The fast-casual concept boasting 18.2% same-store sales growth joins Savory Fund’s powerhouse portfolio.

LEHI, Utah, Aug. 4, 2026 — Savory Fund, the restaurant-focused private equity firm behind category leaders like Swig and Mo’ Bettahs, is announcing its strategic investment in Zao Asian Grill, the fast-casual concept delivering fresh, bold, Asian-inspired cuisine to 23 locations and counting. The pan-Asian fast-casual category has been waiting for a national leader. Zao is it.

Founded in 2013 on the belief that Asian-inspired food deserves a permanent home in everyday fast-casual dining, Zao has spent years quietly building exactly that with clean ingredients, vibrant flavors, and a guest experience that is both healthy and habitual. Zao’s chef-driven menu dishes up bowls, salads, wraps, tacos, and soup featuring a variety of popular proteins, noodles, rice, vegetables, and scratch-made sauces.

“Dave Duffin and I have been circling each other’s orbit for years, always with a nod of mutual respect in this industry,” said Andrew K. Smith, managing director and co-founder of Savory Fund. “He’s one of the most instinctive brand builders I know, and I’ve spent years admiring Zao from the outside. Getting to finally roll up our sleeves and build something together, instead of just cheering him on from a distance, is the kind of partnership you don’t pass up. We can’t wait to show the country what the Mountain West already knows about Asian fast casual.”

What sets Zao apart is the team behind it. Dave Duffin, who previously founded Zuka Juice and Rumbi Island Grill, brings a founder’s instinct for what resonates with guests. Tom Hartman, with deep multi-unit operations experience across multiple restaurant brands, brings the systems, discipline, and leadership needed to scale Zao. And Paul Killpack, who spent 13 years as CFO of Café Zupas — growing it from 9 to 80+ locations — brings the financial architecture to do it right. Together, they represent 75+ combined years scaling restaurant brands.

“We’ve spent years proving that this concept works. When you offer guests approachable, flavor-forward Asian food, they’ll come back for it again and again. Watching this brand earn that loyalty, location by location, has been one of the great honors of my career,” said Dave Duffin, founder of Zao. “What we needed was a partner who could match our ambition without losing sight of what makes Zao special. Savory gets it. They’ve scaled brands before and they know the difference between growing fast and growing right. They are exactly the kind of partner we were looking for.”

Zao’s momentum is accelerating. Its same-store sales growth of 18.2% has the brand primed for the next phase. To fuel that growth, Zao has partnered with Columbia Bank on a $12.5 million debt facility designed to accelerate new location development. With 10+ new locations projected through 2027 and strongholds across the Mountain West, Zao is ready to bring its craveable menu to communities nationwide.

Zao Asian Grill marks the fourth investment in Savory Fund III, joining South Block, Bonrue, and Hawkers in a portfolio built for the next era of emerging restaurant growth. To learn more, visit SavoryFund.com.

ABOUT SAVORY FUND
Savory is an innovative private equity firm that combines over $750 million in assets under management with a growth playbook and expertise developed over 18 years of operating in the restaurant industry. Visit SavoryFund.com.

ABOUT ZAO ASIAN GRILL
Zao Asian Grill is a 23-unit fast-casual restaurant concept specializing in fresh, made-to-order Asian-inspired bowls, noodles, and wraps. Visit ZaoAsianGrill.com.

SOURCE Savory Fund

Season One Debuts as a Four-Episode Unscripted Series Following Six U.S. Startup Founders as They Navigate the Pressure, Personalities, Pivots, and Preparation Leading to the 2026 CodeLaunch U.S. Championship.

PLANO, Texas, Aug. 4, 2026 — CodeLaunch today announced the launch of “Next Founder Up,” its first original episodic reality series, premiering August 5 on YouTube.

The four-episode series takes viewers inside the high-stakes journey of six U.S. ventures as they prepare to compete in the 2026 CodeLaunch U.S. Championship, where one startup will win and advance to the CodeLaunch World Championship.

Premiering weekly throughout August, the series gives audiences an unfiltered look at what happens before founders step onto the competition stage. From product development and pitch preparation to personal sacrifices, unexpected challenges, and the relationships formed throughout the process, Next Founder Up captures the realities of building a startup under pressure.

Season 1 concludes on August 26 at 7pm ET with an interactive livestream finale. The live audience can vote in real time as founders compete for a berth into the 2026 CodeLaunch World Championship on November 11 in Dallas, where they will battle against the champions from CodeLaunch Canada (September 16 in Toronto) and CodeLaunch LATAM (October 14 in Guadalajara, MX), for $50,000.

