Financial services firm Edward Jones announces investments in financial wellness solutions through its venture capital arm, Edward Jones Ventures. Here’s what you need to know:

• Edward Jones Ventures is investing in AI-powered financial planning tools to help simplify estate settlements, long-term care planning, equity compensation, and business ownership.
• The need for more sophisticated, technology-enabled solutions is even more critical with the great wealth transfer well underway.
• As Edward Jones Ventures enters its second year, these investments are part of building an innovation ecosystem that’s bringing real solutions and driving value for clients.

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 3, 2026 — Edward Jones Ventures is entering year two with investments in tech platforms that drive its mission to inspire and accelerate solutions promoting financial fulfillment across North America.

• The portfolio now includes 15 companies with 10 active commercialization efforts underway, and to date, more than 70% of the firm’s U.S. financial advisors have been engaged through pilots and other activities.

Why it matters: A $124 trillion wealth transfer is underway according to Cerulli Associates (The Cerulli Report, 2024), and client needs are growing more complex. Edward Jones Ventures is helping to transform the industry, offering a flexible model to engage with innovators on solutions that give financial advisors more ways to help clients achieve financial fulfillment.

New Edward Jones Ventures’ investments streamline financial milestones for clients and financial advisors:

• Alix, an estate settlement platform, combines AI-driven automation with a human-led settlement team to guide families through the administrative, tax and legal steps that follow a loss. The platform automates document collection, deadline tracking and task prioritization, while trained settlement specialists handle complex judgment calls and coordinate with financial advisors so families receive both speed and care.
• Brillian empowers financial advisors to deliver value for business owner clients by integrating business advisory and personal financial planning. As the first consolidated solution of its kind, Brillian helps business owners save time, increase cash flow and maximize enterprise value.
• Grantd, an AI-driven equity compensation guidance and education platform, simplifies equity grants, delivering faster insights, actionable strategies, and smarter tax planning.
• As previously announced, Waterlily, an AI platform, uses over 500M datapoints to predict client long-term care events and optimize funding plans through self-funding, insurance and annuity products, from discovery through coverage.

What makes Edward Jones Ventures unique?
Edward Jones Ventures offers multiple ways to engage – investing strategically in emerging technologies, incubating new businesses and piloting solutions that enhance client service and practice team efficiency.

“Edward Jones Ventures has built an ecosystem of innovators, entrepreneurs and industry leaders who are coming together to drive meaningful value creation for our clients, practice teams and the industry as a whole,” said Greg Robinson, Head of Edward Jones Ventures.

Since launching in January 2025, Edward Jones Ventures has:

• Invested in impactful solutions, including financial wellness and education platform Addition Wealth, currently being rolled out to Edward Jones practice teams, and digital life insurance platform, Porch Software.
• Launched Aboon, a new, digital-first third-party administrator (TPA) built to make working with 401(k) plans faster, easier and more efficient, to clients of all Edward Jones financial advisors.
• Hosted its first annual Innovation Summit that convened 150+ innovators, entrepreneurs, thought leaders and venture capitalists in St. Louis.

“Together, we can accelerate solutions to real issues for real people faster than any of us could do alone, making it possible for more people to achieve financial fulfillment,” said Robinson.

What’s next for Edward Jones Ventures?
We’re always looking for the next opportunity to expand. Specific focus areas include technologies and solutions for aging well and longevity, navigating intergenerational wealth transfer, supporting business owners and simplifying taxes.

About Edward Jones
Edward Jones is a leading financial services firm in the U.S. and through its affiliate in Canada. The firm’s more than 20,000 financial advisors serve more than 9 million clients with a total of $2.5 trillion in client assets under care at the end of Dec. 31, 2025. Edward Jones’ purpose is to partner for positive impact to improve the lives of its clients and colleagues, and together, better our communities and society. Through the dedication of the firm’s approximately 55,000 associates and our branch presence in 68% of U.S. counties and most Canadian provinces and territories, the firm is committed to helping more people achieve financially what is most important to them. The Edward Jones website is at www.edwardjones.com, and its recruiting website is www.careers.edwardjones.com. Member SIPC.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. securities laws. You can identify forward-looking statements by words that predict or indicate future events which do not relate to historical matters. You should not rely on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the control of The Jones Financial Companies, L.L.L.P. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the Risk Factors discussed in The Jones Financial Companies, L.L.L.P.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as supplemented by its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and any current reports on Form 8-K. These forward-looking statements were based on information, plans, and estimates as of the date of this press release, and The Jones Financial Companies, L.L.L.P. does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, future events or other changes, except as required by law.

