SAN FRANCISCO, June 24, 2025 — AllSpice.io, the platform for electronics teams to collaborate and automate their workflows, today announced the close of its $15M Series A funding round, bringing its total funding to $25 million in venture capital.

The recent round was led by Rethink Impact, along with L’ATTITUDE Ventures, GingerBread Capital, and DNX Ventures, as well as continued support from Root Ventures, Benchstrength, and Flybridge.

The round will be leveraged to scale enterprise customer features, support, and open its AllSpice AI Agent out of private beta, for hardware design validation.

“From autonomous vehicles to rockets, electronics teams are tackling some of the world’s most ambitious innovations. Bringing those to life requires modern, AI-powered tools that enable teams to ship with confidence,” said Valentina Ratner, Co-Founder & CEO.

AllSpice’s core focus is on automating the tedious, repetitive tasks that slow teams down—so engineers can spend more time designing and innovating.

“By significantly building out our Gen AI capabilities, largely leveraged by the fact that we understand these design files so well, you can transform this data to present extremely impactful decisions for hardware engineering teams,” stated Kyle Dumont, Co-Founder & CTO.

From schematics to layouts, AllSpice gives electrical engineering teams a shared workspace to collaborate, catch errors early, and bring high-quality products to life. With structured design data and built-in AI tools, engineers can confidently review changes, automate checks, and maintain a clear record of every decision through every stage of development.

“In a high-precision field like hardware, accuracy matters. AllSpice’s AI tools are built to assist, not override, the engineers’ judgment while using them,” continued Ratner.

AllSpice AI Agent enhances hardware design reviews. Electrical Engineers can:

• Analyze designs for errors and opportunities
• Achieve higher quality, improved reliability, and first-pass success

Example cases include:

• • Misconfigured component pins
  • Swapped TX/RX
  • Missing coupling capacitors
  • Component derating
  • End of Life or suggested alternates

This also enables engineers to:

• Automate document generation
• Generate essential assets to gain confidence and efficiency

Example use cases include:

• • Power tables
  • Spec sheet summaries
  • Theory of operation documentation

To learn more about AllSpice AI Agent’s private beta, visit https://allspice.io/ai-agent

About AllSpice.io

AllSpice.io serves as a home base for hardware teams.

Hardware Engineers, PCB Designers, and Electrical Engineers are the primary users of the AllSpice.io platform. Additionally, other teams and third parties that work in parallel to these counterparts, including Firmware Engineers, Software Engineers, Contract Manufacturers, and Procurement Departments, also collaborate on the platform.

Customers range from startups to Fortune 500s across aerospace, robotics, defense, instrumentation, consumer electronics, mass transportation, autonomous vehicles, medical devices, industrial machinery, and automotive industries.

Contacts:

Press & Sales Inquiries

Valentina Ratner

Co-Founder & CEO.AllSpice.io

[email protected]

Product Inquiries

Kyle Dumont

Co-Founder & CTO,AllSpice.io

[email protected]

Press & Business Development Inquiries

Robert Byrne

Founding GTM – Director of Marketing, AllSpice.io

[email protected]

General

www.AllSpice.io

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/company/allspice-io/

SOURCE AllSpice.io

NEEDHAM, Mass. and LITTLE ROCK, Ark., June 24, 2025 — Ledgebrook Inc, an Excess and Surplus Lines Insurtech, announced today that it has completed the close of an oversubscribed $65m Series C funding round, led by existing investor The Stephens Group, LLC (“Stephens Group”), a leading private investment firm. Existing investors Duquesne, Brand Foundry, Floating Point, and American Family Ventures will also participate in the round, alongside new investors, including Hummingbird Nomads.

“I’m really excited to deepen our collaboration with Stephens Group and the Stephens Family. Their fair, open, honest and long-term approach to business partnerships, matches our own at Ledgebrook and has shone through since their initial investment last year,” said Gage Caligaris, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ledgebrook.

“The round recognizes the momentum in our business. It positions Ledgebrook to truly establish itself as a premier E + S platform, known for consistent execution on our mission to delight wholesale brokers and for bringing together the best of insurance expertise and technology. I am proud of the backing we have from our existing and new investors and am incredibly grateful for their support.”

