San Francisco-based venture firm partners early with technical founders building intelligent systems and critical infrastructure for the physical world

SAN FRANCISCO, May 21, 2026 — IXSAR Capital, a San Francisco–based venture firm investing at the frontier of Space Technology, Autonomy, and Robotics, today announced its focused venture platform designed to back technical founders building the next generation of intelligent systems, physical AI, and advanced infrastructure.

IXSAR Capital partners early with founders developing hard engineering solutions across orbit, road, factory, field, and other complex operating environments. The firm is built around a concentrated, high-conviction strategy and provides hands-on support across customer access, go-to-market strategy, talent, supply chain, manufacturing, regulatory pathways, and strategic partnerships.

“Software changed the world through code. The next wave will be defined by intelligent systems that move through, sense, and reshape the physical world,” said John Gabriel, General Partner of IXSAR Capital. “IXSAR Capital was created for the founders building in that frontier—where deep technical execution, commercial discipline, and long-term strategic support matter from day one.”

IXSAR focuses on companies operating in three core sectors:

• Space Technology — infrastructure, systems, and enabling technologies supporting the expanding space economy.
• Autonomy — intelligent platforms capable of perception, planning, and real-world execution.
• Robotics — machines and systems that automate, augment, and transform physical industries.

For founders, IXSAR Capital offers more than capital. The firm works with early-stage teams on technical and commercial diligence, customer introductions, enterprise and OEM partnerships, dual-use pathways, manufacturing strategy, and key hires. IXSAR is particularly focused on companies where engineering depth creates durable advantages and where execution requires navigating complex markets, supply chains, and regulatory environments.

For investors, IXSAR provides focused exposure to sectors the firm believes will shape the coming decade of technology and industrial transformation. Its strategy is designed around concentrated conviction, category specialization, and active company-building support.

“Space, autonomy, and robotics are converging with advances in AI, sensors, edge compute, power systems, and manufacturing,” added John Gabriel “That convergence is creating a new class of companies: intelligent systems businesses that can transform logistics, defense, mobility, industrial automation, agriculture, infrastructure, and beyond. IXSAR exists to help those companies become enduring platforms.”

Founders building in Space Technology, Autonomy, or Robotics can contact IXSAR Capital at [email protected] with the subject line “Founder Intro.” Institutional investors, family offices, and strategic LPs may contact [email protected] with the subject line “LP Inquiry.”

About IXSAR Capital

IXSAR Capital is a San Francisco–based venture capital firm investing at the frontier of Space Technology, Autonomy, and Robotics. The firm partners early with technical founders turning hard engineering into durable companies, supporting teams across customer access, go-to-market strategy, talent, supply chain, manufacturing, and regulatory strategy. IXSAR Capital’s mission is to back the teams building intelligent systems and infrastructure that will reshape industries and improve how people live and work.

Media Contact

IXSAR Capital
Email: [email protected]
Website: ixsar.com

SOURCE IXSAR

AI Therapy Platform Backed by Tony Robbins, Apolo Anton Ohno, Prime Movers Lab and Others Prioritizes Proactive Care, Helping Users to Find a Path Forward

SAN FRANCISCO, May 21, 2026 — Today, The Path, the global AI therapy platform designed for creating long-term mental wellness, announced $14.3 million in seed funding led by Prime Movers Lab with participation from Apolo Anton Ohno, Deontay Wilder, Designer Fund and others. The company was co-founded by No. 1 New York Times bestselling author and philanthropist Tony Robbins; Anson Whitmer, a founding member of the Calm app who led its data science and AI team; and Tyler Sheaffer, who founded Calm’s engineering team. Previously known as Mental, The Path has evolved to deliver AI therapy tools for daily living to help users build emotional resilience.

“Mental health care is backwards. We only step in once someone has reached a crisis point. I’ve seen this play out in my own family, and I knew we needed to build a platform that worked differently,” said Whitmer. “The Path is built on a new premise: the system is designed to understand where users are psychologically and guide them forward with continuity and intelligent sequencing. Unlike general-purpose AI, The Path is purpose-built for psychological growth, remembering user history, challenging assumptions and helping users build toward long-term goals. We want to help people understand their emotions, build healthier habits and find a clear way forward.”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than one billion people worldwide live with a mental health condition, yet most do not receive adequate care. Meanwhile, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that for most Americans, more than a decade passes between when mental health symptoms first appear and when they receive care. Existing solutions fall short of addressing the personal, sensitive needs of those managing mental health challenges. Projections show the shortage of qualified mental health professionals is worsening, highlighting the need for more accessible solutions.

