SHANGHAI, 4 maart 2025 — Pulnovo Medical, een wereldwijd erkende pionier op het gebied van medische hulpmiddelen voor pulmonale hypertensie (PH) en hartfalen (HF), kondigt aan dat het een Serie C-financiering van bijna $ 100 miljoen heeft afgesloten. Deze ronde werd mede geleid door Qiming Venture Partners en bestaande aandeelhouder Lilly Asia Ventures, waarbij de huidige investeerders OrbiMed en Gaorong Capital op een super pro-rata basis deelnamen. De opbrengst wordt gebruikt om Pulnovo Medical’s wereldwijde klinische onderzoeken, internationale bedrijfsuitbreiding en strategische initiatieven te bevorderen.
De financieringsronde was twee keer overtekend en markeert een van de grootste fondsenwervingen in de sector van innovatieve medische hulpmiddelen in Azië-Pacific in de afgelopen jaren. Dit weerspiegelt het vertrouwen van toonaangevende instellingen in de wereldwijde strategie en technische capaciteiten van Pulnovo Medical.
Pulnovo Medical, opgericht in 2013, is een baanbrekend medtechbedrijf dat wordt erkend volgens internationale richtlijnen. Het bedrijf gebruikt zijn uitgebreide klinische expertise om wetenschappelijke vooruitgang en wereldwijde commercialisering te stimuleren. Het bedrijf richt zich op de ontwikkeling van superieure therapeutische oplossingen voor verschillende HF-stadia om de resultaten voor patiënten te verbeteren.
Het kernproduct van Pulnovo Medical, de PADN-technologie (Pulmonary Artery Denervation), is een innovatieve en effectieve minimaal invasieve behandeling voor PH die met succes op de markt is goedgekeurd. PH is een aandoening die kan leiden tot hartfalen en sterfte, met beperkte behandelingsmogelijkheden. PADN gebruikt radiofrequente ablatie om de pulmonale vasculaire endotheliale sympathische zenuw aan te pakken, waardoor de druk in de longslagader effectief wordt verlaagd en de progressie van de ziekte wordt vertraagd.
PADN kreeg in 2021 van de FDA de aanduiding Breakthrough Device voor Groep I, Groep II en Groep IV PH. PADN werd in 2022 opgenomen in de richtlijnen van de European Society of Cardiology en de European Respiratory Society. In 2023 kreeg Pulnovo Medical de aanduiding Humanitarian Use Exemption Device voor Groep I PH. De RF-katheter en RF-generator kregen eind 2023 goedkeuring voor goedkeuring op de Chinese markt, waardoor ze wereldwijd een commercieel beschikbaar interventieapparaat werden. In 2024 ontving Pulnovo Medical’s accessoireproduct, de 9F sheath, goedkeuring van de FDA.
Cynthia Chen, Chairlady, Executive Chairwoman en President van Pulnovo Medical, kondigt aan dat de opbrengst van deze ronde dient ter ondersteuning van twee aankomende FDA-studies voor Groep I PH en Groep II PH (chronisch hartfalen gecombineerd met PH). De onderzoeken zijn gepland voor dit jaar. Onder leiding van het executive team is het bedrijf getransformeerd van een laboratorium naar een wereldwijd gestructureerd bedrijf met kantoren in de VS, Singapore, Hong Kong SAR en vier steden op het Chinese vasteland, waaronder Beijing en Shanghai.
William Hu, Managing Partner van Qiming Venture Partners, zegt: “De doorbraken van Pulnovo Medical op het gebied van interventionele behandelingen voor PH en HF zijn indrukwekkend. De PADN-technologie van het bedrijf is nu commercieel beschikbaar op het Chinese vasteland, in Hongkong en Macau. In 2024 zijn wereldwijde multicenteronderzoeken gestart in Portugal, Servië, Georgië en Zuidoost-Azië. Na de benoeming door de FDA als ‘Breakthrough Device’, valideren de wereldwijde klinische onderzoeken verder het leiderschap en de klinische waarde van de technologie. Als langetermijninvesteerder in de gezondheidszorg zet Qiming zich in om vernieuwers met een wereldwijde visie te ondersteunen. We hebben vertrouwen in het potentieel van Pulnovo Medical en zullen de internationale expansie en commercialisatie ondersteunen om patiënten wereldwijd nieuwe hoop te geven.”
