MUSCAT, Oman, 6. November 2025 — Die Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) in Oman hat ihre stärkste Performance seit fast einem Jahrzehnt verzeichnet, angetrieben durch Reformen unter der Leitung der Oman Investment Authority (OIA), dem Staatsfonds des Landes, der Vermögenswerte in Höhe von über 50 Milliarden US-Dollar verwaltet. Der Handelswert hat sich seit 2021 auf etwa 8,45 Milliarden US-Dollar verfünffacht, während die Marktkapitalisierung um 51 Prozent auf über 79 Milliarden US-Dollar gestiegen ist. Der MSX-Index hat kürzlich zum ersten Mal seit acht Jahren die 5.000-Punkte-Marke überschritten, was auf ein wiedererstarktes Vertrauen der Anleger und eine intensivere Marktaktivität hindeutet.

Dieser Anstieg spiegelt die umfassenden Bemühungen Omans wider, seinen Kapitalmarkt zu stärken und regionale sowie internationale Investitionen im Einklang mit der Oman Vision 2040 anzuziehen. Die Muscat Stock Exchange, das Herzstück des Kapitalmarktes von Oman, hat sich zu einer der am schnellsten wachsenden Börsen im Golf entwickelt. Die Umwandlung begann mit dem Königlichen Erlass Nr. 5/2021, durch den die Muscat Securities Market in eine geschlossene Aktiengesellschaft umgewandelt wurde, die sich vollständig im Besitz der OIA befindet. Dieser Schritt ermöglichte neue Programme zur Steigerung der Liquidität, zur Erhöhung der Notierungen und zur Modernisierung der Infrastruktur.

„Die Fortschritte der MSX spiegeln die Vision der OIA wider, eine effiziente, investorenfreundliche Börse aufzubauen, die das Wirtschaftswachstum unterstützt und hochwertige Investitionen anzieht”, erklärte Mulham bin Basheer Al Jarf, Deputy President for Investments bei der OIA. „Unser Stufenplan konzentrierte sich zunächst auf den Aufbau von Vertrauen und Liquidität, dann auf die Erweiterung der Eigentumsverhältnisse und die Verankerung globaler Best Practices.”

Seit 2022 ist die MSX um 67 Prozent gestiegen und hat damit wichtige globale Benchmarks wie den S&P 500 und die MSCI-Indizes für die GCC-, Schwellen- und chinesischen Märkte übertroffen. Dieses Wachstum ist auf die Strategie der OIA zurückzuführen, die Liquidität zu stärken, die Notierungen zu diversifizieren und die Investorenbasis zu erweitern, wodurch die Börse ihre regionalen und globalen Mitbewerber übertreffen konnte.

Das IPO-Programm der OIA war für diese Expansion von zentraler Bedeutung. Der Börsengang von Abraj Energy Services im Jahr 2023 brachte rund 244 Millionen US-Dollar ein und war damit der größte Börsengang seit 2010, während der Börsengang von OQ Gas Networks mit 749 Millionen US-Dollar Aufträge im Wert von über 10 Milliarden US-Dollar anlockte. Zu den Investoren gehörten Fluxys Belgium und Unternehmen, die vom saudischen Public Investment Fund und der Qatar Investment Authority unterstützt werden, was das weltweite Vertrauen in den Markt Omans unterstreicht.

Die Dynamik setzte sich in den Jahren 2024 und 2025 fort, mit Börsengängen von OQ Exploration and Production (2,5 Milliarden US-Dollar), OQ Biodiesel and Industries (490 Millionen US-Dollar) und ASYAD Shipping, dem maritimen Zweig der Asyad Group, der 333 Millionen US-Dollar einnahm und den Einstieg des Logistiksektors Omans in den öffentlichen Handel markierte.

Um das Wachstum aufrechtzuerhalten, hat die OIA im Jahr 2024 den Tanmia Liquidity Fund mit einem Kapital von 130 Millionen US-Dollar aufgelegt und diesen bis Mitte 2025 auf 390 Millionen US-Dollar erweitert. Der von Tanmia, United Securities und Ubhar Capital verwaltete Fonds unterstützt die Stabilität und Liquidität des Marktes.

„Die strategische Vision der OIA hat die MSX durch verbesserte Unternehmensführung, Transparenz und Handelseffizienz gestärkt”, erklärte Haitham Al Salmi, CEO der MSX. Mit Unterstützung von Regulierungsbehörden, nationalen Programmen und führenden Banken hat sich der Kapitalmarkt Omans zu einer diversifizierten Plattform mit Rekordumsätzen und steigender globaler Beteiligung entwickelt, wodurch sich die MSX als wichtiger Motor für Investitionen und Modernisierung positioniert hat.