“Next Founder Up is about more than startups and pitches. It’s about people willing to bet on themselves.” – Jason W. Taylor, President and Founder of CodeLaunch.

Next Founder Up marks CodeLaunch’s first original reality competition series, expanding the organization beyond its signature Venturetainment-style in-person showcase events.

“CodeLaunch gave us more than a stage. It gave us momentum. I’m excited to see the next generation of founders get their shot on Next Founder Up!” – Riley Keen, CEO of CharaChorder, CodeLaunch Finalist in 2019.

The founder-first approach continues to drive CodeLaunch’s mission of creating more investible early-stage ventures while giving innovators the resources, connections, and visibility needed to grow.

“We’re proud to support a platform that strengthens the startup ecosystem and exemplifies Improving’s commitment to Conscious Capitalism.” – Curtis Hite, CEO, Improving, parent company of CodeLaunch.

SEASON 1 RELEASE SCHEDULE

Episode 1 — August 5 Noon CT
From 290 to 6, who will make the cut?

Episode 2 — August 12 Noon CT
The 6 finalists accelerate their digital products with Improving PCL (Professional Coder League) teams.

Episode 3 — August 19 Noon CT
With Championship Day approaching, every decision matters.

Episode 4 Livestream — August 26 6pm CT
The journey concludes with the CodeLaunch U.S. Championship, during which livestream audiences can watch the competition and vote in parallel with the in-person studio audience through Improving’s LaunchKings platform to determine which founder wins, and advances to the World Championship.

ABOUT CODELAUNCH
CodeLaunch is a startup accelerator competition and live Venturetainment platform that connects early-stage tech founders with investors, mentors, corporate partners, and professional software engineering teams from Improving, to accelerate startup growth and visibility.

Since its founding in 2013, CodeLaunch has accelerated hundreds of startups across North America and Latin America to transform ambitious digital product ventures into scalable companies without taking equity. Through its founder-first model, CodeLaunch elevates founder visibility and produces startups more prepared to raise investment funding while enabling founders to retain full ownership of their companies, and elevating their digital products.

MEDIA CONTACT & RESOURCES
Dez Ewell
Phone: (214) 613-4456
Website: codelaunch.com
Next Founder Up: youtube.com/c/CodeLaunch

SOURCE CodeLaunch

Financing will fund mass production of precision strike and counter-UAS systems already engaged on the Ukrainian front, as Isengard expands agreements with allied militaries across Europe, the Indo-Pacific, and the Middle East.

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 4, 2026 — Backswing Ventures, the defense-focused venture capital firm, today announced its participation in Isengard Industries‘ latest financing round alongside A3 Management Group and other strategic investors.

The financing will support Isengard’s development of precision strike systems, counter-UAS capabilities, and the advanced manufacturing needed to produce critical military capabilities at scale for the U.S. and its allies.

As geopolitical competition accelerates and global conflicts expose weaknesses across the defense industrial base, the ability to manufacture munitions faster, cheaper, and at greater scale has become a strategic imperative. Backswing Ventures invests in founders building not just new autonomous systems and software, but the industrial capacity to sustain them — and sees companies like Isengard as a critical layer of that future.

Founded by Francisco Serra-Martins, Isengard Industries is rethinking how these systems are designed, produced, and deployed, helping build a more resilient defense industrial base capable of meeting growing allied demand.

The company has already shown strong early traction, with agreements and partnerships spanning allied militaries across Europe, the Indo-Pacific, and the Middle East, with early engagement underway with U.S. Army units.

“We’re excited to partner with Isengard Industries as they tackle one of the most critical challenges facing the defense industrial base,” said Kyle Asman, Founder & Managing Partner of Backswing Ventures. “Advanced systems only matter if they can be produced and delivered at the scale required, and Isengard is building the capabilities to help address that challenge.”

“War is won in the factory as much as at the front, and years in Ukraine proved it to us,” said Francisco Serra-Martins, Founder and CEO of Isengard Industries. “Isengard builds weapons of mass production: scalable, attritable mass that lets the West outproduce and outfight our adversaries. Backswing Ventures’ backing puts that capability into production at scale.”

Isengard plans to use the new capital to execute on its growing contract pipeline, expand operational capacity, and establish a U.S. base of operations, with Florida currently under evaluation as a potential site.

For more information, visit https://backswingventures.com/ and https://isengardindustries.com/.

About Backswing Ventures 

Backswing Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on dual-use and defense technology companies. The firm invests in businesses building next-generation capabilities across aerospace, autonomy, defense systems, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and national security technologies. Follow Backswing Ventures on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, Medium, and Substack for more company updates.