JUPITER, Fla., Feb. 26, 2025 — Myosin Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company developing novel therapies for cancer and neurological disorders, has closed its second seed funding round, raising over $3 million to supplement significant investment from the National Institutes of Health.
Myosin Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) is advancing its lead compound, MT-125, to treat glioblastoma, the most aggressive brain cancer with an average survival time of only 8 months. MT-125 targets a molecular nanomotor, blocking both tumor growth and invasion. The FDA granted orphan drug designation to MT-125 for malignant gliomas, underscoring its potential to improve outcomes for patients with this devastating disease.
The company is also progressing MT-110 for the treatment of methamphetamine use disorder (MUD), Millions worldwide suffer from MUD, yet no FDA-approved treatments currently exist. The latest funding, combined with NIH support, will allow MT-110 to enter Phase 1 clinical trials.
“This funding is pivotal as it will allow us to initiate multiple clinical trials this year, including a Phase 1b trial for MT-125 in glioblastoma patients,” said Dr. Courtney Miller, co-founder and CEO of Myosin Therapeutics. “We are deeply grateful to our investors for their support as we work to bring innovative therapies to patients with cancer and substance use disorders.”
The seed funding round was led by repeat investors, DeepWork Capital, Florida Opportunity Fund, and Mint12 Pharma, along with Dynagrow Capital, the private investment management affiliate of Fred Hassan. Also participating in the round were Mayo Clinic Ventures and The Sontag Innovation Fund, which is focused on accelerating solutions to change the standard of care in brain cancer. Dave Adams, co-Founder of Mint12 Pharma, stated, “Myosin Therapeutics exemplifies a well-run organization, consistently achieving key milestones to advance MT-125 and MT-110. Their dedication to innovative treatments for devastating conditions is inspiring, and we are confident in their ability to deliver meaningful solutions to patients.”
About Myosin Therapeutics
Myosin Therapeutics is a Jupiter, FL-based biotechnology company spun out of The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute (formerly Scripps Research, Florida). The company is focused on developing therapies for neuroscience and oncology indications using a platform that targets molecular nanomotor proteins.
NEW YORK, March 3, 2025 — Consello, the leading global advisory and investing platform, today announced the appointment of Nick Mullen as Head of its Sports Advisory Business. With over a decade of expertise in sports marketing and private equity, Nick will spearhead the expansion of Consello’s sports business ecosystem.
Consello Appoints Nick Mullen as Head of Sports Advisory Business
Prior to joining Consello, Nick founded Dynamiq Ventures, a private investment vehicle supported by a global network of family offices. Dynamiq Ventures invests across multiple sectors, including fintech, e-commerce, data, cybersecurity, and sports. He is also a partner at Happy Stack Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on high-growth opportunities in technology and consumer sectors.
Earlier in his career, Nick served as the Group Deputy CEO of International Sports Management (ISM), where he spearheaded the growth of the agency’s U.S. operations.
“We are experiencing a fundamental reshaping of the sports industry,” said Declan Kelly, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Consello. “Nick’s experience in private equity and the business of sports, combined with his extensive network, will play a critical role in uncovering opportunities to shape the future of sports as an emerging asset class.”
“Consello brings an extraordinary network and set of capabilities from its Corporate Advisory work that position us to become a driving force in the rapidly evolving sports industry,” added Nick Mullen. “Rather than compete for a share of the existing sports landscape, we are looking to create new and incremental value for all stakeholders.”
About Consello
Consello is an Advisory and Investing Platform.
Consello’s six distinct advisory practices provide the complete strategic counsel today’s leaders need to grow and transform their organizations. Consello’s advisory expertise spans Corporate Advisory; M&A; Growth; Marketing; Technology; and Sports, Entertainment and Leadership Development. Dedicated teams operate in each practice, led by a leadership group with deep operational experience across industries, business growth stages and market cycles and with an expansive set of global corporate relationships.
Consello’s investment business, Consello Capital, identifies high-potential mid-market companies and invests capital and expertise to transform their growth.
Applications now open for the 13th annual entrepreneurial contest to find the next winning brick-and-mortar small business
DETROIT, March 3, 2025 — TechTown Detroit and Comerica Bank announce the return of the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest by TechTown, a small business competition that awards $100,000 in startup funding as well as support services to one entrepreneur seeking to open a brick-and-mortar storefront in Detroit, Hamtramck or Highland Park. The competition, first launched in 2011, bolsters small business development in Detroit and will take place over the next four months, with the winning business crowned in June.
Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest by TechTown 2024 winner Tiffany Cartwright, founder and owner of G.L.A.M. Body Scrubs, is presented the $100,000 grand prize. Applications for the 2025 competition are now available and can be submitted through Friday, April 4. For information, visit HatchDetroit.com
Applications, available on HatchDetroit.com, open Monday, March 3, at noon and will close on Friday, April 4. Entrepreneurs with a retail concept looking to establish their first brick-and-mortar location in Detroit, Hamtramck or Highland Park are eligible to apply.
“Detroit’s small business community is built on the strength of its entrepreneurs, and TechTown is proud to support these business innovators through the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest,” said Christianne Malone, Assistant Vice President for Economic Development at Wayne State University and Chief Program Officer of TechTown Detroit. “We strive to inspire and cultivate Detroit’s small business development through top-notch entrepreneurial resources, financial support, and valuable partnerships.”
Information sessions for interested applicants will be held the week of March 17.
The small business contest includes two rounds of public voting to determine the Top 10 and Top 4 entrepreneurs, allowing the community to vote for their favorite business.
The competition culminates June 11 with the annual Hatch Off, where the Top 4 entrepreneurs present their business plans to a panel of judges and a live audience. There, the winner will receive the $100,000 grand prize that also includes a business support package from TechTown Detroit, Wayne State University’s entrepreneurship hub.
Comerica Bank and Comerica Charitable Foundation Increase Support As a proven launching pad for aspiring business owners, Comerica Bank and the Comerica Charitable Foundations are increasing their commitment to TechTown’s Hatch Detroit program to amplify the impact on Detroit’s small business economy.
Recognizing the cost of starting and sustaining a business has increased, and to further their commitment to ensuring the success of the Hatch Detroit program, Comerica Bank and the Comerica Charitable Foundation have increased their financial support to a combined total of $200,000 this year, a $50,000 increase from the previous three years.
“Comerica Bank was founded in Detroit more than 175 years ago, and we remain dedicated to supporting the city’s entrepreneurship and the development of small businesses that make up the lifeblood of this community,” said Meghan Storey, Comerica Bank Senior Vice President and Michigan Director of Small Business Banking.
In addition to its financial commitment, Comerica works alongside TechTown to provide in-kind support, such as technical services for contestants, during the contest.
Since 2019, Comerica Bank has provided the $100,000 grand prize for the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest by TechTown winner and will do so again this year. This year, Comerica Bank will also be contributing an additional $50,000, in tandem with a $50,000 grant from the Comerica Charitable Foundation, to TechTown for organizational support of the Hatch Detroit program to assist with its ongoing incubation of small businesses.
“Working closely with small businesses, we see extraordinary entrepreneurs rich in ideas and passion who have dedicated their lives to launching and growing a business but remain in need of resources and mentorship. Year after year, TechTown and Hatch Detroit has provided a platform of extensive technical services and guidance needed to help entrepreneurs succeed, creating a strong foundation for Detroit’s small business ecosystem,” said Storey.
Including this year’s contributions and grants, Comerica Bank and the Comerica Charitable Foundation have collectively committed over $1.3 million into Hatch Detroit since first supporting the small business program in 2012.
TechTown’s Commitment to Small Businesses and Hatch Detroit Last year, TechTown celebrated 20 years serving Detroit as a vital incubator for small businesses and entrepreneurs, dedicated to revitalizing the city through sustainable growth by supporting tech startups and small businesses.
In 2022, Hatch Detroit was integrated into TechTown’s suite of entrepreneurial programs and services.
Adding Hatch Detroit to its small business platform strengthened one of the city’s most popular and successful entrepreneurial programs designed to transform neighborhoods through new brick-and-mortar retail shops.
Under TechTown’s services and support, Bouncing Around the Motor City, Little Liberia and G.L.A.M. Body Scrubs are scheduled to open in 2025, along with Hatch Detroit alum Ice Cream Detroit.
Together, Hatch Detroit alumni have opened more than 50 businesses, employ more than 500 people and have invested more than $7 million in their businesses.
