Aghanim – a fast-growing fintech organization with over 250 web-based game hubs, built using its innovative Game Hub Builder, is now unveiling the next generation of tools to power direct-to-consumer (DTC) strategy for video games.

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 19, 2025 — Aghanim, the fintech force behind mobile gaming’s direct-to-consumer (DTC) revolution, offers the revolutionary LiveOps Builder and Game Hub Builder – marking a substantial leap from low-performing webshops. The LA-based fintech organization creates content-first community websites for mobile games in less than a minute, and with the help of Newton^™, a GenAI-powered co-pilot, now proudly announces its new offerings:

• Kinetic^™ – A proprietary development framework designed to enable unparalleled customization and control in the creation, maintenance, and continuous optimization of Aghanim-powered game hubs.
• Blueprints^™ – A set of high-performing web-based liveops campaigns, ready to use under the LiveOps Builder templates, battle-tested on the millions of players visiting Aghanim-powered game hubs.
• Aghanim Connect – Allows game studios to easily connect their Aghanim-powered entities to third-party tools and services such as PlayFab, AppsFlyer, Adjust, Singular, and many more.
• Aghanim Checkout 2.0 – Our latest, fastest, and most conversion-optimized checkout technology, tailored to the needs of game studios and unique diverse player habits, in full compliance with the latest developments in the video game industry.

Kinetic^™ empowers developers and publishers to build, manage, and evolve richly immersive web experiences through a uniquely modular and extensible architecture.

At the core of Kinetic^™ lies a block-based UI system optimized for game-centric interfaces, powered by an adaptive layout engine that ensures responsive rendering across devices and resolutions. The high-powered architecture supports real-time content manipulation and advanced dynamic logic embedding directly into front-end structures, delivering high-performance & data-driven interactivity.

Kinetic^™ incorporates a proprietary semantic configuration language engineered for both human readability and artificial intelligence compatibility. This enables the automated generation, deployment, maintenance, and optimization of Aghanim-powered game hubs.

Designed to maximize both creative expression and technical precision, Kinetic^™ allows for fine-grained personalization of every website element, enabling live data integration, variable management, and customization.

Kinetic^™ is the foundation for delivering visually distinctive, technologically advanced, and operationally agile web-based game hubs – empowering game creators to innovate without compromise.

Aghanim’s Checkout 2.0 isn’t just a product update – it’s the culmination of relentless innovation and data-driven refinement. Since its inception, Aghanim has pioneered app-to-web linkouts for mobile games, generating tens of millions of player sessions across its game hubs. Today, we’re unleashing the full power of that experience in the form of Checkout 2.0, as a response to the latest developments in the United States, Japan and the European Union related to Apple AppStore and Google Play apps distribution and monetization changes.

Using Aghanim’s Checkout 2.0, (built on a proprietary fintech stack), each game studio can:

• Seamlessly link out players from the game to a browser-based checkout
• Automatically authenticate players with pre-filled carts
• Incentivize players to make purchases and connect their payment details by offering white-label out-of-the-box loyalty programs and cashback reward point services
• Support credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, digital wallets, and many more
• Convert taps into purchases faster than any off-the-shelf payment tool – then seamlessly auto–return players directly back to the game

Aghanim’s Checkout 2.0 increases net revenue for game studios by up to 220%, while delivering mission-critical marketing insights needed to improve return on marketing investment (ROMI). It is deeply integrated with our proprietary LiveOps Builder™, which enables real-time, programmatic responses to each player’s behaviour – whether that means presenting an upsell opportunity after a successful transaction, or capitalising on a failed one (due to insufficient funds) by automatically triggering a time-limited alternative offer priced according to the player’s predicted account balance.

Whether Aghanim is integrated into an app, dropped in a Discord post, delivered via email, embedded in a social story, or scanned via QR code: Aghanim’s Checkout 2.0 – Payment Links meets players where they are, then converts them into paying users – instantly.

Aghanim Connect is the foundation of Aghanim’s commitment to being a clear open platform – one that actively collaborates with peers and leaders across every sector of the video game industry.

Seamlessly connect over 30 pre-integrated tools to your Aghanim-powered stack – simplifying your integration, syncing SKUs, news, and leaderboards, and ensuring data consistency across global marketing campaigns by linking your DTC sales with platforms like PlayFab, AppsFlyer, Adjust, Singular, Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Meta Pixel, and more.