The funding round will allow Ledgebrook to bring in further talent to grow and enhance its client-service-led approach to wholesale brokers, offer new insurance products through its platform, and participate further in retaining risk on the insurance it is writing on behalf of its carrier partners. Ledgebrook gains the deeper involvement of an experienced partner in Stephens Group, with a long history of helping to build great businesses.

Ledgebrook management and employees will continue to be the largest shareholders in the company. Ryan Morrow, Managing Director at Stephens Group, will join Ledgebrook’s Board of Directors.

“Ledgebrook is a unique and truly impressive, founder-led platform in the attractive E+S marketplace with fantastic early momentum,” said Morrow. “We look forward to a partnership with Gage and Ledgebrook for many years ahead. We and our co-investors could not be more excited to partner with the team as the business scales.”

Advisors
DLA Piper LLP has served as legal counsel to Ledgebrook. Stinson LLP has served as legal counsel to Stephens Group.

About Ledgebrook

To learn more about Ledgebrook and opportunities to join our team, please visit www.ledgebrook.com

About The Stephens Group LLC.

The Stephens Group, LLC is a private investment firm that partners with talented management teams to help build valuable businesses. Backed by the resources of the Witt Stephens, Jr. and Elizabeth Campbell families, the firm combines the operational expertise of a private equity firm with the flexibility provided by long-term capital. With over $2 billion of private equity assets under management, the firm has a long history of providing informed, sophisticated expertise and working with owners and managers to help them successfully achieve their strategic visions and build long-term value. Since 2006, Stephens Group has invested in over 50 companies, targeting investments in industries across the U.S., including industrial products and services, specialty distribution, and vertical software.

SOURCE Ledgebrook

MINNEAPOLIS, June 24, 2025 — Traction Capital, a Minnesota-based venture capital and growth equity firm, announces the launch of Fund II, its second investment fund focused on scaling early-stage businesses in Minnesota and neighboring states. Since its March launch, Fund II has raised over $30M in subscriptions, with a target of $40M–60M. The fund has already invested in two local companies: Blank Metal, which helps enterprises integrate advanced AI technologies to drive real business outcomes, and PARQA, a technology consulting and implementation firm assisting staffing and recruiting firms in modernization and growth. 

Building on the success of its first fund, Traction Capital will continue to invest in and acquire high-potential businesses, offering “smart” capital – financial backing combined with strategic guidance to help founders grow. Fund II will target Midwest companies with strong growth potential, scalable models, and committed leadership. The firm, made up of entrepreneurs and business owners, specializes in working with founders ready to scale, using a hands-on approach to create value. Traction Capital also leverages its large network of investors, over 80% of whom are small business owners, to provide resources and expertise across industries.

“We’re excited to launch Fund II and continue our support of outstanding founders,” said Shane Erickson, Managing Partner at Traction Capital. “As entrepreneurs, we know how tough scaling a business can be. That’s why we don’t just invest; we offer hands-on experience to help our portfolio companies grow.  The success of our first fund proved that when you combine capital with the right strategy, expertise, and a solid framework like EOS®, big things happen. With Fund II, we’re doubling down on our commitment to fueling Midwest businesses.”

To support the growth of Fund II, Traction Capital welcomed Matt Meents as a Strategic Growth Partner. With 25+ years of experience scaling companies, Meents is a leader in the startup space. As Co-Founder & CEO of Magnet360, he grew the company to $50M in annual revenue before its acquisition in 2016. He later co-founded Yardstik, where he drove growth before transitioning to a board role. At Traction Capital, Meents will guide founders through growth challenges and scaling opportunities.

Traction Capital’s first fund successfully invested in 13 companies and completed two acquisitions, helping them reach major milestones. Notably, Kwikly, a three-time Inc. 5000 honoree, was named Minnesota’s fastest-growing private company in 2024. GoRout saw a dramatic expansion in growth and product offerings, while TroutRoutes achieved a successful exit through its sale to onX. Additionally, Traction Capital facilitated additional capital raises for five portfolio companies, securing further funding for their growth.

About Traction Capital:  

Traction Capital is a Minnesota-based venture capital and growth equity firm comprised of successful business owners and entrepreneurs. Founded in 2020, the firm invests in and acquires Minnesota and Midwest early-stage and profitable companies stuck in the “capital gap”. Traction Capital believes that investing both financial and “smart” capital with a proven business management process (EOS®) during this critical stage sets businesses up for more rapid growth. They help founders with strategy and execution through their own experiences and that of their investors, to scale and exit at attractive valuations. 