KEY COMERICA HATCH DETROIT CONTEST DATES:
March 3: Applications open at noon Week of March 17: Information sessions take place April 4: Applications close April 14: Top 25 contestants notified May 15: Top 10 contestants revealed May 16-23: Top 10 public voting takes place May 27: Top 4 announced June 2-11: Top 4 public voting takes place June 11: Winner announced at Hatch Off
Comerica Bank, a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated, has served Michigan longer than any other bank with a continuous presence dating back more than 175 years to its Detroit founding in 1849. It is the largest bank employer in metro Detroit and has more than 4,300 employees (FTE) statewide. With one of the largest banking center networks in Michigan, Comerica nurtures lifelong relationships with unwavering integrity and financial prudence. Comerica positively impacts the lives of Michigan residents by helping customers be successful, providing financial support that assists hundreds of charitable organizations, and actively participating in Detroit’s downtown revitalization. Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company strategically aligned by three business segments: The Commercial Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Comerica, X: @ComericaBank and Instagram: @comerica_bank.
TechTownDetroit, Wayne State University’s entrepreneurship hub, is a nonprofit business service organization that provides programs, education and resources for early- to growth-stage small businesses and tech entrepreneurs. By building bridges for entrepreneurs to succeed, TechTown is accelerating an inclusive economy for Detroit and Southeast Michigan. Since 2007, TechTown has supported more than 6,090 companies, which created 2,277 jobs and raised more than $406 million in startup and growth capital. For more information, visit techtowndetroit.org.
Hatch Detroit supports both existing and new retail initiatives in the cities of Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park. Hatch Detroit was founded in 2011 to give residents and aspiring entrepreneurs an opportunity to have a voice in neighborhood retail development and joined TechTown Detroit’s suite of entrepreneurial programs and services in 2022. Beyond the contest, Hatch Detroit provides funding, exposure and mentoring in support of its alumni entrepreneurs. With support from Hatch Detroit, 50 alumni have opened businesses. They employ over 500 people and have invested over $10 million in economic development. To learn more, visit hatchdetroit.com.
Funds from Union Square Ventures and European investment group Neurone — with the families behind iconic brands such as Ferrari as co-investors — will power Viam’s global growth across enterprise sectors
NEW YORK, March 3, 2025 — Viam, the engineering platform for data, AI and automation, today announced $30 million in Series C funding, led by existing investor Union Square Ventures with participation from Battery Ventures, Neurone, and other existing investors. Viam has raised a total of $117 million to date.
“We’re fortunate to have incredible partners like Union Square Ventures who are eager to expand their commitment to what we’re building,” said Eliot Horowitz, Founder and CEO of Viam. “At the same time, we’re excited to collaborate with Neurone to advance our global ambitions and further the momentum we’re already seeing in Italy and in Europe more broadly. We hit important milestones last year and this raise will help us continue to achieve our goals.”
In 2024, Viam expanded its customer base across industries such as robotics, quick-service restaurants, climate tech, marine, and industrial manufacturing. This past October, the company announced a groundbreaking partnership with the New York Islanders and UBS Arena, becoming the venue’s Official AI Technology Partner. Viam’s software is being integrated across multiple facets of the arena’s fan experience. In the marine space, Viam has partnered with leading manufacturers like Viking Yachts and has launched a pilot program with global technology provider Kongsberg Discovery, part of KONGSBERG Group, pioneering the use of AI for sonars in fishing. Other customers include Sbarro, Swiss nuclear engineering company Transmutex, autonomous robotic kitchen company Appetronix, and intelligent workplace safety platform CompScience.
“Viam is bridging the critical gap between AI, data, and the countless devices we interact with every day,” said Albert Wenger, Partner at Union Square Ventures. “Eliot and his team are building a world-class operation in New York City, and we’re thrilled to continue supporting them.”
European investment group Neurone also joined the round, alongside existing investors. Viam has already seen significant traction in Europe, partnering with leading manufacturers and marine technology companies. Neurone’s co-investors include the family offices of Italian industrial leaders like Camozzi (Camozzi Group), Enzo Mattioli Ferrari (Ferrari and HPE), Pasubio founder Luca Pretto and Wellness Holding (Alessandri Family). Neurone will help Viam continue to scale and reach potential partners in the region, particularly within Italy’s industrial sector.
“We work directly with Italy’s leading industrial families who are actively thinking about what the future holds for the sector and the technology that shapes it,” said Teodoro D’Ambrosio, Founder and Partner of Neurone. “Hardware sectors serving the physical world are still missing that software-driven inflection point that fueled exponential growth in other domains, like Android in mobile. Viam is building that missing layer, and we’re excited to partner with Eliot and the team on that vision.”