The Path takes a new approach. The platform is built on multiple foundational models specifically designed for therapy and coaching. These models are guided by clinical expertise and trained to prioritize efficient and effective problem resolution over user engagement. Unlike traditional AI chatbots which reinforce blind spots and cognitive distortions, The Path functions like a guide, integrating principles from therapy and coaching and adapting them based on where each user is in their mental health journey.

The Path users select an AI therapist that fits their needs, and the platform personalizes a program from there. Between live sessions, The Path delivers customized homework, interventions and training to drive progress across multiple focus areas. It is also the only AI therapy platform built to support users who do reach a crisis state, offering robust safety features including facilitation with crisis hotline services as well as connection to human therapists. On a recent safety benchmark, The Path scored 95 while the best models from OpenAI and Anthrophic scored a 65.

“I’ve spent decades studying human potential, and here’s what I know: the gap between hitting rock bottom and getting real help is where too many people disappear. That gap is a crisis,” said Robbins. “Mental health support has lagged behind human need for far too long. The Path is delivering what the industry has failed to: personalized, accessible support for anyone who needs it, anytime they need it. Anson and the team are building something that has the potential to save lives and help millions of people.”

“Anson and his team have pioneered the frontier of AI and mental health for years. With The Path they have built a platform that enables proactive mental health and wellness,” said Dakin Sloss, founder and general partner at Prime Movers Lab. “By combining clinically-informed AI with a deeply personalized user experience, The Path sets itself apart from general-purpose models that struggle with the nuances of psychological safety. This isn’t just another chatbot, it’s a sophisticated guide that understands the continuity of a human journey. We are proud to lead this round and work alongside the team to scale this life-changing technology and redefine the mental health landscape.”

“Elite performance, whether on the ice or in the boardroom, is built on consistent, proactive mental training,” said Ohno. “The Path is the first platform I’ve seen that treats mental wellness like a discipline. It’s a 24/7 partner that helps you find clarity regardless of where you are in your mental health journey. The Path lowers the barrier for millions to start their own path toward greatness. I invested because this platform gives people the tools to navigate life with grace and resilience. It’s not just about getting through a crisis; it’s about having a guide to help you get to the next level.”

First launched as Mental, the AI technology The Path is built on has been used by more than 50,000 members and processed over 3.5 million messages. The Path will use the funding to continue to build the team and scale the platform while pursuing clinical research initiatives.

The Path is available now on the App Store and Google Play, or at thepath.ai.

About The Path
The Path is a global AI therapy platform that helps users turn overwhelming thoughts into clear patterns and practical next steps. Available 24/7 via iOS and Android, The Path is backed by Prime Movers Lab, Tony Robbins, Apolo Anton Ohno, Deontay Wilder, Designer Fund and others. Learn more at thepath.ai.

SOURCE The Path

NEW YORK, May 21, 2026 — Vêtir, the AI-powered luxury wardrobe operating system redefining how high-value consumers get dressed, shop, and manage their wardrobes, today announced the successful first close of its Series A, raising $5.5 million at a $150 million valuation.

The round was led by a curated consortium of investors across technology and luxury-adjacent family offices, including Laidlaw & Company, reflecting a long-term approach to building both the brand and the platform. The Series A saw strong participation from strategic partners as Vêtir continues building what it sees as a category-defining AI commerce platform for luxury fashion.

The raise comes at a pivotal moment for both AI and the luxury sector. While most AI-driven commerce has focused on discovery and transactions, Vêtir is built to act as a system of record for the wardrobe, bringing together what clients already own, what they want, and how they live in one place. This positions the company as an early mover in serving the high-value, high-context luxury consumer, where personalization, discretion, and long-term relationships are paramount.

