• Oversubscribed financing round consisting of €77 million in Series C equity capital, led by HV Capital and DTCF, and €23 million in public funding, marking one of the largest capital rounds in the European semiconductor sector
• Fresh capital accelerates the commercialization of FMC DRAM+ and 3D CACHE+ memory chips to enable the global ramp-up of AI data centers and AI edge applications by increasing energy efficiency significantly
• FMC’s memory chips deliver more than 100% higher system efficiency and processing speed than established products and have the chance to become the new industry standard in the €100+ billion memory chip market

DRESDEN, Germany, Nov. 13, 2025 — Semiconductor pioneer FMC has raised €100 million to set new standards in memory chips with its highly innovative technology. The €77 million in equity comes from FMC’s oversubscribed Series C financing round, which is backed by prominent existing and new investors and ranks among the largest raise of its kind in the semiconductor industry. An additional €23 million has been sourced through public funds, including contributions from the IPCEI ME/CT program and the European Innovation Council (EIC).

The equity round is led by HV Capital and the DeepTech & Climate Fonds (DTCF), along with Vsquared Ventures. Returning investors include eCAPITAL, Bosch Ventures, Air Liquide Venture Capital, M Ventures (Merck), and Verve Ventures.

The fresh funding will accelerate the commercialization of the company’s DRAM+ and 3D CHACHE+ memory chips and system solutions and expand its global presence. FMC’s technology builds on its superior energy efficiency and will facilitate the global ramp-up of AI data centers and AI edge applications, setting a new industry standard in the €100+ billion memory chip market.

Thomas Rückes, CEO of FMC, said: “We are working on the next generation of memory chips and system solutions that are not only more sustainable and energy efficient, but also faster and less expensive than the current industry standard. While bandwidth has so far been the dominant metric of AI compute, energy efficiency is now becoming the key factor for the next generation of AI. Memory chips are the main bottleneck in the AI stack. FMC’s DRAM+ and 3D CACHE+ technology addresses precisely this issue: Faster and more energy efficient than established products. This lays the foundation for scaling up AI data centres and AI edge applications. Securing an equity financing of this magnitude emphasizes the significance of our technology, and we are grateful to have earned the trust of leading deep-tech investors for our vision.”

Fabian Gruner, Partner at HV Capital, said: “FMC’s highly innovative memory chip technology is unique and has the potential redefine global industry standards. We are proud to back its commercialization through our commitment.”

Dr. Torsten Löffler, Investment Director at the DTCF, said: “By tackling the growing energy needs of AI infrastructure, FMC’s memory technology enables more efficient computing. We are convinced by its technological excellence made in Germany and its strategic role in strengthening Europe’s semiconductor sovereignty.”

Paul-Josef Patt, Managing Partner at eCAPITAL, said: “From day one, we have been supporting FMC on its impressive growth journey. Pilot results confirm design wins with leading OEMs, and the roadmap for production and commercialization is in place. FMC demonstrates that deep tech from Europe can deliver and has the potential to take the lead in the memory chips of the future.”

Even with the planned expansions of energy capacity, AI data centers are expected to consume a very large share of global energy production in the future. FMC’s innovative persistent DRAM+ and 3D-CACHE+ memory technologies and systems can significantly reduce this energy consumption by minimizing and optimizing the data transfers between compute hierarchies, which account for a substantial portion of energy use, thereby increasing compute efficiency.

When FMC’s technologies replace conventional memory, system efficiency for high-performance databases and processing speed for energy-efficient AI applications could improve by more than 100%. This is possible because persistent DRAM+ and 3D-CACHE+ technologies replace volatile memory, eliminating time-consuming data transfers between volatile, fast, and slower non-volatile storage. FMC is commercializing its DRAM+ and 3D-CACHE+ designs and products in collaboration with leading DRAM memory chip companies and advanced logic foundries in high-volume 300mm production fabs worldwide for specific, energy-efficient customer applications in the near future. FMC’s technology also has disruptive potential to achieve higher memory densities than conventional memory solutions.

Memory chips have become a strategically crucial technology that is currently being dominated exclusively by South Korea, the U.S., and Taiwan, with China rapidly catching up. So far, Europe has not had a significant presence in this critical semiconductor segment. With FMC, a credible player is now emerging in Silicon Saxony with the ambition to close this strategic gap from within Europe.