Viam’s platform allows hardware and software engineers to collaborate and build technology solutions that can be implemented across devices and smart machines in the physical world. The company was launched in 2020 by Eliot Horowitz, former co-founder and CTO of publicly-traded database giant MongoDB. Viam previously closed a Series B funding round in March 2024.
About Viam Viam helps companies unlock the power of AI, data and automation in the physical world. We provide a single platform for engineers of all disciplines to solve problems together and build solutions that are fast and future-proof. Viam powers solutions across robotics, food and beverage, climate tech, marine, industrial manufacturing, and more. Founded in 2020 by former MongoDB co-founder and CTO Eliot Horowitz, Viam is headquartered in New York City. viam.com
About Union Square Ventures Union Square Ventures is a small, collegial partnership based in New York City. We are generalist investors, working across many sectors and technologies, but with a consistent point of view on how to approach transformative opportunities. usv.com
About Neurone Neurone is a technology-focused investment group active in company building and direct investments in high-growth ventures. Founded in 2019, Neurone’s team combines entrepreneurial expertise, operational support, and deep technology sector knowledge to help companies scale. With a rigorous, thesis-driven investment approach, Neurone’s approach spans incubation and growth venture investing. Neurone’s portfolio is spread across insuretech, automation, climate, automotive and more, both in Europe and in the U.S. neurone.com
Frazier Life Sciences launches Callio Therapeutics based on multi-payload antibody-drug conjugate technology and programs exclusively in-licensed from Singapore-based Hummingbird Bioscience
Financing led by Frazier Life Sciences with significant participation from Jeito Capital alongside other life sciences investors including Novo Holdings A/S, Omega Funds, ClavystBio, Platanus, Norwest, Pureos Bioventures, SEEDS Capital and EDBI
Company to advance innovative multi-payload programs designed to maximize therapeutic benefit for cancer patients by overcoming limitations of existing single-payload therapies
SEATTLE and SINGAPORE, March 3, 2025 — Callio Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on realizing the promise of multi-payload antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) to improve cancer therapy, today announced its launch with the closing of a $187.0 million Series A financing round. This financing was led by Frazier Life Sciences with significant participation from Jeito Capital alongside other life sciences investors, including Novo Holdings A/S, Omega Funds, ClavystBio, Platanus, Norwest, Pureos Bioventures, SEEDS Capital and EDBI. The newly formed company, with headquarters in Seattle and Singapore, intends to use the proceeds from the Series A financing to achieve clinical proof-of-concept for its HER2-targeted dual-payload ADC and a second undisclosed ADC program.
In conjunction with the financing, Callio Therapeutics has entered into an exclusive worldwide license agreement with Hummingbird Bioscience for its multi-payload ADC platform in oncology, and associated intellectual property and pipeline assets, in exchange for equity, potential milestone payments and royalties.
“We are delighted to be launching Callio Therapeutics with the support of Frazier Life Sciences and this syndicate of investors. Multi-payload ADCs have the potential to enable the targeted delivery of rational drug combinations to cancer cells, and may provide significantly enhanced efficacy,” said Piers Ingram, PhD, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Callio Therapeutics. “This new generation of ADC therapies may meaningfully improve outcomes for patients.”
Leadership Team
The founding Callio Therapeutics management team comprises individuals with extensive experience from leading biotechnology and biopharmaceutical companies including ProfoundBio, Silverback Therapeutics, SeaGen, Medarex, Hummingbird Bioscience and Genentech:
Piers Ingram, PhD, Chief Executive Officer
Jerome Boyd-Kirkup, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer
Naomi Hunder, MD, Chief Medical Officer
Angèle Maki, PhD, Chief Business Officer
“The multi-payload ADCs being developed at Callio Therapeutics have the potential to address large unmet medical needs by overcoming many of the limitations of existing ADCs,” said Adam Simpson, Executive Board Chair of Callio Therapeutics and Venture Partner at Frazier Life Sciences. “With the expertise of the Callio Therapeutics team, together with access to the innovative multi-payload ADC technology, we believe that Callio Therapeutics will be the first company to show the clinical benefit of this exciting new multi-payload ADC approach and is well positioned to transform cancer therapy.”
About Callio Therapeutics Headquartered in Seattle and Singapore, Callio Therapeutics is focused on realizing the promise of multi-payload antibody-drug conjugates to transform cancer patient outcomes. The company is developing next-generation, multi-payload antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) that feature differentiated payload and linker technologies that enable targeted delivery of multi agents to tumor cells to maximize therapeutic benefit. Callio Therapeutics’ lead program is a HER2-targeted dual-payload ADC. Callio Therapeutics was created by Frazier Life Sciences, a longstanding investment firm focused on innovative therapeutics, based on ADC technology and programs exclusively in-licensed from Hummingbird Bioscience. For more information, please visit www.calliotx.com and follow Callio Therapeutics on LinkedIn.