About Isengard Industries 

Isengard Industries builds precision strike systems, counter-UAS technologies, and the scalable manufacturing behind them — strengthening the defense industrial base by enabling rapid production and deployment for the U.S. and its allies. Follow Isengard Industries on LinkedIn for more company updates.

Backswing Ventures | [email protected] 

SOURCE Backswing Ventures

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. and BOCA RATON, Fla., Aug. 4, 2026 — CND Life Sciences, a leading neurodiagnostics company advancing objective biomarker-based testing for neurodegenerative diseases, today announced the completion of growth financing led by S-Curve Partners, an operator-led healthcare investment firm focused on founder-inspired healthcare technology and diagnostics businesses. S-Curve was joined by current CND investors and shareholders, reflecting continued confidence in the Company’s commercial trajectory, expanding clinical adoption, and long-term strategic positioning.

“We are pleased to deepen our relationship with S-Curve Partners and grateful for the continued support of existing investors and shareholders,” said Rick Morello, CND’s Chief Executive Officer. “S-Curve’s confidence in CND’s mission reflects the progress our team has made in expanding clinical adoption and advancing the science behind our scalable neurodiagnostics platform.”

CND is best known for the Syn-One Test, the first commercially available skin biopsy-based laboratory developed test (LDT) designed to detect abnormal, or phosphorylated, alpha-synuclein and other pathological markers. The Syn-One platform assists clinicians in evaluating patients with suspected Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple system atrophy, REM sleep behavior disorder, and related synucleinopathies. Since 2020, Syn-One has been used by more than 4,000 neurologists and other clinicians across the United States to support the diagnostic evaluation of more than 60,000 patients. Syn-One is supported by a growing body of peer-reviewed clinical evidence assessing cutaneous phosphorylated alpha-synuclein as a biomarker of synucleinopathies.

Proceeds from the financing will support sustained growth of the Syn-One platform, expansion of commercial initiatives, product innovation, strategic partnerships, and incorporation of Syn-One into a broader multimodal biomarker capability designed to support clinical diagnosis and disease characterization of neurodegenerative disorders. The financing comes at a time of heightened interest in objective biomarkers, earlier diagnosis, and precision medicine approaches within neurology.

“As a neurologist, I am encouraged to see the neuroscience field move toward multimodal biomarkers and earlier intervention,” said Todd Levine, MD, CND’s Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder. “This financing gives us the flexibility to invest in innovation, expand access to the Syn-One platform, and strengthen our pharmaceutical and research relationships.”

“Neurodegenerative diseases remain among the most underdiagnosed and misdiagnosed conditions in medicine, and as disease-modifying therapies emerge, objective biomarkers will only become more essential for clinicians, patients, researchers, and pharmaceutical companies,” said Daniel Livschutz, Founding Partner of S-Curve Partners. “We believe CND has built one of the most differentiated platforms in neurodiagnostics, and this financing is intended to accelerate its evolution from a category-defining product to a broader platform supporting earlier diagnosis, disease differentiation, and more personalized care. We look forward to partnering with the entire CND team.”

About CND Life Sciences

CND Life Sciences is a neurodiagnostics company focused on advancing objective biomarker-based approaches for neurodegenerative disease diagnosis and research. The Company developed the Syn-One Test^®, a proprietary skin biopsy-based diagnostic test designed to detect abnormal alpha-synuclein and other pathological markers to support the diagnosis of synucleinopathies including Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple system atrophy, and related disorders. Since 2020, more than 4,000 neurologists and other clinicians have ordered the Syn-One Test to support their diagnostic evaluation of patients.

The Syn-One Test is intended to provide objective pathological information to assist clinicians in the evaluation of patients with suspected synucleinopathies. Test results should be interpreted in conjunction with clinical findings and other diagnostic information.

The company also collaborates with biopharmaceutical companies on clinical trials for investigational therapies and is conducting studies on early disease detection and synuclein quantification. For more information, visit cndlifesciences.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.

About S-Curve Partners

S-Curve Partners is an operator-led healthcare investment firm that partners with businesses at critical inflection points to accelerate growth and create long-term enterprise value. Focused on healthcare technology, diagnostics, AI-driven platforms, and tech-enabled services, S-Curve provides more than capital, combining strategic resources, operational expertise, and deep industry relationships to help companies scale. Led by former founders and operators who have successfully built, acquired, scaled, and exited healthcare businesses, the firm is guided by a simple philosophy: identify transformational companies, support them through active partnership, and help them realize their full potential through S-Curve inflection.

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding expected growth, product development, commercialization initiatives, strategic partnerships, and market opportunities. Actual results may differ materially from current expectations.

