Cash flow can be volatile for small and medium businesses (SMBs). Half of US B2B invoices are currently overdue, and 60% of SMBs struggle with delayed payments, damaging the foundational stability of any enterprise. Outdated, manual systems that SMBs rely on exacerbate the already fraught task of signing contracts and collecting payments on time. Anchor’s platform is the first of its kind to deliver a fully integrated, digital-first approach to managing proposals, agreements, invoicing, billing, and payments – all at no upfront cost to the customer.

At the core of Anchor’s solution is the move away from rigid, PDF-based manual workflows to digitally native and interactive proposals and agreements. This foundational shift enables unparalleled simplicity, flexibility, and certainty from the very first step of the transaction journey. Traditional workflows can involve up to 50 steps, resulting in errors, fraud, delays, and inefficiencies. Anchor digitizes and consolidates every step into one seamless system. Anchor’s customers often see a more than 30% increase in profits, reduction in revenue losses from over 5% to under 1%, and a reduction in agreement signing time from over 45 days to less than 24 hours.

“Small businesses are the beating heart of the economy, and yet too many are becoming casualties to the unnecessary manual work associated with invoicing and payments. Existing solutions can’t address the current payment challenges because they are shackled to the limiting legacy of the non-dynamic PDF era. Anchor brings a truly innovative approach, leaving behind outdated processes,” said Rom Lakritz, CEO & Co-Founder of Anchor. “We are fortunate to have industry leaders as investors supporting us on this journey, as we continue to deliver value, not just to businesses but to the broader economy they are part of.”

Anchor serves US professional service businesses, with particular strength in accounting, bookkeeping, and tax firms. With its sophisticated functionality and innovative platform, Anchor is revolutionizing how businesses operate while also presenting a radical pricing model with tremendous benefits for customers. As the only free-to-use product, with no monthly subscription or processing fees, and only a flat $5 fee per transaction, Anchor is moving away from the outmoded approach of taking a percentage of the payment being processed. Built around a vision of getting paid only when its customers are paid, Anchor is making it easier and fairer for businesses when managing their payments and invoices.

 “By transforming customer operations away from file-based point solutions to a digital-based end-to-end system, Anchor is radically improving customer efficiency, resulting in dramatic expense reduction, revenue growth and cash flow improvement. Anchor’s solution will materially improve the survival rates of small and medium businesses, driving economic growth on a broader scale,” said Sam Landman from Mosaic General Partnerships. “After witnessing their exponential growth, and hearing the intense customer love for the product, we couldn’t be more delighted to join Anchor in order to fully realize their vision.”

With tremendous growth of over 500% in 2024, the company is poised to help tens of thousands of businesses combat inefficiencies and unlock new potential. By reinventing how businesses manage time and money, Anchor is building a future where every business, no matter its size, can thrive.

About Anchor
Anchor is reinventing financial workflows for small and medium businesses by simplifying proposals, agreements, invoicing, and payments. By moving away from rigid, PDF-based workflows to digitally native proposals and interactive agreements, Anchor enables businesses to eliminate inefficiencies, reduce revenue loss, and enhance cash flow. Trusted by thousands of accounting and professional-service business owners, Anchor is committed to enabling businesses to thrive in an increasingly complex financial landscape. For more information, visit www.sayanchor.com.

Media Contact
Gavriella Weinreb
[email protected]

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2609631/Team_Anchor.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2609632/Anchor_Billing_Collections_Platform.jpg

SOURCE Anchor

John Kennedy awarded $100,000 Fellowship to transform classroom air with affordable, DIY air purifiers

GREENWICH, Conn., Jan. 30, 2025 — O’Shaughnessy Ventures LLC (OSV), an investment firm that empowers creators, has awarded an O’Shaughnessy Fellowship to John Kennedy, a founder, investor and education leader based in North Carolina.

Kennedy will scale the Corsi-Rosenthal Foundation’s Clean Air K12 initiative, which provides schools with grants, support and resources for do-it-yourself (DIY) air purifiers known as Corsi-Rosenthal Boxes. He will pursue the initiative’s first district-wide implementation, which will take place in the Greater Houston area.

Poorly ventilated elementary schools can significantly affect students’ health and cognitive performance. The Corsi-Rosenthal Box is a powerful, DIY air purifier that users can build for $60. It is easy to construct, with instructions available on Corsi-Rosenthal’s website. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency testing has demonstrated that, after running for one hour, the box is 99.4% effective in removing infectious aerosols in a typical room.