About FMC

FMC is a leading semiconductor and memory chip company based in Dresden, founded in 2016 to develop a revolutionary memory chip technology. Based on the thin-film material hafnium oxide, the company has created a new class of memory cells with its DRAM+ chip – more sustainable, faster, and cost-efficient. Thanks to its extremely low power consumption, the technology significantly reduces the energy demand of AI data centers, laying the foundation for their scale-up in Europe and worldwide. FMC is now a fabless company, meaning it designs, develops, and markets its own products while outsourcing production to contract manufacturers (chip foundries). FMC is backed by investors including HV Capital, the DeepTech & Climate Fund (DTCF), Vsquared Ventures, eCAPITAL, Bosch Ventures, Air Liquide Venture Capital, M Ventures (Merck), Verve Ventures, Korean memory chip company SK hynix, semiconductor equipment manufacturer TEL, and other international investors. The company is led by CEO Thomas Rückes.

For more information: ferroelectric-memory.com

Contact:
Torben Gosau, Kekst CNC
[email protected]
+49(0)16096943517

SOURCE FMC

 FedEx leans into medium-class electric trucks to advance network transformation and business sustainability objectives

On the heels of debuting the Entegra Coach Embark range extended electric motorhome on Harbinger’s platform, parent company THOR Industries deepens its investment in Harbinger

GARDEN GROVE, Calif., Nov. 13, 2025 — Harbinger, a leading American-made medium-duty electric and hybrid vehicle manufacturer, today announced it has raised $160 million in a Series C funding round co-led by FedEx, the world’s largest express transportation company; Capricorn‘s Technology Impact Fund, a multibillion-dollar investment firm backing leading companies in electrification; and the world’s largest recreational vehicle (RV) manufacturer THOR Industries, known for its operating companies which include Airstream, Jayco, and more. The round also featured major participation from Ridgeline, a longtime Harbinger investor backed by FedEx. Additional previous Harbinger investors that participated in the round include Tiger Global; Leitmotif, a U.S. venture capital firm backed by Volkswagen; and venture capital firms Maniv Mobility, Schematic Ventures, Overture Climate, Ironspring Ventures, ArcTern Ventures, Litquidity Ventures, and The Coca-Cola System Sustainability Fund, managed by Greycroft. With this round, Harbinger has raised $358 million to date.

Along with its investment, FedEx placed an initial order for 53 Harbinger electric vehicles (EVs) from the company. Harbinger will deliver chassis ready for upfit by the end of this calendar year. These vehicles—a mix of Class 5 and Class 6 models—reflect the shipping giant’s ongoing network transformation and resulting need for larger-capacity pickup and delivery vehicles as it continues to optimize its network and routes.

“FedEx’s participation signals a demand for innovation in the medium-duty truck sector and for an electric model that helps advance business and sustainability goals at the same time,” said Dipender Saluja, Managing Partner of Capricorn Investment Group’s Technology Impact Fund. “Over the last two decades, medium-duty truck fleets have generally deployed small volumes of demonstration electric trucks. The industry is now ready to move to mass adoption, with Harbinger leading that scale up.”

Harbinger’s proprietary electric platform, known as an electric vehicle stripped chassis, includes all major vehicle systems, which the company designs and manufactures in-house in America. This vertically integrated approach helps keep costs down, while providing a higher-performing, more durable solution than electric vehicles built upon existing diesel and gasoline platforms.

“Any vehicle that holds up to our rigorous on-road testing and offers state-of-the-art safety features with lower total cost of ownership is win-win for drivers and for our business,” said Paul Melander, Senior Vice President of Safety and Transportation, FedEx. “As we work toward a goal to electrify the entire FedEx pickup and delivery fleet by 2040, this trifecta of performance, price, and operational resilience is what we need to be able to continue to scale. We look forward to bringing these Class 5 and 6 units into our fleet and seeing electric medium-duty trucking options—like what Harbinger is offering—become more accessible in the marketplace for commercial fleets of all sizes.”

Harbinger created a driver-centric vehicle with improved suspension and handling features designed to improve driver comfort and reduce fatigue, an important consideration for large fleets. Harbinger trucks also bring modern safety and advanced driver assistance (ADAS) technology, which aren’t industry-standard in the medium duty segment, including backup cameras with dynamic trajectory, virtual bumpers, acoustic vehicle alerting systems (AVAS), and more.

“Harbinger is driving the next generation of medium-duty electric vehicles with a clean-sheet platform designed for optimized fleet performance,” said John Harris, Co-Founder and CEO, Harbinger. “The level of investor support we’ve received reflects strong belief in the practicality of our platform, and our order from FedEx demonstrates that this vision is already taking shape in the market.”

