APDA-funded researchers pursue cutting-edge projects that aim to find innovative ways of diagnosing, treating, and preventing Parkinson’s disease.

NEW YORK, Sept. 3, 2025 — The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) is proud to announce $4.04 million in new funding to support innovative Parkinson’s disease (PD) research – an increase of more than 55% from the previous year. This impressive amount does not include a new specially-designated allocation of grant funding for recent APDA researchers who lost funding from other sources this year. These researchers applied for APDA bridge-funding to help them continue their critical work and the final decisions on these grants will be announced by early October.

The newly funded research projects span a wide range of key areas in PD research, which aim to advance our understanding of PD and find innovative ways of diagnosing, treating, and ultimately preventing the disease. APDA proudly invests in the most promising clinicians and scientific projects and has been a funding partner in many major PD breakthroughs since its inception in 1961.

There are approximately one million people living with PD in the United States, with 90,000 new diagnoses every year – one every six minutes. Research is critical as we push for better treatments and, ultimately, a cure. APDA is steadfast in its research focus, aiming to fund early investigators – whether new to their careers or to PD research – giving them the initial funding needed to obtain the preliminary data necessary to secure a large grant.

Leslie A. Chambers, President & CEO of APDA comments, “At APDA, we believe in the power of progress and the hope it brings to the Parkinson’s community. Our mission is deeply rooted in our tagline, ‘Strength in optimism. Hope in progress.’ By providing essential seed funding, we empower researchers to explore innovative ideas and gather critical pilot data. This early support often acts as a catalyst, enabling them to secure larger grants.” Chambers continues, “We are immensely proud to play a pivotal role in advancing these groundbreaking projects that might otherwise never take flight, and in doing so, we continue to bring hope to everyone impacted by Parkinson’s disease.”

APDA’s new funding has been awarded in the form of eight Post-Doctoral Fellowships, fourteen Research Grants, one Diversity in Parkinson’s Disease Research Grant, one Social Sciences in Parkinson’s Disease Research Grant, nine APDA Centers for Advanced Research, and one George C. Cotzias Memorial Fellowship, APDA’s most prestigious award.

This year marks the inaugural award of APDA’s Social Sciences in Parkinson’s Disease Research Grant, a new funding category designed to support innovative projects that address the psychological, social, and cultural dimensions of Parkinson’s disease. These grants expand APDA’s long-standing research portfolio by investing not only in biomedical discoveries, but also in the social science approaches that help us better understand patient and caregiver experiences, reduce stigma, and improve quality of life.

For the sixth consecutive year, APDA has funded a dedicated Diversity in Parkinson’s Disease Research Grant, to better understand how PD affects underrepresented groups and to improve care for people from all communities.

All APDA grants are awarded through a competitive application process and reviewed by APDA’s esteemed Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), which is comprised of scientists with a wide range of backgrounds and expertise in all areas relevant to PD research. The SAB meets annually to diligently and methodically review all grant proposals and determine the most promising and innovative research to fund.

“As always, our Scientific Advisory Board reviewed many excellent applications and had to make tough choices about whom to fund,” states Rebecca Gilbert, MD, PhD and Chief Mission Officer at APDA. “We have an incredible responsibility to the Parkinson’s community to choose the research that shows the most promise for real progress, as well as a responsibility to our donors to make sure every dollar counts in the search for answers. It is a challenging process, approached with the utmost care and diligence, and I am proud of both the quality and quantity of promising projects and researchers that we are able to fund this year.”

The 2025-2026 APDA Research Grants

The George C. Cotzias Fellowship is APDA’s most prestigious grant and is awarded to a young physician-scientist with exceptional promise who is establishing a career in research, teaching, and clinical services relevant to Parkinson’s. The award spans three years and is designed to fund a long-range project focused on PD. This year’s awardee is:

• Gaurav Chattree, MD – The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University | Project: Developing Novel Therapeutic Strategies for Pathologic Circuits in Parkinson’s Disease

Post-Doctoral Fellowships are awarded to support post-doctoral scientists who recently completed their PhD work and whose research holds promise to provide new insights into the pathophysiology, etiology, and treatment of PD. This year’s awardees are:

• Sammy Alhassen, PhD – The Regents of the University of California, Los Angeles | Project: Circuit Mechanisms of Prefrontal Cognitive Impairments in Parkinson’s Disease Mouse Models
• Michael Almeida, PhD – The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Project: The Role of CHIP Dysfunction in a-Synuclein Pathology: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies for Parkinson’s Disease
• Julita Chlebowicz, PhD – Weill Medical College of Cornell University | Project: Synaptic Vvesicle Lipid Dyshomeostasis in Synucleinopathies
• Matthew Keeney, PhD – Brigham and Women’s Hospital | Project: Dissecting the Impact of PD-relevant Stressors on RNA-binding Protein Biology in Tractable iPSC Synucleinopathy Models
• Nirmal Kumar, PhD – Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey | Project: Synaptojanin-1 and VPS35 Interaction in Presynaptic Vulnerability
• Maria I. Olivero-Acosta, PhD – Yale University | Project: Antisense Oligonucleotide Downregulation of Pathologic circRNA Profiles in SNCA Triplication Midbrain Organoid Models
• Letizia Zanetti, PhD – The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York | Project: Investigating Neuroinflammation in a Novel PrknR275W Mouse Model of PD
• Aryeh Zolin, PhD – Weill Medical College of Cornell University | Project: Trans-synaptic Propagation of Alpha-synuclein Aggerates in Vivo From Genetically Select Neural Populations

Research Grants are awarded to investigators performing innovative PD research at major academic institutions across the United States. This year’s awardees are:

• Jessica Butts, PhD – William Marsh Rice University | Project: Characterizing the Cellular Heterogeneity of the PPtg Using a Novel Marker – Spx
• Peter Chung, PhD – University of Southern California | Project: Exploring the Role of Lipid Droplets in a-Synuclein Binding and Multimerization
• Benjamin Clayton, PhD – Case Western Reserve University – School of Medicine | Project: Modulating Pathological Astrocytes to Promote Neuroprotection in PD
• Laura Cox, PhD – Brigham and Women’s Hospital | Project: Investigating Immunologic Mechanisms by Which Alistipes Contributes to PD Pathogenesis
• Robert Heuermann, PhD – Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis | Project: Pain as a Nonmotor Symptom in Parkinson Disease: Exploring the Role of the Amygdala
• Gary Ho, PhD – Brigham and Women’s Hospital | Project: Palmitoylation of the Glucocerebrosidase Receptor LIMP2 and Regulation of Alpha-synuclein Homeostasis
• Valery Krizhanovsky, PhD – Weizmann Institute of Science | Project: The Role of Senescent Microglia in Parkinson Disease
• Zechuan Lin, PhD – Yale University | Project: Translating GWAS Into Target Genes for Parkinson’s
• Jonathan Lovell, PhD – The Research Foundation for The SUNY on behalf of University at Buffalo | Project: a-Synuclein Active Immunotherapy With pS129 Nanoliposomes
• Mariana Monje, MD, PhD – Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine | Project: Elucidating GPNMB Endolysosomal Localization and Implications for Parkinson’s Disease
• Abby Olsen, PhD – University of Pittsburgh | Project: Validating Ak1 as a Therapeutic Target in a Mammalian PD Model
• Abid Oueslati, PhD – Laval University (Université Laval, Québec) | Project: Targeting Early-Stage a-Synuclein Aggregation for Parkinson’s Disease Therapeutics
• Darci Trader, PhD – The Regents of the University of California, Irvine | Project: Degradation of alpha-Synuclein Oligomers via ByeTACs
• John Vaughen, PhD – The Regents of the University of California, San Francisco | Project: Tracking GBA-dependent Lipids in Neurons and Glia Across Circadian Time

This year’s Diversity in Parkinson’s Disease Research Grant awardee is:

• Michelle Fullard, MD – University of Colorado Denver, AMC and DC | Project: Improving Shared Decision Making for Women with Parkinson’s Disease

And the inaugural Social Sciences in Parkinson’s Disease Research Grants awardee is:

• Tim Passmore, PhD – Oklahoma State University | Project: Advanced Recreational Therapy Balance/Fall-Prevention Program for Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease in Small Cities

In addition, continued funding was granted for nine APDA Centers for Advanced Research to support various programs including research trainees, clinical fellowship programs, early-stage discovery programs and later-stage clinical translation. These Centers facilitate research that is at the forefront of investigation into the causes, treatments and ultimately the cure for PD. The current APDA Centers for Advanced Research are:

• Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
• Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
• Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
• Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ
• The Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
• University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL
• University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
• Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
• Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT

“We are confident that the research we are funding will make a significant impact in the fight against Parkinson’s disease,” says Chambers. “This vital work is made possible by the support of our generous APDA donors.”

Learn more about these grantees and the exciting work they are doing, and browse all APDA-funded research, by visiting www.apdaparkinson.org/research/what-we-fund.

Researchers and physicians who are interested in applying for APDA funding can visit www.apdaparkinson.org/research/research-opportunities for more information. Letters of Intent for the next grant cycle can be submitted beginning November 2025 with a deadline of January 30, 2026.

Those who want to support APDA’s critical research efforts with a donation can do so by visiting www.apdaparkinson.org/donate or by mailing a check payable to the American Parkinson Disease Association to: American Parkinson Disease Association, PO Box 61420, Staten Island, NY 10036.

To learn more about APDA or to get PD information and support, visit www.apdaparkinson.org, email [email protected], or call 800-223-2732.