Blueprints^™ allows studios to discover and easily implement battle-tested web-based monetization liveops campaigns triggered by players visiting Aghanim-powered entities on the individual user level. Programmatically react to players’ behaviour on game hub login. Whether they are purchasing virtual items, claiming a daily reward, redeeming coupons, visiting web stores, abandoning carts – Aghanim enables publishers and developers alike to keep full control of the player journey and maximize conversions via constant a/b testing and experimentation – no coding skills required.

About Aghanim:

Aghanim is an integrated commerce, liveops automation, community engagement, and payments platform for mobile games – founded by a team of former C-level executives from Xsolla. The organization has pioneered app-to-web linkout solutions and now delivers the most seamless app-to-web checkout experience in the market – battle-tested and optimized using tens of millions of data points generated by the millions of users that engage with Aghanim-powered game hubs built on Kinetic^™, the company’s proprietary website customization framework.

While the U.S. and Japan rulings mark a major breakthrough, developers still face a patchwork of regulations and inconsistent enforcement across international markets. Aghanim is the go-to platform offering a fully compliant, scalable solution for linking-out players to web-based game hubs on a multinational scale. Get started by building your own game hub instantly, right here: https://aghanim.com/

Media Contact:
[email protected]

SOURCE Aghanim Inc.

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 19, 2025 — Databricks, the Data and AI company, today announced it has signed a term sheet for its Series K round, which it expects to close soon with backing from existing investors. This funding values the company at >$100 billion.

The company expects to use the new capital to accelerate its AI strategy — expanding Agent Bricks, investing in its new database offering Lakebase, and fueling global growth. At the June Data + AI Summit, Databricks introduced a new product, Agent Bricks, which builds high-quality, production AI agents optimized on your enterprise data, and Lakebase, a new type of operational database (OLTP), built on open source Postgres, and optimized for AI Agents. The investment is also expected to support future AI acquisitions and deepen AI research.

“We’re seeing tremendous investor interest because of the momentum behind our AI products, which power the world’s largest businesses and AI services,” said Ali Ghodsi, co-founder and CEO of Databricks. “Every company can securely turn its enterprise data into AI apps and agents to grow revenue faster, operate more efficiently, and make smarter decisions with less risk. Databricks is benefiting from an unprecedented global demand for AI apps and agents, turning companies’ data into goldmines. We’re thrilled this round is already over-subscribed and to partner with strategic, long-term investors who share our vision for the future of AI.”

This new investment comes on the heels of strong momentum for Databricks. In the last two quarters, the company has launched or expanded partnerships with Microsoft, Google Cloud, Anthropic, SAP, and Palantir. More than 15,000 customers around the world use the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform to democratize access to data and AI, making it easier to harness the power of their data for analytics and AI apps and agents. Built on an open source foundation, the platform enables organizations to drive innovation that increases revenue, lowers costs, and reduces risk.

About Databricks
Databricks is the Data and AI company. More than 15,000 organizations worldwide — including Block, Comcast, Condé Nast, Rivian, Shell and over 60% of the Fortune 500 — rely on the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform to take control of their data and put it to work with AI. Databricks is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices around the globe and was founded by the original creators of Lakehouse, Apache Spark™, Delta Lake, MLflow, and Unity Catalog. To learn more, follow Databricks on X, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Databricks

COSTA MESA, Calif., Aug. 19, 2025 — CerraCap Ventures, a leading early-stage venture capital firm backing breakthrough frontier technologies worldwide, today announced its investment in Space Kinetic Corp., a cleared U.S. national security innovator headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The deal marks a pivotal step in CerraCap’s mission to accelerate cutting-edge solutions in space defense and strengthen America’s strategic advantage in an increasingly contested environment.

Founded in 2022 by Scott Ziegler (M.Eng, UC Berkeley; Principal Inventor, NM LEEP Fellow) and Ryan Sullivan (MBA, UC Berkeley; Returned US Peace Corps), Space Kinetic is focused on enabling a new paradigm for space operations – one that unlocks game-changing capabilities across the space superiority and missile defense mission areas. Originating from a garage-built prototype and with a springboard from the New Mexico Lab-Embedded Entrepreneur Program (NM LEEP) at Los Alamos National Laboratory, the company is now a venture-backed deep tech leader redefining what’s possible in national security innovation.