SOURCE Edward Jones

Followed by the development and regulatory milestone payment of USD 3 million in July 2025, Insilico received an additional milestone payment of USD 5 million from Menarini Group after first-in-patient dosing in a Phase 1 trial of MEN2501, highly differentiated small molecule KIF18A inhibitor in development for chromosomally unstable solid tumors designed using Insilico’s generative AI engine.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb. 3, 2026 — Insilico Medicine (“Insilico”), a clinical-stage, generative artificial intelligence (AI)-driven biotechnology company, today announced that it has received USD 5 million from Menarini Group (“Menarini”) as an additional milestone payment, following the completion of first-in-patient dosing in a Phase 1 study of MEN2501, which was licensed to Menarini in January 2025. MEN2501 (previously known as ISM9682) is a highly differentiated small molecule inhibitor of kinesin KIF18A motor protein with potent activity in cancers with chromosome instability.  

As part of a strategic collaboration to accelerate the development and delivery of transformative cancer therapies, the asset was subsequently licensed to Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. (“Stemline”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Menarini Group, with the combined value of the agreements exceeding USD 550 million. Pursuant to the partnership, both parties actively advanced the program transition and subsequent development activities. Following IND approval for this program, Insilico received the first development and regulatory milestone payment of USD 3 million in July 2025.

“The program rapidly advanced into a Phase I clinical trial and successfully completed first patient dosing, fully demonstrating Menarini and Stemline’s exceptional agility and clinical expertise,” said Alex Zhavoronkov, PhD, Founder and CEO of Insilico Medicine. “This milestone shows our shared commitment to delivering innovative therapies for cancer treatment. We are proud to further strengthen our partnership and encouraged to see AI-discovered drug candidates reaching such a critical stage, bringing us closer to providing novel treatment options for patients worldwide.”

“Getting the first patient dosed in our MEN2501 Phase 1 study is a meaningful milestone that underscores how quickly promising science can move forward through focused clinical execution,” said Elcin Barker Ergun, CEO of the Menarini Group. “We value our partnership with Insilico as we translate AI-enabled discovery into clinical programs, with the goal of bringing new, transformational treatment options to patients facing aggressive cancers.”

The collaboration between Insilico and Menarini has continued to expand since its inception. Prior to MEN2501, in January 2024, Insilico announced that it entered into an exclusive global license collaboration with Menarini for MEN2312, a novel KAT6 inhibitor for breast cancer and other oncology indications, with the combined value of the agreements exceeding USD 500 million. The MEN2312 program has progressed smoothly into clinical development, and Insilico has received early development milestone payments.

In addition to the collaboration pipelines, Insilico has extensive experience in AI-driven oncology, drug discovery and development. The company has established a robust oncology pipeline that targets multiple cancer indications, leveraging both moderately novel and well-established mechanisms. Among its most promising assets, the potential best-in-class pan-TEAD inhibitor ISM6331 and the MAT2A inhibitor ISM3412 are both undergoing global, multicenter Phase I clinical trials.

Harnessing state-of-the-art AI and automation technologies, Insilico has significantly improved the efficiency of preclinical drug development, setting a benchmark for AI-driven drug R&D. While traditional early-stage drug discovery typically requires an average of 4.5 years, Insilico has nominated 20 preclinical candidates from 2021 to 2024, with an average timeline—from project initiation to preclinical candidate (PCC) nomination—of just 12 to 18 months per program, with only 60 to 200 molecules synthesized and tested in each program. 

About Insilico Medicine 

Insilico Medicine is a pioneering global biotechnology company dedicated to integrating artificial intelligence and automation technologies to accelerate drug discovery, drive innovation in the life sciences, and extend healthy longevity to people on the planet. The company was listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on December 30, 2025, under the stock code 03696.HK.

By integrating AI and automation technologies and deep in-house drug discovery capabilities, Insilico is delivering innovative drug solutions for unmet needs including fibrosis, oncology, immunology, pain, and obesity and metabolic disorders. Additionally, Insilico extends the reach of Pharma.AI across diverse industries, such as advanced materials, agriculture, nutritional products and veterinary medicine. For more information, please visit www.insilico.com

SOURCE Insilico Medicine

• Showcasing ‘Control Tower 2.0’: Incorporating patented AIoT technology for hyper-precise visibility and intelligence across the entire logistics process.
• Proven Technology: Secures third investment round (Series B-2) within just four years of establishment.
• Confidence in Innovation: Offering immediate on-site PoC opportunities for attendees to experience logistics transformation.

SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 3, 2026 — Willog (https://willog.io/en), a leading provider of AIoT-based supply chain intelligence solutions, announced today that it will participate in Manifest 2026, the world’s largest logistics tech conference held in Las Vegas from February 9 to 11. At the event, Willog will unveil its next-generation supply chain management solution, ‘Control Tower 2.0,’ for the first time.

Alongside this product launch, Willog announced the successful closure of its Series B-2 funding round. This marks the company’s third successful investment round in just four years, following Series A in 2021 and Series B in 2023. This achievement serves as a significant validation of Willog’s sustained growth and differentiated technological capabilities in the competitive global market.

Introducing Control Tower 2.0: The Evolution of Visibility

The ‘Control Tower 2.0,’ debuting at Manifest 2026, is an integrated management solution that covers the entire supply chain—from warehouse storage to domestic and international transport. Its core strength lies in providing seamless, end-to-end visibility based on high-precision data collected via Willog’s proprietary, patented IoT sensor devices.

Going beyond simple location tracking, Control Tower 2.0 delivers true ‘Logistics Intelligence.’ The solution utilizes advanced algorithms to precisely analyze critical environmental variables collected by sensors, including temperature, humidity, shock, tilt, and light. By predicting potential issues in advance and analyzing historical data to prevent future risks, Willog provides enterprises with actionable results, supporting cost reduction and strategic optimization.

Experience-Centric Booth & Live Demos

Willog has designed its booth at Manifest 2026 not just as a display, but as an experience-centric space where visitors can tangibly feel the solution’s value. Attendees can get hands-on with the physical lineup of Willog’s diverse IoT sensor devices. Furthermore, the experience zone will feature vivid live demos showing exactly how Control Tower 2.0 visualizes real-world data and derives meaningful insights.

Exclusive On-Site Offer: Free PoC Program

A key highlight of Willog’s presence is the on-site Proof of Concept (PoC) program. Willog is offering a complimentary opportunity for qualified booth visitors to deploy its IoT devices and Control Tower solution directly into their actual logistics operations. This initiative allows potential clients to verify technological effectiveness in their specific environments and experience data-driven logistics innovation with zero financial burden.

This Series B-2 investment serves as market validation of Willog’s vision for the digital transformation of supply chains, said a spokesperson for Willog. The PoC opportunity we are offering at Manifest 2026 is an expression of Willog’s strong confidence in its technology. It will serve as a moment for global customers to truly experience logistics innovation through practical intelligence.

For more information on Willog’s participation in Manifest 2026 and to schedule a pre-meeting, please visit the official event page at https://event.willog.io/.

About Willog

Willog is a premier AIoT-based supply chain solution provider that goes beyond simple location tracking to ensure transparency and predictability across the entire logistics process. Utilizing proprietary, patented IoT devices, Willog accurately collects not only real-time location data but also critical environmental metrics affecting cargo integrity, including temperature, humidity, shock, tilt, and light exposure.

This collected data is analyzed using proprietary algorithms specialized for specific logistics domains, allowing the system to predict potential disruptions and proactively prevent risks based on historical patterns. This enables real-time comprehensive monitoring of all logistics assets, including moving cargo and goods stored within facilities. By forecasting and managing every stage of the supply chain, Willog empowers enterprises to optimize their logistics strategies while minimizing costs and risks.

Recognized for its technological prowess, Willog continues its rapid growth trajectory, having successfully secured Series B-2 funding recently, following Series A in 2021 and Series B in 2023. The company was also honored with a Presidential Citation at the ‘2025 Venture Business Promotion Merit’ awards in South Korea. Currently, Willog is accelerating its global expansion through its U.S. subsidiary.

SOURCE Willog

GROSSE POINTE, Mich., Feb. 3, 2026 — Ecovia Bio, an advanced biotechnology company specializing in sustainable, high-performance biopolymer ingredients, today announced the closing of a Series B funding round led by Pointe Angels, an independent angel investor group based in the Grosse Pointe communities east of Detroit, Michigan. The funding will support significant expansion of manufacturing capacity at Ecovia Bio’s state-of-the-art Livonia facility to meet surging global demand for its AzuraBase and AzuraGel families of gamma polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) and specialty biopolymer products across cosmetics, personal care, agriculture, and hygiene applications.