OSV’s founder and CEO, Jim O’Shaughnessy, commented, “The Corsi-Rosenthal Box is a simple, affordable solution to classroom air quality problems. We’re excited to support John and the Corsi-Rosenthal team in rolling out this innovation as widely as possible.”

“Nobody gets to choose the air they breathe. At Clean Air K12, we believe that schools deserve better indoor air, and that we can transform classrooms through DIY air purifiers,” said Kennedy. “The O’Shaughnessy Fellowship is a transformative opportunity for us to grow our classroom-level grant program and, for the first time, pursue system and district-level partnerships. We’re honored to be a vehicle for change and offer students and educators a fresh breath of air.”

About John Kennedy

John Kennedy is a director at the Corsi-Rosenthal Foundation and leads the Clean Air K12 initiative. Previously, he founded and served as CEO of Mesa Cloud, a graduation tracking platform acquired by Panorama Education in 2023. Kennedy was a high school student when he founded Mesa Cloud in 2017. He currently leads AI Solutions for Panorama Education, is an angel investor and sits on the investment committee of a southeastern family office. Kennedy graduated from the University of North Carolina, where he was an Innovation Scholar.

About the Fellowship Program

The O’Shaughnessy Fellowships program, launched in 2023, discovers and empowers the world’s boldest creatives, builders and researchers. Fellows receive a $100,000 grant and access to OSV’s network of founders, investors and experts.

OSV will award 12 Fellowships in 2025. Applicants will also be considered for the O’Shaughnessy Grants program, which provides 20 additional $10,000 grants to promising innovators.

Kennedy is the second Fellow of 2025. More information about previous Fellows is available on OSV’s website.

Applications for the Fellowships remain open until and including April 30, 2025. Individuals interested in applying can do so via OSV’s website.

About O’Shaughnessy Ventures

OSV is a creative investment firm that empowers and inspires creators to bring their ideas to life. Founded by Jim O’Shaughnessy, a pioneer in quantitative investing, founder of O’Shaughnessy Asset Management, and author of four books on investing, OSV aims to provide financial support and to partner in growing the next life-changing creative ideas.

OSV combines Jim’s deeply rooted interest in all things art, science, investing and tech with his long-held desire to establish scenarios designed to help promising creators and their inspiring ideas succeed, regardless of age, location, job history or level of education. For more information, visit OSV’s website.

Media Contact:
Ena Gong
O’Shaughnessy Ventures LLC
(917) 355-7420
[email protected] 

SOURCE O’Shaughnessy Ventures

CANYON, Texas, Jan. 30, 2025 — SaveBeef.org, a nonprofit organization dedicated to safeguarding the long-term viability of the beef industry, is proud to announce its launch of the Strategic Beef Reserve initiative. This forward-thinking program aims to stabilize the beef market, ensure a sustainable supply chain, and protect the interests of Ranchers, Processors, Consumers, and the environment.

As part of this groundbreaking initiative, SaveBeef.org will be accepting Bitcoin donations to fund the development and maintenance of the Strategic Beef Reserve. The decision to incorporate cryptocurrency underscores the organization’s commitment to leveraging innovative financial solutions to drive positive change in the agricultural sector.

Strategic Beef Reserve: Designed to store and manage beef stocks in a way that combats supply chain disruptions, and supports Ranchers, Processors and Consumers alike. The beef industry faces increasing challenges, from fluctuating market prices to environmental pressures and disruptions in global trade. SaveBeef.org’s Strategic Beef Reserve seeks to address these issues by creating a buffer to ensure stability and continuity within the sector. This initiative is crucial to providing Ranchers and Processors with the confidence to continue their vital work and produce high-quality beef for generations to come. Working strategically to ensure availability of beef and beef related products through herd-share and cooperative agricultural practices, the initiative will ensure that beef remains accessible even during times of crisis or supply shortages.

Bitcoin: Incorporating Bitcoin into the initiative reflects SaveBeef.org’s forward-thinking approach to funding. Bitcoin, with its decentralized nature and growing acceptance worldwide, provides an innovative and secure means for supporters to contribute. By accepting cryptocurrency donations, SaveBeef.org expands its donor base globally, opening new doors for individuals and organizations who wish to support the future of the beef industry on a global level.

