to sell more shares than the company plans to sell, by a high ratio. The company plans to offer about 12.5 million shares. Yet existing shareholders will be

Figma’s Dylan Field will cash out about $60M in IPO, with Index, Kleiner, Greylock, Sequoia all selling, too Read More »

Astronomer CEO resigns following Coldplay concert scandal

Andy Byron, the startup executive at the center of an extraordinary social media furor, has resigned as CEO of data operations startup Astronomer.  Byron, who is married, was captured on a Coldplay concert “kiss cam” with his arms around the company’s chief people officer Kristin Cabot. After Byron and Cabot quickly tried to hide from

Astronomer CEO resigns following Coldplay concert scandal Read More »

‘Utopian’ city California Forever announces huge tech manufacturing park 

California Forever announced on Thursday plans to build a massive manufacturing park called Solano Foundry, the newest addition to its master-planned “utopian” city backed by a group of Silicon Valley billionaires. Solano Foundry is 2,100 acres that can host 40 million square feet of advanced tech manufacturing space. The manufacturing park will be built as

‘Utopian’ city California Forever announces huge tech manufacturing park  Read More »

Hadrian raises $260M to build out automated factories for space and defense parts

Investors are continuing to rally behind the call to reindustrialize American industry, this time by building out a $260 million war chest for automated manufacturing startup Hadrian to scale its factory footprint and make even more machine parts. Hadrian’s aim is to modernize American manufacturing by leveraging advance automation to deliver mass-produced parts for aerospace

Hadrian raises $260M to build out automated factories for space and defense parts Read More »

Boulevard raises $80M to power self-care boom driven by Botox and GLP-1 surge

The beauty industry has seen an explosion of offerings recently. Customers can now access treatments far beyond basic hair and nail care, from wrinkle-smoothing Botox and fillers to permanent laser hair removal and even weight management through GLP-1 medications. Riding this wave of industry growth is Boulevard, a provider of scheduling and payment software for

Boulevard raises $80M to power self-care boom driven by Botox and GLP-1 surge Read More »

Transit software startup Via confidentially files for an IPO

Via, the transit software startup that garnered attention for its consumer-facing on-demand shuttle service, said it has filed confidentially for an initial public offering. Via has been batting around plans for an IPO for years. The company filed confidentially for an IPO in 2021, but never took the next official and regulatory steps to enter

Transit software startup Via confidentially files for an IPO Read More »