Over the past year, the company has seen accelerated adoption, including:

• 200% month-over-month organic user expansion
• 3,500%+ growth in B2B clients
• 9x year-over-year revenue growth
• >$2,500 average order value (AOV)

“As Vêtir grows, we’ve been very deliberate in how we’ve built both the product and the company,” said Kate Davidson Hudson, Founder and CEO of Vêtir. “The focus is on building intelligence around the wardrobe itself—well beyond a traditional shopping interface. With our lead investors now in place, we’ve kept a small portion of the round open for a few strategic partners who can add real value as we continue to scale globally.”

Vêtir operates as an always-on, highly contextual AI stylist, learning from a client’s wardrobe, preferences, calendar, travel, and purchase behavior. The result is a persistent layer of personalization that extends well beyond the point of sale. Features like image and video search, photorealistic try-on, and instant closet uploads are all built into Vêtir’s proprietary technology.

On the enterprise side, Vêtir is building a CRM-like layer for private stylists and luxury clienteling teams—bringing structure and continuity to what has traditionally been a fragmented, relationship-driven space. By capturing post-purchase behavior, wardrobe data, and client preferences over time, the platform helps brands and stylists deliver a more precise, high-touch experience while also increasing long-term customer value.

With this funding, Vêtir plans to accelerate development of its personalization engine, expand its global presence, and deepen integrations with enterprise partners across luxury fashion and retail.

Alongside the financing, Vêtir is strengthening its leadership and governance with a series of high-profile appointments across technology, media, and luxury commerce. The company welcomes Stephanie Horton, Senior Director of Global Commerce at Google, and Nina Garcia, Editor-in-Chief of ELLE and Project Runway judge, to its Advisory Board. These appointments bring deep expertise across global commerce infrastructure, media, and luxury consumer behavior, reinforcing Vêtir’s position at the intersection of fashion and technology.

In addition, Jemma Plaue joins as SVP, Global Styling & Strategy, as the company scales its high-touch clienteling and styling operations. She brings experience from Mytheresa, MR PORTER, and NET-A-PORTER, most recently leading Personal Shopping, North America at Mytheresa, where she oversaw one of the company’s highest-performing client segments.

Vêtir is available on iOS and via web at vetirapp.com.

About Vêtir
Vêtir is an AI-powered luxury wardrobe operating system that transforms how consumers get dressed, shop, and manage their wardrobes. By combining a digital closet, personalized styling, and integrated commerce, Vêtir delivers a seamless, intelligent experience tailored to each client’s lifestyle. The platform serves both consumers and enterprise partners, enabling a more connected and data-driven approach to luxury fashion.

Media Contact
vê[email protected] 

SOURCE Vêtir

Blockchange Ventures, Coinbase Ventures, Compound VC, and Primitive Ventures back Cycles’ mission to clear the most debt, for the most people, with the least money moved.

TORONTO, May 21, 2026 — Cycles, a startup building an open, privacy-preserving clearing network for crypto markets and stablecoin payments, announced today it has raised $6.4 million in funding led by Blockchange Ventures, with participation from Coinbase Ventures, Compound VC, Primitive Ventures, and angels. The round brings Cycles’ total funding to $8.7 million, following a $2.3 million pre-seed in 2025. This funding will accelerate the development and rollout of the Cycles clearing network and scaling of the first products built on top, including its first institutional product, Cycles Prime, which enables trading firms to net OTC obligations privately across the network, reducing liquidity requirements and counterparty exposure without requiring collateral, the movement of assets, or any change in counterparties. Cycles Prime is launching with Lynq and FalconX as anchor partners.

Traditional financial institutions use clearing systems to reduce the amount of money that needs to move between counterparties. Instead of every firm sending full payments back and forth, clearing offsets obligations so that only the net difference needs to move. Crypto markets largely operate without this infrastructure today, creating liquidity bottlenecks, higher counterparty risk, and settlement inefficiencies across billions in daily trading volume.

Spun out of Informal Systems and led by Cosmos co-founder Ethan Buchman, Cycles nets obligations across crypto trading and payment flows through a multilateral clearing network  designed to improve capital efficiency and unlock new opportunities for growth.

“Clearing is a financial superpower that has historically only been available to large financial institutions,” said Ethan Buchman, Co-founder and CEO of Cycles. “Our goal is to bring that superpower to everyone else, through a privacy-preserving clearing network with capital efficiency at its core, and without centralized intermediaries.”