About the American Parkinson Disease Association:
The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) is a nationwide grassroots network dedicated to fighting Parkinson’s disease (PD) and works tirelessly to assist the more than one million people with PD in the United States live life to the fullest in the face of this chronic, neurological disorder. Founded in 1961, APDA has raised and invested more than $313 million to provide outstanding patient services and educational programs, elevate public awareness about the disease, and support research designed to unlock the mysteries of PD and end this disease. To join in the fight against Parkinson’s disease and to learn more about the support APDA provides nationally through a network of Chapters and Information & Referral (I&R) Centers, as well as a national Research Program and Centers for Advanced Research, please visit us at www.apdaparkinson.org.

SOURCE American Parkinson Disease Association, Inc.

• Led by new investor Innovation Industries, with matching contributions from existing investors, Partners in Equity and Invest-NL, the $85M round also drew support from EQT Life Sciences and Health Innovations, demonstrating strong confidence in ViCentra’s next phase of growth
• Fresh capital fuels scale-up, regulatory pathway, and commercialization of Kaleido 2, the world’s smallest, lightest, and only lifestyle-oriented insulin patch pump in its class

UTRECHT, Netherlands, Sept. 3, 2025 — ViCentra, a European medical device company redefining insulin delivery for people with diabetes, today announced the successful close of an upsized $85 million Series D financing led by new investor Innovation Industries, a leading European deeptech venture capital firm, with matching participation from existing investors Partners in Equity and Invest-NL, alongside continued support from EQT Life Sciences and Health Innovations. With this fresh funding, ViCentra will accelerate manufacturing scale-up, launch the next-generation Kaleido 2 patch pump in Europe, and prepare for U.S. market entry.

Kaleido is the smallest, lightest, and most precise insulin patch pump in its class, uniquely designed as a lifestyle product that is discreet, intuitive, and personalized. Designed to feel more like personal technology than a traditional medical device, Kaleido features premium materials, and users can select their own favorite aluminum shells from a range of ten preset color options. Integrated with Diabeloop’s self-learning automated insulin delivery algorithm and compatible with the Dexcom CGM sensor, Kaleido positions ViCentra at the forefront of next-generation diabetes care, helping reach many more users and improve the quality of life for people with diabetes. Strong initial commercial uptake of Kaleido in Germany, France, and the Netherlands has driven demand beyond initial expectations. This financing enables ViCentra to scale the business for rapid revenue acceleration.

“Kaleido is a true disruptor — small, discreet, featherlight, and beautifully designed. It empowers people with diabetes by offering a more personal and distinctive choice in both function and style. Built with empathy and precision, it honors those who live with diabetes every day. With this funding, we can now meet surging European demand and fast-track our entry into the U.S. market. This is a pivotal moment — for ViCentra, and for the community we serve,” said Tom Arnold, Chief Executive Officer at ViCentra.

The global insulin delivery market is one of the largest and fastest growing medical device segments, driven by the rising prevalence of diabetes and increasing demand for solutions that blend clinical effectiveness with everyday usability. The insulin pump market alone is projected to reach over $14 billion by 2034. Patch pumps represent the fastest-growing segment of the insulin delivery market, signaling a broader industry shift toward compact, wearable, and patient-centric solutions. ViCentra is uniquely positioned to meet this need, offering a user-friendly, sleek design-led alternative to traditional systems.

“ViCentra is redefining insulin pump therapy with a platform that truly centers the user experience – combining clinical performance with design simplicity and wearability,” commented Caaj Greebe, Partner at Innovation Industries. “At Innovation Industries, we invest in pioneering companies that blend world-class technology with clear commercial potential. ViCentra exemplifies this by delivering a next-generation system addressing the urgent need for better treatment options in diabetes care. We’re proud to lead this investment round and partner with Tom and the team as they deepen and expand their presence in Europe and prepare for U.S. entry.”

ViCentra will be in attendance at the 61st Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), taking place from September 15–19, 2025, at the Vienna Congress & Convention Center (VIECON) in Vienna, Austria. The company will be available to meet with key clinicians, investors, and strategic partners to discuss advancements in insulin delivery and explore strategic partnerships.

About Kaleido
Kaleido is redefining the category of wearable insulin delivery as the first insulin patch pump designed with the form, function, and simplicity of a lifestyle product. Compact, featherlight, and discreet, Kaleido is designed with a focus on personal technology rather than a traditional medical device. It is made from premium materials and features customizable aluminum shells in ten color options, enabling self-expression, not just glycemic control. It offers users flexibility in how and where they wear their pump, allowing people with diabetes to manage their therapy in a way that fits seamlessly into their daily lives.

It is the smallest, lightest, most precise insulin patch pump in its class—delivering advanced, automated insulin therapy through seamless integration with Diabeloop’s clinically validated hybrid closed loop algorithms, DBLG1 and DBLG2.