Harbinger’s vehicles are purpose-built from the ground up to be electric and to serve the rigorous needs of the medium-duty segment including last-mile delivery. Fleets select Harbinger’s all-electric vehicles because they are engineered for durability, modularity, and ease of service. Additional key highlights of Harbinger’s electric vehicle that fit FedEx fleet needs include:

• Acquisition costs that are competitive with current combustion engine vehicles, helping fleets achieve significant operational cost savings without large upfront electric vehicle costs.
• Modular architecture offering best-in-class battery configuration, with options to match duty cycles of the vehicle. Harbinger vehicles can be configured with electric range as low as 140 miles, to over 200 miles, allowing individual vehicles to be matched to specific needs to help reduce costs.
• Passenger vehicle-like driving experience, with smooth, intuitive handling, responsive acceleration with up to 13,400 lb-ft of torque at the wheel, and an industry-best 42 foot turning diameter¹ to better navigate tight streets, enabled by independent front suspension.

“We’re excited to be delivering an industry-leading electric vehicle to the market while keeping all core manufacturing activities here in the U.S.,” said Gilbert Passin, Chief Production Officer, Harbinger. “Thanks to our exceptional U.S. workforce and resilient supply chain, we’re building high-quality vehicles with a level of U.S. content that’s rare in the trucking industry today. Our early decision to focus on building onshore manufacturing capacity has been key to achieving a smooth volume ramp-up despite the volatile trade environment we’ve experienced this year.”

In September, THOR Industries’ operating company Entegra Coach unveiled the Embark, the world’s first range extended electric Class A motorhome. The RV integrates Harbinger’s advanced EV chassis with a low-emissions gasoline range extender that recharges the electric battery system, offering up to 450 miles of range. The Embark RV is based on the 2024 reveal of THOR Industries and Harbinger’s test vehicle, an innovation that earned the companies a Fast Company 2025 World Changing Ideas Award.

“Harbinger’s proven execution and breakthrough technology are helping us accelerate long-term innovation at THOR, said Todd Woelfer, Chief Operating Officer, THOR Industries. “This additional investment underscores THOR’s commitment to innovate and bring clean motoring to the RV industry. The launch of the Entegra Coach Embark RV represents the next phase of a deep collaboration with Harbinger and reflects our commitment to offer innovative best-in-class RVing experiences to our customers while creating real, sustainable competitive advantage in the marketplace.”

For more information about Harbinger, please visit www.harbingermotors.com.

About Harbinger
Harbinger is an American-made medium-duty commercial vehicle company that offers all-electric and hybrid powertrains. The company is on a mission to transform an industry starving for innovation. Harbinger’s best-in-class team of EV, battery, and drivetrain experts have pooled their deep experience to support the growing demand for medium-duty EVs. Leveraging a foundation of proprietary, in-house developed vehicle technologies designed specifically for commercial and specialty vehicles, Harbinger has introduced a first-of-its-kind EV platform to market, priced at acquisition parity to traditional diesel vehicle. Harbinger: Familiar Form. Revolutionary Foundation.

To learn more about Harbinger, please visit www.harbingermotors.com. You can find the company newsroom HERE.

Harbinger Media Contact

Kylee Keskerian
PR Manager
419-822-6417
[email protected]

¹ Based on Harbinger’s 158″ wheel base compared to other parcel delivery vehicles in North America.

SOURCE Harbinger

UPPSALA, Sweden, Nov. 13, 2025 — PeptiSystems, a life science company developing advanced manufacturing solutions for peptide and oligonucleotide-based therapeutics, has announced a significant growth investment from Rubicon Healthcare Partners. The partnership will enable PeptiSystems to accelerate its global expansion and deliver scalable, next-generation manufacturing solutions to a rapidly growing biopharma market.

Rubicon Healthcare Partners is a growth-oriented investment firm focused on Nordic life science companies supplying products, services, and technologies to the healthcare and biopharmaceutical industries. Through this partnership, Rubicon brings valuable experience and networks to support PeptiSystems’ international expansion and strategic development. Rubicon will become the largest shareholder in PeptiSystems after the transaction.

The investment enables PeptiSystems to further accelerate its commercial development and strengthen the organization for the next phase of growth. Building on its expanding customer base and the commercial momentum, the company is now advancing toward large-scale industrial applications and supporting customers in the transition to GMP production of therapeutic peptides and oligonucleotides.

“We are pleased to welcome Rubicon Healthcare Partners as a new shareholder in PeptiSystems. Their global life science experience and Nordic presence will be a valuable asset as we take the next steps in driving commercialization and scale our technology for industrial applications. This investment reflects confidence in our team and our strategy to drive growth in a rapidly expanding market,” says Karin Granath, CEO of PeptiSystems.