The consequences of operating without clearing infrastructure are not theoretical. On October 10, 2025, more than $19 billion in crypto leverage was liquidated in roughly a single day – the largest single-day deleveraging event in crypto history, with 70% of forced liquidations occurring in just 40 minutes (Amberdata, FTI Consulting). Much of the digital asset market still operates on a gross basis without netting, requiring participants and market makers to fully prefund trades, an inefficient use of capital that amplifies fragility when markets move fast (Markets Media).

“Clearing is the cornerstone of capital-efficient markets like foreign exchange allowing the movement of massive volumes of value without crippling liquidity requirements,” said Rob Schmults, General Partner at Blockchange Ventures. “We see Cycles providing an essential coordination layer to bring the efficiency and effectiveness of clearing to new markets. Doing this will allow businesses to clear and settle payments privately, optimize capital flow, and reduce the need for idle capital. As global adoption accelerates, Cycles can become a category defining standard for how value is settled and netted across entire ecosystems and markets.”

Cycles is building a unified clearing network that serves as a base layer for an ecosystem of capital-efficient financial applications.  It is initially launching two products built on a shared clearing architecture: Cycles Prime for institutional trading firms and Cycles Pay for stablecoin payments.

Cycles Prime enables institutional trading firms to net OTC obligations privately across the network, reducing liquidity requirements and counterparty exposure without requiring collateral, the movement of assets, or any change in counterparties. Institutional trading firms interested in joining the Cycles Prime beta can apply for a spot at cycles.money/prime.

“Legacy settlement rails weren’t built for today’s 24/7 global markets. We support Cycles’ mission to create a unified clearing layer for on-chain finance, an important step in modernizing global financial infrastructure,” commented Matt Lepow, Trade Ops Lead at FalconX. “As a pilot partner for Cycles Prime, FalconX is proud to contribute to a more capital-efficient method for institutions to manage short-term obligations.”

Cycles Pay is a stablecoin payments app for individuals and businesses to pay and get paid, put idle balances to work, and maintain privacy throughout. Payments are routed through Cycles’ clearing engine, which nets obligations across participants to minimize capital movement. Invoicing, expense management (and soon credit) will help businesses optimize cashflow on stablecoin rails. Try the app and sign up for private beta access to business features at cycles.money/pay.

About Cycles
Cycles is building a private clearing network for crypto markets and stablecoin payments. Spun out of Informal Systems, Cycles uses zero-knowledge proofs, trusted execution environments, and multilateral clearing to preserve privacy while enabling net settlement. Its first products, Cycles Prime and Cycles Pay, bring privacy-preserving clearing infrastructure to institutional trading firms, businesses, and individuals.

SOURCE Cycles

• ONE Bow River backs cutting-edge unmanned aircraft system technologies aimed to strengthen U.S. national security
• Capital injection fast-tracks PteroDynamics development and deployment of next-generation autonomous vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for defense and commercial applications.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., May 21, 2026 — ONE Bow River National Defense Fund (“ONE Bow River”) has made a strategic investment in PteroDynamics Inc., an innovator in autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft systems. The investment will enable PteroDynamics to accelerate development and flight testing of the company’s novel Transwing^® VTOL unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and scale manufacturing to meet growing global demand in the defense and commercial sectors.

ONE Bow River’s National Defense Fund invests in critical technology companies that aim to advance U.S. national security and strengthen the industrial base. PteroDynamics’ Transwing is a revolutionary VTOL aircraft system that folds its wings to transition between configurations optimized for vertical and winged horizontal flight.

“The need for next-generation VTOL UAS platforms to automate surveillance and contested logistics operations to remote locations in harsh environments is growing every day,” said Kevin O’Neil, Chief Investment Officer at ONE Bow River. “That is exactly the area where PteroDynamics excels. We’re committed to helping PteroDynamics scale its engineering, operations, and manufacturing to take advantage of a growing market opportunity.”

“PteroDynamics is at an exciting inflection point. The Transwing’s unique performance capabilities and compelling multi-mission flexibility are attracting increasing interest from defense and commercial operators in the U.S. and around the world,” said PteroDynamics CEO Matthew Graczyk. “The strategic partnership with ONE Bow River allows us to leverage their deep operational expertise and industry and government relationships to seize these opportunities while delivering more value to the market.” 