Space Kinetic’s core innovation is a patented, propellant-free electromechanical system which deploys a diverse range of smaller payloads at high velocities from a host satellite without firing a thruster. These deployable payloads can be customized to support a broad range of priorities across the space superiority and missile defense mission areas. With this innovation, Space Kinetic’s vision is to bring the economic and operational benefits demonstrated by proliferated drone technology on Earth to the space domain.

Abhi Mukherjee, Operating Partner at CerraCap Ventures, shared “Through our partnership with the leadership at LANL and NM LEEP, I had the privilege of working closely with Scott and Ryan as their SLC Advisor during their Cohort 2 Fellowship. Space Kinetic emerged as a compelling investment in the multi-billion-dollar space superiority and missile defense mission markets – an arena shaped by rising geopolitical tensions and the urgent need for scalable defense architectures. At CerraCap, we pride ourselves on a disciplined investment approach, and Space Kinetic marks our fifth portfolio company with roots in the Land of Enchantment. In a sector where innovation is the first and last line of defense, Space Kinetic stands out for its technical depth and market potential. We’re excited to join the Space Kinetic team on their journey towards becoming a unicorn while building scalable systems that support our nation’s most urgent security priorities.”

Ryan Sullivan, CEO of Space Kinetic, commented “As a nation, we have a clear imperative to build a new kind of space architecture that enables true space superiority and robust missile defense. Space Kinetic is committed to supporting this architecture. We have partnered with Abhi and the CerraCap team since our first day in the NM LEEP Program, and they have shown a deep commitment both to the national security tech ecosystem and to building on New Mexico’s legacy of innovation. As we work to deliver an asymmetric solution for U.S. space superiority and missile defense, we’re thrilled to deepen our relationship with CerraCap.”

“This investment underscores the strength of NM LEEP and the value of our deep tech venture partner network”, added Duncan McBranch, Senior Director, Los Alamos National Laboratory Partnerships and Pipeline Office. “Space Kinetic is proving how collaboration with Los Alamos experts can accelerate the path to market for commercial space companies tied to national security. CerraCap has been a vital partner as Space Kinetic has refined its technology”.

The investment comes amid surging global demand for scalable, cost-effective space security solutions, driven by escalating geopolitical tensions and the proliferation of adversary satellites. CerraCap’s partnership with Space Kinetic reinforces its track record of scaling mission-critical, dual-use technologies while positioning both organizations at the forefront of the next frontier in space superiority and mission defense innovation.

About CerraCap Ventures

CerraCap Ventures , a Southern California based early-stage venture capital firm, is dedicated to B2B enterprise-grade technology investments focused on the new fundamentals of digital innovation that are aligned to its core thesis of Healthier, Secure Planet. CerraCap Ventures enables rapid growth of startups by leveraging its distinctive Sales & Scale™ Business Model and driving revenue from large enterprises into its portfolio companies. For more information about CerraCap Ventures, visit www.cerracap.com

About Space Kinetic

Space Kinetic Corp. , founded in 2022, is a venture-backed startup focused on dual use space technology development to deliver asymmetric space-based capabilities and support key national security priorities. In a contested space domain and proliferated threat environment, there is a need for architectures that move beyond ‘one-to-one’ and enable ‘one-to-many’ — Space Kinetic is committed to building that new architecture. For more information about Space Kinetic Corp., visit www.spacekinetic.com

Media Contact

[email protected]

SOURCE CerraCap Ventures

SINGAPORE, Aug. 18, 2025 — True Global Ventures 4 Plus Pte. Ltd. (“TGV”) is pleased to announce that it has been granted a Capital Markets Services (“CMS”) licence by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (“MAS”) to conduct regulated fund management activities under the Securities and Futures Act 2001 (SFA) beyond the management of venture capital funds.

The CMS licence authorises TGV now as a Licensed Fund Management Company (“LFMC”) for accredited investors, to manage regulated investment funds from Singapore, strengthening the firm’s position as a global venture capital leader and underscoring its commitment to robust governance, compliance, and investor protection.