“By accepting Bitcoin, SaveBeef.org is not only embracing cutting-edge technology but also aligning with the values of transparency, innovation, and global reach,” said Steve Williams, spokesperson for SaveBeef.org. “This allows us to engage with a broader audience of supporters, ensuring that the beef industry can thrive well into the future to benefit both producers and consumers.”

Donors interested in learning more about SaveBeef.org’s Strategic Beef Reserve initiative or to make a donation, please visit https://geyser.fund/project/savebeef or contact Steve Williams [email protected].

Media Contact:
Steve Williams
830-353-3199
[email protected] 

SOURCE I Am Texas Slim Foundation

NEW YORK, Jan. 30, 2025 — Transcend is partnering with Nomura, one of the world’s leading financial services firms, to implement Cash and Collateral Management modules that are built on Transcend’s pioneering technology. By harmonizing key operational systems and data in one platform, Nomura aims to position itself to better manage and optimize its collateral, funding, and liquidity across its Global Markets business.

Transcend and Nomura first partnered in 2019 to improve collateral operations and eligibility validation processes for bilateral derivatives. The partnership has since expanded to include optimized collateral allocations with multiple triparty agents. The Transcend platform enables users to make collateral allocation decisions using a variety of factors including haircut, asset quality, and funding maturity, among others. Following these successful engagements, Nomura made a strategic investment in Transcend in 2023.

The relationship is now further expanding to include inventory management, sources and uses, and intraday liquidity monitoring capabilities.

“We are delighted to expand our relationship with Nomura,” said Bimal Kadikar, CEO and Founder of Transcend. “With the implementation of an array of new services across business areas, we are realizing the vision of a single, unified platform for optimizing collateral, funding and liquidity across the firm.”

“Optimizing collateral and financial resources is a competitive advantage in today’s global financial economy,” said Anthony Kowalski, Chief Operating Officer of Global Rates at Nomura. “With Transcend, we have delivered value along each step of the way and are really excited about where we are headed.”

Transcend has experienced significant client growth over the last several years. Leveraging its industry-leading collateral optimization platform, businesses from asset managers to insurers to regional banks to sell-side broker-dealers are benefiting from financial resource savings, better risk management, and operational efficiency. Transcend looks forward to continued expansion of its product and company footprint in the years to come.

ABOUT TRANSCEND

Transcend is a financial technology company with a mission to improve efficiencies in capital markets through advanced technology. Our unparalleled and innovative modular technology helps clients achieve next-level performance through collateral, funding, liquidity and capital optimization solutions. With seamless connectivity to the world’s leading triparty agents, central counterparties (CCPs), custodians, and nostros, Transcend is the partner of choice for inventory analytics, optimization, and automation within a business line or across an enterprise.

Transcend has a growing roster of top-tier financial institutions including G-SIB banks, broker-dealers, asset managers, and insurance companies. Visit transcendstreet.com to learn more about how Transcend addresses an array of complex financial, operational, and regulatory concerns.

ABOUT NOMURA

Nomura is a global financial services group with an integrated network spanning approximately 30 countries and regions. By connecting markets East & West, Nomura services the needs of individuals, institutions, corporates and governments through its three business divisions: Wealth Management, Investment Management, and Wholesale (Global Markets and Investment Banking). Founded in 1925, the firm is built on a tradition of disciplined entrepreneurship, serving clients with creative solutions and considered thought leadership. For further information about Nomura, visit www.nomura.com.

SOURCE Transcend

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 30, 2025 — Athenic AI, a pioneering player in the data analysis and business intelligence (BI) space, today announced $4.3 million in funding led by BMW i Ventures and joined by TenVC, Scrum Ventures, Stage 2 Capital, Beat Ventures, SpaceCadet, Boost VC and Abstraction Capital. This new funding will enable Athenic AI to accelerate product development, enhance its market presence, and expand its reach to enterprise clients seeking to unlock the true potential of their data.

Access to data analytics and actionable insights has often been a bottleneck for business teams. Athenic AI is a company that aims to solve this problem with its LLM-enabled, self-serve analytics platform. The platform uses a proprietary data search engine to pull data from various sources across the organization and draw combined insights efficiently. Business users can access a ‘mission control for business’  where they can ask data questions in natural language format and receive results (in tables, graphs, etc. format) within seconds rather than waiting for hours or days for help from an analyst. Companies can now find answers to complex, multi-faceted questions by leveraging the power of integrated data sources. By combining information from ERP systems, CRM platforms, and data warehouses, organizations can democratize access to critical insights across their teams. This approach speeds up decision-making, empowering stakeholders at every level.