“We are proud to partner with PeptiSystems and support their robust growth strategy. The company’s strong values, commitment to excellence, and strategic vision align nicely with our investment philosophy. We were attracted to PeptiSystems’ innovative best-in-class instrument portfolio, customer-centric approach, and excellent management team,” says Ole J. Dahlberg, Managing Partner at Rubicon Healthcare Partners.

“I welcome Rubicon as major shareholder in PeptiSystems. This financial injection will further speed up our growth ability in providing our unique flow through technology for the production of therapeutic peptides and oligos,” says Mats Johnson, Chairman of the Board of PeptiSystems.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including review under Sweden’s Foreign Direct Investment screening legislation.

For more information, please contact:
Karin Granath, CEO, PeptiSystems
Phone: +46 702 82 07 47
Email: [email protected]

Ole J. Dahlberg, Managing Partner, Rubicon Healthcare Partners
Email: [email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com.

https://news.cision.com/peptisystems-ab/r/peptisystems-secures-growth-equity-investment-from-rubicon-healthcare-partners-to-accelerate-commerc,c4266278

The following files are available for download:

SOURCE PeptiSystems AB

GHENT, Belgien, 13. November 2025 — Hersteller auf der ganzen Welt verlassen sich immer noch auf Papier, Tabellenkalkulationen und fragmentierte Systeme zur Verwaltung von Fertigungsprozessen. Azumuta, das bedienerzentrierte Software-Scale-up aus Gent, Belgien, ändert dies.

Azumuta hat eine Serie-A-Finanzierung in Höhe von 8 Millionen Euro erhalten, um die Entwicklung seiner Plattform für KI-gestützte digitale Arbeitsanweisungen, Qualitätskontrolle und Mitarbeiterschulung zu beschleunigen. Die Runde wurde von Keen Venture Partners geleitet, mit Beteiligung von Capricorn Partners sowie den Altinvestoren PMV, Angelwise und Dirk Vermunicht.

Die Finanzierung wird das Wachstum des Teams, die Expansion in neue Märkte sowie die weitere Entwicklung unterstützen, um Herstellern zu helfen, ihre Abläufe zu rationalisieren, die Qualität zu verbessern und ihre Beschäftigten zu stärken.

„Jede Woche treffen wir auf Hersteller, die kritische Prozesse noch auf Papier abwickeln”, sagt Batist Leman, Geschäftsführer von Azumuta. „Es mangelt nicht an Ehrgeiz, sondern nur an einer Technologie, die für die reale Produktion ausgelegt ist. Azumuta überbrückt diese Lücke und hilft Fabriken dabei, die Digitalisierung so zu gestalten, dass sie zu ihren Betriebsabläufen passt.”

Know-how in der Werkstatt digitalisieren

Das 2016 gegründete Unternehmen Azumuta begann als digitales Arbeitsanweisungstool und hat sich zu einer Plattform entwickelt, die von fast 100 Herstellern weltweit genutzt wird. Durch die Kombination von Arbeitsanweisungen, Audits, Schulungen und Qualitätskontrollen in einem System erhalten Hersteller eine zentrale Anlaufstelle für betriebliches Wissen. Nutzer berichten von einer Verringerung des Verwaltungsaufwands um bis zu 50 % und von 60 % weniger Qualitätsbeschwerden.

Hersteller wie Atlas Copco, Toyota und Sioux Technologies verlassen sich auf Azumuta, um die Produktion am Laufen zu halten.

„Betriebliche Effizienz ist eine unserer wichtigsten Prioritäten”, sagt Johan Dom, VP Engineering bei Atlas Copco. „Auf dem Weg zu einer Fabrik der Zukunft ist die digitale Transformation unerlässlich. Hier spielt Azumuta eine entscheidende Rolle.”

„Die meiste Fertigungssoftware wird für die Chefetage entwickelt, nicht für die Beschäftigten in der Produktion”, fügt Robert Verwaayen, General Partner bei Keen Venture Partners, hinzu. „Azumuta setzt dort an, wo die eigentliche Arbeit stattfindet: bei der Entwicklung KI-gestützter Software, die Bediener tatsächlich nutzen wollen. Deshalb bewährt sie sich.”

Azumuta, das zu den am schnellsten wachsenden Technologieunternehmen Belgiens zählt, plant, seine Reichweite zu vergrößern und Produktinnovation, Kundenerfolg sowie Industriepartnerschaften voranzutreiben.