Media Contacts

CND Life Sciences: [email protected] 

S-Curve Partners: [email protected] 

SOURCE CND Life Sciences

Equity crowdfunding fuels manufacturing expansion, retail growth, and product innovation for the creator of the world’s first alcohol-filled popping boba.

PITTSBURGH, Aug. 4, 2026 — Unifying Spirits announces the successful close of its Wefunder equity crowdfunding campaign, raising $2.238 million from 462 investors to accelerate the growth of Boba POPS^®, the first and only alcohol-filled popping boba.

This campaign brings the company’s total equity financing to approximately $8 million, with approximately half of the capital coming from experienced beverage industry investors. The raise reflects growing confidence in Boba POPS^® as the company continues to redefine the beverage alcohol industry through patented innovation, rapid retail expansion, and product development.

Since launching, Boba POPS^® has experienced remarkable momentum. The company generated $2.8 million in revenue in 2025, representing 3.6x year-over-year growth, and has expanded into more than 10,000 points of distribution across 75 national retail chains. Protected by patents through 2035, Boba POPS^® remains the first and only alcohol-filled popping boba on the market, creating an entirely new category within beverage alcohol.

“This campaign represents much more than capital; it represents a community of people who believe in where we’re headed,” said Ray Rozycki, CEO of Unifying Spirits. “The enthusiasm we’ve seen from both consumers and investors reinforces that people are looking for new experiences in beverage alcohol. We’re excited to build on this momentum as we expand our production capabilities, introduce new products, and bring Boba POPS^® to even more consumers nationwide.”

The new funding will support several strategic initiatives, including:

• Expanding U.S. manufacturing operations with a fivefold increase in production capacity.
• Accelerating national retail expansion and increasing distribution.
• Growing partnerships with bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
• Advancing product innovation, including the upcoming ready-to-drink (RTD) beverage line.

Unlike traditional beverage brands, Boba POPS^® enhances cocktails, champagne, seltzers, and other beverages with alcohol-filled pearls that burst with flavor, creating an interactive drinking experience. The product sits at the intersection of experiential drinking, bubble tea culture, and evolving consumer preferences, helping define an entirely new category within beverage alcohol.

The company is also expanding its domestic production capabilities in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where new proprietary equipment is expected to increase manufacturing capacity by approximately five times while strengthening supply chain control and supporting future growth. This expansion will position Boba POPS^® to meet growing consumer demand and support continued retail and on-premise expansion nationwide.

About Boba POPS^®:
Boba POPS^® (Pearls Of Popping Spirits) are the first and only alcohol-filled popping boba, delivering a unique, sensory-driven way to enjoy spirits. Designed to elevate cocktails and beverages with a burst of flavor, Boba POPS^® combine innovation, versatility, and visual appeal to create a new category within beverage alcohol. Available in Blueberry Boba POPS, Strawberry Boba POPS^®, Raspberry Boba POPS^®, Peach Boba POPS^®, Lychee Boba POPS^®, Espresso Boba POPS^®, Margarita Style Boba POPS^®, and Piña Colada Style Boba POPS^®, the brand is rapidly expanding across retail and on-premise channels nationwide.
Learn more at: https://www.bobapops.com

About Unifying Spirits:
Unifying Spirits is an innovation-driven beverage company focused on developing and scaling differentiated products within the spirits industry. Backed by a management team with a track record of building and exiting high-value beverage brands, the company combines proprietary technology, specialized manufacturing capabilities, and strategic distribution to bring new concepts to market. Unifying Spirits is the creator and sole producer of Boba POPS^®, supported by patented manufacturing processes and purpose-built production facilities in the United States.
Learn more at: https://www.unifyingspirits.com

About Wefunder:
Wefunder is a leading equity crowdfunding platform that enables companies to raise capital from their communities of customers, supporters, and investors. By connecting founders with a broad network of individuals, Wefunder provides access to investment opportunities in emerging brands and helps companies expand their reach while building deeper engagement with their audiences.
Learn more at: https://wefunder.com

For More Information:
Boba POPS^® Wefunder Campaign

SOURCE Boba POPS

Critical infrastructure investment firm to support Gravity’s power-as-a-service platform delivering energy generation solutions across the United States

HOUSTON, Aug. 4, 2026 — Gravity Power & Rental (“Gravity” or the “Company”), a leading provider of critical power generation and equipment rental infrastructure solutions, today announced that the Company has been acquired by Firefly Capital Management (“Firefly”) and its affiliates.

Gravity operates a fleet of more than 2,000 mobile power generation units, together with a complementary portfolio of rental equipment including fluid management, light towers, pumps and heaters. The Company’s more than 275 employees serve thousands of sites across 13 states, delivering power as a service for microgrids and onsite operations across energy, industrial and digital infrastructure end markets.