Kontakt: 

OIA-Pressestelle
+968 92278104
[email protected]
www.oia.gov.om

Foto: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2814557/Oman_Muscat_Exchange.jpg

MUSCAT, Oman, 6 novembre 2025 — La Bourse de Mascate (MSX), Oman, a enregistré sa meilleure performance depuis près de dix ans grâce aux réformes menées par l’Oman Investment Authority (OIA), le fonds souverain du pays qui gère plus de 50 milliards de dollars d’actifs. La valeur des transactions a été multipliée par cinq depuis 2021 pour atteindre environ 8,45 milliards de dollars, tandis que la capitalisation boursière a augmenté de 51 % pour dépasser les 79 milliards de dollars. L’indice MSX a récemment dépassé le seuil des 5 000 points pour la première fois en huit ans, signe d’un regain de confiance des investisseurs et d’une activité accrue sur le marché.

Cette augmentation reflète les efforts déployés par Oman pour renforcer son marché des capitaux et attirer les investissements régionaux et internationaux, conformément à la Vision 2040 d’Oman. La Bourse de Mascate, qui est au cœur du marché des capitaux d’Oman, est devenue l’une des bourses à la croissance la plus rapide du Golfe. La transformation a commencé avec le Décret royal n° 5/2021, qui a transformé le marché des valeurs mobilières de Mascate en une société par actions de type fermé détenue à 100 % par l’OIA. Cette décision a permis de mettre en place de nouveaux programmes visant à accroître les liquidités, à augmenter le nombre de cotations et à moderniser les infrastructures.

« Les progrès de la MSX reflètent la vision de l’OIA de construire une bourse efficace et accueillante pour les investisseurs, qui soutient la croissance économique et attire des investissements de qualité », a déclaré Mulham bin Basheer Al Jarf, président adjoint pour les investissements à l’OIA. « Notre plan progressif s’est d’abord concentré sur l’instauration de la confiance et sur les liquidités, puis sur l’élargissement de l’actionnariat et l’intégration des meilleures pratiques mondiales ».

Depuis 2022, la MSX a progressé de 67 %, surpassant les principaux indices de référence mondiaux tels que le S&P 500 et les indices MSCI pour les marchés du Conseil de Coopération du Golfe (CCG), les marchés émergents et les marchés chinois. Cette croissance est le résultat de la stratégie de l’OIA visant à renforcer les liquidités, à diversifier les admissions en bourse et à élargir la base d’investisseurs, permettant à la bourse de surpasser ses homologues régionaux et mondiaux.

Le programme d’introduction en bourse mis en place par l’OIA a joué un rôle central dans cette expansion. La cotation d’Abraj Energy Services en 2023 a permis de lever environ 244 millions de dollars, soit la plus importante introduction en bourse depuis 2010, tandis que la cotation d’OQ Gas Networks, d’un montant de 749 millions de dollars, a attiré plus de 10 milliards de dollars SD d’ordres. Parmi les investisseurs figuraient Fluxys Belgium et des entités soutenues par le Fonds public d’investissement d’Arabie saoudite et le Qatar Investment Authority, ce qui témoigne de la confiance mondiale dans le marché omanais.

La dynamique s’est poursuivie en 2024 et 2025 avec les cotations d’OQ Exploration and Production (2,5 milliards de dollars), d’OQ Biodiesel and Industries (490 millions de dollars) et d’ASYAD Shipping, la branche maritime d’Asyad Group, qui a levé 333 millions de dollars et a marqué l’entrée du secteur logistique omanais dans le commerce public.

Pour soutenir la croissance, l’OIA a lancé le fonds de liquidité Tanmia en 2024 avec un capital de 130  millions d’USD, qui sera porté à 390 millions de dollars d’ici la mi-2025. Géré par Tanmia, United Securities et Ubhar Capital, le fonds soutient la stabilité et la liquidité du marché.

« La vision stratégique de l’OIA a renforcé la MSX en améliorant la gouvernance, la transparence et l’efficacité des échanges », a déclaré Haitham Al Salmi, PDG de la MSX. Soutenu par les régulateurs, les programmes nationaux et les principales banques, le marché des capitaux d’Oman est devenu une plateforme diversifiée enregistrant des échanges records et une participation mondiale croissante, positionnant la MSX comme un moteur clé de l’investissement et de la modernisation.

Contact : 

Service de presse de l’OIA
+968 92278104
[email protected]
www.oia.gov.om

Photo : https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2814557/Oman_Muscat_Exchange.jpg

Reinvestment from existing backers underscores confidence in Elephas’ predictive approach to improving immunotherapy treatment response rates

MADISON, Wis., Nov. 6, 2025 — Elephas Biosciences Corporation (Elephas), a private company that has developed an innovative live tumor profiling platform for immunotherapy response prediction, today announced a Series B-2 funding of $40 million.