Informationen zu Azumuta

Azumuta unterstützt Hersteller dabei, ihr Know-how an der Front in vernetzte, digitale, KI-gestützte Prozesse zu verwandeln, indem es eine Plattform für Arbeitsanweisungen, Qualitätskontrolle und Schulungen anbietet. Der Name ist eine Anspielung auf den Genter Dialekt „ah zo moet da”, übersetzt: „ah, so geht das”.

GHENT, Belgique, 13 novembre 2025 — Les fabricants du monde entier s’appuient encore sur le papier, les feuilles de calcul et les systèmes fragmentés pour gérer les processus opérationnels en production. Azumuta, l’entreprise de Gand (Belgique) spécialisée dans les logiciels centrés sur l’opérateur change la donne.

Azumuta a levé un financement de 8 millions d’euros de série A pour accélérer le développement de sa plateforme d’instructions de travail numériques assistées par l’IA, de contrôle de la qualité et de formation de la main-d’œuvre. L’opération a été menée par Keen Venture Partners, avec la participation de Capricorn Partners et des investisseurs historiques PMV, Angelwise et Dirk Vermunicht.

Le financement soutiendra la croissance de l’équipe, l’expansion sur de nouveaux marchés et la poursuite du développement afin d’aider les fabricants à rationaliser leurs opérations, à améliorer la qualité et à fournir plus de moyens à leur main-d’œuvre.

« Chaque semaine, nous rencontrons des fabricants qui exécutent encore des processus essentiels sur papier », déclare Batist Leman, PDG d’Azumuta. « Il n’y a pas de manque d’ambition, mais simplement un besoin de technologie conçue pour la production réelle. Azumuta facilite la transition numérique des usines et les aide d’une manière adaptée à leurs méthodes de travail.

Numérisation du savoir-faire de l’atelier

Fondé en 2016, Azumuta a commencé comme un outil numérique d’instruction de travail et a évolué en une plateforme utilisée par près de 100 fabricants dans le monde entier. En regroupant les instructions de travail, les audits, la formation et le contrôle qualité dans un système unique, il offre aux fabricants une plateforme centrale pour les connaissances opérationnelles. Les utilisateurs signalent jusqu’à 50 % de réduction du temps administratif et une diminution 60 % des plaintes relatives à la qualité.

Des fabricants tels qu’Atlas Copco, Toyota et Sioux Technologies s’appuient sur Azumuta pour maintenir la production connectée.

« L’efficacité opérationnelle constitue l’une de nos principales priorités », déclare Johan Dom, vice-président de l’ingénierie chez Atlas Copco. « Alors que nous nous efforçons de devenir une usine du futur, la transformation numérique est essentielle. C’est là qu’Azumuta joue un rôle crucial ».

« La plupart des logiciels de fabrication sont conçus pour les dirigeants et non pour les équipes de production », ajoute Robert Verwaayen, associé général chez Keen Venture Partners. « Azumuta commence là où se déroule le travail réel, développant des solutions logicielles intégrant l’IA que les opérateurs souhaitent réellement adopter. C’est ce qui fait toute la différence ».

Reconnu comme l’une des entreprises technologiques à la croissance la plus rapide en Belgique, Azumuta prévoit d’étendre sa portée et de faire progresser l’innovation des produits, la réussite des clients et les partenariats industriels.

À propos d’Azumuta

Azumuta permet aux industriels de convertir l’expertise du personnel opérationnel en processus connectés, numériques et enrichis par l’IA, couvrant instructions de travail, qualité et formation. Le nom fait écho au dialecte gantois « ah zo moet da », traduit par « voilà la manière de procéder. »

-Azumuta recauda 8 millones de euros en su ronda de financiación Serie A para acelerar la digitalización y las instrucciones de trabajo asistidas por IA en la fabricación

GHENT, Bélgica, 13 de noviembre de 2025 — Los fabricantes de todo el mundo aún dependen del papel, las hojas de cálculo y los sistemas fragmentados para gestionar los procesos de producción. Azumuta, la empresa de software centrada en el operario con sede en Gante, Bélgica, está cambiando esta situación.

Azumuta recaudó 8 millones de euros en su ronda de financiación Serie A para acelerar el desarrollo de su plataforma de instrucciones de trabajo digitales con apoyo de IA, control de calidad y formación del personal. La ronda fue liderada por Keen Venture Partners, con la participación de Capricorn Partners y los inversores recurrentes PMV, Angelwise y Dirk Vermunicht.