“We spent the last several months looking for the right owner to continue the momentum in our mobile power and rental business, and Firefly is that partner,” said Rob Rice, President and Chief Executive Officer of Gravity. “Firefly is a long-term owner focused on energy and critical infrastructure. They believe in our people and in our mission: customer focused, reliable, efficient and safe power and rental infrastructure solutions.”

“The Gravity team has built an industry reputation, fleet, safety record and customer relationships that took years in the field to earn,” said Jon Doochin, Partner of Firefly Capital Management. “Our goal with Gravity is to invest in its people for the long term. Demand for reliable onsite power is expanding rapidly, and Gravity has the fleet, the people and the customer track record to continue to be a market leader.”

“Gravity has earned its reputation one deployment at a time,” said Jakob Blomqvist, Partner of Firefly Capital Management. “This team delivers for its customers every day, and we are proud to back them.”

Gravity will continue to operate under its name and brand, led by Rob Rice and the existing management team.

Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP served as legal counsel to Firefly. Piper Sandler & Co. served as financial advisor and Vinson & Elkins LLP served as legal counsel to the sellers.

About Gravity

Gravity is a leading provider of critical power generation and equipment rental infrastructure solutions. The Company operates a fleet of more than 2,000 natural gas and diesel power generation units, alongside fluid management and other rental equipment to a wide variety of end markets across the United States. Gravity delivers customer focused, reliable, efficient and safe power and rental solutions for microgrids, onsite operations and the direct power and rental needs of its customers. For more information, visit www.gvty.com.

About Firefly Capital Management

Firefly Capital Management is a private investment firm focused on building and financing companies in critical infrastructure, including energy and healthcare. As a long-term owner, Firefly partners with management teams to build and scale exceptional companies.

Media Contact

Gravity

Heather Heacock, (281) 640-3043
Marketing Communication Manager
[email protected]

SOURCE Gravity

Total capital commitments include over $1.3 billion for Fund IV investments, an additional $275 million earmarked for Fund IV co-investment opportunities and $170 million for a single-asset continuation vehicle

GREENWICH, Conn., Aug. 4, 2026 — Lotus Infrastructure Partners, LP (“Lotus”) today announced final closings representing approximately $1.8 billion in total capital commitments across Lotus Infrastructure Fund IV (“Fund IV”) investments, future co-investments and a single-asset continuation vehicle.

Fund IV received strong support from a diverse group of existing and new institutional investors, reflecting continued confidence in Lotus’ differentiated approach to infrastructure investing and ability to execute. The fund will pursue opportunities across energy and related sectors, including power generation and transmission, battery storage, biofuels, and other fuels such as ammonia and methanol.

“We are grateful for the continued support of our investors and pleased to have completed this capital raise which is the largest in our firm’s history,” said Himanshu Saxena, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lotus Infrastructure Partners. “We are at a pivotal moment in the energy markets with demand for new energy infrastructure at unprecedented levels, driven by AI and rising industrial consumption. Our 20 years of experience investing in this sector positions us well to deploy Fund IV on behalf of our investors.”

FirstPoint Equity Capital Ltd served as exclusive global placement agent, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as fund counsel.

About Lotus Infrastructure Partners

Lotus specializes in infrastructure investments including renewable power generation, battery storage, renewable and low-carbon fuels, electric transmission, thermal power, and midstream and downstream assets. Lotus has raised more than $4 billion of equity capital and has executed transactions totaling more than $10 billion in enterprise value. The Lotus team brings extensive multi-functional expertise to its investments including development, construction, operations, acquisition and financing. For more information, please visit www.lotusinfrastructure.com. 

SOURCE Lotus Infrastructure Partners

The investment signals GDEV’s entry into private credit markets and introduces new solutions to advance sustainable infrastructure platforms

NEW YORK, Aug. 4, 2026 — GDEV Management, an emerging infrastructure investor and private equity platform focused on the middle market, and Liberty Mutual Investments (“LMI”), the investment firm for Liberty Mutual Group, today announced the closing of a corporate credit facility for Telyon, a leading turnkey clean energy development platform specializing in the commercial and industrial solar energy sector.

“As corporates increasingly seek reliable, cost-effective energy solutions to support their operations and sustainability objectives, the need for flexible, solutions-oriented capital to help developers meet that demand has grown significantly,” said Charley Poole, Head of Energy & Infrastructure at Liberty Mutual Investments. “Telyon is well-positioned to capitalize on this market dynamic, with a differentiated platform, strong development capabilities and a clear path to scaling as an IPP. We look forward to leveraging our long-term capital base and integrated platform to support Telyon’s continued growth in partnership with GDEV.”