The strategic growth investment will support the buildout of PteroDynamics engineering operations, further development of the Transwing VTOL UAS platform, flight testing, and scaled manufacturing. PteroDynamics Transwing UAS platform aligns with the ONE Bow River’s focus on differentiated technology platforms that support contested logistics, aerospace, and national defense readiness.

The autonomous fourth-generation P4 Transwing VTOL UAS has a take-off weight of 89 pounds with a maximum payload of 15 pounds. In 2025, the U.S. Navy awarded PteroDynamics a contract to design and develop the company’s larger fifth-generation P5 Transwing, which will have a maximum take-off weight of 330 pounds and a range of over 400 nautical miles carrying a 50-pound payload at 70 knots. Initial flight testing begins later this summer.

About PteroDynamics

PteroDynamics Inc. is an innovation leader in autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft systems. PteroDynamics’ patented Transwing^® aircraft folds its wings to transition seamlessly between configurations optimized for vertical and winged horizontal flight, combining the speed, range, and endurance of fixed-wing aircraft with superb VTOL performance in a highly efficient unmanned aircraft system (UAS) platform that overcomes inherent limitations in other VTOL designs. Transwing’s unique capabilities are ideal for automating time-sensitive delivery of critical high-value payloads to hard-to-reach locations with no runways and in austere conditions, including dual-use military and commercial applications like maritime logistics support, payload delivery to remote locations without airstrips, and reconnaissance and surveillance. For more information, please visit www.pterodynamics.com.

About ONE Bow River

At the heart of ONE Bow River’s mission is a commitment to invest in, nurture, and advance companies focused on software and data solutions for the Government. Guided by the investment principles of the Department of Defense’s Office of Strategic Capital, ONE Bow River seeks to identify new opportunities that promote sustainable growth across its portfolio. ONE Bow River strives to deliver unparalleled value to shareholders while significantly enhancing our nation’s defense capabilities. For further details, please visit https://onebowriver.com.

Media Contact:
John Sommerfield
PteroDynamics
+1 415-310-5052
[email protected]

SOURCE ONE Bow River National Defense Fund

Rentable en 2025, la plateforme mondiale de gestion des ressources humaines, de la paie et des dépenses se développe en Europe et aux États-Unis, avec de nouveaux investissements dans l’expansion commerciale, l’IA et la technologie financière intégrée.

LONDRES, 20 mai 2026 — RemotePass, la plateforme mondiale d’emploi, de paie et de dépenses, a levé 17,4 millions de dollars en financement de série B dirigé par BERD Venture Capital (BERD), avec la participation de 500 Global et d’investisseurs actuels tels que Oraseya Capital, 212 VC, Access Bridge Ventures et Khwarizmi Ventures. Cette opération intervient à un moment charnière où l’emploi mondial et la technologie financière convergent et alors que les clients recherchent de plus en plus une plateforme unique qui gère ces deux types d’activités.

L’Europe et les États-Unis sont déjà deux des marchés de RemotePass qui connaissent la croissance la plus rapide, les entreprises se tournant vers la plateforme pour embaucher, payer et soutenir les travailleurs dans des zones géographiques dans lesquelles les entreprises en place n’ont qu’une portée ou une expérience limitée. Ce nouveau capital permettra à l’entreprise d’élargir sa présence commerciale sur ces marchés, d’approfondir son investissement dans l’infrastructure financière pour les équipes distribuées et d’accélérer l’implémentation de sa feuille de route en matière d’intelligence artificielle.

RemotePass a atteint la rentabilité au début de l’année 2025, grâce à la solidité de ses fondamentaux économiques. L’entreprise a ensuite délibérément décidé de réinvestir dans l’expansion, en faisant appel à la BERD et à 500 Global en tant que partenaires stratégiques pour la phase suivante. L’entreprise s’est étendue à plus de 35 000 travailleurs dans plus de 150 pays et a facilité plus de 800 millions de dollars de salaires transfrontaliers, avec une fraction du capital levé par les leaders de la catégorie.