Addressing a Global Environmental and Health Imperative
Microplastics have emerged as one of the most pressing environmental and public health challenges of our time. Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs)—synthetic, petrochemical-derived plastics used extensively in diapers, feminine hygiene products, cosmetics, lotions, and other consumer goods—persist in landfills for centuries and fragment into harmful microplastics that contaminate soil, water systems, and the food chain. These microplastics have been detected in human blood, lungs, and placental tissue, raising serious health concerns. Ecovia Bio’s biodegradable γ-PGA technology represents a transformative solution, enabling manufacturers to replace these persistent synthetic polymers with a bio-based, fully biodegradable alternative that delivers equivalent or superior performance without environmental or health consequences. By scaling production of γ-PGA, Ecovia Bio is empowering a global shift toward truly sustainable consumer products—addressing regulatory pressures, consumer demand for safer products, and the urgent need to protect human health and environmental integrity.

Ecovia Bio’s products are designed to reduce dependence on petrochemicals while delivering superior performance in demanding applications. By expanding manufacturing capacity and establishing the roadmap for additional production sites, Ecovia Bio is positioning itself to become the trusted global supplier of choice for γ-PGA and related biopolymers across consumer and industrial markets.

About the Funding
The Series B round will fuel a comprehensive expansion program that increases production capacity across Ecovia Bio’s Livonia manufacturing facility. With this investment, the company projects the facility will achieve full operational capacity by 2028, positioning Ecovia Bio to serve growing customer demand across multiple high-growth markets. Notably, the company has already begun evaluation of additional production facilities to accommodate market demand beyond 2028 and secure long-term supply chain security for global partners.

“We are excited to partner with Pointe Angels,” said Kousay Said, CEO of Ecovia Bio. “This capital enables us to meet immediate demand from our cosmetics, personal care, and agricultural customers while establishing the infrastructure needed to serve the hygiene sector at industrial scale.”

“Ecovia Bio represents exactly the kind of venture we love to back at Pointe Angels,” said David Bloom, Executive Director of Pointe Angels. “The company has solved a real technical challenge—producing sustainable, high-performance γ-PGA at commercial scale—and now has the market traction to justify expansion. What impressed us most was the management team’s disciplined approach to capacity planning and their ability to serve multiple end markets from a single, optimized manufacturing platform. We’re confident this capital will unlock significant value for our investors while strengthening Michigan’s position as a leader in biotechnology and advanced manufacturing.”

About Ecovia Bio
Ecovia Bio is a Michigan-based biotechnology company, a spinout from the University of Michigan, focused on the development and commercialization of sustainable, high-performance biopolymers derived from fermentation processes. The company’s lead technology is based on gamma polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA), a natural biodegradable polymer with applications across multiple industries.

About Pointe Angels
Pointe Angels is an independent investor club in the Grosse Pointe communities, east of Detroit, Michigan. Founded in 2019, Pointe Angels provides accredited investors with opportunities for meaningful financial returns on capital investments in scalable early-stage ventures. The group is industry-agnostic and hands-on, bringing expertise in finance, operations, marketing, sales, engineering, and manufacturing to its portfolio companies.

Media Contact
Ecovia Bio: ecovia-bio.com, or contact 2489770687, [email protected]
Pointe Angels: pointeangels.com, or contact [email protected]

SOURCE Ecovia Bio

• Grows 300% year-over-year to serve 350 school districts across 15 states
• Publishes outcomes data showing telehealth services improve student attendance and reduce school suspensions and expulsions
• Announces significant new investment to accelerate its mission
• Welcomes three seasoned operators to senior leadership team

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb. 3, 2026 — Cartwheel, the trusted mental health platform for K-12 schools, students, families, and staff, today announced exceptional growth that has propelled the company to become America’s largest K-12 mental health provider. Following nearly 300% year-over-year growth in new school district partnerships, Cartwheel now serves 350 school districts across 15 states and has established groundbreaking partnerships with state departments of health and education in Arizona, Georgia, and Virginia. The company has also secured a significant Series B financing, led by A-Street, to accelerate its mission.

“Cartwheel is fundamentally changing how youth and families access the mental health support they need to succeed in school and in life,” said Joe English, Co-Founder and CEO of Cartwheel. “By partnering with parents and schools as trusted allies, we’ve created a new standard for mental health that delivers measurably better outcomes at a significantly lower cost.”

Cartwheel’s school-centered model delivers exceptional impact on education and health outcomes.