The company, founded by a team with data and machine learning research experience at UC Berkeley, is set to transform BI reporting and ad hoc analysis with the power of Generative AI. This significant investment will propel Athenic AI’s mission to empower individuals and enterprises to uncover the “Why” behind their data.

“Access to business analytics is essential for a well-functioning, data-driven organization,” says Samantha Huang, Principal of BMW i Ventures. “Today’s process is inefficient—business teams face long waits for reports or dashboards, while analytics teams are overwhelmed with ad hoc requests. With Athenic AI, users have been able to reduce the time of their workflow from weeks to minutes. The potential for such technology is vast, not only for transforming Analytics and BI software but also paving the way for a new category.

Jared Zhao, CEO of Athenic AI, said, “This investment is a testament to the transformative potential of Athenic AI in the BI space. As more organizations become data-driven, we believe there is a need for an intuitive and scalable BI solution for non-technical users. We are excited to continue our mission of democratizing data analysis and helping organizations uncover actionable insights from their data, ultimately driving smarter decision-making.”

The team’s journey through the data landscape has led to the profound realization that true accessibility to data analysis is the key to unlocking deeper insights. Athenic AI focuses on four core pillars.

• Empower users with instantaneous data analysis, allowing them to extract critical information at any given moment. This dynamic interaction with datasets is tailored to address teams’ immediate challenges, ensuring timely and crucial insights.
• Break down barriers by making analytics accessible to non-technical users.
• Go beyond mere analysis by enabling users to seamlessly incorporate data insights into their daily workflows. This empowerment equips them to dive deeper into trends, facilitating data-driven decision-making as a part of their daily routine.
• Tailor insights derived from company data to individual needs, surpassing standard dashboards and reports that often lack the crucial nuance required for comprehensive analysis. This customization not only saves time but also enables more data-rich insights.

Customers have recognized the company’s value proposition, including Penske Media Corporation (PMC) a digital media and publishing company that owns Variety  Variety.com, Rollingstone.com, Deadline, Golden Globe, Billboard and American Music Awards.

“Athenic AI augments our data capabilities by allowing our non-technical users to analyze data more directly and much faster,” said Gabriel Koen, Senior Vice President of Technology at PMC. “The platform helps us produce greater value from our data by increasing the number of people who can access insights.”

“The speed and depth of insights from Athenic AI enables us to compete with far larger competitors,” said Suzy Batiz, Founder & CEO of Pourri. “Leveraging Athenic AI allows us to move faster and more efficiently than giants like P&G and Unilever.”

About Athenic AI:

Athenic AI is a data analysis and business intelligence company on a mission to empower individuals and enterprises to discover the “Why” behind their data and dashboards. With advanced Generative AI technology, Athenic AI offers instant data answers, democratizes analytics, empowers users to integrate data insights into daily workflows, and provides customization tailored to individual needs. Founded by a team with deep research experience at UC Berkeley, Athenic AI is dedicated to revolutionizing BI reporting and ad hoc analysis.

About BMW i Ventures:

BMW i Ventures is the independent venture capital firm of BMW Group, investing in startups defining the future of mobility, supply chain, and sustainability. The firm has made many successful investments over the years in companies such as Blackmore, ChargePoint, CelLink, Fox Robotics, GaN Systems, Plus One Robotics, Our Next Energy, Tekion, Xometry, and many more. BMW i Ventures invests in all stages from seed to growth with a focus on Series A/B. More information can be found at: https://www.bmwiventures.com.

SOURCE Athenic AI

PHOENIX, Jan. 30, 2025 — Trinity Capital Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIN) (“Trinity Capital”), a leading alternative asset manager, today announced the commitment of $25 million in growth capital to Wisetack, a leading pay-over-time platform for home services.

Wisetack provides consumer financing for home services such as HVAC, plumbing, and pest control, allowing customers to quickly and easily set up pay-over-time options. Wisetack is integrated into the software tools that home service businesses already use, making it easy for the businesses to start offering their customers these flexible options.

“Wisetack stood out for its exceptional growth trajectory, stellar customer experience, and strong position in a very large market. Their seamless integration process and easy-to-use software enable businesses around the country to offer their customers financing for essential services,” said Ryan Thompson, Managing Director, Tech Lending at Trinity Capital. “We are excited to support Wisetack’s growth as they continue to provide businesses and their customers with greater flexibility.”