About Frazier Life Sciences Frazier Life Sciences invests globally in private and publicly traded companies that discover, develop, and commercialize innovative biopharmaceuticals. Frazier Life Sciences manages over $3.9 billion in capital, including Venture Funds focusing on company creation and private companies and the long-only Public Fund focused on small and mid-cap public companies. Since 2005, over 60 Frazier Life Sciences portfolio companies, many of which were created or seeded by Frazier Life Sciences, have completed IPOs or M&As. The Frazier Life Sciences team consists of over 40 professionals with deep expertise in biopharmaceuticals, primarily located in Palo Alto, Calif. (headquarters), San Diego, Seattle, Boston, New York and London. For more information about Frazier Life Sciences, please visit frazierls.com and follow on LinkedIn.
About Hummingbird Bioscience Hummingbird Bioscience is a Singapore-based biotherapeutics company working at the interface of artificial intelligence and human innovation to discover and develop transformative medicines for hard-to-treat diseases. Hummingbird Bioscience’s computational and systems biology technologies have generated a pipeline of innovative clinical-stage monoclonal antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates in oncology and autoimmunity. At Hummingbird Bioscience, the commitment to rigorous science, teamwork, and intellectual integrity underpins our passion to accelerate the journey of new drugs from concept to clinic. For more information, please visit www.hummingbirdbioscience.com, and follow Hummingbird Bioscience on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube.
Canaan Partners Leads Seed Round in HeyMilo’s AI-Driven Platform to Shape Future of Recruiting
NEW YORK, March 3, 2025 — HeyMilo, an AI-powered candidate screening platform, today announced $2.2 million in seed funding. The round, led by Canaan Partners, underscores the growing demand for innovative technologies that streamline recruitment and unlock efficiencies in talent acquisition. Additional participation came from Alumni Ventures and Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator, reflecting broad confidence in HeyMilo’s potential to reshape the future of hiring.
HeyMilo’s AI agents automate the initial interview screening process, enabling companies to efficiently evaluate candidates without sacrificing quality or precision. The platform’s ability to autonomously conduct tailored interviews, ask insightful follow-up questions, and deliver actionable analyses empowers hiring teams to identify the best talent faster, at scale, and at a fraction of the cost.
“Great companies are built on great people, but the hiring process hasn’t kept up with the speed of modern business. HeyMilo is changing that. By bringing AI-powered agents into recruiting, they’re making it possible to connect with more candidates, faster, without sacrificing quality, fairness, or the personal touch,” said Rayfe Gaspar-Asaoka, partner at Canaan Partners. This isn’t just about efficiency – it’s about unlocking opportunities for companies and job seekers alike. We believe HeyMilo is reshaping the future of work, and we’re thrilled to be part of the journey.”
The recruitment technology market is vast, with HeyMilo addressing a significant gap in the early hiring stages. Due to time and resource constraints, traditional recruiter-led screenings often result in overlooked talent. HeyMilo ensures companies can assess a broader range of candidates, particularly for high-volume roles.
At the heart of HeyMilo’s platform lies a comprehensive approach to address critical pain points in the recruitment process:
AI Agent Builder: HeyMilo reads job descriptions from a company’s applicant tracking system (ATS) and generates more comprehensive interviews through various engagement channels, including voice, video, phone, and SMS, which are further configurable based on a company’s screening and vetting needs of candidates.
AI Agent Interviewer: The AI Agent screens candidates using a set of “knockout” questions across various channels. Then, they conduct an adaptive voice or video interview to assess their skills and fit for a role.
Interview Analysis: The platform transcribes and scores interview responses, providing actionable insights that allow hiring managers to make data-driven decisions without leaving their ATS of choice.