The equity round included participation from existing investors including Northpond Ventures, ARCH Venture Partners, the State of Wisconsin Investment Board, Tao Capital Partners, Sands Capital, Venture Investors Health Fund, among others.

The capital raised will support the launch and commercialization of the proprietary Elephas Live™ Platform as a laboratory developed test (LDT) in 2026. The Elephas Live Platform is designed to functionally profile ex vivo live tumor biopsies. By protecting the native tumor microenvironment and using a novel method to address tumor heterogeneity, the technology allows for prediction of immunotherapy response.

“This financing milestone underscores the strong investor confidence in the promise of Elephas and our shared mission to improve the lives of those affected by cancer,” said Maneesh Arora, Elephas founder and CEO. “We have made incredible progress this year and have strong momentum heading into 2026. This funding achievement will drive our next stage of growth and advance our commercialization strategy.”

Earlier this fall, Elephas welcomed Jérôme Galon, Ph.D., to the Company’s expanding Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Galon and fellow Elephas advisory board member Janis Taube, M.D., will be joining Elephas at the upcoming Societies for the Immunotherapy in Cancer (SITC) Annual Meeting on November 8, 2025, in National Harbor, MD (link) for a symposium discussing the improved prediction of immunotherapy response.

XMS Capital Partners acted as financial advisor to the company.

About Elephas
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, with the number of patients projected to triple by 2060. Despite a significant increase in the number of available immunotherapies, only 1 in 5 patients receiving immunotherapy obtain a response and many who may respond are not eligible for therapy due to lack of accurate predictive biomarkers. With the mission to tackle this massive dilemma, Elephas has developed an ex-vivo live tumor profiling platform for immunotherapy response prediction. By preserving the native tumor microenvironment from a live core needle biopsy and using a novel method to address tumor heterogeneity, the Elephas Live platform enables a real-time characterization of immune response.  To learn more, visit www.elephas.com and search and follow us on LinkedIn.

SOURCE Elephas

SteelSky joins Deerfield Management and Google Ventures to accelerate national rollout of myLaurel, bringing hospital-grade care to patient homes

ATLANTA, Nov. 6, 2025 — SteelSky Ventures, a leading healthcare technology investment firm focused on advancing AI-driven and tech-enabled healthcare innovations, today announced it has led the latest investment round in myLaurel, joining previous investors Deerfield Management and Google Ventures (GV).

The new funding will support myLaurel’s national expansion of its hospital-aligned, in-home acute care model across major U.S. health systems. 

As hospitals face growing challenges from overcrowded emergency departments and workforce shortages, myLaurel offers a scalable, technology-enabled platform —and a hands-on clinical response team— that enables health systems to deliver high-acuity, hospital-level care directly in the home. The company’s AI-powered infrastructure coordinates real-time logistics, documentation, and virtual physician oversight, supporting rapid response, standardized protocols, and measurable outcomes aligned with hospital incentives.

Operating in markets including New York City and New Orleans, myLaurel partners with leading health systems such as Ochsner Health, LCMC Health, and Maimonides Medical Center. The company reports a 49 percent reduction in readmissions, a 6-to-1 return on investment for hospital partners, and patient satisfaction scores above 90 NPS, demonstrating both clinical outcomes and financial value.

“myLaurel is transforming one of the most complex areas of healthcare delivery by creating a scalable, data-driven model for hospital-level care at home. The team helps hospitals extend their reach and deliver safer, more personalized care, and we are thrilled to support them in bringing their service to scale nationwide,” said Maria Toler, founding and managing partner at SteelSky Ventures, who will join myLaurel’s Board of Directors.

“SteelSky’s investment in myLaurel is well-aligned with the company’s next phase of growth. SteelSky’s extensive network across the healthcare ecosystem and their expertise in advancing technology-enabled care delivery models will help myLaurel reach more health systems and patients,” said Moses Adubi, principal at Deerfield Management.

myLaurel is led by CEO Juan Vallarino, a seasoned healthcare operator with a proven record of scaling value-based and technology-enabled care models, and President & Chief Medical Officer Marcy Carty, MD, an accomplished healthcare executive recognized for her expertise in clinical operations and strategic health system partnerships. Together, they bring extensive experience in care delivery innovation, health system integration, and operational excellence.

“Our mission is to help hospitals deliver the right care, in the right place, at the right time,” said Juan Vallarino, CEO of myLaurel. “With SteelSky’s partnership and vision, we are positioned to expand rapidly while maintaining the high standards of clinical quality and patient experience that define our work.”