• 58% of students experience full remission from anxiety—nearly double the 33% industry average for traditional telehealth
• 3x reduction in students with moderate to severe depression
• 62% reduction in absences per student (from 16 absences before care to 6 after care)
• 68% reduction in suspensions for students with prior disciplinary history

Cartwheel’s impact stems from its uniquely comprehensive care model. When school districts partner with Cartwheel, school counselors can refer students for clinical services with no waitlists. Cartwheel’s licensed clinicians deliver evidence-based care including individual therapy, family therapy, parent guidance, psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and proprietary specialty programs. Operating year-round with extended hours, Cartwheel allows students to receive care at home or at school, during evenings, weekends, and school breaks—all covered by the family’s insurance at no additional cost to most families.

Throughout care, Cartwheel works hand-in-hand with school staff through dedicated Clinical Program Managers who provide consultation on student cases, crisis management, and impact analysis. Bilingual Care Coordinators support families with scheduling, insurance navigation, and coordination with other providers. This collaborative model has enabled Cartwheel to achieve a 70% referral-to-care conversion rate—more than double the industry average.

Industry-Leading Technology Platform
Cartwheel’s HIPAA and FERPA compliant technology platform ensures seamless coordination among clinicians, parents, and schools. School staff can easily refer students into care, track progress, and collaborate with Cartwheel’s clinicians. Families can quickly complete their intake paperwork, schedule appointments, and communicate with their therapist. On the backend, district leaders can see real-time dashboards on access to care, student engagement, clinical and educational outcomes, and return on investment.

The platform has reduced workload for school staff, increased family engagement, and set a gold standard for transparency into impact and return on investment.

“Cartwheel has exceeded expectations,” said Dr. Alexander U. Ikejiaku, Associate Superintendent at Peoria Public Schools in Illinois. “Over the past two years, Cartwheel has become an indispensable partner in addressing student attendance, behavior, and mental health challenges, and it has our wholehearted endorsement for work with schools and states across the nation.”

Strengthening Leadership Team
To support this next chapter of growth, Cartwheel has welcomed three new leaders to its senior leadership team:

• Sarah Turrin, Chief Product Officer, brings deep healthcare product leadership experience. Prior to Cartwheel, she was Chief Product Officer at Color Health, a healthcare company focused on cancer care delivery, and previously led product teams at OneMedical and Lantern Health.
• Sam Bilow, VP of Finance, brings expertise in scaling high-growth companies from her work at Rubicon Founders where she worked to build and invest in transformational healthcare companies supporting underserved populations, including Imagine Pediatrics and Cadre Hospice.
• Sarah Shoff, VP of Customer Success, brings 15 years of edtech startup experience to Cartwheel. Sarah previously spent seven years at Udemy, where she led the implementation and customer success teams for the Americas.

Major New Investment to Fuel Growth
Cartwheel’s continued growth and innovation are fueled by a major new investment, raised last summer, from investors who see schools as a uniquely effective channel for tackling youth mental health. A-Street, which led the round, is a privately sponsored, multi-stage investment fund focused on backing and scaling innovative PK–12 solutions that improve student learning and achievement. The round included participation from new investors Citi Impact Fund, Britebound, and American Heart Association, as well as existing investors, including Menlo Ventures, General Catalyst, Reach Capital, and Able Partners.

“We’re thrilled to partner with A-Street in this next chapter. They know schools, they know what it takes to scale with quality, and they share our conviction that every kid deserves access to excellent mental health care,” said Joe English. “We’re excited to build the future of school-based healthcare together.”

“Mental health and academic success are intrinsically linked, and yet far too many students still lack the support they need to thrive in the classroom,” said Emily McGinty, Managing Director of A-Street. “Cartwheel is addressing this gap with an innovative model that expands access to timely, evidence-based care and removes common barriers such as stigma, cost and scheduling, and we are excited to support their efforts to strengthen both student well-being and educational outcomes.”

Mora Segal, Managing Director of A-Street, added, “What sets Cartwheel apart is not just the strength of its outcomes, but its ability to scale a deeply collaborative model across diverse school systems. The team has built the infrastructure, clinical rigor, and trust with schools required to operate at national scale, and we believe Cartwheel is uniquely positioned to become an indispensable partner for schools nationwide, ensuring students have access to high-quality mental health care.”

About Cartwheel
Cartwheel is the nation’s largest and most trusted telehealth provider for K-12 schools, students, and families. Cartwheel partners with 350 school districts across 15 states to deliver comprehensive mental health services to students, families, and school staff. Founded in 2022 by educators and clinicians, Cartwheel combines evidence-based clinical care with technology to ensure every child has access to high-quality mental health support. Cartwheel accepts all major insurance plans including Medicaid and provides care at no cost to uninsured families.