The Telyon financing serves as a proof point for GDEV’s ability to source compelling middle-market credit opportunities for its institutional partners. GDEV has plans to expand its business of providing capital solutions to middle-market developers, sponsors, and operators across the storage, solar, and other energy infrastructure subsectors, with a focus on transactions of $40-75 million, structured at the corporate or asset level.

“This is a meaningful step for the firm and represents an expansion of the GDEV platform to include credit as a complement to our equity fund program,” said Benjamin Baker, Managing Partner of GDEV Management. “Closing a credit transaction alongside a partner of LMI’s caliber is a strong validation of our investment thesis, our strong portfolio relationships, and demonstrates our team’s ability to execute at the highest level and invest throughout the capital stack.”

LMI’s investment was led by the Energy & Infrastructure team within its Alternative Credit business, emphasizing how LMI’s integrated investment platform can provide holistic solutions across sectors and the full capital stack. LMI invests more than $125 billion of long-term capital globally on behalf of Liberty and leverages a flexible investment approach to partner directly with leading operators and build enduring businesses side-by-side with its partners.

ABOUT GDEV MANAGEMENT

GDEV Management, LLC is a middle-market infrastructure private equity business that invests in high-growth sustainable infrastructure companies across sectors including renewable energy, energy efficiency, grid infrastructure, transport and sustainable fuels. The firm targets operationally complex businesses in infrastructure, clean energy, industrials, and technology-enabled services, partnering with management teams to drive growth, operational improvement, and long-term value creation. GDEV’s institutional platform is structured to support a broad range of private market strategies, including direct investments, co-investments, and structured credit solutions.

ABOUT TELYON

Telyon is a turnkey renewable energy developer within the commercial and industrial sector. Consisting of a team of industry veterans, the company is working with some of the world’s most influential brands and focused on deal origination, project acquisition, EPC and operations and maintenance of solar, battery storage and EV charging projects throughout the United States. For more information, please visit us at www.telyon.com.

ABOUT LIBERTY MUTUAL INVESTMENTS

Liberty Mutual Investments is the investment firm for Liberty Mutual Group, a global insurance and capital solutions partner. With deep expertise in liquid, credit, and alternative strategies, LMI invests more than $125B of capital globally, taking a long-term approach across its integrated platform. LMI has a clear purpose: build enduring businesses side-by-side with our partners, drive economic growth, and generate superior risk-adjusted returns that power Liberty’s strategy and secure its promises.

Liberty Mutual Group Asset Management Inc. does business under the name Liberty Mutual Investments. For more information, visit https://www.libertymutualinvestments.com/.

Important Information and Disclosures

This press release is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities or interests in any investment fund or vehicle. Liberty Mutual Group Asset Management Inc. (d/b/a Liberty Mutual Investments) provides investment advisory and management services only to insurance companies and wholly owned direct or indirect subsidiaries of Liberty. This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are as of the date of this press release; actual results may differ materially, and Liberty undertakes no obligation to update such statements. Use of the LMI logo does not imply endorsement. Additional information is available at www.libertymutualgroup.com/investors. 

SOURCE GDEV Management

Funding to scale enterprise optimization deployments, advance JIJ’s AI-enabled optimization platform and quantum middleware, and accelerate global expansion

TOKYO, Aug. 4, 2026 — JIJ Inc. (“JIJ”), developer of a quantum- and AI-enabled optimization platform, today announced that it has raised JPY 840 million, approximately US$5.2 million, in equity financing, with Global Brain Corporation (“Global Brain”) serving as the lead investor. The financing was provided through multiple funds managed by Global Brain^[1] and a fund managed by Fujitsu Ventures Limited^[2].

JIJ will use the proceeds to advance its AI-enabled optimization platform, expand enterprise deployments of mathematical optimization, develop technologies for gate-based quantum computing, and accelerate its global growth.

Why JIJ Is Positioned to Scale

JIJ has developed more than 60 use cases across energy, manufacturing, transportation, telecommunications, logistics, and other sectors. Its core strength lies in understanding real-world operational constraints, translating them into computable mathematical models, and implementing solutions for ongoing use in business operations.

Through its JijZept software suite, JIJ supports the optimization lifecycle from problem formulation and development to execution and continuous improvement. Its development tools, solvers, and execution environments help organizations expand the use of optimization across more business functions.

JIJ is building a technology foundation to support optimization across classical and emerging quantum computing environments.