About ViCentra
ViCentra is on a mission to improve life with diabetes through empathetic innovation, simplicity, and design excellence. The company develops and manufactures the Kaleido insulin patch pump system, a flexible, discreet, and beautifully crafted alternative to traditional insulin pumps. Headquartered in Utrecht, the Netherlands, ViCentra is expanding across Europe and preparing for U.S. market entry. Its investors include Innovation Industries, Partners in Equity, Invest-NL, EQT Life Sciences, Health Innovations, and INKEF. More information about ViCentra can be found at www.hellokaleido.com

About Innovation Industries
Innovation Industries is a leading European deep tech venture capital firm with €1 billion in capital under management. The firm invests in visionary science and engineering-based companies that tackle the world’s most pressing challenges. With a strong belief that deep tech can deliver both outsized financial returns and global impact, Innovation Industries partners with exceptional entrepreneurs and researchers to turn scientific breakthroughs into transformative companies. The firm provides long-term capital and strategic support from lab to scale, actively bridging the gap between academia and industry through close collaboration with leading technical universities, research institutions and industry partners. Innovation Industries has offices in Amsterdam, Eindhoven and Munich.

About Partners in Equity
Partners in Equity is a private investment firm whose mission is to support companies and funds that create solutions to environmental challenges. The firm is building a portfolio of investments in sustainable agriculture and food systems, circularity, and climate solutions, while also continuing to support existing portfolio companies, including in healthcare. Founded in 2003, Partners in Equity has invested in a range of companies in different stages. Having invested in ventures, they understand that meaningful change takes time and effort. The firm partners with organizations whose missions and values align with their own and remains committed for the long term. Partners in Equity’s ambition is to be a partner of choice by entrepreneurs, funds, and impact investors.

About Invest-NL           
Invest-NL is the National Promotional Institution of the Netherlands, committed to driving a sustainable and innovative future. They accelerate and finance major societal transitions in the fields of Agrifood, Biobased & Circular Economy, Deep Tech, Energy, and Life Sciences & Health. As a system player, Invest-NL connects innovative entrepreneurs, financiers, knowledge institutions, and governments—both in the Netherlands and abroad. They remove barriers, mobilize capital, and help develop emerging sectors. Through capital, expertise, and new financial instruments, they invest in tomorrow’s solutions.

SOURCE ViCentra

Der Fonds soll bis Juni 2026 mit 225 Millionen Dollar abgeschlossen werden.

SINGAPUR, 3. September 2025 — Venturi Partners, ein führender Wachstumsfonds für Verbraucher, gab den ersten Abschluss seines zweiten Fonds in Höhe von 150 Millionen Dollar bekannt. Dieser Meilenstein, der von bestehenden und neuen Investoren unterstützt wird, markiert eine starke Dynamik in Richtung des Gesamtziels von Venturi: $225 Millionen.

Aufbauend auf dem Erfolg von Fund I wird Fund II auf bahnbrechende, zweckorientierte Marken in Indien und Südostasien setzen, die in der Lage sind, von strukturellem Rückenwind wie steigenden Verbraucherausgaben und günstigen demografischen Entwicklungen zu profitieren. Der Fund II wird Erstinvestitionen in Höhe von 15-40 Mio. USD in 10 Unternehmen aus wachstumsstarken Konsumsektoren tätigen. Neben dem Hauptfonds können die Anleger auch im Verhältnis 1:1 mitinvestieren.

Diese Investitionsstrategie wird durch Venturis ausgeprägten Wertschöpfungsansatz gestärkt, der in der engen Zusammenarbeit mit den Gründern und der aktiven Beteiligung auf Vorstandsebene liegt, indem das Team seine tiefgreifende operative Branchenexpertise nutzt.  

Nicholas Cator, Founder & Managing Partner of Venturi Partners, kommentierte: “Wir sind dankbar für das anhaltende Vertrauen unserer bestehenden Investoren und begrüßen unsere neuen Partner. Diese starke Resonanz bestätigt unsere Investitionsthese und die Stärke unseres einzigartigen Teams, das wir in den letzten fünf Jahren aufgebaut haben.”

Rishika Chandan, Managing Partner von Venturi Partners, kommentierte: “Inmitten der globalen Volatilität entwickelt sich Indien weiterhin zu einem starken Wachstumsmarkt, der eine überzeugende langfristige Investitionsmöglichkeit bietet, die gut zu unserer Strategie passt. Wir sind zuversichtlich, dass wir mit unserer praktischen Erfahrung im operativen Geschäft hohe Renditen erzielen werden.