This growth capital will enable Wisetack to continue to scale operations and fund growth initiatives.

“We are excited to partner with Trinity Capital, as leaders in providing growth capital to fast-growing, category-defining companies,” said Bobby Tzekin, founder and CEO of Wisetack. “Trinity’s support will enable us to accelerate our growth and innovation in the massive home services market.”    

About Trinity Capital Inc.

Trinity Capital Inc. (Nasdaq: TRIN) is an international alternative asset manager, aiming to provide investors with stable and consistent returns through access to the private credit market. We source, vet, and invest in dynamic privately funded growth-oriented companies, giving our investors access to a strong and diversified portfolio. With distinct business verticals, Trinity Capital stands as a trusted partner for innovative companies seeking tailored growth capital solutions. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, the firm has an international footprint, supported by a dedicated team of strategically located investment professionals. For more information, visit the company’s website at trinitycapital.com and stay connected by following us on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).

About Wisetack

Wisetack is the leading embedded platform for financing home services like plumbing and electrical, and has a rapidly growing presence in dental and elective medical care, as well as car repair. Wisetack partners with software companies to embed consumer financing options into their customer-facing applications through simple APIs. Wisetack merchants, many of whom are small businesses, rely on Wisetack to offer their customers affordable pay-over-time options at point of sale.

Founded in 2018 in San Francisco by an experienced team of leaders in the financial services industry, Wisetack is backed by investors Insight Partners, Greylock, Quadrille Capital, and Bain Capital Ventures. All payment options are subject to credit approval. Your terms may vary. Payment options through Wisetack are provided by its lending partners.

SOURCE Trinity Capital Inc.

Funding fuels global expansion, product innovation, and scaling of operations of the AI-powered platform to help job seekers land dream jobs in under 30 days

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 30, 2025 — Final Round AI, an AI-powered platform transforming how people find jobs, today announced the successful close of a $6.88 million oversubscribed seed funding round. With backing from Uncork Capital, Final Round AI is on a mission to become the “Robin Hood of the modern recruiting industry,” making career transitions faster, smarter, and more equitable. Uncork is joined by HF0, Linear Capital, Ritual Capital, Mento VC, AltaIR Capital, Alumni Ventures, Goodwater, Hico Ventures, Soma Capital, iSeed Ventures, Level One, Sky9 Capital, and notable angels in Silicon Valley. Along with the funding, the company is announcing a $8 million scholarship program fund for 2025.

“This funding marks an incredible milestone for Final Round AI as we strive to redefine the job search process,” said Michael Guan, Co-Founder and CEO of Final Round AI. “The success of the Interview Copilot has shown us the power of AI to create meaningful impact. With this support, we’re positioned to improve our technology, build a world-class team, and extend our impact globally—helping individuals navigate the evolving job market with confidence.”

The Interview Copilot™, Final Round AI’s flagship innovation, empowers job seekers to feel confident and articulate their thoughts clearly by delivering AI-generated, real-time answers and insights during interviews. This revolutionary tool equips candidates with the resources they need to excel, leveling the playing field in the competitive recruiting landscape.

Fueling Growth and Innovation
Final Round AI’s mission is clear: to leverage cutting-edge AI technology to guide job seekers through every step of their career journey, helping them land their next opportunity in under 30 days. By offering AI-native solutions, the platform simplifies job searches, creates seamless workflows, and delivers personalized insights, making job hunting an effortless and effective experience.

Final Round AI will use the seed funding to achieve three primary goals:

1. Enhancing the Interview Copilot™ and Other Products: Investing in technology to refine the Interview Copilot’s real-time AI capabilities, ensuring seamless performance and personalized support for job seekers during interviews.
2. Scaling Operations and Team Expansion: Building a top-tier team dedicated to innovation and research to push the boundaries of AI in the recruiting and hiring process.
3. Unlocking New Revenue Opportunities: Developing partnerships with AI-first companies and hiring platforms to connect top talent with career opportunities, creating scalable and sustainable revenue streams.

“Final Round AI is a game-changer in the job search space, using AI to empower individuals impacted by workforce changes and automation,” said Tripp Jones, Partner of Uncork Capital. “We’re proud to support their vision and are excited to see the transformative impact this team will deliver.”