Strategic Growth Pathways Under the Licence

With the CMS licence in place, TGV is able to broaden its fund management activities and introduce new investment strategies in addition to its existing venture capital funds mandate. These include potentially managing:

Continuation Funds – enabling TGV to extend its support for proven, high-performing portfolio companies by providing additional growth capital, while also giving investors a choice of continued participation at later stages pre-IPO companies. Such funds can both invest in the best portfolio companies in primary rounds as well as into secondaries without the constraints imposed by TGV’s previous Venture Capital Fund Management (“VCFM”) license.

Fund of Funds – diversifying investor portfolios by allocating to top-tier venture capital managers across regions and sectors, supported by TGV’s extensive global networks.

Public Companies Investments – selectively investing in listed companies that align with TGV’s core themes in artificial intelligence and blockchain, allowing investors to benefit across both private and public markets.

Crypto Funds – leveraging TGV’s strong track record in blockchain to offer professionally managed exposure to digital assets, underpinned by institutional-grade governance and risk management.

“We are honoured to receive the CMS licence from MAS, which reflects our commitment to meeting the highest regulatory compliance and governance standards,” said Beatrice Lion, CEO of TGV. “This milestone enables us to build on True Global Ventures’ strong track record and with immediate effect we will be able to invest more in secondaries in our existing portfolio without restrictions from our previous VCFM license.”

Dušan Stojanović, initiator of TGV, comments “With our expanded license, all of the above investment strategies are possibilities of our fund management activities. That said, we will still maintain our core focus on funds investing in equity with fund sizes between US$100 and 200 million where we have so far had exceptional returns being among the top 3% of venture capital funds globally in the same vintage.”

The CMS licence represents a significant step in TGV’s mission to back exceptional entrepreneurs and disruptive technologies worldwide, while operating with the highest level of fiduciary responsibility.

About True Global Ventures

TGV is a global venture capital firm founded by seasoned entrepreneurs and investors. The firm backs serial entrepreneurs in innovation-driven sectors, including artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies. With a strong track record of investing in venture companies, TGV primarily invests across Bay Area, New York, Singapore, Hong Kong, London, Paris, Stockholm and Dubai and leverages its global network to accelerate portfolio company growth and long-term investor value.

SOURCE True Global Ventures

Investment to Boost Production of Critical Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Components

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Aug. 18, 2025 — X-Bow Systems Inc (X-Bow), the leading non-traditional producer of advanced solid rocket motors (SRMs) and defense technologies, and the U.S. Army, with support from the Department of Defense Office of Strategic Capital (OSC), have announced a $13.9 million joint investment. This collaboration aims to design, prototype, and test an advanced manufactured SRM for the standard-range Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS).

This joint investment, facilitated by OSC, is a strategic effort to address constraints in the nation’s production capacity for missiles, munitions, and SRMs, which are currently limited by older manufacturing processes. The initiative seeks to establish an alternative supply source and strengthen the solid rocket motor industrial base, using X-Bow’s patented advanced-manufactured solid-propellant (AMSP) processes for SRMs.

“This investment will introduce next-generation manufacturing for critical defense systems,” said Jason Hundley, CEO of X-Bow Systems. “Our Luling, Texas campus, using these advanced methods, will have the capability to produce thousands of SRMs, including GMLRS.”

OSC is supporting the U.S. Army in this effort through a cost-matching structure that facilitates this partnership, combining U.S. Government funding with private sector matching funds. This collaboration directly supports the Army’s objectives to secure a robust and reliable supply of critical munitions.

This Advanced Manufacturing Pathfinder is being coordinated by OSC on behalf of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) and in support of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology (ASA(ALT)) and the Army’s Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space (PEO MS).

X-Bow will partner with Kord Technologies, LLC (Kord), a wholly owned subsidiary of KBR, to develop this Pathfinder. Kord will provide systems engineering and technical support. The project will culminate in a static fire demonstration of the GMLRS propulsion prototype, supporting the development of a new non-traditional supplier for DoD.

About X-Bow Systems
X-Bow Systems is disrupting the aerospace industry with innovative and cost-effective advanced manufactured energetics for the solid rocket motor and launch vehicle market. X-Bow is also designing and building a suite of modular solid rocket motors and small launch vehicles for both orbital and suborbital launch services. X-Bow is led by CEO Jason Hundley, Chairman Mark Kaufman, CTO Max Vozoff, CRO Maureen Gannon, General Counsel John Leary, COO Mike Bender and a growing team of seasoned industry veterans and new space entrepreneurs. X-Bow is a dual-use technology company with investment from: Crosslink Capital, Razor’s Edge Ventures, Balerion Space Ventures, Boeing, Arkenstone Capital, The Capital Factory, Upsher Management Company, Event Horizon Capital, and Lockheed Martin Ventures. Headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, X-Bow has additional presence in California, Alabama, Colorado, Texas, Utah, Maryland and Washington, DC. For more information visit www.xbowsystems.com.