Erfolgsbilanz von Fund I

Im Juni 2022 schloss Venturi Partners seinen ersten Fonds mit 180 Mio. USD, hinter dem prominente Familien in Europa und Asien stehen, darunter Frédéric de Mévius (AB InBev-Familie) und Ackermans & van Haaren, eine börsennotierte belgische Investmentgesellschaft. Das Portfolio des Fund I umfasst Livspace, Country Delight, Believe, Pickup Coffee, Dali, K-12 Techno Services und JQR und wird demnächst durch eine achte Investition abgeschlossen.

Über Venturi Partners:

Venturi Partners ist eine verbraucherorientierte Wachstumsfinanzierungsplattform, die in Series B-D Unternehmen in Indien und Südostasien investiert. Venturi wurde 2020 gegründet und unterstützt verbraucherorientierte und zweckgerichtete Marken durch die Kombination von strategischem Kapital mit operativer Exzellenz und hilft ihnen, nachhaltig und profitabel zu skalieren.

Weitere Informationen finden Sie unter www.venturi.partners

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Le Fonds vise une clôture finale de 225 millions de dollars d’ici à juin 2026.

SINGAPOUR, 3 septembre 2025 — Venturi Partners, un fonds de croissance de la consommation de premier plan, a annoncé la première clôture de son deuxième fonds à 150 millions de dollars. Cette étape, soutenue par des investisseurs existants et nouveaux, marque un fort élan vers l’objectif global de Venturi, à savoir  225 millions de dollars.

S’appuyant sur le succès du Fund I, le Fund II soutiendra des marques disruptives, axées sur des objectifs précis, en Inde et en Asie du Sud-Est, qui sont positionnées pour bénéficier de vents contraires structurels, notamment l’augmentation des dépenses de consommation et une démographie favorable. Le Fund II réalisera des investissements initiaux de 15 à 40 millions de dollars dans 10 entreprises de secteurs de consommation à forte croissance. Outre le fonds principal, les investisseurs pourront également co-investir selon un ratio de 1 à 1.

Cette stratégie d’investissement est renforcée par l’approche distincte de Venturi en matière de création de valeur, qui repose sur une collaboration étroite avec les fondateurs et une participation active au conseil d’administration, en tirant parti de l’expertise opérationnelle sectorielle approfondie de l’équipe.  

Nicholas Cator, fondateur et associé directeur de Venturi Partners, a commenté : “Nous sommes reconnaissants de la confiance que nous accordent nos investisseurs actuels et nous souhaitons la bienvenue à nos nouveaux partenaires. Cette forte réponse valide notre thèse d’investissement et la force de l’équipe unique que nous avons constituée au cours des cinq dernières années”.

Rishika Chandan, Managing Partner de Venturi Partners, a commenté: “Au milieu de la volatilité mondiale, l’Inde continue d’émerger comme un marché à forte croissance, créant une opportunité d’investissement à long terme convaincante qui s’aligne bien avec notre stratégie. Grâce à notre expertise pratique en matière d’exploitation, nous sommes convaincus que nous obtiendrons des rendements élevés”.

Historique du Fund I

En juin 2022, Venturi Partners a clôturé son premier fonds à 180 millions de dollars, soutenu par d’éminentes familles d’Europe et d’Asie, dont Frédéric de Mévius (famille AB InBev) et Ackermans & van Haaren, une société d’investissement belge cotée en bourse. Le portefeuille du Fund I comprend Livspace, Country Delight, Believe, Pickup Coffee, Dali, K-12 Techno Services et JQR, avec un huitième investissement à venir pour le compléter.

À propos de Venturi Partners :

Venturi Partners est une plateforme d’investissement en capital de croissance axée sur le consommateur qui investit dans des entreprises de série B-D à travers l’Inde et l’Asie du Sud-Est. Fondée en 2020, Venturi soutient les marques centrées sur le consommateur et orientées vers un but précis en combinant le capital stratégique avec l’excellence opérationnelle pour les aider à se développer de manière durable et rentable.

Pour plus d’informations, consultez le site www.venturi.partners

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TEL AVIV, Israel, Sept. 2, 2025 — LightYX, a construction technology startup enabling precise, on-site laser projection of building plans, today announced it has raised $11 million in Series A funding. The round was led by NOVA by Saint-Gobain, the venture arm of Saint-Gobain, worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, with participation from U.S.-headquartered Yachad Capital Partners, Shibumi International, Somersault Ventures, and private investors in real estate and construction from Israel and abroad. In addition to private investments, LightYX has received six grants from the Israel Innovation Authority since its inception, totaling $3.3 million, for the development of groundbreaking deep tech solutions.

LightYX has developed an electro-optical system that uses laser projection to display construction plans directly onto floors, ceilings, and walls with 1/16-inch (under 2 millimeters) accuracy – currently the best on the market. This innovation allows workers to follow layout instructions precisely – such as where to place walls, HVAC, electrical, or plumbing systems – eliminating guesswork, reducing errors, and accelerating finishing phases. The system also scans and adapts plans in real time to reflect field conditions. The company holds several registered patents for its technology, establishing its position as a pioneer in the field.