« Ce tour de table est un accélérateur », a déclaré Kamal Reggad, PDG et cofondateur de RemotePass. « Nous avons le produit, l’élan et maintenant les partenaires pour nous développer correctement. L’embauche n’est que le départ. Ce dont les entreprises ont besoin, c’est d’une plateforme soutenant leurs équipes de bout en bout, y compris les services financiers qui permettent au travail distribué de fonctionner. »

Fondée en 2021 par Kamal Reggad et Karim Nadi, RemotePass résout un problème que les opérateurs historiques ont largement ignoré : l’embauche, la rémunération et le soutien des travailleurs au-delà des frontières où la mise en place d’entités locales, la conformité et l’infrastructure bancaire restent véritablement problématiques. La plateforme est utilisée par des clients tels que Logitech, Tata Group, InDrive et Careem. Elle couvre l’employeur officiel (EOR), la gestion des entrepreneurs, la paie et la conformité, ainsi qu’une couche de technologie financière permettant aux travailleurs d’accéder à des comptes en USD, à des cartes mondiales et à l’assurance maladie.

Fin 2025, RemotePass a lancé SpendCards, qui intègre les cartes de dépenses de l’entreprise dans la même plateforme que celle qui paie le personnel – regroupant les salaires, les paiements des sous-traitants et les dépenses en un seul système, indépendamment de l’endroit où se trouve le travailleur ou des conditions de son emploi. La gestion des dépenses reste l’un des problèmes opérationnels les plus tenaces dans les installations transfrontalières, ce qui a obligé les équipes financières à faire appel à des fournisseurs distincts. L’entreprise a également introduit des agents d’IA qui automatisent les flux de travail dans les domaines de l’accueil, de la conformité et de l’assistance.

« RemotePass intègre de manière unique les produits financiers et de paie mondiaux dans une expérience unique basée sur l’IA. La solution réduit les frictions pour les employeurs opérant sur les marchés émergents tout en créant de réelles opportunités économiques pour des dizaines de milliers de travailleurs. L’entreprise a atteint une taille significative avec une fraction du capital que d’autres entreprises de la même catégorie ont levé, signe de la discipline dont Kamal et son équipe ont fait preuve en matière d’exécution. C’est exactement le type d’entreprise que nous avons voulu soutenir  : une équipe qui met en place une plate-forme leader sur un marché émergent, avec une profondeur de produit et une dynamique commerciale qui lui permettront d’être compétitive en Europe et aux États-Unis. Nous sommes impatients de les soutenir au cours de leur prochaine phase de croissance », a déclaré Amine Chabane, directeur du capital-risque de la BERD.

« RemotePass a construit une plateforme robuste qui fait le lien entre la gestion des effectifs et la technologie financière dans une seule pile intégrée. La profondeur du marché émergent, la couche de technologie financière intégrée et les investissements précoces dans l’IA créent des avantages structurels difficiles à reproduire. Nous avons soutenu cette équipe exceptionnelle parce qu’elle met en place une infrastructure de classe mondiale pour résoudre un problème de taille, à l’heure où de plus en plus d’entreprises déploient leur main-d’œuvre au-delà des frontières », a déclaré Amjad Ahmad, associé directeur de 500 Global.

La série B financera l’expansion en Europe et aux États-Unis, l’approfondissement de la couverture de la conformité et la poursuite des investissements dans la surface des produits financiers et les capacités d’IA qui sont devenues des caractéristiques déterminantes de la plateforme.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2983345/RemotePass_Kamal_Reggad.jpg

HONG KONG, May 20, 2026 — HashKey Holdings Limited (“HashKey” or the “Company”, Stock Code: 3887.HK), a leading comprehensive digital asset company in Asia, announced today that a fund managed by HashKey Capital, its asset management arm, has completed a $40 million USD investment in SignalPlus, a crypto asset derivatives trading service platform, which includes $20 million in cash contributed by HashKey Group. 

SignalPlus is a leading institutional-grade infrastructure platform in the crypto derivatives space that focuses on option trading systems, automated market-making, and structured product solutions. Currently, the services provided by SignalPlus are deeply integrated into the mainstream crypto options markets and it holds a leading market share in Asia. HashKey Capital, the asset management arm of HashKey, was the lead investor in SignalPlus’s seed round and supported its development from an early stage. It also made additional investments in the additional investment rounds. This investment is a deep and long-term partnership between the two companies and it reflects HashKey’s confidence in SignalPlus’s technical capabilities, market position, and industry prospects.