The Future of Work Starts Here
The funding comes at a pivotal moment as AI and automation continue to reshape industries and redefine the workforce. In a job market where competition has never been fiercer, 2024 revealed a harsh reality for job seekers: it takes, on average, 247 days and 294 applications to secure a role. Final Round AI’s platform addresses these challenges by equipping individuals with tools like the Interview Copilot to excel in the rapidly changing job market.

“Our vision is to ensure that anyone navigating career transitions has access to technology that simplifies and accelerates their journey,” Guan added. “The Interview CoPilot™ is just the beginning. This funding allows us to scale our reach and impact while building the foundation for long-term success in the rapidly evolving job market.”

Introducing the Final Round AI Scholarship Program
In addition to the funding announcement, Final Round AI is proud to unveil the Final Round AI Scholarship Program, a groundbreaking initiative designed to empower job seekers by making the process of landing a job more accessible and affordable. Backed by an $8 million fund, this program underscores the company’s commitment to supporting individuals in achieving their career aspirations.

The scholarship program aims to eliminate financial barriers for Final Round AI’s Pro Premium members by offering a 100% refund on their membership fees when they successfully land a job using the company’s cutting-edge tools. This initiative is not just about financial reimbursement; it reflects the company’s mission to support job seekers in achieving their career aspirations. To learn more about the program, visit finalroundai.com/scholarship.

About Final Round AI
Final Round AI is an AI-native platform dedicated to transforming how people find jobs. The company’s flagship product, the Interview Copilot, delivers real-time AI-powered insights and answers during interviews, redefining the preparation and execution of job searches. By guiding job seekers through every step of their career journey, Final Round AI is on a mission to make career transitions smarter, faster, and more equitable for millions worldwide. To learn more, visit https://www.finalroundai.com/.

SOURCE Final Round AI

Led by Transformation Capital, the Investment Accelerates Rad AI’s Development and Deployment of Generative AI Technology to Healthcare Providers and Systems Globally

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 30, 2025 — Rad AI, one of the fastest growing healthcare AI companies and the first to successfully commercialize a generative AI product in healthcare, today announced a $60M Series C financing round, valuing the company at $525M. The oversubscribed round was led by Transformation Capital, with participation from existing investors Khosla Ventures, World Innovation Lab, UP2398, Kickstart Fund, OCV Partners, Cone Health and others. This raise comes seven months after their $50M Series B financing.

Radiology is the largest specialty in healthcare, accounting for nearly 10 percent^[1] of all healthcare spend in the US and more than 80 percent^[2] of all healthcare data by size, with over 700 million imaging exams performed in the US each year. However, as the number of annual exams rise, radiologist burnout continues to worsen – national physician surveys^[3] have found that 88.4% of radiologists are either at capacity or overworked and overextended.

With total investment of over $140M to date, Rad AI has emerged as a leader in generative AI solutions for healthcare. The company’s solutions are used by thousands of radiologists every day at health systems and radiology practices across the country that account for nearly 50% of all medical imaging done in the US. Rad AI was recently named the 19th fastest-growing company in North America by Deloitte in its Fast 500 rankings.

“Radiologists play a vital role at the center of our healthcare system, enabling early diagnosis and prevention of illness,” said Vinay Shah, partner at Transformation Capital. “Rad AI’s  generative AI solutions help radiologists and other healthcare providers tackle some of our industry’s greatest challenges by significantly improving provider efficiency, alleviating burnout, and advancing the quality of patient care. Customers love Rad AI and we are proud to partner with their team.”

Rad AI pioneered the development of the first generative AI solution in healthcare in 2018, Rad AI Impressions. Their latest innovation, Rad AI Reporting, extends their innovative AI-native approach to the full radiology reporting workflow, reducing dictated words by up to 90 percent and saving providers up to 50 percent of their time. This groundbreaking solution earned the “Best New Radiology Software of 2023” award from AuntMinnie, one of the industry’s most prestigious honors.

“With nearly two-thirds of our practices currently utilizing Rad AI Impressions, our member practices consistently share the exceptional value they gain by using Rad AI’s industry-leading generative AI solutions,” said Scott Bundy, MD, CEO and Chair of Strategic Radiology, the largest coalition of independent radiology practices in the US. “Rad AI has proven to be a tremendous partner to our groups, helping solve the acute staffing, burnout, and technology challenges facing radiology practices. Already, a third of our member practices are adopting their latest solution, Rad AI Reporting.”