About SteelSky Ventures
SteelSky Ventures invests in transformative healthcare companies leveraging technology, data, and AI to improve access, care, and outcomes across the care continuum. The firm partners with high-growth companies driving innovation in digital health, care delivery, and healthcare infrastructure.
Learn more at: www.steelskyventures.com

About myLaurel
myLaurel delivers high-acuity, in-home care for complex and medically fragile patients through a hospital-aligned, tech-enabled model. By combining AI-driven orchestration with expert clinical oversight, myLaurel helps hospitals expand capacity, reduce costs, and deliver superior patient experiences.
Learn more at: www.mylaurelhealth.com

SOURCE SteelSky Ventures

Capital to accelerate the Recognition Economy and transform physical infrastructure with AI

Metropolis powers over $5 billion in annual transactions, serves 50 million customers and has nearly 20 million Members across its growing network

Series D financing underscores global investor conviction as Metropolis scales its AI platform into retail, hospitality and fueling, transforming how people interact with the real world

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 6, 2025 — Metropolis Technologies, Inc. (“Metropolis”), the leader in applied AI for the real world, today announced the closing of a $1.6 billion capitalization, including a JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. arranged $1.1 billion Term Loan B and a $500 million Series D funding led by a fund managed by LionTree.

The Series D values Metropolis at approximately $5B and saw participation from BDT & MSD Partners’ affiliated credit funds, DFJ, Eldridge Industries, Slow Ventures, SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Tekne Capital, and Vista. The financing positions the company with the institutional capital to support continued expansion into both new verticals and new markets, advancing the transformative capabilities of its real-world AI applications.

Following three major acquisitions — including the 2024 take-private of SP+ and the 2025 acquisition of Oosto, a pioneer in AI-powered biometrics — Metropolis has built an unparalleled foundation for growth. Metropolis processes more than $5 billion in annual transaction volume at 4,200-plus locations and is growing, with over one million new Members joining per month. These strategic moves have expanded the company’s capabilities in and out of the vehicle, across fueling, retail, mobility, hospitality, and office.

“With this new capital, we’re continuing to scale our platform and forge the foundation of the Recognition Economy, building a new paradigm for how AI is deployed in the real world,” said Alex Israel, CEO and co-founder of Metropolis. “As one of the fastest-growing technology companies in the United States, Metropolis is transforming how people move and transact in the physical world. We’re eliminating friction and repetition and creating recognition at scale for nearly 20 million Members. As we deploy our technology into retail, hospitality and fueling, Metropolis will go beyond just processing transactions by embedding speed and simplicity into everyday experiences.”

Metropolis is leading the Recognition Economy, a new age of personalized intelligence where presence replaces devices and credentials as the foundation for a more intuitive, connected and human world. It’s founded on a new era of intelligent infrastructure, where the physical world recognizes presence and context, learning and adapting in real time. It replaces friction with recognition, turning everyday actions into seamless, personalized, automated experiences.

“Metropolis is demonstrating that AI can be thoughtfully commercialized at real-world scale,” said Ramin Arani, Head of Investments at LionTree. “From mobility to retail and hospitality, Alex and his team are developing innovative solutions as part of a generational opportunity to create an enduring, smarter environment for consumers. We’re excited by the Metropolis team’s success to date and look forward to supporting the next phase of their growth.”

“When we partnered with Metropolis in 2022, Alex and his team were leveraging AI to transform the parking industry into the foundation for a more modern, seamless built environment,” said Todd Boehly, Chairman of Eldridge Industries. “Over the last few years, their vision has achieved remarkable scale, expanding across multiple industries to now reach nearly 20 million members. Metropolis exhibits exponential potential as the Company utilizes AI to reshape how people and businesses interact with the physical world.”

Over the past 12 months, the company expanded beyond parking, leveraging its technology to new use cases in and out of the vehicle — anywhere that personalization is needed. Through partnerships with retailers, asset owners and real estate partners, Metropolis is working alongside the world’s most influential brands to build an intelligent infrastructure layer. Transformative partnerships in refueling and quick-serve restaurants are now paving a clear path to hotels, retail environments, stadiums and more, to build a world where infrastructure recognizes you, moves with you, predicts your needs, and most significantly, saves time.

ADVISORS
BDT & MSD Partners, LLC served as exclusive financial advisor and Fenwick & West LLP served as legal advisor to Metropolis. JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. served as the sole and exclusive Administrative Agent, and JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, and PNC Capital Markets LLC served as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners for the Term Loan B. Latham & Watkins LLP served as legal advisor to LionTree. Sidley Austin LLP served as legal advisor to Eldridge Industries.

ABOUT METROPOLIS
Metropolis is an artificial intelligence company for the real world. Its Computer Vision platform eliminates friction from daily life, powers checkout-free payments and unlocks seamless, predictive and personalized experiences everywhere consumers transact.