“HeyMilo allows staffing and recruiting agencies, BPOs, and other high-volume hiring organizations to scale their recruitment team infinitely. They can view HeyMilo as their candidate interview orchestrator, effectively identifying top candidates in hours, not weeks. We’ve seen AI agents take over the market in various industries like call centers and within sales organizations, and we’re ushering that adoption to recruitment. And while some may argue this takes away from the candidate experience, we’re seeing extremely high candidate CSAT scores and candidates consistently remarketing how they enjoy being able to go beyond their resume,” said Sabashan Ragavan, co-founder and CEO of HeyMilo
Recent advancements in large language models (LLMs) and related AI technologies have made HeyMilo’s solution possible and exceptionally effective. The costs of enabling technologies like speech-to-text, generative audio, and cloud computing have dropped significantly, making HeyMilo’s platform highly scalable and accessible.
“We’re a team of ten recruiters, but with HeyMilo, we can work as if we’re a team of 30. As soon as candidates apply, they can start the process immediately, and we can start evaluating their language and skills immediately. You no longer have to wait for a recruiter to be available to call and start the process with a candidate,” said Laura Pacheco, head of recruiting at BPO Labs.
HeyMilo was co-founded by Sabashan Ragavan and Ramie Raufdeen, seasoned entrepreneurs with deep technology and product development expertise. Before HeyMilo, the duo co-founded a startup focused on job referral systems and held leadership roles at major technology companies, including Instagram, Microsoft, and Salesforce.
Since its inception, HeyMilo has partnered with a range of customers to refine its product and validate its value proposition. Early adopters include staffing agencies, BPOs, and companies that lack a traditional recruitment team, such as BPO Labs and Alpine Home Air, which have increased candidate placements while reducing costs.
“As a one-person HR department, speed to getting back to candidates and going through and vetting candidates was a significant challenge, with some roles having up to 3,000 candidates apply in just a few days. Using tools like HeyMilo, I can offer a great candidate experience and respond to them quickly. I also have a great experience since I can quickly vet candidates beyond just their resume,” said Wendy Sergot, head of HR at Alpine Home Air.
The seed funding will accelerate product development, expand the team, and scale customer acquisition efforts. With a clear path to product-market fit and a growing roster of satisfied customers, HeyMilo is poised to transform how companies screen, interview, and evaluate candidates at scale.
About HeyMilo
HeyMilo is a venture-backed company revolutionizing recruitment with generative AI-powered agents that enable organizations to screen, interview, and evaluate candidates at scale through an omnichannel approach. Founded in 2023 and supported by Canaan Partners, Alumni Ventures, and Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator, HeyMilo leverages cutting-edge advancements in large language models to help companies find the best talent faster, smarter, and more inclusively. With seamless ATS integration, intelligent follow-up capabilities, and comprehensive data insights, HeyMilo helps staffing agencies, BPOs, and more scale their recruitment teams efficiently. For more information, please visit https://www.heymilo.ai.
Representatives from Crown Wealth LLC praised the Vitasense team for their remarkable dedication, innovation, and business acumen. “Max Kopp and his team at Vitasense have demonstrated an extraordinary level of commitment and ingenuity in bringing this revolutionary technology to life. Their ability to navigate complex research, secure industry partnerships, and lead negotiations at such a young age is truly inspiring,” said a Crown Wealth spokesperson. “We believe in their vision and are proud to support them as they push forward in the development of this essential healthcare technology.”
The investment from Crown Wealth, in partnership with KB Global, will provide Vitasense with the necessary resources to refine its third-generation prototype, enhance regulatory compliance efforts, and prepare for large-scale clinical testing. The company has worked closely with leading biomedical engineers and healthcare professionals to ensure the device’s efficacy and usability for diabetic patients worldwide.
In addition to securing funding, the Vitasense team continues to collaborate with top researchers and industry leaders to bring their technology to market. With a focus on affordability and accessibility, the company is committed to ensuring that its wearable glucose monitoring solution can make a meaningful impact on millions of lives.
“Crown Wealth’s investment in Vitasense reflects our commitment to supporting innovative solutions that address pressing global health challenges,” the spokesperson continued. “We see tremendous potential in this young, driven team and are excited to see how their work will contribute to the future of diabetes management.”
With backing from Crown Wealth, KB Global, and top research institutions, Vitasense is poised to advance its technology to the next level. The company has already received national recognition, earning accolades in prestigious science and innovation competitions, including Third Place in Engineering at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS), Bronze Medal in Physics in the North America at the S.T. Yao Science North America Competition.
STOCKHOLM, March 3, 2025 — Echandia, the leading Swedish maritime battery system supplier, has closed a new funding round at SEK 220 million, a very important milestone for the company. The funding round was led by Alantra’s energy transition fund Klima, headquartered in Spain, together with Swedish venture capital fund Industrifonden, with additional investments from Swedish SEB Greentech VC and Japanese venture capital firm EEI. The capital raised will be invested in Echandia’s global expansion and production capabilities in Sweden and US. Expansion investments in the US market include the recently announced new production facility in Washington State where Echandia will produce its advanced maritime battery system.