For more information or to join our team, visit: www.cartwheel.org 

Media Contact:
Cartwheel: Emily Paisner, 617-721-7486, [email protected] 

SOURCE Cartwheel

Funding accelerates the adoption of a universal integration layer, as grid reliability pressures mount

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 3, 2026 — Derapi, a software company building the connective infrastructure for the distributed energy ecosystem, today announced it has raised $7 million in seed funding to expand its team and accelerate adoption of its universal API platform. As grid operators, utilities, and energy companies work to unlock flexibility from distributed energy resources (DERs), Derapi is making it easier for those resources to connect, coordinate, and participate at scale.

The round was led by Earthshot Ventures with participation from Tuesday Capital, Susquehanna Sustainable Investments, WYVC, Breakthrough Venture Capital, WovenEarth Ventures, Radicle Impact, Raisewell Ventures, and notable angel investors including E8 Angels, GreenSky Capital, Aurora Venture Investments. These firms join existing investors UNION, Ubiquity Ventures, and M1C.

As global electricity demand continues to rise and grid reliability faces mounting pressure, distributed energy resources including solar, batteries, EV chargers, and smart devices are increasingly critical to meet peak demand. Despite rapid DER deployment, a lack of standardized, scalable integrations has limited their ability to participate meaningfully in grid services and virtual power plants (VPPs).

Derapi serves as a software hub for the distributed energy ecosystem, providing a single, trusted integration layer across devices, platforms, and programs. Its universal API enables secure data access, device control, and authorization across a fragmented landscape. By standardizing how systems connect, Derapi helps utilities, VPP operators, grid software providers, and energy platforms move faster, scale programs with confidence, and reduce engineering complexity.

“Distributed energy already holds enormous potential, but participation hasn’t kept pace with deployment,” said Stina Brock, CEO of Derapi. “We built Derapi to make distributed energy easier to connect, easier to trust, and easier to scale. When integration is simple and reliable, innovators can move faster and the grid can become more flexible and resilient.”

Customers say that shift directly impacts their ability to grow and respond to grid needs.

“Derapi has transformed the speed at which we onboard new battery partners,” said Gisela Glandt, Vice President of Partnerships and Business Development at Uplight. “With streamlined integrations, our utility partners can tap into more distributed energy resources and flexible load, while Uplight gains more capacity to focus on innovation.”

“The future grid will be distributed, dynamic, and software-defined,” said Ramsay Siegal, Partner at Earthshot Ventures. “Derapi is making that future real by turning fragmented devices into coordinated, grid-scale infrastructure. This is how we unlock the full potential of the grid in a time of rapid growth and transformation.”

With the new funding, Derapi is expanding to support the connection and coordination of millions of smart energy devices nationwide, empowering customers to move faster and to create entirely new products at the intersection of energy, software, and the grid.

To learn more about Derapi, contact [email protected].

About Derapi
Derapi is the foundational connectivity layer for the distributed energy future. Built by industry veterans from EnergyHub, Enphase, AutoGrid, Proterra, and other leading energy companies, Derapi delivers trusted, manufacturer-sanctioned software integrations that power the world’s most critical distributed energy programs. By owning the complexity of device connectivity and interoperability, Derapi enables energy providers, innovators, and grid operators to move faster and unlock flexibility, resilience, and affordability in the global energy transition.

About Earthshot Ventures
Earthshot Ventures is an early stage venture firm founded on the conviction that reinventing energy and industry is the next trillion-dollar opportunity. We back entrepreneurs tackling the hardest problems of today, and turning them into the most valuable companies of tomorrow. Our edge lies in software, AI, and critical systems that accelerate the shift to a smarter, more resilient, and secure economy.

Media Contact:
Rick Medeiros
[email protected]
(510) 556-8517

SOURCE Derapi

NEW YORK, Feb. 3, 2026 — Arbor, the AI research platform for enterprise operations, today announced it has raised $6.3 million in combined seed and pre-seed funding. The seed round was led by 645 Ventures, with participation from Next Play Ventures (led by LinkedIn Executive Chairman and former CEO Jeff Weiner), Chaac Ventures, Comma Capital, and notable angel investors, along with a previously unannounced pre-seed round. The funding will accelerate Arbor’s product development and team expansion in New York to meet surging demand from enterprise customers seeking to unlock insights trapped in offline conversations.