Rad AI is now also transforming patient follow-up with Rad AI Continuity by closing the loop on actionable findings in radiology reports – most commonly, potential new cancers. Using AI-driven automation, Rad AI Continuity helps ensure that patients are diagnosed and treated promptly. To date, Rad AI has increased follow-up rates at health systems from 30 percent up to 75 percent or more^[4], leading to earlier diagnoses of new cancers to help ensure patients receive prompt treatment, improving long-term prognosis and quality of life.

“At Rad AI, we focus on empowering physicians with AI – saving physicians time, reducing burnout and improving the quality of patient care,” said Doktor Gurson, co-founder and CEO at Rad AI. “Over the past few years, Rad AI has become a mission-critical part of physician and health system workflows across North America. This strategic funding round will accelerate our progress as the leading AI-driven workflow platform in healthcare.”

Rad AI is now hiring across a wide range of roles, building a world-class team dedicated to solving some of the most complex challenges in healthcare technology.

About Rad AI
Rad AI is the leader in generative AI solutions for radiology, transforming the way radiologists work and improving patient care. The company’s flagship product, Rad AI Reporting, streamlines radiology reporting with AI-driven technology and empowers radiologists to achieve greater efficiency, accuracy, and satisfaction. Rad AI Impressions, the company’s pioneering product, established Rad AI as an innovator in generative AI for radiology; as the first generative AI application to achieve widespread adoption in radiology, it is now trusted by thousands of US radiologists. Rad AI Continuity, the most comprehensive solution of its kind, uses AI to help ensure patient follow-up for potential new cancers.

The company has been recognized as one of the most promising healthcare AI companies by CB Insights (Digital Health 50, AI 100) and AuntMinnie (Best New Radiology Software 2023, Best New Radiology Vendor 2021). In November of 2024, Rad AI was named the 19th fastest-growing company in North America on the Deloitte Fast 500.

Learn more about Rad AI at www.radai.com or on LinkedIn at
www.linkedin.com/company/radai/

Citations

[1] Decomposition of Medical Imaging Spending Growth Between 2010 and 2021 in the US Employer-Insured Population, Health Affairs Scholar, Volume 2, Issue 3, March 2024. Available at: https://academic.oup.com/healthaffairsscholar/article/2/3/qxae030/7636360

[2] Global Innovation Index 2019 – Chapter 8: AI and Healthcare. World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Available at: https://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/wipo_pub_gii_2019-chapter8.pdf

[3] AMN Healthcare Radiology Whitepaper, 2020. AMN Healthcare. Available at: https://www.amnhealthcare.com/siteassets/amn-insights/whitepapers/staffcare-radiology-whitepaper-2020.pdf

[4] Rad AI Case Studies on Follow-up Rate Improvements, 2025.

Press Contact
Andrea Heuer
AOx3 for Rad AI
+1 917-914-5563
[email protected]

SOURCE Rad AI

LONDON, Jan. 30, 2025 — LifeArc Ventures, which invests in innovative early-stage life science companies as part of LifeArc, today announced substantial progress in 2024, with three new investments, several follow-on investments, and scientific advances by a number of its portfolio companies.

Clare Terlouw, Head of LifeArc Ventures, said: “This has been a busy and productive year as LifeArc Ventures continued to generate deal flow, creatively deploy capital and execute a bold growth strategy. Our portfolio now includes 17 companies focused on scientific innovation, each with the potential to significantly improve outcomes for patients. We added three new companies to the portfolio demonstrating our capacity to identify, fund and support highly promising innovation and to work in partnership with other life sciences venture investors. 

“We continue to see strong opportunities to invest in life sciences companies in the UK and globally, and we look forward to helping our companies grow, and continuing to invest in new companies in 2025.”

Expanding the portfolio in therapeutics and medtech

LifeArc Ventures’ portfolio continued to grow in 2024, including investing in Fluid Biomed Inc’s oversubscribed Series A and two stealth therapeutics investments.

Fluid Biomed Inc. is a clinical-stage medical device company based in Canada advancing the first hybrid polymer-metal stent to treat brain aneurysms. LifeArc Ventures invested in Fluid Biomed’s US$27 million Series A equity financing which closed in December alongside Amplitude Ventures, IAG Capital Partners, ShangBay Capital, METIS Innovative and an undisclosed industry leader.