“Construction layout is still often done with chalk lines, tape measures, and paper drawings. We’re replacing that with live, intelligent laser projection,” said Guy Ben-Romano, CEO and Co-Founder of LightYX. “This funding enables us to scale rapidly in the U.S. and Europe and transform how contractors work on-site.”

LightYX works with dozens of U.S. contractors and subcontractors, particularly in drywall and MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) installation, and partners with leading construction distributors. Its laser projection system has been deployed in several hundred projects, covering more than 25 million square feet of layouts. The new funding will drive U.S. expansion, accelerate product development, build new partnerships in the U.S. and Europe, and deepen customer relationships. LightYX targets over 3x growth in 2026.

Tomer Elran, GM of U.S. Operations and Co-Founder, added: “We’ve seen tremendous traction with top-tier general contractors in the U.S. Our goal is to become the default standard for on-site construction layout, bringing precision and productivity to construction sites.”

Uri Yehuday, CTO and Co-Founder, emphasized the technological edge: “We fuse optical engineering, real-time vision, and AI-based plan recognition into a system that understands construction logic. It’s hardware and software innovation built from scratch specifically for field teams.”

Pierre-Emmanuel Thiard, CEO, Saint-Gobain Ecophon and board member of LightYX: “Saint-Gobain invests in technologies that shape the future of building. LightYX is solving a fundamental productivity challenge with a simple, elegant, and scalable solution. We are excited to support their vision.”

About LightYX
www.lightyx.com

LightYX develops smart laser projection systems that guide construction layout with precision, speed, and adaptability. The company’s mission is to bring digital accuracy to every jobsite and empower workers with intuitive, real-time guidance tools.

LightYX Intro Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n163dE18lNI

Contact:
Dani Zeevi, Chairman, [email protected], +972-544-988845

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n163dE18lNI
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SOURCE LightYX

Strategist, author of Microtrends, Harvard alumnus shares insights on unicorn trends, global shifts, and investor sentiment

BOSTON, Sept. 2, 2025 — Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs (HAE) announced today that Mark Penn, Harvard alumnus, renowned strategist, author of Microtrends, and Chairman & CEO of Stagwell, will headline a Fireside Chat at the HAE Startup World Cup Regional on September 12 at Harvard Medical School. The conversation will be moderated by his classmate, Bill Reichert, Partner at Pegasus Tech Ventures.

Penn’s groundbreaking work decoding “microtrends” has helped leaders anticipate major market shifts by spotting small but powerful behavioral changes. This candid conversation will reveal signals founders can use to make smarter product, pricing, and go-to-market decisions.

“Bringing Mark to the HAE Startup World Cup Regional puts a spotlight on the practical side of trendspotting and how to turn signal into strategy,” said Regina Ryan, President of Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs. “Founders will walk away with a sharper lens on where demand is moving and how to position for it.”

“Great founders are great pattern recognizers,” added Bill Reichert of Pegasus Tech Ventures. “Mark’s insights translate directly into decisions that get you funded and keep you growing.”

The HAE Startup World Cup Regional will showcase twelve Harvard alumni-founded startups, each competing for the chance to advance to the Startup World Cup Grand Finale in Silicon Valley and vie for a $1 million investment prize from Pegasus Tech Ventures. For those unable to attend in person, a global livestream will make the event accessible worldwide.

Venue: The Martin Conference Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Date: Thursday, September 12 (in-person & livestream available)
Audience: Founders, investors, alumni, and the global innovation community

Tickets: Available at https://hae-startupworldcup.eventbrite.com/(in-person & livestream options)

Members of the media may request credentials and interviews with Mark Penn, Bill Reichert, and finalist founders. Press & Interview Inquiries can contact Regina Ryan, President, [email protected]

Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs, an official Harvard University alumni organization, champions founders through 22 global chapters, accelerators, programs, and events. The Startup World Cup Regional marks a bold new chapter—showcasing alumni innovation and opening doors to global funding opportunities. Learn more at www.harvardae.org

The Startup World Cup is the #1 startup pitch competition in the world, hosted by Pegasus Tech Ventures. With 100+ regional pitch competitions in 60+ countries, the Startup World Cup provides a global platform for startups to showcase their innovations and secure funding.

Pegasus Tech Ventures is a global venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley with $2 billion in assets under management. Pegasus also offers a unique Venture Capital-as-a-Service (VCaaS) model for large, global corporations that wish to partner with cutting-edge technology startups. Pegasus is the organizer of the Startup World Cup and the investment partner of the HAE Accelerator.

Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) is the challenger holding company built to transform marketing. Mark Penn serves as Chairman and CEO. Learn more at stagwellglobal.com.