La financiación impulsará el crecimiento del equipo, la expansión a nuevos mercados y el desarrollo de soluciones para ayudar a los fabricantes a optimizar sus operaciones, mejorar la calidad y potenciar a su personal.

“Cada semana nos encontramos con fabricantes que aún gestionan procesos críticos en papel”, afirmó Batist Leman, consejero delegado de Azumuta. “No les falta ambición, sino una necesidad de tecnología diseñada para la producción real. Azumuta cubre esta brecha y ayuda a las fábricas a digitalizarse de una forma que se adapta a su funcionamiento”.

Digitalización del conocimiento en planta

Fundada en 2016, Azumuta comenzó como una herramienta digital de instrucciones de trabajo y ha evolucionado hasta convertirse en una plataforma utilizada por casi 100 fabricantes en todo el mundo. Al combinar instrucciones de trabajo, auditorías, formación y control de calidad en un solo sistema, ofrece a los fabricantes un centro integral de conocimiento operativo. Los usuarios reportan una reducción de hasta el 50 % en el tiempo administrativo y un 60 % menos de quejas de calidad.

Fabricantes como Atlas Copco, Toyota y Sioux Technologies confían en Azumuta para mantener la producción conectada.

“La eficiencia operativa es una de nuestras principales prioridades”, afirmó Johan Dom, vicepresidente de Ingeniería de Atlas Copco. “En nuestro camino para convertirnos en la fábrica del futuro, la transformación digital es esencial. Ahí es donde Azumuta desempeña un papel crucial”.

“La mayoría del software para la industria manufacturera está diseñado para la alta dirección, no para los operarios”, añadió Robert Verwaayen, socio general de Keen Venture Partners. “Azumuta se centra en lo que realmente importa: desarrollar software con inteligencia artificial que los operarios realmente quieren usar. Por eso tiene tanto éxito”.

Reconocida como una de las empresas tecnológicas de mayor crecimiento en Bélgica, Azumuta planea expandir su alcance e impulsar la innovación de productos, el éxito de sus clientes y las alianzas con la industria.

Acerca de Azumuta 

Azumuta ayuda a los fabricantes a transformar el conocimiento práctico de sus operarios en procesos conectados, digitales y con soporte de IA mediante su plataforma para instrucciones de trabajo, control de calidad y formación. El nombre evoca la expresión del dialecto de Gante ‘ah zo moet da’, que significa ‘así se hace’.

GHENT, Belgium , Nov. 13, 2025 — Manufacturers worldwide still rely on paper, spreadsheets, and fragmented systems to manage shop floor processes. Azumuta, the operator-centric software scale-up from Ghent, Belgium, changes this.

Azumuta raised €8 million in Series A funding to accelerate development of its platform for AI-supported digital work instructions, quality control, and workforce training. The round was led by Keen Venture Partners, with participation from Capricorn Partners and returning investors PMV, Angelwise, and Dirk Vermunicht.

The funding will support team growth, expansion into new markets, and further development to help manufacturers streamline operations, improve quality, and empower their workforce.

“Every week we meet manufacturers still running critical processes on paper,” says Batist Leman, CEO of Azumuta. “There’s no lack of ambition, just a need for technology built for real production. Azumuta bridges that gap and helps factories digitalize in a way that fits how they operate.

Digitizing Shop Floor Know-How

Founded in 2016, Azumuta began as a digital work instruction tool and has evolved into a platform used by nearly 100 manufacturers worldwide. By combining work instructions, audits, training, and quality control in one system, it gives manufacturers a central hub for operational knowledge. Users report up to a 50% reduction in administrative time and 60% fewer quality complaints.

Manufacturers like Atlas Copco, Toyota, and Sioux Technologies rely on Azumuta to keep production connected.

“Operational efficiency is one of our key priorities,” says Johan Dom, VP Engineering at Atlas Copco. “As we work toward becoming a factory of the future, digital transformation is essential. That’s where Azumuta plays a crucial role.”

“Most manufacturing software is built for the C-suite, not the people on the floor,” adds Robert Verwaayen, General Partner at Keen Venture Partners. “Azumuta starts where the real work happens, building AI-rich software operators actually want to use. That’s why it sticks.”

Recognized among Belgium’s fastest-growing tech companies, Azumuta plans to expand its reach and advancing product innovation, customer success, and industry partnerships.

About Azumuta

Azumuta helps manufacturers turn frontline know-how into connected, digital, AI-supported processes through its platform for work instructions, quality control, and training. The name echoes the Ghent dialect “ah zo moet da”, translated: “that’s how it’s done.”