LifeArc Ventures also invested in the financing of two stealth companies – a UK-US company leveraging AI for target discovery and drug development, with an initial emphasis on immunology and fibrosis; and a US-based company developing therapeutics for autoimmune disorders.

Cytospire Therapeutics emerged from stealth in 2024. LifeArc Ventures invested in the UK-based company, working alongside Abingworth & 4BIO Capital, in 2023. Cytospire is developing an innovative portfolio of differentiated multispecific engager antibodies to safely target and stimulate the activity of the innate and adaptive immune system.

Targeted follow-on investments

LifeArc Ventures participated in multiple follow-on investment rounds including Ikarovec‘s successful seed funding round and Affect Therapeutics. Ikarovec is advancing the novel gene therapy programme IKC159V towards clinical trials in geographic atrophy (GA), a cause of sight loss in millions of people which is often a precursor to wet age-related macular degeneration. Affect Therapeutics has developed a digital-first substance use disorder treatment platform. Their scientifically proven programmes support the full recovery journey through care counselling and biological testing with contingency management, providing financial incentives for harm reduction behaviours.

Portfolio progress led by AviadoBio & RQ Bio

AviadoBio announced an exclusive option and license agreement with Astellas for its gene therapy AVB-101 targeting frontotemporal dementia and other indications. AviadoBio is eligible to receive up to $2.18 billion in license fees and milestone payments, plus royalties, if Astellas exercises its option. A Phase 1/2 clinical trial of AVB-101 is underway in the U.S. and Europe.

Kavigale (sipavibart; AZD3152), a monoclonal antibody discovered by RQ Biotechnology and licensed to AstraZeneca in 2022, received a positive CHMP opinion for prevention of COVID 19 in immunocompromised individuals. The advance from discovery to a positive CHMP opinion in three years illustrates the speed with which long-acting monoclonal antibodies can be developed as a drug class to protect vulnerable populations against serious viral diseases. The decision further validates RQ Bio’s antiviral drug discovery expertise and model for early partnership with the pharmaceutical industry.

Closed Loop Medicine announced a strategic partnership with Teva UK to investigate opportunities to leverage Closed Loop’s proprietary software as a medical device (SaMD) technology platform in the creation of personalised medicines. The goal is to improve drug efficacy and outcomes for patients with specific chronic disorders by combining dose-optimised drug therapy with digital care.

Maxion Therapeutics appointed Dr Arndt Schottelius (previously at Affimed, Kymab, MorphoSys and Genentech) as its CEO with the company aiming to develop antibody-based drugs for previously untreatable ion channel- and GPCR-driven diseases.

In the US, Ozlo Sleep, a science-driven sleep and audio technology company, launched Ozlo Sleepbuds®, revolutionary earbuds designed specifically for sleep. Ozlo Sleepbuds have been named a 2025 CES Innovation Awards Honoree.

Earlier this month, Pheno Therapeutics announced receipt of clinical trial authorisation in the UK for its lead multiple sclerosis (MS) therapeutic candidate PTD802, the first ever clinical trial involving a GPR17 (G protein-coupled receptor 17) antagonist.  PTD802 is a novel small molecule therapeutic designed to promote remyelination. Developed under an exclusive worldwide licence agreement with UCB, the programme is targeted toward treatment of neurological diseases with high unmet medical need, with an initial focus on MS.

Last week, our portfolio company Surgery Hero, a UK-based innovator in prehabilitation digital health, announced its acquisition by Sword Health, a global leader in AI-powered care based in the US. The acquisition marks a new chapter for Surgery Hero, with its expertise in surgery prehabilitation combining with Sword’s innovative AI Care platform to bring better health outcomes to patients in the UK and internationally.

Contacts:

LifeArc
Clare Terlouw
[email protected] 

Mo PR Advisory
Mo Noonan / Jonathan Birt
Tel: +44 (0) 7876 444977 / 07860 361746

Notes to Editors:

About LifeArc
LifeArc is a self-funded medical research charity with more than 25 years of translating early science into health care treatment including a diagnostic for antibiotic resistance and five licensed medicines. Our model is built on collaboration, and through our LifeArc Ventures team, we invest in Seed and Series A stage companies with significant follow-on investment reserved for successful portfolio companies. Our ventures approach focuses on investing in novel translational science and technology with a dual goal of generating financial returns to the charity and positive impact for patients.

Find out more on www.lifearc.org / https://lifearcventures.com or follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter (@LifeArcVentures).

SOURCE LifeArc