For more information, please visit: https://tractioncapital.com/

SOURCE Traction Capital

Three Portfolio Company Exits Deliver Over 2x Return, Defying VC Downturn Trends

SAN FRANCISCO, June 24, 2025 — While much of the venture capital world has faced turbulence and declining returns, How Women Invest is charting a different course, proving that investing in women isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s also the smart thing.

Launched in 2020, How Women Invest’s inaugural fund has already achieved exits with return multiples. The exited companies, Gaiascope, Long Game, and Hitch, underscore the strength of investing in female-led innovation, even in a challenging VC climate where many portfolio companies are struggling or shutting down.

“This exit is a powerful example of what happens when women invest in women—with both capital and conviction. As a Founding LP of How Women Invest and the CEO of Hitch, I experienced how this fund is redefining venture: backing bold missions, creating real value, and proving that purpose and profit can grow together,” says Heather Jerrehian, Investor, Tech Executive, and Author of Sail to Scale.

Lauren Kuntz, CEO and Co-founder of Gaiascope, Inc shared, “From the first meeting with How Women Invest, it was clear this group was unlike any other—they sincerely understood what we did, wanted us to succeed, and were willing to roll up their sleeves with whatever support we needed. The network within How Women Invest is unparalleled and we leaned heavily on their experience to help us through the challenges that are start-up life. A lot of investors promise support, but How Women Invest is one of the few that actually delivers: the women in this network have actually been there, done that, and know what you’re going through. They provide advice that comes from a depth of experience and empathy, and for us it was integral to our growth and ultimately successful exit.”

While industry headlines have spotlighted mass layoffs and tech valuation freefalls, How Women Invest’s focus on diverse, capital-efficient, and impact-driven startups is paying off. These exits validate what research has shown for years: women-led companies deliver. In fact, women-run businesses generate twice as much revenue per dollar invested compared to male-run firms (BCG). 

How Women Invest exclusively backs women-founded and women-led companies, building a portfolio that reflects the kind of leadership the future demands, visionary, inclusive, and resilient.

“These exits aren’t lucky breaks, they’re proof points,” said Julie Castro Abrams, CEO of How Women Lead and Managing Partner of How Women Invest. “When women control capital and invest in other women, the data and the returns, speak for themselves.”

How Women Invest’s focus to identify visionary female founders, provide them with smart capital and a powerful network, and deliver strong returns while rewriting the future of venture, remains steadfast, with a clear path forward and growing momentum behind its powerful mission. 

For more information, visit www.howwomeninvest.com.

Media Contact: Laura Henson, HVM Communications
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 917-539-7812

SOURCE How Women Invest

The fund invests in B2B fintechs operating in Latin America and the US

MIAMI, June 24, 2025 — Kiara Capital, a Miami-based venture capital firm founded by serial fintech entrepreneurs, has announced the first close of its inaugural fund. The fund focuses on early-stage B2B fintech startups operating in Latin America, and cross-border markets linked to the United States.

Founded in 2023, Kiara Capital specializes in early-stage investments, from pre-seed to seed. Since inception, the firm has reviewed over 160 opportunities and made five investments, including Astride, a U.S.-based fintech offering accounting solutions for foreign investors, and Payana, a platform using AI to enhance financial operations for small and mid-sized businesses in Mexico and Colombia. Kiara’s current portfolio spans startups in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and the U.S., with approximately $2 million already deployed.

The fund was co-founded by Michael Esrubilsky and Daniel Arippol. Michael Esrubilsky brings over 25 years of experience in fintech, with four successful fintech exits in Brazil totaling nearly $1 billion. As an angel and seed investor, he has built a track record of 14 investments with a 9.8x multiple on invested capital (MOIC) and a 45%+ internal rate of return (IRR) in US dollars. Daniel Arippol complements the team with more than 15 years of experience in private equity, venture capital, and innovation across emerging markets. He has also served as an advisor to multiple high-growth technology and financial services companies operating in both Latin America and the United States.

After validating its investment thesis using only partner capital, Kiara Capital has now opened its first external fundraising round. The fund targets $30 million, with the potential to close at $40 million. Investors include founders, bank CEOs, VC partners, and family offices with strong interest in fintech and financial innovation. The founding partners remain the largest investors in the fund, ensuring strong alignment with LPs.