SOURCE X-Bow Systems

DALLAS, Aug. 18, 2025 — Polestar Analytics, a leading player in AI-driven data analytics & planning, announced today that it has raised $12.5 million in growth capital from a consortium of US-based Family Office and institutional investor. This significant fundraise will be used to further deepen Polestar Analytics’ AI capabilities and reinforce the development of its proprietary 1Platform, regarded as one of the industry’s best data convergence solutions for enterprise-scale analytics.

“This investment marks a pivotal moment in our mission to redefine how enterprises harness data and AI,” said Chetan Alsisaria, CEO of Polestar Analytics. “The funding allows us to accelerate innovation and continue delivering measurable business outcomes that set new industry benchmarks.”

In parallel, Polestar Analytics is delighted to announce that Michel Combes has joined as a Chair of the Board. Michel Combes is an internationally respected technology and telecommunications executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience. He currently serves as Executive Chairman & Acting CEO at Brightspeed and as member of Executive Advisory Council at Apollo. Michel is a Partner at ForgeLight, an operating and investment company focused on Media and consumer technology sector.

He serves on the boards of multinational firms including Phillip Morris International, E& (Etisalat), F5 Inc.

Previously, Michel Combes served as Executive Vice President at Claure Group, a global investment firm. He was the CEO and President of SoftBank Group International, CEO of Sprint in the US, CEO of Altice N.V., CEO of Alcatel-Lucent, and CEO of Vodafone Europe. He also held leadership roles at France Télécom and TDF Group.

He will bring significant industry experience, client relationships and meaningful leadership experience to scale Polestar Analytics into global powerhouse.

Michel Combes said, “I am delighted to join Polestar Analytics as Chair of the Board at this pivotal moment in the company’s growth. Polestar Analytics has established itself as a leader in data analytics and AI, with its proprietary 1Platform setting new benchmarks for data convergence and intelligent insights. I have great confidence in the leadership team and their strategic vision. With the recent investment, Polestar Analytics is well positioned to accelerate innovation, expand its AI offerings, and deliver even greater value to customers worldwide. I look forward to working closely with the entire Polestar Analytics team as we realize this tremendous potential together.“

“We’re equally honored to welcome Michel Combes as Chair of the Board; his track record of scaling global technology leaders will be invaluable as Polestar Analytics enters its next phase of accelerated growth,” added Chetan.

About Polestar Analytics

Founded with a mission to simplify complex decision-making through intelligent, scalable solutions, Polestar Analytics develops cutting-edge AI, analytics & planning solutions for enterprises. The company’s flagship 1Platform enables organizations to simplify the data-to-outcome journey. To learn more, follow Polestar Analytics on LinkedIn and visit the website.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2752307/AI_enabled_Data_Analytics_Polestar_Analytics.jpg
Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2492589/Polestar_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Polestar Analytics

Funding will help deliver multi-gig-speed connectivity to underserved communities across 20 states

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 15, 2025 — Brightspeed, the nation’s third-largest fiber broadband builder, today announced it has priced an offering of $1.65 billion in capital to continue its ongoing fiber network buildout. This transaction follows a $575 million bond offering priced in June and $3.7 billion raised in August 2024. These investments will support Brightspeed’s continued successful accelerated build program with the ultimate goal of reaching more than five million homes and businesses with its state-of-the-art fiber network across its 20-state footprint.

In just a few years, the company has passed more than 2.3 million premises with fiber, scaling to a build rate of one million new fiber locations annually while maintaining industry-leading build costs. This rapid, disciplined execution positions Brightspeed among the most efficient large-scale fiber builders in the market.

“This infusion of new capital means we can continue to expand our fiber network to more homes, businesses and communities who need it,” said Michel Combes, executive chairman and CEO of Brightspeed. “We’ve proven our ability to build at scale with solid economics, and the added funding underscores the market’s continued confidence in our track record and sustained execution.”