Dr. Xiao Feng, Chairman and CEO of HashKey Group, stated: “We are very pleased to further offer a deeper capital commitment and reach this cooperation with SignalPlus. Currently, global institutional capital is accelerating its convergence into the crypto derivatives and the market’s demand for compliant, robust, and highly professional institutional-grade infrastructure is becoming increasingly apparent. In the future, HashKey and SignalPlus will jointly promote product innovation and global business expansion through well-rounded strategic cooperation.”

Leveraging this investment and strategic cooperation, HashKey and SignalPlus will combine their respective strengths in the digital asset space and derivatives trading technology to jointly expand the global institutional services market by enhancing their strategic competitiveness and influence within the global digital asset derivatives ecosystem.

About HashKey Holdings Limited

HashKey Holdings Limited (“HashKey” or the “Company”, Stock Code: 3887.HK) is a mature, comprehensive digital asset company in Asia with a global footprint, building a digital asset ecosystem by providing end-to-end financial infrastructure, technology, and investment management. The Company provides trading facilitation services, on-chain services, and asset management services through licensed digital asset platforms.

SOURCE HashKey Holdings Limited

Applied Real Intelligence (A.R.I.) provided a senior secured loan to October’s Very Own (OVO) and later served as lead investor in its convertible note financing

LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK, May 20, 2026 — Applied Real Intelligence (“A.R.I.”), a U.S.-based investment firm led by Dr. Zack Ellison, today highlighted its financing role in October’s Very Own (“OVO”), the lifestyle brand founded by Aubrey “Drake” Graham, Oliver El-Khatib, and Noah “40” Shebib, following the May 15 release of Drake’s three-album project — Iceman, Maid of Honour, and Habibti.

A.R.I., through the A.R.I. Senior Secured Growth Credit Fund, previously provided a senior secured term loan facility to OVO. A.R.I. subsequently served as lead investor in OVO’s convertible note financing. Together, the financings reflect A.R.I.’s strategy of pairing flexible growth capital for borrowers with structured protections and equity-linked upside for investors.

A.R.I.’s Strategy: Structure Is the Asset

“The mistake many investors make is treating growth as the asset,” said Dr. Zack Ellison, Founder and Managing General Partner of A.R.I. “At A.R.I., we believe thoughtful structure is a major source of value creation. We seek to create investments where legal architecture, economic terms, collateral, and negotiated rights matter as much as the growth story itself.”

For borrowers, A.R.I.’s structured capital can facilitate growth without immediately forcing common equity dilution. For investors, these investments offer a differentiated risk-return profile built around contractual income, downside protection, and upside participation in enterprise value creation.

About October’s Very Own (“OVO”)

Founded in Toronto in 2008 as a music collective, OVO has evolved into a globally recognized consumer and lifestyle brand known for its distinctive owl logo and black-and-gold aesthetic.

OVO’s platform spans apparel, streetwear, entertainment, sports, and consumer products, supported by a global e-commerce business and flagship retail locations in Toronto, Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas, and London.

The brand is well known for its high-profile collaborations involving Nike’s Jordan Brand, Canada Goose, Timberland, the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, Fanatics, Disney, Warner Bros.’ Looney Tunes, The Simpsons, PlayStation, Chelsea Football Club, and Red Bull Racing, among many others.

Celebrity-Led Brands Are Becoming Institutional Investment Opportunities

OVO is an example of the growing institutionalization of celebrity-led consumer platforms, alongside brands such as Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS, Rihanna’s Fenty, and Hailey Bieber’s Rhode. These businesses demonstrate how cultural relevance, audience reach, and disciplined brand execution can evolve into scalable consumer ecosystems with substantial enterprise value.

Recent market activity highlights the scale of institutional and strategic interest in celebrity-led consumer brands. SKIMS announced a $225 million capital raise in November 2025 at a $5 billion valuation, led by Goldman Sachs Alternatives with participation from funds affiliated with BDT & MSD Partners.