Metropolis is pioneering the Recognition Economy, transforming physical spaces into responsive environments with an Intelligence Layer that understands presence, anticipates needs and personalizes moments. Leveraging AI, Metropolis’ platform understands, adapts and responds to Members in real time.

Adding more than 1 million Members each month, it is one of the fastest-growing technology companies in the United States and envisions a future where transacting in the real world is even easier than online. Following its take-private acquisition of SP+, Metropolis is now the largest parking network in the United States, with 4,200+ locations and operations in 40 countries worldwide. Its proprietary AI technology touches 50 million customers and processes over $5 billion in payments annually.

To learn more, please visit www.metropolis.io.

ABOUT LIONTREE
LionTree is a differentiated global investment and merchant banking firm focused on media, technology, telecom and the consumer sectors. Founded in 2012, LionTree works across offices in New York, San Francisco, London and Tel Aviv to serve clients and community through strategic M&A, capital raising, and investments across the globe that capture opportunity and provide best-in-class execution. The firm leverages its unique insight and relationships across its integrated Client Advocacy, Merchant Banking, Institutional Investor Membership (IIM) and LT Growth focus areas to connect clients with the tailored ideas, actionable opportunities and resources that drive results. Since its formation, the firm has advised on over $900 billion in transactions by bringing capital together with ideas, investing in and alongside its relationships to accelerate growth and innovation.

ABOUT ELDRIDGE INDUSTRIES
Eldridge Industries invests in businesses across the Infrastructure, Technology, Mobility, Culture, and Luxury & Lifestyle landscapes. The firm seeks to build and grow businesses led by proven management teams that have demonstrated leadership and experience to scale an enterprise. Eldridge Industries has offices in Miami, Greenwich, Beverly Hills, New York, and London. To learn more about Eldridge Industries, please visit eldridgeind.com.

SOURCE Metropolis

LONDON, ON, Nov. 6, 2025 – Appetronix, a pioneering robotics company transforming foodservice through intelligent automation, today announced it has raised over $10 million in total funding, including an additional $6 million in its recent seed plus round. The round was led by Jim Grote, the Grote family, and AlleyCorp, marking AlleyCorp’s third investment in the company following strong performance in previous funding rounds.

The new capital will enable Appetronix to develop and deploy several innovative robotic kitchen concepts over the next few months, targeting high-traffic non-commercial foodservice environments including airports, hospitals, entertainment venues, universities, office towers, and other institutional settings where consistent quality and operational efficiency are paramount.

“This investment validates our vision of bringing the best-in-class food experiences to environments that have traditionally been underserved,” said Nipun Sharma, CEO of Appetronix. “With the support of the Grote family and our continued partnership with AlleyCorp, we’re positioned to revolutionize how people experience food in airports, healthcare facilities, and entertainment venues.”

Proven Track Record with Donatos Partnership
Appetronix is already in-market through its partnership with Donatos, a premium pizza chain with 460+ locations across 29 states. Founded by Jim Grote in 1963, Donatos is currently family-owned by Jim Grote and its Chief Purpose officer, Jane Abell, both of whom have built a reputation for quality and innovation in the pizza category.

Appetronix’s first automated kitchen with Donatos launched in June 2025 at John Glenn Columbus International Airport, demonstrating the viability of robotic food preparation at scale. The Donatos partnership has already exceeded initial expectations, clearly demonstrating the market’s strong demand for Appetronix’s technology and operating model. “At Donatos, we’ve always believed that quality and consistency are non-negotiable,” said Jim Grote, Founder of Donatos. “Appetronix’s technology allows us to deliver the authentic Donatos experience, while addressing the operational challenges facing our industry. We’re excited to support their expansion into new markets where this technology can make a real difference.”

“Following the rollout of Appetronix’s first automated kitchen, it’s been amazing to witness consumers’ excitement surrounding the new concept with Donatos,” said Abe Murray, General Partner at AlleyCorp. “This first unit has proven that robotic kitchens can deliver authentic, high-quality food while bringing efficiencies to operators, in ways only robotic solutions can.”

Addressing Critical Industry Needs
The foodservice industry faces ongoing challenges including labor shortages, consistency issues, and the need for extended operating hours in non-traditional venues. Appetronix’s robotic kitchen systems address these pain points by providing:

• Consistent Quality: Precise automation ensures every meal meets exact specifications
• 24/7 Operations: Reduced reliance on shift-based labor enables round-the-clock service
• Scalable Deployment: Modular systems adapt to various venue sizes and throughput requirements
• Brand Integrity: Authentic preparation methods preserve the quality standards of partner brands

Strategic Growth Trajectory
With this funding, Appetronix will accelerate its go-to-market efforts. The company’s plans to deploy robotic kitchen concepts across multiple cuisine types and formats represent a decisive move to capture market share in the foodservice sector. Each concept will be purpose-built for the unique demands of high-traffic institutional environments where quality, speed, and reliability are critical to success with a singular mission to serve the best tasting food in each category.