With 7.3 million homes and businesses in the company’s underpenetrated footprint and a proven and efficient build engine, Brightspeed is well positioned to create long-term value as more customers join the upgraded fiber network. Strong backing from the investment community reaffirms confidence in Brightspeed’s strategy and value creation opportunity.

“In my first two months as CEO, I’ve been impressed by the solid foundation already in place at Brightspeed,” added Combes. “We have a highly experienced leadership team and a committed, passionate workforce that is deeply rooted in their communities and dedicated to serving their neighbors. We are well into our journey to deliver value for our investors, our customers and for Brightspeed.”

Brightspeed’s fiber network leverages XGS-PON technology to deliver symmetrical multi-gig speeds and was recently recognized by HighSpeedInternet.com as the country’s fastest internet service in its 2025 Annual Service Provider Review. Brightspeed’s service is available across more than 530 communities and growing. The company is one of the most active and well-capitalized fiber companies in the country today.

About Brightspeed

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. and with assets and associated operations in 20 states, Brightspeed provides broadband and telecommunications services through a network platform capable of serving more than 7.3 million homes and businesses. Our nearly 4,000 employees are committed to building a future where more communities benefit from a more connected life, deploying a state-of-the-art fiber network and a customer experience that makes being connected as simple as it should be. For more information, please visit www.brightspeed.com.

SOURCE Brightspeed

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Aug. 14, 2025 — RIVANNA^®, developers of world-first imaging-based medical technologies, was recently awarded grant funding valued at $800,000 from the Virginia Catalyst Program to advance the Accuro^® 3S diagnostic ultrasound system. RIVANNA worked in collaboration with the University of Virginia (UVA), represented by William Manson, MD, Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Medical Director of Perioperative Medicine, and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), represented by David Evans, MD, FACEP, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Division Chair and Medical Director of Clinical Ultrasound, in order to develop the proposal.

Working in concert with RIVANNA leadership, including Will Mauldin, PhD, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Adam Dixon, PhD, Chief Technology Officer, and Paul Sheeran, PhD, Director of R&D, this project aims to address a critical need in the anesthesia field by delivering real-time needle guidance during neuraxial procedures, providing clinicians with greater precision and improved outcomes. This technology has the potential to enhance patient safety and satisfaction, while also improving provider efficiency during epidural placements. These advantages will be especially impactful for challenging cases, such as in patients with high BMI or anatomical abnormalities.

The Virginia Catalyst Award will specifically support the finalization and clinical validation of advanced product features integral to the performance of Accuro 3S. The device’s Dual-Array^™ ultrasound probe will work in concert with SpineNav-AI^™, RIVANNA’s proprietary machine learning algorithm, and the additional advanced product features developed in this effort to automate spinal landmark identification and facilitate continuous needle tracking.

Dr. Manson and Dr. Evans will lead clinical and integration studies at UVA and VCU, respectively, with support from RIVANNA. The research will evaluate platform readiness and usability to support clinical adoption and operational integration.

The Virginia Catalyst grant funding has been matched by $1.6 million in additional funding provided to RIVANNA from undisclosed sources, highlighting the clinical and economic potential of this initiative. The commercialization of Accuro 3S, expected to begin in late 2025, is anticipated to offer significant improvements in patient outcomes and elevate neuraxial anesthesia standards of care across the Commonwealth and the Nation.

“This collaborative initiative highlights the pivotal role of academic-industry partnerships in the advancement of next-generation medical technologies,” said Will Mauldin, PhD, Chief Executive Officer at RIVANNA. “By integrating AI-enabled spinal landmark recognition with continuous needle tracking, we are developing a clinically meaningful innovation intended to enhance the precision and safety of neuraxial anesthesia. This effort not only supports the global elevation of standards of care but also contributes meaningfully to Charlottesville’s continued trajectory as a leading center for medical technology innovation in Virginia.”

About RIVANNA

RIVANNA^® is a commercial-stage medical device innovator and manufacturer based in Charlottesville, VA. RIVANNA develops and commercializes world-first, imaging-based medical technologies that elevate global standards of care. The company provides early- and late-stage comprehensive imaging solutions for point-of-care spinal needle interventions and musculoskeletal diagnostics. Learn more: RIVANNA.