In another high-profile transaction, e.l.f. Beauty announced an agreement to acquire Rhode for up to $1 billion, representing approximately 5x trailing revenue. Fenty has also been widely valued in the billions by multiple industry sources.

“Cultural influence can create extraordinary investment opportunities when paired with disciplined structure, enforceable rights, and rigorous risk management,” said Dr. Ellison.

About Applied Real Intelligence (A.R.I.)

Applied Real Intelligence is a Florida-based investment manager providing senior secured loans, structured equity, and flexible capital solutions to innovation-driven and category-defining companies in sectors including AI, software, technology, energy, consumer brands, sports, media, and entertainment. Learn more at www.arivc.com.

Dr. Zack Ellison, DBA, MBA, MS, CFA, CAIA, Founder & Managing General Partner of A.R.I., has over 20 years of cross-border credit and investment experience at firms such as Deutsche Bank, Scotiabank, Thomson Reuters, and Sun Life Financial. He holds BA in Economics from Swarthmore College, an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, an MS in Risk Management from NYU Stern, and a Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Florida.

Source and Trademark Notice

Information referenced herein regarding OVO, Drake, and related matters is derived from publicly available information obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but has not been independently verified by Applied Real Intelligence (“A.R.I.”). References to OVO, Drake, and related parties are included solely for informational purposes in connection with A.R.I.’s financing activities and related market observations.

All trademarks, trade names, brands, logos, and other intellectual property referenced herein are the property of their respective owners and are used solely for identification and informational purposes. No affiliation with, endorsement by, sponsorship by, or approval from any third party referenced herein should be inferred or implied.

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SOURCE A.R.I.

CHICAGO, May 20, 2026 — BravoTran, the only end-to-end AP and AR automation platform built from the ground up for freight forwarders, today announced a growth investment led by Arthur Ventures, a Minneapolis-based early-growth capital firm focused on B2B software companies.

BravoTran automates the full AP workflow for freight forwarders from invoice receipt through accrual matching, exception resolution, posting, and payment. Its AR product handles the complexity of billing large enterprise customers whose rate agreements, document requirements, and freight auditor connections go well beyond what any forwarding application can manage natively. The company now serves 340+ customer accounts in 55 countries, processing tens of thousands of invoices per day, including dozens of the top 50 global freight forwarders.

The investment will be used to scale customer support, accelerate product development, and expand BravoTran’s go-to-market team as the company enters a new phase of growth.

“The results our customers see are what drive this business,” said Tom Durrenberger, CEO of BravoTran. “Customers are averaging a 4.5 percentage point improvement in gross margin per shipment and getting invoices posted nearly ten days faster, and that’s before counting the labor savings. We’ve built the only platform that handles 100% of forwarder invoice volume, and the depth of that product is what’s generating those results. This investment lets us bring that to more forwarders faster.”

“We are excited to partner with Tom and the entire BravoTran team as they continue building an end-to-end back office platform purpose-built for freight forwarders,” said Andrew Heim, General Partner at Arthur Ventures. “Throughout our diligence, customers consistently raved about the product, the team, and the meaningful value it delivers to their AP and AR operations. The clear ROI customers achieve, combined with BravoTran’s deep domain expertise, is exactly what we look for in a partner, and we are thrilled to provide growth capital to support their continued success.”

About BravoTran

BravoTran is the only end-to-end AP and AR automation platform designed from the ground up for freight forwarders. BravoTran Payables automates AP invoice processing from receipt through payment, integrating natively with CargoWise and Magaya. BravoTran Receivables manages the full outbound billing cycle, including customer-specific invoice tailoring, direct freight auditor connections, and a customer self-service portal. The company serves 340+ customer accounts in 55 countries. More information is available at www.bravotran.com.

About Arthur Ventures

Arthur Ventures is a Minneapolis-based early-growth capital firm leading investments in B2B software companies outside Silicon Valley. The firm partners with entrepreneurs across North America to support growth through strategic guidance, capital, and a network of industry leaders. Focused on long-term partnerships, Arthur Ventures has backed more than 80 software businesses across multiple sectors. Learn more at www.arthurventures.com.

Media contact:
Dyana Flanigan
Flanigan Communications, Inc.
(312) 213-6233
[email protected]

SOURCE BravoTran