“Opening the fund to outside investors is a natural next step — one that expands our investment capacity while maintaining full alignment,” said Esrubilsky. “We’re bringing in knowledgeable, experienced partners to co-invest with us in the opportunities we’re already pursuing.”

He noted that even as new investors join, the Kiara founding partners will continue to hold a significant stake in the fund, committing to never fall below 10% of total capital.

Kiara Capital aims to build a high-conviction portfolio of 15 to 20 startups, with initial checks starting at $500,000 and substantial reserves allocated for follow-on rounds. The fund is structured in the United States to support global flexibility while maintaining a strong emphasis on Latin American and US cross border markets.

The timing, according to the partners, is favorable for early-stage investing, given attractive valuations and an increasing flight to quality among top founders. Kiara’s edge lies in its active support model — providing hands-on strategic and technical guidance based on the partners’ own experiences as successful operators and investors.

“We prioritize founders who have deep expertise in the industries they’re building in, excel in execution, and often come through trusted referrals in the ecosystem,” said Arippol. “We look for companies that combine strong product-market fit with the potential for outsized impact in the financial sector.”

About Kiara Capital

Kiara Capital is a Miami-based venture capital firm focused on early-stage B2B fintech investments, with operations across Latin America and the United States. The firm blends entrepreneurial experience, disciplined deal selection, and close founder collaboration to generate strong returns.

To learn more, visit: https://www.kiara.capital

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2715775/7.jpg

SOURCE Kiara Capital

Waltz’s real estate investment financing platform for foreign investors secures $50M in equity and debt to supercharge $1B in U.S. loan volume

MIAMI, June 24, 2025 — Waltz, the all-in-one platform streamlining U.S. residential real estate financing for foreign national investors, announced it has secured $50 million to date in total equity and debt funding, including a new $25 million line of credit. The new capital will support Waltz’s ability to fund up to $1 billion in loan volume. This comes amid surging global demand for Waltz’s end-to-end digital platform, which allows foreign investors to quickly and easily form an LLC, open a U.S. bank account, exchange currencies, secure financing, and close on property purchases.

The new line of credit is provided by affiliates of Setpoint Capital. Waltz will use this line of credit to originate additional U.S. mortgage loans for foreign buyers through its fully digital platform, so it can support Waltz’s official launch across Latin America (LATAM), with a focus on Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina—the first three being the region’s largest sources of U.S. real estate investment. Since its launch in July 2024, Waltz has processed more than $300 million in loan applications across four continents.

Amid headlines of global economic uncertainty, Waltz has seen strong demand for U.S. investment property mortgages from LATAM. Waltz has already transacted with the nation’s largest brokerages, such as RE/MAX and eXp Realty. The company is spearheading and disrupting the industry with its technology enhanced by AI across all aspects, from onboarding to underwriting, processing, and selling loans to Wall Street’s most reputable institutions such as Acra Lending (subsidiary of HPS, acquired by BlackRock), Atlas SP (backed by Apollo), and others.

“The demand from Latin America was immediate and that is not surprising—U.S. real estate is a blue chip investment for foreign nationals. The stability, rooted in the historical strength of the U.S. economy, facilitates wealth creation from financing options, the potential for passive income streams, and property value appreciation. When paired with customer-centric digital solutions, it becomes clear why digital platforms like Waltz resonate with today’s global investors,” said Yuval Golan, Founder and CEO of Waltz.

“With Waltz’s full-service approach, they are streamlining investment opportunities and making it easier for individuals across the globe to invest in income-producing residential properties in the US,” said Kendall Ranjbaran, Managing Director of Investments at Setpoint Capital. “Setpoint is proud to provide a tailored credit solution as they continue to scale.”

Latin American Expansion: Market-Driven and Ready to Scale

Waltz’s expansion into Latin America follows a successful beta rollout and robust inbound interest from the region. Data shows that Latin American buyers are 29% of international investors in U.S. residential real estate (from purchases of existing property sales alone, not including new developments), with Mexico, Brazil and Colombia leading the region. Building upon a multilingual team that speaks ten languages, Waltz has introduced dedicated resources for Latin Americans, offering localized content and support in both Spanish and Portuguese through specialized marketing, while expanding its sales and customer support teams.