BOSTON, Nov. 12, 2025 — Code Metal today announced it has closed $36.5 million of funding for its Series A round to advance its goal of accelerating mission-critical industries with provably correct AI code translation. The round was led by venture capital firm Accel and values the company at $250 million.

The raise marks a new phase of growth for Code Metal, which has deployed its platform across the defense, automotive, and semiconductor industries, and is already on contract to deliver eight figures in revenue this year. Code Metal’s platform is used in industries with strict safety and regulatory requirements for rapid feature development, code portability, and code modernization. Before Code Metal, these industries could not leverage AI for their software development tasks due to accuracy and other fundamental limitations of AI.

In addition to Accel, Code Metal is proud to welcome new investors including RTX Ventures, Bosch Ventures, Smith Point Capital, Overmatch VC, and AE Ventures. The round also includes participation from distinguished individuals such as John Tenet CEO of Chaos Industries, philanthropist and serial biomedical entrepreneur Paul Schimmel, GovForce CEO Kendall Collins, telecommunications pioneer Robert Cohn, and defense investor Chris Heinz. Code Metal also secured additional commitments from existing investors Shield Capital and J2 Ventures, with continued support from Fulcrum Venture Group.

“Vibe coding helps software teams build MVPs fast. But it doesn’t address our customers’ needs: writing zero-error production code onto hardware,” said Peter Morales, founder and CEO of Code Metal. “Helping industries like auto and defense not get left behind by AI: that isn’t purely an AI problem. It’s where multiple disciplines meet, and that’s where Code Metal operates. Revisiting the industries where I began, and demonstrating real impact in production, has been a full-circle moment. The momentum we’re seeing speaks for itself.”

“In sectors like healthcare, finance, and defense, precision isn’t a luxury, it’s required,” said Steve Loughlin, Partner at Accel. “Code Metal understands that the next generation of AI infrastructure will depend on language and hardware working in sync. Their approach combines deep technical rigor with a practical understanding of how real industries operate.”

“We see Code Metal as a transformative enabler for the next generation of intelligent, connected systems. Code Metal’s AI-driven approach to code translation and deployment at the edge directly supports Bosch Ventures’ vision of bringing greater automation, reliability and scalability to industrial and mobility applications,” said Adam Jackson, Partner at Bosch Ventures.

“Shield Capital’s additional commitments reflect our continued enthusiasm for both Code Metal’s AI-enabled code translation technology, which has immense value for defense and commercial customers; and the company’s already-established track record of delivering results, such as speeding code translation from weeks to days for L3Harris across several projects,” said Michael Brown, Partner at Shield Capital.

Code Metal’s automated code translation solutions combine formal methods with AI to ensure every line of code is tested, robust, optimized, and compliant. Its ability to verify and guarantee that code will meet stringent safety and regulatory checks is enabling it to break into otherwise AI-skeptical industries. The company is in the process of closing additional major contracts that will be announced in the coming weeks.

“It’s rare to see a company of this technical complexity get adopted this quickly in enterprise. The round was well timed, because there is a huge amount of demand for Code Metal’s technology,” remarked Alexander Harstrick, co-founder of J2 Ventures, which led Code Metal’s pre-seed round. “We have a lot more to share with the world very soon.”

About Code Metal

Code Metal’s mission is to accelerate mission-critical industries with provably correct, automated code translation and optimization for any environment. Adopted across the defense, automotive, and semiconductor industries – and wherever compliance, safety, and precision are required – Code Metal’s platform combines formal methods with AI to enable customers to develop features rapidly, break vendor lock-in by moving code between chips, and modernize code. Learn more at http://www.codemetal.ai/.

SOURCE Code Metal

20 additional pioneering companies unite to invest in ecosystem restoration and resilience beyond their own supply chains.

BOULDER, Colo., Nov. 12, 2025 — Mad Agriculture has surpassed its $1 million fundraising goal to launch their Wilding Pilot: a three-year initiative that will restore over 1,000 acres of marginal cropland in Wisconsin’s Driftless Area into thriving native ecosystems. In collaboration with Whole Foods Market, the pilot will restore wildlife habitat in ways that support farmers and strengthen the resiliency of America’s farmland.

The pilot represents the first phase of the Wild Grid, a 50-year regenerative agriculture strategy to restore biodiversity and increase climate resilience across 65 million acres of U.S. farmland. Fueled by Whole Foods Market’s $500,000 matching grant, 20 leading food and beverage brands and a leading food distributor joined forces to make the vision a reality, marking an unprecedented coalition of companies investing in biodiversity restoration beyond their own supply chains.