Media Contact:
Regina Ryan, President
Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs
[email protected]

SOURCE Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs

MEXICO CITY, Sept. 2, 2025 — Kapital, a global financial institution and the leading AI-driven platform for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in Latin America, today announced the successful close of its up to $100 million Series C funding round, doubling its valuation to $1.3 billion in under two years and achieving profitability. The round was led by Tribe Capital and co-led by Pelion Ventures, with participation from Y Combinator, Marbruck Ventures, and True Arrow. The new capital will accelerate the build-out of Kapital’s unified, AI-powered financial ecosystem designed to maximize SMB performance across the region.

Kapital was built as a technology-first bank, designed from the ground up as financial infrastructure rather than a legacy institution patched with software. Every system was architected to be efficient, scalable, and automated. That foundation allows Kapital to develop new products natively while also acquiring traditional institutions, stripping out outdated infrastructure, and rebuilding them on its stack. The result has been higher margins, longer customer lifetimes, and lower loss ratios compared with fintechs that don’t own banking licenses or infrastructure.

“We are proud to join an elite group of unicorns emerging from Latin America. Kapital is already profitable, and our growth continues to accelerate through the unique combination of a banking license and proprietary software,” said CEO Rene Saul. “By taking a regulatory-first approach and ensuring each step in our expansion is aligned with policymakers, Kapital is setting a new standard for tech-enabled banking in the region.”

This strategy has already scaled Kapital’s balance sheet to $3 billion and extended its reach to 300,000 customers across the U.S., Mexico, and Colombia.

“What makes our model possible is not just capital, but our ability to modernize infrastructure through advanced AML/KYC compliance, machine learning, and AI-driven risk systems. Kapital is emerging as the most forward-learning technology bank in the region – built on a foundation that is both financial and computational, designed to compound advantage with every product, acquisition, and customer we bring onto the platform,” added Chief Financial Officer Fernando Sandoval.

Kapital has been recognized by the World Economic Forum as a Technology Pioneer in both 2024 and 2025 and was named to CNBC’s Disruptor 50 list in 2024.

About Kapital
Kapital Bank is a global financial institution transforming business access to capital through its advanced technology platform. With operations in Mexico and Colombia, it offers innovative and accessible business solutions driven by artificial intelligence. Kapital enables companies to manage operations, loans, and cash flow efficiently, giving them the competitive edge of large corporations—at a fraction of the cost.

SOURCE Kapital

Onward FX signals that venture is flowing beyond the coasts as Arkansas emerges as a destination for entrepreneurship; applications open nationwide through Sept. 15

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Sept. 2, 2025 — A state long known for big-box retail and agriculture is now drawing the attention of Silicon Valley and Wall Street. On Oct. 30, 24 venture capital firms representing $4 billion in assets under management will converge in Little Rock, Ark., for Onward FX, the Heartland’s premier founder-funder exchange. Qualified startups nationwide are invited to apply by Sept. 15.

The move marks the first statewide expansion of Onward FX, a Bentonville-born program that has already facilitated more than 500 curated startup-investor meetings. Unlike a typical demo day, the model is built for outcomes: one in four startups in past cycles secured a term sheet, with dozens more advancing into diligence.

“Onward FX gives founders direct access to investors who can change the trajectory of their company,” said Serafina Lalany, executive director of the Northwest Arkansas Council’s entrepreneurship program. “These are high-value conversations with decision-makers who understand your business and are ready to explore real opportunities.”

The statewide expansion comes at a pivotal moment. Nearly one-third of all early-stage venture deals in the United States are now happening in the Heartland, evidence that capital is flowing beyond traditional hubs like Silicon Valley and New York. Concurrently, industrial tech startups are transforming legacy industries that form the backbone of Arkansas’ economy, from manufacturing and logistics to agriculture and retail.

The Oct. 30 convening will host funds from Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Miami, Houston, Salt Lake City, Madison and beyond. Firms include Alpha Edison, Blumberg Capital, Plug and Play Ventures, Mercury Fund, Signal Peak Ventures, TMV, Flyover Capital, Lightship Capital, Tech Square Ventures and corporate venture arms such as Tyson Ventures.

For many venture capitalists, it will be their first trip to Arkansas. For founders, whether based in Little Rock, Kansas City, Los Angeles or New York, it will be a rare chance to connect directly with decision-makers in an environment built for real dealmaking.

The high-touch approach taken by Onward FX, launched last year as VC Immersions, has demonstrated results:

• $4 billion in combined assets under management represented by participating VC firms
• More than 500 curated founder–investor meetings facilitated since launch
• More than 200 participating companies across prior events
• One in four startups in a previous cycle received term sheets, with dozens more advancing conversations with investors

“Our team has invested in two startups we met through previous cycles,” said Matt Hickman, Principal at Plains Ventures, whose firm has already invested in two startups discovered through earlier Onward FX events. “Onward FX delivers meaningful outcomes for both founders and investors, and we look forward to continuing to find exceptional companies in Arkansas.”