The company is also in the final stages to bring its advanced technologies and capabilities such as foreign exchange and quick cross-border transfers for LATAM countries, starting with Mexico and Brazil.

About Waltz Inc.—
Waltz is an all-in-one investment platform designed to make U.S. property investment simpler for international buyers. Waltz is a lender that streamlines investment property financing through an app-like experience that also handles identity verification, U.S. LLC and EIN setup, bank account opening, remote closing, and ongoing support. Backed by TLV Partners and Aleph, along with notable angel investors such as RE Angels, Ofir Ehrlich, David Krell, Talmon Marco, and Eyal Lifshitz. Waltz serves both international clients and foreign investors residing in the U.S. Waltz partners with Synctera to power banking and payments, with Airwallex, a leading global financial platform, to facilitate fast foreign currency conversions, and with Regent Bank, an FDIC-insured partner for U.S. bank accounts. Learn more at www.getwaltz.com. 

About Setpoint Capital—
Setpoint Capital is an investment manager focused on asset-backed private credit opportunities enabled through the Setpoint Technologies platform that provides unique value through technology, operations and insights. As an investment manager and direct lender (through its affiliates), Setpoint Capital integrates financial expertise with operational excellence to create capital solutions that enhance efficiency for its partners and investors.

Waltz is a financial technology company. Banking services are provided by Regent Bank, Member FDIC. FDIC Insurance only covers failure of insured depository institutions. Certain conditions must be satisfied for pass-through FDIC deposit insurance to apply. Waltz proudly offers financing in markets where foreign investment in residential real estate is permitted under applicable laws.
Airwallex is a leading global financial platform for modern businesses, offering trusted solutions to manage everything from payments, treasury, and spend management to embedded finance. For more information, visit www.airwallex.com.

SOURCE Waltz

Town Hall Ventures Leads $30M Funding Round, with Participation from Kaiser Permanente Ventures

SAN FRANCISCO, June 24, 2025 — Today Arine, the leader in AI-driven medication intelligence, announced a Series C funding round. Town Hall Ventures, known for backing transformative healthcare solutions, led the round with participation from Kaiser Permanente Ventures and other existing investors. This $30 million dollar round brings Arine’s total funding to $66 million and cements Arine’s position at the forefront of healthcare innovation, empowering the company to accelerate its mission of redefining medication management across the healthcare continuum at a time when the industry faces unprecedented financial and regulatory pressures.

“This is a defining moment for healthcare and for Arine,” said Yoona Kim, PharmD, PhD, CEO and co-founder of Arine. “Mounting cost pressures and sweeping policy changes are forcing the industry to rethink how care is delivered. Amid these challenges, medications have emerged as one of the most powerful—and underleveraged—tools to improve outcomes and control costs. With this new capital, we’re expanding our ability to deliver meaningful impact for each patient, when the system needs it most.”

Arine’s AI platform focuses on the critical area of medication optimization, delivering scalable, personalized, and cost-effective medication therapy that is essential to success in value-based care. Designed for leading health plan and risk-bearing providers, Arine’s platform leverages large, diverse datasets to identify the right individuals, recommend the most effective interventions, and continuously measure impact to ensure meaningful outcomes.

Arine’s approach has consistently achieved >10% in total cost savings and >40% reduction in hospitalizations. These outcomes have led to >100% growth in the last year and an average contract expansion of 80% with existing clients.

“The rising cost of medications and the consequences of suboptimal medication use presents significant opportunities for innovation, particularly using AI. What sets Arine apart is not just its transformative technology, but its ability to consistently deliver measurable value for clients across populations, especially in underserved communities. The company’s phenomenal leadership team combines deep clinical and AI expertise with a bold vision for the future,” said Andy Slavitt, General Partner at Town Hall Ventures. “Their platform is not just solving today’s problems—it’s anticipating tomorrow’s challenges. We’re proud to support Arine as they drive the next wave of healthcare innovation.”

“We’ve been partnering with Arine since 2020, and year after year, the value has been clear,” said Caroline Carney, MD, MSc, FAPA, FAPM, CPHQ, President and Chief Medical Officer at Magellan Health. “Arine continues to expand the capabilities of their platform in ways that drive even greater impact—advancing evidence-based quality, improving patient-centered outcomes, and delivering meaningful cost savings. It’s that ongoing evolution that makes them such a valuable long-term partner.”