About Appetronix
Appetronix Inc. (formerly SJW Robotics) is a foodtech company specializing in the development and design of autonomous robotic solutions for commercial restaurant kitchens. With an expert team with extensive experience in restaurant kitchen design, worldwide expansion of restaurant chains, advanced automation, robotics, and data science, Appetronix is at the forefront of innovation in the foodservice industry. Our mission is to revolutionize the way restaurants operate by leveraging cutting-edge technology to deliver custom solutions that are scalable and tailored to meet the requirements of the next generation of quick-service restaurants. Our autonomous robotic solutions holistically automate all back of house functions including portioning, cooking, plating, and even cleaning with a singular goal of providing the best tasting food.

About AlleyCorp
AlleyCorp is a New York-based venture capital firm that incubates and invests in transformative companies across healthcare, AI, enterprise software and consumer tech, deep tech and robotics, economic infrastructure, and more. As one of the most active early-stage investors in New York, AlleyCorp focuses on investing at the incubation, pre–seed, seed and Series A stages. Founded by serial entrepreneur Kevin Ryan, AlleyCorp’s past incubations have included MongoDB (NASDAQ: MDB), Gilt Groupe, Business Insider, Zola, Radical AI, and Transcend Therapeutics.

About the Grote Family
Donatos Pizza, founded by Jim Grote in 1963 in Columbus, Ohio, is a family-owned business known for its famous thin-crust pizzas with abundant toppings spread Edge to Edge®. Headquartered in Columbus, Donatos and its franchise partners operate over 175 stores. Additionally, Donatos Pizza is proudly served in nearly 300 non-traditional locations nationwide, including select Red Robin restaurants. Committed to quality, community, and customer satisfaction, Donatos Pizza has received numerous awards and accolades, reflecting its dedication to excellence and innovation. For more information about Donatos Pizza and franchising opportunities, visit www.donatosfranchise.com.

SOURCE Appetronix Inc

Strategic Investment Led by SPLYCAP Adds Seasoned Growth Operators, Expands Development of Proprietary AI Features for Builders

VANCOUVER, Wash., Nov. 6, 2025 — Digs, the award-winning AI-powered collaboration platform for home builders and homeowners, today announced an additional financing round of $5 million, bringing total pre-Series A funding to nearly $20 million.

With nearly 10,000 homes on the platform already, builders are leveraging Digs to reduce errors, streamline processes and collaboration for pre-construction (collaboration, markups, and diagramming) and handoff and warranty (3D digital twin handoff and AI-powered warranty management), the company is positioned to be a foundational AI platform for construction and homeownership alike.

“From small custom builders to national production builders, realizing efficiencies, consolidating costs, and creating the best customer experience on the market is as essential as ever,” said Ryan Fink, CEO and Co-Founder at Digs. “But we don’t stop at the end of the build. Digs offers homeowners a first-of-its-kind 3D digital twin and AI-powered home ownership experience to become a living record of value and improvements. It’s a CarFax for the home – Homefax.”

Digs will use the capital to accelerate both AI development and commercial momentum. In the months since previous financing, the company has achieved several major milestones:

• Added new builders to the platform that now represent more than $12 billion in annual home builds.
• Launched DigsCare, an integrated solution using AI to dramatically streamline warranty processes and costs for builders while improving client experience.
• Hired construction software and SaaS sales veteran Stephen Molen as Chief Revenue Officer.
• Earned recognition in Fast Company’s “Innovation by Design Awards” and was named an Inc. Power Partner for 2025.

This strategic round is led by SPLY Capital, a Dallas-based private investment firm known for backing breakout category leaders, and features continued support from existing investors, including OVF, Fuse, and Flying Fish. SPLYCAP Managing Partner Tyler Williams will join the Digs Board of Directors, bringing a track record of late-stage operating experience, capital discipline, and global family office reach.

“As typically late-stage investors, we understand what a future category leader with robust fundamentals looks like,” said Tyler Williams, Managing Partner at SPLYCAP. “With Digs, we saw an opportunity to enter early due to their exceptional team, sales momentum, product-market fit, and massive opportunity in AI for construction.”

The round also features investment from Digs customer Lanthorne Homes, which has been an early Digs Innovation Partner in the development of the recently launched DigsCare.

“We are expanding nationally to redefine what modern home building looks and feels like,” said Landthorne Homes CEO Matt Green. “We see the AI-powered efficiency and client experience of Digs as fundamental from build through aftercare.”