Onward FX is a partnership between Northwest Arkansas Council and Arkansas Economic Development Commission. The program builds on earlier events supported by the Walton Family Foundation focused on delivering education and resources for startups while raising the region’s profile as an entrepreneurial destination. Together, the partners are betting that a curated exchange of capital and ideas can help advance Arkansas as a destination for founders and funders alike.

“Arkansas is proving to be a place where founders can build, scale and thrive,” said Esperanza Massana Crane, director of AEDC’s Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development Division. “The new statewide Onward FX initiative will create opportunities for our entrepreneurs to connect directly with top-tier investors while also showcasing Arkansas’ growing innovation economy. This partnership highlights our commitment to supporting startups at every stage and ensuring they have the capital, mentorship and resources needed to succeed.”

How to apply and attend
Founders can apply at onward.nwacouncil.org/fx by Sept. 15. Applications are open to startups nationwide, and companies do not need to be based in Arkansas to participate. While the highly-coveted private meeting spots are limited, Onward FX also features networking opportunities for a broader set of participants to engage in meaningful conversations and catalyze powerful relationships. Review and register for consideration at luma.com/onwardfx.

About Onward FX
Onward FX is the Heartland’s premier founder-funder exchange, designed to accelerate venture capital activity outside traditional coastal hubs. Since its launch in 2024, the program has facilitated over 500 curated investor-founder meetings and helped secure millions in early-stage financings for startups nationwide.

About the Arkansas Economic Development Commission
At AEDC, we know economic advancement does not happen by accident. We work strategically with businesses and communities to create strong economic opportunities, making Arkansas the natural choice for success. AEDC is a division of the Arkansas Department of Commerce. To learn more, visit ArkansasEDC.com.

About the Northwest Arkansas Council
Founded in 1990 by Sam Walton, J.B. Hunt, Don Tyson and other business leaders, the Northwest Arkansas Council serves as a regional convener for economic and community initiatives. The Council works to advance quality of life, attract talent, improve the workforce, create job opportunities and upgrade infrastructure across the region. Learn more at nwacouncil.org.

Contacts:
Nate Green, Communications Director
Northwest Arkansas Council
[email protected]
501-650-4653

Amanda Horn, Communications
Northwest Arkansas Council
[email protected]
775.636.2567

Link to logos

SOURCE Northwest Arkansas Council

AMSTERDAM, Sept. 2, 2025 — EQT Life Sciences is pleased to announce that the EQT Health Economics strategy has invested in Cyted Health, a leading gastrointestinal (GI) molecular diagnostics company. The USD 44 million Series B financing round was led by EQT Life Sciences and co-led by Advent Life Sciences and British Business Bank (formerly British Patient Capital), with continued support from existing investors Morningside and BGF. The financing includes a non-dilutive contribution from a strategic partnership with HCA Healthcare.

The financing will be used to accelerate the commercial expansion of Cyted’s diagnostics platform in the US, consolidate existing commercial success across the UK, and expand its portfolio of advanced diagnostic tests. Cyted’s existing platform consists of EndoSign®, an FDA 510(k)-cleared device enabling minimally invasive collection of esophageal cells, and advanced biomarker molecular testing for the detection of esophageal conditions.

Cyted’s technology has already demonstrated significant success across the UK’s National Health Service, completing over 35,000 tests and building a robust portfolio of peer-reviewed publications proving unmatched patient acceptability and real-world clinical impact.

“This Series B financing marks a defining moment for Cyted as we continue to deepen our commitment to detecting esophageal diseases earlier,” said Marcel Gehrung, CEO and Co-founder of Cyted Health. “This investment will help us consolidate our leading position in the market by expanding our US presence and adding new life-saving innovations to our advanced diagnostics portfolio.”

Bruno Holthof, Partner at EQT Life Sciences, commented: “Cyted is strongly positioned to redefine the standard of care in upper GI diagnostics worldwide. Its minimally invasive diagnostics platform is the standout innovation to capture this significant market opportunity, and we’re delighted to add the company to our portfolio.”

Founded by leading experts at the University of Cambridge, Cyted is pioneering the development of minimally invasive cell collection coupled with proprietary biomarker discovery to transform the detection of pre-cancerous, cancerous, and inflammatory esophageal conditions.

Cyted’s Series B financing round follows the recent expansion of its advisory panel to establish a Clinical Advisory Board. The Board comprises leading clinicians and researchers in gastroenterology and oncology who will provide strategic guidance as Cyted builds its advanced diagnostics portfolio and widens its footprint in the US.

Contact
EQT Press Office, [email protected]

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https://news.cision.com/eqt/r/eqt-life-sciences-leads-usd-44-million-series-b-financing-in-cyted-health-to-accelerate-us-expansion,c4228125

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