With the new funding, Arine will focus on several key areas to meet evolving industry needs. Arine plans to expand its capabilities in specialty pharmacy management — a fast-growing and costly area of healthcare. At the same time, the company is accelerating AI innovation to automate high-volume, low-complexity tasks, allowing providers to focus more on direct patient care. Arine will also continue to integrate comprehensive data to further personalize medication therapy. Together, these advancements expand Arine’s impact and set a new standard for how technology can drive scalable, meaningful change in healthcare.

About Arine
Arine is a leading AI-powered medication optimization platform that improves patient outcomes and reduces healthcare costs by ensuring that patients receive the most effective and appropriate medications. By integrating advanced analytics with deep clinical expertise, Arine provides timely, personalized recommendations, enabling health plans and at-risk provider organizations to enhance medication safety, adherence, and effectiveness among their members. Learn more at arine.io.

About Town Hall Ventures
Founded in 2018, Town Hall Ventures has invested in or participated in the build of 40 companies that improve how care is provided to underserved and under-represented communities. Select portfolio companies include Cityblock Health, Curana Health, Equality Health, Habitat Health, Landmark Health, Suvida Health, Strive Health, Thyme Care, and Unite Us. Learn more at www.townhallventures.com.

SOURCE Arine

Multi-stage strategy will support high-growth companies across global enterprise technology markets

SAN FRANCISCO, June 24, 2025 — Sentinel Global, a venture capital firm dedicated to connecting visionary founders with real-world adopters, today announced the close of its inaugural fund, Sentinel Fund I, with committed capital totaling $213.5 million. The fund will invest globally in multi-stage enterprise technology companies, with a focus on technologies built for mission-critical performance, regulatory readiness, and scalable deployment across complex systems.

Founded by veteran investor Jeremy Kranz, Sentinel Global was created to close the gap between builders and enterprise adopters. With more than 25 years of experience in global technology investing and 20+ successful IPOs, including iconic companies such as Affirm, Zoom, Coinbase, and DoorDash, Kranz and his team bring a deep understanding of the innovation landscape. They recognize that the next wave of innovation will not only require technical vision, but also strong connection with customers, systems, and the markets where adoption happens.

“Innovation stalls when builders and adopters don’t meet,” said Jeremy Kranz, Founder and Managing Partner of Sentinel Global. “Our mission is to bridge that divide, connecting startup ambition with the real-world systems that drive enterprise markets. That takes not only capital but also context, conviction, and partnership.”

Sentinel’s model is rooted in research-driven conviction and deep operational partnership. Through its proprietary research and advisory platform, Sentinel Labs, the firm conducts hands-on research into enterprise readiness, helping startups solve tangible adoption challenges faced by institutions.

The fund targets foundational technologies driving enterprise transformation, including open-computing architectures, interoperable commerce, cybersecurity, and data systems. Sentinel’s approach is tailored for global complexity. The team has strong, active relationships with buyers and stakeholders across North America, Europe, Asia, and emerging markets, and views go-to-market support as essential at every stage.

The Sentinel team includes former founders, venture investors, and enterprise operators with decades of experience building and scaling solutions across sectors such as enterprise AI, supply chain innovation, and fintech. This collective background enables a hands-on, research-informed strategy that bridges the worlds of early innovation and enterprise adoption.

“Our goal is to back solutions that are not just visionary but ready for deployment. They must be built to scale, comply, and thrive in the most demanding environments,” said Kranz. “Sentinel was built to partner with founders who think globally, prioritize trust and are ready to bring transformational technologies to real world systems.”

About Sentinel Global
Sentinel Global is a multi-stage venture capital firm investing in enterprise technology companies that are reshaping the systems underpinning global markets. Sentinel helps founders bring scalable, defensible, and adoption-ready platforms to market. The firm provides deep research, high-conviction capital, and access to a global network of institutions, partners, and domain experts. Sentinel Global is headquartered in San Francisco and invests worldwide. For more information, visit www.sentinelglobal.xyz.