About Digs

Digs is an award-winning AI-powered collaboration platform for the construction industry. Designed to digitize and streamline the pre-construction process as well as warranty support, Digs turns static blueprints into living, breathing, searchable plans that connect everyone—from builders to homeowners—in real-time. Headquartered near Portland, Oregon, Digs is trusted by builders in every U.S. state and in Canada. The company has raised $20M to date to build the future of homebuilding.

About SPLY Capital

SPLY Capital is a trusted strategic partner and late-stage private investment firm built around a global network of founders, operators, and family offices. The firm backs high-performing companies at pivotal inflection points, with a focus on unlocking long-term value across high-conviction “Future of __” verticals. Combining capital flexibility, deep operational expertise, and global LP access, SPLYCAP provides the resources and support needed to help visionary operators scale with precision and impact.

SOURCE Digs

Upway Targets 1 Million Refurbished E-Bikes by 2030

NEW YORK, Nov. 6, 2025 — Upway, the global leader in professionally refurbished e-bikes, today announced the closing of its $60 million Series C funding round, led by A.P. Moller with participation from U.S.-based Galvanize and Ora Global, and continued support from Sequoia Capital and other global investors. This new round brings total funding to over $125 million since its founding in 2021 and marks a new stage in Upway’s mission: giving e-bikes a second life and riders a first choice. With this funding, Upway is doubling down on U.S. growth, expanding operations, creating jobs, and building the backbone for circular mobility.

Building Industrial-Scale Infrastructure for Sustainable Mobility

Upway’s ambition is to create the world’s largest circular mobility network, globally and in the U.S., targeting one million refurbished e-bikes by 2030. Since launch, the company has refurbished and sold more than 100,000 e-bikes. Global sales doubled in 2025 versus 2024, and U.S. sales have accelerated at the same pace, on track to double again in 2026.

Operating across nine countries (France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Spain, and the United States), Upway runs six industrial refurbishment centers called UpCenters in New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Berlin, Mechelen, and Düsseldorf. Six additional facilities, including Denver, will open within two years as part of a plan to reach twelve UpCenters across Europe and North America by 2027. This will support a network that will employ over 2,000 mechanics and operations specialists by 2030.

This new funding will accelerate Upway’s growth by expanding its industrial and digital capabilities. It will also support the rollout of new service including financing, insurance, maintenance, and subscription options, designed to make e-bike ownership more accessible and seamless. This growth aligns with U.S. rebate programs in states like California and Colorado and supports city-level investments in bike infrastructure in New York and Minneapolis, critical steps toward reducing transport emissions and advancing sustainable urban mobility.

Reinventing the E-Bike Experience for Everyone

Upway’s model is straightforward and tangible. The company buys used e-bikes, refurbishes them in-house to the highest industry standards, and sells them online with a one-year warranty and home delivery. This fully integrated approach, from sourcing to delivery, ensures quality, transparency, and peace of mind at every step.

Customers can choose from more than 200 brands and 2,500 models, making Upway the most extensive assortment in the market. With an average discount of 45% versus retail price, buyers save an average of $1,000 per bike, making light electric mobility accessible to more Americans. Each e-bike undergoes a rigorous 50-point inspection by expert mechanics before they are listed for sale.

Accelerating the Shift to Sustainable Cities and Lifestyles

Each refurbished e-bike replaces short car trips, cutting CO₂ emissions by up to 90% per mile compared to cars, while helping cities like New York and Los Angeles tackle congestion and air quality challenges. Upway’s operations prevent thousands of bikes from ending up in landfills every year, extending product lifecycles and supporting the transition to a true circular economy.

Beyond environmental benefits, e-bikes contribute to improved public health and quality of life: regular e-bike use can reduce the risk of heart attack by 40% for those riding 10 miles a day, and helps address issues such as obesity and air pollution, which contribute to over 9 million premature deaths globally each year.

Upway’s impact is also social and economic. By creating hundreds of skilled industrial jobs across Europe and North America, the company supports reindustrialization and provides new opportunities for mechanics, operations specialists, and tech talent.

“We founded Upway with a simple idea: light mobility can only be sustainable if it’s circular. This round allows us to scale that vision and make second-hand the first choice for millions of riders. We’re building the industrial and technological infrastructure that gives e-bikes a second life, with the same quality and safety standards as new ones. We’re excited and ready to continue establishing this entirely new category: one that combines purpose with performance and sustainability with scale.”

— Stéphane Ficaja and Toussaint Wattinne, Co-founders of Upway

“Upway’s ability to industrialize second-hand e-bike refurbishment and deliver the highest level of customer trust globally truly sets them apart. By applying rigorous standards and advanced processes to every bike, they have built a reputation for quality and reliability that is rare in the mobility sector. Customers know they can count on Upway for a seamless, worry-free experience, no matter where they are. This commitment to trust and operational excellence is what makes Upway a reference in circular mobility.”