The new capital enables Echandia to scale up its operations faster and handle larger projects to meet increasing demand for its maritime battery solutions.
Shipping contributes 3% of global CO₂ emissions, making it a key climate challenge. Echandia’s solution stands out by meeting the strict demands of sectors like ferries and navy.
Echandia has since 2018 developed cutting-edge battery systems for maritime transportation, shipping, and other heavy-duty applications where safety and resilience are critical. Today, Echandia partners with the world’s leading shipyards and system integrators to equip both newbuild and retrofit vessels with advanced battery solutions, enabling hybridization, full-electric propulsion, and improved energy efficiency for large electrification projects all over the world.
Torbjörn Bäck, CEO of Echandia, comments:
“Echandia is at the forefront of maritime electrification globally, helping customers reduce emissions with clear customer values such as safe, resilient and long-lasting maritime battery systems. We are proud to have closed this large funding round with well-known investors, marking a major milestone for us. Our revenues grew fourfold in 2024 compared to 2023, and with our current sales pipeline, we expect our revenues to triple in 2025. We look forward to continuing Echandia’s scale-up and expansion with our new, highly experienced investors on board.”
Manuel Alamillo, Partner at Klima, comments:
“Decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors like shipping, aviation, and heavy industry is critical to achieving our global climate goals. These sectors represent a significant portion of global emissions, accounting for about 30% of global GHG emissions and lack readily available solutions. Investing in these sectors isn’t just an environmental imperative, it’s an economic one. By investing in and supporting Echandia’s energy storage solutions, we are excited to accelerate decarbonization of the maritime sector.”
Anna Ljungdahl, Head of Sustainable Investments and Senior Investment Director at Industrifonden, comments:
“Echandia is at the forefront of innovation, meeting the demanding requirements of sectors like military and defense, making its solution truly remarkable. We look forward to commercializing the product globally alongside the team and a strong international investor base, providing financial stability and industry expertise.”
About Echandia
Echandia is challenging the maritime industry with safer electrification. Since its founding in 2018, Echandia has rapidly become a global leader in maritime battery systems, delivering nearly 70 systems for electrification projects worldwide. Our systems are tailored to optimize energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact, supporting the maritime industry’s transition towards sustainable operations. Based in Stockholm, we serve customers across the globe. Learn more at www.echandia.com.
About Alantra/Klima
Alantra’s energy transition fund, Klima, is a 210M€ late-stage venture fund supporting energy-tech companies in their early-growth phase. Klima intends to back breakthrough innovations accelerating the energy transition and slowing down the pace of climate change. Alongside Enagas and Alantra, as cornerstone investors, Klima is backed by relevant investors such as the European Investment Fund, Axis ICO and CPPI.
About Industrifonden
Industrifonden is Sweden’s Venture Capital Fund looking for unique, scalable innovation that has a meaningful impact on our society. Industrifonden manages more than SEK 5 billion and invests in early-stage companies, from seed to A-round funding with a reach across the Nordics. The investment focus includes specialized technologies and businesses within Deep Tech, Life Science and Transformative Tech. Industrifonden has an evergreen structure which allows a long-term focus on value creation.
About SEB Greentech VC
SEB Greentech Venture Capital invests in green technology. We focus on ideas that promise substantial impact in reducing greenhouse gas emissions or in preventing transgression of the planetary boundaries. We do that by investing in solutions in sectors ranging from renewable energy, water and agricultural, circular business models to waste management. SEB Greentech Venture Capital started in 2020. Echandia will be the funds 11th investment. SEB Greentech VC is part of SEB. www.sebgroup.com.
About EEI
Energy & Environment Investment, Inc. (“EEI”) was established in 2006 as the only venture capital firm focusing on the environment and energy sectors in Japan. Since its establishment, EEI has been actively investing and supporting the business growth of start-ups in the environment and energy-related services and technologies sectors. EEI contributes to innovation and business creation in the environment and energy sectors and promotes the success of start-ups that will have significant global impact toward the realisation of a sustainable economy, environment and society.
For more information please contact: Johan Winlund, Marketing & Communication Manager at Echandia +46 76 117 55 41 [email protected]