Media Contact:
[email protected]

SOURCE Sentinel Global

New Approach Delivers Production AI in 90 Days as Enterprises Seek Faster Path to Value

MINNEAPOLIS, June 24, 2025 — Blank Metal, an AI-native engineering company, today announced $3 million in seed funding to help enterprises overcome a critical challenge: 88% of AI pilots never reach production. The round, led by Rally Ventures, Traction Capital and Pure Play Partners, backs a fundamentally different approach to enterprise AI delivery.

The Enterprise AI Challenge

According to IDC, 88% of enterprise AI initiatives stall in “pilot purgatory”, creating a costly gap between potential and reality. Enterprises invest millions in proof-of-concepts that never scale to production, leaving boards questioning ROI and teams frustrated by lack of progress. Blank Metal addresses this challenge with a 90-day guarantee, demonstrating the company’s confidence in its ability to move enterprise AI from pilot to production.

“Much of the current AI work is being done by consulting companies that were built for a different era—when shipping software was so expensive that it required the kind of extensive deliberation and large teams those companies still deploy today,” said Matt Johnson (MJ), CEO of Blank Metal. “But AI has changed the game. You can now build, test, and iterate so quickly – without sacrificing quality, security, stability – that the traditional approach actually prevents value realization.”

A New Model for a New Era

Blank Metal positions itself as an “anti-consultancy” because AI demands a completely different approach:

Traditional Consultancy Model:

• 6-month strategy phases before building
• Large, leveraged teams incentivized to bill hours
• 18+ month transformation programs
• Proof-of-concepts and pilots that never make it to production
• Success measured in deliverables and power-point decks

Blank Metal Model:

• Time-boxed strategy compressed to days/weeks
• Small senior teams that ship production-ready AI solutions weekly
• 90-day or less production deployments
• < 5% overhead – majority of client budget builds, not burns
• Success measured in business impact

“Realizing the value of AI doesn’t have to take so long and cost so much,” Blank Metal COO Mark Hines explained. “When you can prototype in days and deploy in weeks, the entire delivery model needs to change.”

Proven Results in Production

Recent client engagements demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach:

• A national insurer achieved 20% revenue increase through AI-powered underwriting—deployed to production in 6 weeks
• An enterprise client realized 30% productivity gains from a GenAI platform now running in production across the entire employee base

These aren’t just pilots or POCs—they’re production systems delivering measurable business value.

Why Investors Are Backing This Approach

“We invested because Blank Metal solves the real problem in enterprise AI—the gap between pilot and production,” said Brock Noland, Partner at Pure Play Partners. “Traditional firms are structured for long engagements and billable hours. Blank Metal is structured for rapid value delivery.”

Matt Meents from Traction Capital puts it bluntly, “The era of paying consultants to study your problems is over. The future belongs to partners who build solutions that deliver value, quickly.”

Justin Kaufenberg, Managing Director at Rally Ventures and Blank Metal Co-founder, adds, “This team has proven that exceptional execution and rapid iteration beat perfect planning every time. They understand that in AI, learning happens through shipping, not just strategizing.”

Leadership Built for the AI Era

Blank Metal’s leadership team combines deep enterprise experience with a builder’s mindset: Veterans of GoKart Labs with multiple startup exits: Matt Johnson (CEO) • Mark Hines (COO) • Eric Johnson (CTO) • Elli Rader (CRO) • Teresa Marchek (Head of Product) • Missy Bemm (Head of Partnership Operations).

Accelerating the Path to Value

The funding will help Blank Metal scale its approach by growing the senior engineering team, developing proprietary AI that compresses timelines and protects budgets, and expanding the “90-Day Production Guarantee” to more enterprises.

“We understand the pressure enterprises face,” MJ said. “Boards want to see AI delivering value, not consuming resources. Teams want to build solutions, not attend steering committees. We built Blank Metal for companies ready to move from idea(s) to production.”

“Don’t just talk about AI, ship it,” has become the company’s rallying cry—not as a criticism of strategy and planning, but as recognition that AI’s value comes from iteration in production, not perfection in pilot.

About Blank Metal

Blank Metal, an AI-native engineering company, partners with enterprises to deliver production AI in 90 days or less. The company’s approach combines strategic thinking with rapid implementation, ensuring AI initiatives deliver measurable business value. Founded by proven technologists, Blank Metal offers a production guarantee that traditional consulting cannot match. Visit blankmetal.ai to learn more.

Media Contact
Rachel Subasic
Rally Ventures
[email protected]

SOURCE Blank Metal