SOURCE RIVANNA

CLEVELAND, Aug. 14, 2025 — Ohio VC Fest ’25, hosted by JumpStart Inc., returns to the Huntington Convention Center in Downtown Cleveland on September 16-17. Once again, the conference will convene top-tier venture capitalists, angel investors, visionary founders and tech innovators for two days of high-impact programming, curated networking, and deal-making.

Now in its third year, Ohio VC Fest ’25 is doubling down on its mission to accelerate Ohio’s tech ecosystem and surging innovation economy with a special focus on AI and other emerging trends shaping the future of venture capital and entrepreneurship. Programming includes founder showcases, investor panels, curated 1:1 meetings and expert-led sessions about how technology, capital, and real-world impact converge.

“We’re creating a platform that brings capital and innovation together in a way that reflects Ohio’s growing role in the national tech economy,” said JumpStart Inc. Interim CEO, Lorne Novick. “This year’s agenda and speaker lineup is our most ambitious yet and we’re really excited to lead these disruptive conversations.”

This year’s highlights include:

• Elite networking with curated 1:1 meetings
• Exclusive deal-making opportunities with Ohio’s most promising startups
• World-class thought leadership from experts shaping the innovation economy
• Demo Zone showcases of tomorrow’s breakthrough companies
• Two high-stakes pitch competitions featuring top startups

New in 2025:

Ohio VC Fest will serve as a regional host for the Starup World Cup, one of the world’s largest and most prestigious competitions. Ten top startups will compete live on stage on September 17 for a chance to advance to the global finals in San Fransico and the shot at a $1 million investment prize.

Expert Speakers, Keynotes & Panel Discussions

Ohio VC Fest will feature a roster of engaging panelists from diverse industries, ready to share their expertise, ideas, and innovative solutions, from healthcare and fintech to software and beyond.

This year’s Day 1 Keynote speaker is New York Times best-selling author, Amy Jo Martin. Amy Jo founded one of the first digital agencies, pioneered modern personal branding on social media and has worked with some of the biggest brands on the planet. Amy Jo is also the founder and CEO of human transformation company, Renegade Global. Their funding arm, Renegade Global Ventures, is focused on democratizing access to deal flow and the flow of capital by getting more women to the table. 

Following Amy Jo’s inspiring talk, she’ll host a fireside chat and live recording of her hit podcast “Why Not Now?” featuring serial entrepreneur and investor, Michael Loeb.

Day 2 Keynote of Ohio VC Fest ’25 is entrepreneur and investor Vivek Ramaswamy. Known for his bold ideas and leadership in technology, business and policy, Vivek will deliver the keynote address on why Ohio is at the epicenter for the future of innovation.

His talk will explore the unique opportunity Ohio presents to build and scale technologies in the Midwest that solve real-world challenges thanks to its legacy industries, skilled workforce, university-driven research, and public-private collaborations that provide the infrastructure needed to turn visionary ideas into scalable solutions.

One on One Meetups to Spark Partnerships

At Ohio VC Fest ’25, attendees can engage in exclusive one-on-one meetings curated based on industry focus, capital needs, and other criteria. Organizers will use propriety software to curate one-on-one meetings meant to cultivate new relationships and structured opportunities to explore potential partnerships and investments.

Startup founders will deliver succinct elevator pitches to potential investment partners. Participants can learn from and connect with strategic partners to foster VC deal flow and efficiently grow their networks.

Investors will be matched with pre-screened, capital-seeking entrepreneurs based on their stage, industry, and other key criteria. By providing Ohio-based founders access to capital and client connections, we can facilitate deal flow for institutional and corporate investors.

Sponsorship opportunities are now available, offering premium branding, exclusive access to investment-ready startups, and private networking with over 500 founders and investors.

This event is possible thanks to sponsors, including Cyrannus, Thompson Hine, JobsOhio, Key Bank, Rev1 Ventures, Taft, Cleveland Clinic Innovations, University Hospital Ventures, and many others. Registration is now open. To purchase tickets and learn more, visit OhioVCFest.com.

About JumpStart Inc.

JumpStart Inc. is a nationally recognized entrepreneur support organization that equips Ohio’s tech startups and small businesses with the skills, services and support they need to grow and thrive. To learn more, visit jumpstartinc.org.

SOURCE JumpStart Inc.