The company also develops open-source technologies, including OpenJij for combinatorial optimization and Qamomile, an open-source quantum programming language. Alongside these efforts, JIJ is developing middleware through a Japanese government-backed research and development program administered by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). JIJ also participates in quantum industry ecosystems including Q-STAR, the European Quantum Industry Consortium (QuIC), and UKQuantum.

Use of Proceeds

JIJ will use the proceeds to advance research, engineering, and product development across AI, mathematical optimization, and quantum computing. The funding will also support the expansion of its technical and business development teams as the company scales the adoption of its technologies across industries and global markets.

Advancing JijZept AI

Launched in beta in early 2026, JijZept AI is evolving into a cloud-based AI agent service for mathematical optimization. Its AI-assisted modeling capabilities and dedicated sandbox environment enable AI agents to carry out an iterative process of defining requirements, building mathematical models, and running numerical experiments based on user requests.

JIJ also provides an SDK that gives access to the solvers and file system within JijZept AI, enabling integration with AI agents running in users’ local environments. The service will also support quantum programming. Ahead of its official release, JIJ will continue expanding its capabilities to address current mathematical optimization problems while supporting research and development for future applications of quantum technologies.

Scaling Enterprise Deployment of Mathematical Optimization

Across a wide range of industries, companies need to make high-quality planning, allocation, and control decisions under increasingly complex constraints.

JIJ will strengthen its ability to deploy mathematical optimization solutions across more business functions and organizations. By expanding its support beyond research and development projects, the company aims to accelerate the practical adoption of optimization technologies.

Developing Middleware for Gate-Based Quantum Computing

Building on Qamomile and its broader work in quantum software, JIJ is developing infrastructure for gate-based quantum computing.

Putting quantum computing into practical use will require more than advances in algorithms and hardware. It will also require a software layer that connects quantum computers with high-performance computing environments and classical optimization technologies.

JIJ will continue combining cutting-edge research with implementation expertise, strengthening its work on gate-based quantum computing and advancing practical applications of hybrid quantum-classical computing in industry.

Expanding Globally

JIJ established its UK subsidiary, JIJ Europe Ltd., in 2025 and its German subsidiary, JIJ GmbH, in 2026. The company also began scaling its business activities in the United States in 2026.

In Europe, JIJ is working with local partners and research institutions on both practical applications of optimization technologies and research and development projects in quantum technology. Building on a team with diverse nationalities and areas of expertise, JIJ will accelerate its growth across Europe, the United States, and other international markets.

Strengthening Technical and Business Development Teams

JIJ will expand its research and engineering teams across quantum computing, mathematical optimization, and software engineering. It will also strengthen its business development capabilities to connect advanced technologies with industrial challenges and create new business opportunities.

The company will continue recruiting people who can contribute to both advanced research and practical implementation, strengthening the organization needed to bring quantum and mathematical optimization technologies into wider use.

Comment from Yu Yamashiro, Founder and CEO of JIJ

“Since JIJ was founded, we have worked at the intersection of quantum computing and mathematical optimization to address complex challenges across industries. Technologies developed through our research are now being deployed in day-to-day enterprise operations, and we believe this financing reflects confidence in both our technology and our ability to bring it into practice.

JIJ began with my desire to ‘see the future through computation.’ I believe that making complex challenges computable creates better choices and helps society move forward.

With this financing, we will advance our AI-enabled optimization platform and prepare for integration with gate-based quantum computers. By drawing on both mathematical optimization and hybrid quantum-classical computing, we aim to make a greater contribution to solving complex industrial challenges. By combining cutting-edge research with implementation expertise and bridging academia and industry, we will continue to advance our mission: “Making society computable to unlock humanity’s potential.”

Participating Investors

The following investors participated in the financing:

• GB-VII & GB-VIII Follow-on Growth Fund Investment Limited Partnership (Follow-on investment)
• KDDI Open Innovation Fund III (Follow-on investment)
• ME Innovation Fund L.P. (First-time investment)
• ANA Future Frontier Fund L.P. (First-time investment)
• KURONEKO Innovation Fund II L.P. (First-time investment)
• Fujitsu Ventures Fund LLC (Follow-on investment)

KDDI Open Innovation Fund III, ME Innovation Fund L.P., ANA Future Frontier Fund L.P., and KURONEKO Innovation Fund II L.P. are corporate venture capital funds managed by Global Brain. GB-VII & GB-VIII Follow-on Growth Fund Investment Limited Partnership is Global Brain’s flagship fund. Fujitsu Ventures Fund LLC is a corporate venture capital fund managed by Fujitsu Ventures Limited.