The people closest to enterprise operations know exactly what’s working and what needs to change. However, their insights rarely reach the executives making decisions. Traditional surveys and consultants are too slow and expensive to capture these voices at scale. Arbor bridges the gap by conducting AI-powered interviews with frontline employees and customers, turning millions of hours of conversations into executive-grade intelligence in minutes, not months.

Co-founders Veronica Ma and Kelly Zhou, who first met investing together at Insight Partners, brought on CTO and co-founder Ashish Dsa. The founding team brings deep 0-to-1 experience across multiple startups and backgrounds from Meta, Harvard, and Princeton.

The company is already working with a range of operationally complex enterprises, from multi-billion dollar transportation leaders like First Student to complex food manufacturers like Lyons Magnus. Here, frontline voices hold the insights executives need most. Early customers are achieving participation rates of 85-90%, while uncovering operational bottlenecks that drive seven-figure cost savings.

“There’s a crisis of wasted knowledge happening right now in every warehouse, every store, every manufacturing floor,” said Veronica, co-founder and CEO. “The people doing the work and the customers visiting the site know what’s broken. Companies are leaving millions on the table by not listening. Our mission is to unlock ground truth, and this funding lets us do it at the scale these industries deserve.”

That ground truth has always existed, but it’s been impossible to capture at the scale and quality that enterprises need. Traditional research means expensive consultants or low-impact DIY initiatives, with weeks of manual interviews and surveys, resulting in insights that are outdated by the time they’re delivered. Arbor’s platform automates the entire process, conducting thousands of conversations simultaneously and surfacing patterns in real-time. It’s the difference between asking 50 people and asking 5,000.

“The opportunity to transform how enterprises capture qualitative, conversational insights is massive,” said Nnamdi Okike, Co-founder and Managing Partner at 645 Ventures. “The Arbor team is uniquely positioned to unlock it, bringing the perfect blend of AI expertise and deep understanding of enterprise operations. They’ve already earned the trust of some of the world’s largest, most operationally complex companies. We’re excited to partner with them as they scale.”

The new capital will be deployed to expand Arbor’s team across engineering, product, and go-to-market functions, and to accelerate product development to serve additional industries and use cases.

To get in touch with the Arbor team, reach out to [email protected].

About Arbor
Arbor is the AI research platform for enterprises that power the global economy. The company transforms employee and customer conversations into executive-grade strategic intelligence, serving enterprises across manufacturing, logistics, retail, and beyond. Arbor’s full-stack AI platform delivers participation rates over 90% while replacing expensive consultants and traditional survey tools. Headquartered in New York, Arbor is backed by 645 Ventures, Next Play Ventures, and leading angels. Learn more at www.findarbor.com.

About 645 Ventures
645 Ventures is a venture capital firm that partners with exceptional founders building iconic companies. The firm invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, and growth stages across fintech, consumer, healthtech, enterprise, cybersecurity, infrastructure/developer tools and deep tech. 645 Ventures supports founders through its resource-intensive approach encompassing hiring, customer introductions and growth strategy, leveraging its proprietary software platform Voyager and deep Connected Network. 645 Ventures manages over $550M in AUM across five funds with investments in industry leaders including Goldbelly, Iterable, Overtime, Resident (acq. By Ashley Home, Inc.), Setpoint, ShopCircle and Shift5. Learn more at www.645ventures.com.

Media Contact
Ellie Tippett
[email protected]
415.328.8079

SOURCE Find Arbor Incorporated

Funding Signals Confidence in New Category Making Global Travel More Accessible and Community-Driven

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 3, 2026 — Kindred, the global home swapping platform, today announced it has raised $125 million to scale its growth as a community-driven travel alternative to hotels and short-term rentals.

The investment reflects growing momentum behind Kindred’s give-to-get model powering its next phase of growth as the product evolves from one home swapping community to a platform of interconnected sub-communities, enabling people to swap homes with friends-of-friends or existing trusted networks.

“Travel has long been dominated by two options: hotels and short-term rentals,” said Justine Palefsky, Co-Founder and CEO of Kindred. “Peer-to-peer home swapping is emerging as the third option, and it’s no longer niche. Our momentum signals that home swapping has become a global movement, and this funding allows us to build Kindred not just as a product, but as a social travel platform rooted in trust, generosity, and belonging.”