— Chetan Mehta, Head of Growth Investing at A.P. Moller Holding

“Upway’s founders have established a culture of speed, operational excellence, and purpose. Their ability to move fast, scale across markets, and execute with discipline is a testament to the strength of their vision and the team behind it.”

— Saloni Multani, Founding Partner and Co-Head Innovation & Expansion Fund at Galvanize

“Upway is not just responding to the future of mobility: it’s actively designing it. By combining supply chain mastery, deep customer trust, and global reach, Upway is laying the foundation for a new kind of infrastructure: one where sustainability scales, and circularity becomes the norm. Their vision redefines how mobility is built, accessed, and experienced, turning second-hand into first choice, and local impact into global transformation.”

— Luciana Lixandru, Partner at Sequoia Capital

About Upway

Upway is the leading international platform for professionally refurbished e-bikes. Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Paris, Upway operates in nine markets including France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Spain and the United States. Upway’s mission is to make sustainable mobility accessible to all by giving e-bikes a second life and riders a first choice. This ambition combines industrial-grade refurbishment, proprietary technology and a deep commitment to the circular economy.

Upway has already refurbished and sold more than 100,000 e-bikes and offers a selection of over 200 brands, all covered by a one-year warranty and delivered through a seamless customer experience. By 2030, the company aims to refurbish and sell more than one million e-bikes annually while expanding its service ecosystem to include financing, insurance, maintenance and subscription solutions.

Press Contact

SOURCE Upway

Section Partners Announces Final Close of Two Funds

PALO ALTO, Calif., Nov. 6, 2025 — Section Partners, a multi-strategy investment firm that makes structured and direct investments in late-stage, venture-backed technology companies, announced today the closing of two additional funds, Section Capital V, LP and Section Ventures II, LP. Commitments to these funds and a parallel co-investment vehicle (collectively, the “Funds”) total $189 million, representing strong support from Section Partners’ longstanding limited partners and several new investors. Section Partners (the “Firm”) will use the capital to expand its business providing personal financing solutions to founders and other stockholders and growth capital to venture-backed companies.

Section Capital V, LP and a parallel co-investment fund (collectively, “Fund V”) primarily make investments in structured transactions with individual stockholders of late-stage, venture-backed companies. Fund V also makes direct equity investments in venture-backed companies, through both primary and secondary transactions, alongside a dedicated equity co-investment fund, Section Ventures II, LP (“SV II”). The Firm serves as a trusted partner to late-stage, venture-backed companies by providing personal financing solutions to stockholders, purchasing secondary shares, and participating in pre-IPO, primary financings.

Since inception in 2014, Section Partners has invested in or completed transactions with stockholders of over 80 companies. 37 Section Partners’ portfolio companies have completed liquidity events, including Airbnb, CrowdStrike, DocuSign, Figure Technologies, GitHub, Heartflow, Klarna, MongoDB, OneMedical, Palantir, Pinterest, Uber, and Upwork.¹

Section Partners is led by Dave Crowder and Solomon Lee. Dave has over 30 years of Silicon Valley experience in venture capital and technology investment banking, including as a co-founding partner of Thomas Weisel Venture Partners and Thomas Weisel Partners and as a senior tech banker at Montgomery Securities. Solomon Lee joined Section Partners in 2024 after spending nearly a decade in the Technology Investment Banking group of Morgan Stanley in Menlo Park, CA, leading M&A advisory and equity and debt financings for top enterprise software companies. Three additional investment professionals joined the Section Partners team in the last year, further bolstering the Firm’s sourcing and deal execution capabilities.

“The closing of Fund V and SV II mark another milestone for our firm and investors,” commented Dave Crowder, Managing Partner and Founder of Section Partners. “We remain focused on pursuing investments in compelling companies that exhibit exceptional revenue scale, topline growth, and multiple paths to liquidity.” Solomon Lee added, “This new capital positions Section Partners to continue to build our franchise in providing creative capital solutions to founders, executives, and employees and the companies they are building.”

About Section Partners

Section Partners is a multi-strategy investment firm that delivers attractive risk-adjusted returns through structured and direct investments in late-stage, venture-backed technology companies. Section Partners’ flagship fund is a private credit strategy that provides investors with downside protection, contractual base returns, equity upside, and tax-efficiency through a proprietary structure. Founded in 2014 and based in Palo Alto, CA, Section Partners manages funds with over $575 million in committed capital. For more information, visit www.sectionpartners.com.

Media Contact
Alli Murdoff, Partner
[email protected]

¹ The companies identified do not represent all the portfolio companies of funds managed by Section Partners. The reader should not assume that the investments identified were or will be profitable.

SOURCE Section Partners