“It’s so exciting and heartening to see food companies recognizing biodiversity as the foundation of a resilient food future,” said Elizabeth Candelario, Chief Strategy Officer at Mad Agriculture. “This partnership reflects the kind of bold action Wilding is designed to inspire: one that invests not in isolated fixes, but in the living systems that make healthy food possible.”

WHY THIS MATTERS

Scientists say we need to keep about 20 to 25 percent of farmland as natural habitat [1]. Doing so builds biodiversity, which also helps farmers enhance productivity and ecosystem health. Without it, we lose crucial benefits nature provides, like bees pollinating crops, beneficial insects eating pests, and plants holding soil in place so it doesn’t wash away.

There’s another problem: our parks and nature reserves are too spread out. When animals and plants need to relocate due to shifting weather patterns, they cannot reach the next safe habitat, effectively stranding them. This disrupts ecological flows by blocking seed dispersal, animal migration, and water movement. This doesn’t just hurt individual areas, it damages wildlife, biodiversity, and water quality across entire regions.

A DIFFERENT APPROACH

That’s where Wilding comes in. Instead of setting aside big chunks of land for conservation, the initiative connects habitats by transforming the marginal edges of farms—the rocky corners, flood-prone strips, and low-producing, less profitable areas. These become bridges between larger wildlife habitat areas. Unlike traditional conservation, Wilding doesn’t separate nature from farming. It weaves them together so both can thrive.

STARTING IN WISCONSIN

The three-year pilot focuses on Wisconsin’s Driftless Area—a region of rolling hills and valleys in the southwest where some rare native prairie still survives. The plan is to begin transforming over 1,000 acres of underperforming cropland into thriving native grasslands and pastures. By planting prairie, adding rotational grazing, and connecting private farms with public lands and utility corridors, the initiative aims to restore the natural systems that support healthy soil, pollinators, clean water, and wildlife. Wilding is good for the land and the ledger, as it has the potential to open new income streams for farmers.

This pilot is just the beginning. The long-term vision includes 20% of all U.S. cropland converted into connected corridors where nature and agriculture thrive together.

“We’re designing landscapes where biodiversity isn’t an afterthought—it’s an asset,” said Omar de Kok-Mercado, Director of Wilding at Mad Agriculture. “We’re beginning to rebuild the connective tissue of the continent by creating corridors of life that support farmers and inspire innovation. This could be the beginning of America’s next great infrastructure project, built through collaboration with those who work the land and care for its future.”

WHO’S INVOLVED

Whole Foods Market kicked things off with a $500,000 matching challenge. Then 20 companies stepped up: Adams Group, Ancient Nutrition,Applegate, Bel Brands USA, Bob’s Red Mill, KIND, Little Sesame, Mariannes,MegaFood,New Belgium Brewing, Oatly, OLIPOP, Patagonia Provisions,The Campbell’s Company,TreeHouse Foods,UNFI, UNFI Foundation, west~bourne, Yerba MadreandYogi Tea. Together, they unlocked and surpassed the full match.

The technical partners — including Meadowlark Organics Community Mill, Southern Driftless Grasslands, Wild Farm Alliance, Savanna Institute, and Adaptive Restoration — are providing region-specific expertise in perennial agriculture, habitat design, restoration ecology, and farm-based implementation. They support planning, ecological assessments, seeding and planting strategies, and long-term monitoring to ensure successful integration of perennials into working landscapes.

The Wilding pilot builds on commitments outlined in Whole Foods Market’s 2024 Impact Report, where it’s featured as a key part of the company’s climate and nature strategy. Together with Mad Agriculture, Whole Foods Market is creating a blueprint that could be scaled across the entire country.

“At Whole Foods Market, we believe the future of food depends on healthy, functioning ecosystems. Wilding represents a fundamental shift in how we think about food system resilience by focusing on restoring full ecosystems that strengthen all of agriculture,” said Caitlin Leibert, Vice President of Sustainability at Whole Foods Market. “We’re proud to pioneer this coalition and demonstrate what’s possible when the industry comes together.”

ABOUT MAD AGRICULTURE

Mad Agriculture  is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2018 with the mission to create a regenerative revolution in agriculture and works toward a vision of an Earth where land, sea, and people thrive together forever. We work from heart to head, poetry to science, financing to markets, and soil to shelf, taking a holistic and collaborative approach to supporting farmers and ranchers. Along with our sister companies Mad Capital and Mad Markets, we meet producers where they are on their journey. Alongside our on-the-ground land and business support, we amplify stories from the field and food system with the goal of building a cultural movement.

SOURCE Mad Agriculture