Investor Comments

Yasuhiko Yurimoto, President & CEO, Global Brain Corporation

“We are deeply honored to lead this round once again, following our previous investment. Since our initial investment in 2023, JIJ has established a strong track record of adoption across a wide range of industries, addressing real-world business challenges. JIJ’s technology has also earned high acclaim globally, and we are truly excited to see them leverage this capital to accelerate their expansion both domestically and internationally. Global Brain remains fully committed to supporting JIJ as they rapidly grow as a leading player in the quantum optimization field.”

Shunpei Tatebayashi, General Manager, KDDI Corporation

Investment through KDDI Open Innovation Fund III

“As international competition in quantum technologies continues to intensify, accelerating commercialization and industrial adoption has become a key policy priority in Japan.

Against this backdrop, JIJ Inc. has steadily expanded its business in the field of mathematical optimization since our initial investment. In 2025, KDDI further strengthened its collaboration with JIJ by entering into a strategic partnership focused on the development and commercialization of quantum computing technologies. Quantum technologies are expected to create value across a wide range of industries in the years ahead. By combining JIJ’s quantum optimization technology with KDDI’s AI and quantum computing platform, we aim to accelerate the industrial application of quantum computing and unlock new value across diverse industries.”

Komi Matsubara, Executive Officer (Vice President, Business Innovation), Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

Investment through ME Innovation Fund L.P.

“JIJ has many talented people with advanced expertise in using quantum technologies for optimization purposes. It is also providing a development environment that enables diverse users to solve complex, real-world business challenges through mathematical optimization. By combining Mitsubishi Electric’s quantum computing technologies with JIJ’s quantum and mathematical optimization platform, we expect to accelerate the development of even more robust solutions for customers.”

Yoshiaki Tsuda, Executive Vice President, Director of Future Creation, ANA HOLDINGS INC.

Investment through ANA Future Frontier Fund L.P.

“ANA operates approximately 1,000 flights a day, dealing with vast amounts of data across various scenarios in our pursuit of optimal operations. When I was previously in charge of flight scheduling, the optimization model we used took an entire night just to process a single scenario, which made daily operations quite challenging.

We decided to make this investment with high expectations that JIJ’s quantum technology-enabled mathematical optimization platform will be widely implemented in society as solutions for such complex planning tasks. While our collaboration has already begun—including the selection of our joint proposal under the Space Strategic Fund—we aim to mutually enhance the corporate value of both companies through the optimization of airline operations.”

Kenji Mori, Manager, Innovation Promotion, Yamato Holdings Co., Ltd.

Investment through KURONEKO Innovation Fund II L.P.

“We made this investment in recognition of JIJ Inc.’s exceptional technological capabilities as a leader in Japan’s quantum annealing research, as well as their end-to-end support—from strategy to implementation—for complex challenges. We expect their technology to play a major role in optimizing the Yamato Group’s business resources. Going forward, we plan to support their growth by sharing our logistics expertise. At the same time, we look forward to exploring various collaborative opportunities—ranging from enhancing frontline operations to optimizing the entire supply chain—as we jointly unlock the potential of quantum technology in logistics.”

Hideaki Yajima, President & CEO, Fujitsu Ventures Limited

Investment through Fujitsu Ventures Fund LLC

“JIJ combines deep expertise in mathematical optimization and quantum technology with the ability to take advanced computing technologies from foundational research and middleware development through to deployment in industrial settings. This breadth of capability sets JIJ apart, even among companies operating globally in the field.

JIJ also holds a distinctive position at the intersection of academia, industry, and technology ecosystems around the world. We believe the company will play an increasingly important role in turning advanced technologies into practical value for industry.

Mathematical optimization and quantum technology are also closely aligned with the Fujitsu Group’s strategic areas of focus. Since our initial investment, collaboration between JIJ and the Fujitsu Group has continued to expand. Through this follow-on investment, we look forward to deepening that relationship and working together to create new value.”

About JIJ

JIJ Inc. develops a quantum- and AI-enabled optimization platform that helps organizations turn complex planning, allocation, scheduling, and control challenges into computable mathematical models and solutions for real-world operations.

Combining mathematical optimization, AI-assisted modeling, and quantum computing technologies, JIJ supports the full optimization lifecycle, from problem formulation and model development through solution execution, deployment, and continuous improvement.

The company has developed more than 60 use cases across manufacturing, transportation, telecommunications, energy, logistics, materials development, and the public sector.

Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Tokyo, JIJ has teams and entities in Japan, the United Kingdom, and Germany and is expanding its presence in the United States. The company is also active in global quantum industry ecosystems, including Q-STAR, the European Quantum Industry Consortium (QuIC), and UKQuantum.

Website: https://www.j-ij.com/en/

SOURCE JIJ Inc.