Founded in 2021, Kindred was built to make travel more accessible at a time when rising costs and housing pressures have reshaped how people move around the world. Today, the platform has grown to almost 300,000 members across 150+ cities, adding 150,000 members in 2025 alone, with almost 350,000 nights hosted to date. Top destinations on the platform include New York City, London, Los Angeles, Barcelona, Mexico City, and Paris to name a few.

The funding includes a $40 million Series B round co-led by NEA and Dylan Field, CEO of Figma, and an $85 million Series C led by Index Ventures.

“Kindred’s model meets the moment,” Palefsky added. “It radically lowers the cost of travel, often to around a tenth of the cost of traditional accommodations, while easing pressure on local housing markets.”

Kindred facilitates only non-commercial exchanges, meaning nights or credits can’t be bought or sold. As a result, over 90% of homes on Kindred are members’ primary residences, unlike short-term rental marketplaces. While members pay to access the service, no money is exchanged between hosts and guests.

“When travel is built on exchanging nights between peers instead of renting from commercial businesses, travel becomes more human, and homes stay on the market for locals,” Palefsky continues.

The capital will be used to evolve Kindred’s community experiences and offerings, including allowing members to build out new, trust-led sub-communities where they can open their homes to others within their extended networks, or with whom they share common interests or values.

“Kindred is leading a powerful cultural shift in how people choose to travel,” said Vlad Loktev, Partner at Index Ventures. Justine and Tas are a visionary duo with a clear POV on where travel is headed, and they have the momentum to turn that vision into reality. We believe Kindred has everything needed—team, technology, community—to become the defining platform in the home swapping space.”

“Kindred’s rapid growth reflects a growing willingness for people to open their homes to unlock future travel,” said Palefsky. “It’s a real sharing economy in action. The more you give, the more you can explore”.

Over the next year and beyond, Kindred will continue to invest in product, trust and safety infrastructure, as well as its growing ecosystem of sub-communities, further cementing its position as the leading global platform for home swapping.

About Kindred
Founded in 2021, Kindred is a global, members-only home swapping platform of 300,000 members that allows verified members to swap homes through a radically more accessible, responsible, human travel experience – unlocking a more meaningful way to see the world. Kindred revolutionized a third option of accommodation compared to hotels and short-term rentals. 90% of Kindred’s inventory is people’s primary residences, uniquely positioning it within the travel accommodation market. Kindred service fees average $20–45 per night— meaning a stay costs roughly one-tenth of a short-term rental in a comparable home. To learn more, visit livekindred.com.

Media Contacts
Megan Trivelli, The Sway Effect
P: 917-696-3701
Kejal Ashra-Blundell, Kindred
P: +44 7792 109808
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Kindred

Secures $30M in funding to Scale Open Real Estate Marketplace

NEW YORK, Feb. 3, 2026 — Orchard, the company delivering the best home buying and selling experience for both agents and consumers, today announced 40% revenue growth in 2025, outperforming the market during one of the industry’s most challenging recent years. This momentum follows the successful launch of 3 new markets in the spring of 2025, and the addition of over 500 agents over the last two years.

To accelerate future growth, Orchard has raised $30 million in a new round of funding. Investors doubled down on the company’s vision, as Orchard successfully transitioned from a “Buy Before You Sell” lender into a comprehensive real estate marketplace.

This new open marketplace model has resonated deeply in the market. Today, Orchard agents are armed with the broadest suite of products and services — including Buy Before You Sell, all-cash offers, unique listing services — allowing them to win more and to provide every customer with a customized solution that best suits their specific needs. All of these services are delivered through Orchard’s digitally integrated Title and Mortgage offerings.

“We are dedicated to building the future of real estate by putting the power back in the hands of consumers and the agents who support them,” said Court Cunningham, CEO and Founder of Orchard. “With Orchard, customers have the broadest choice of sale options, great local agents to guide them, and superior closing technology. We’re proud to be delivering the best consumer experience out there today. This funding allows us to continue innovating on behalf of our customers to ensure the process of finding and securing a home is as seamless as possible.”

This new round of equity funding will support Orchard’s continued growth and innovation, including market expansion. Orchard plans to launch two additional markets this year.

By marrying local expertise with the broadest range of financial and sale options, Orchard continues to define the future of the industry by removing the friction, uncertainty, and stress traditionally associated with the home buying and selling process.

About Orchard

Orchard is transforming the way people buy and sell their home, offering a modern real estate marketplace that provides homeowners with certainty and convenience. Through its innovative suite of services, exceptional local agents, and unified digital commerce platform, Orchard offers a seamless, tech-driven experience from search to close. It’s the new way to home. Orchard is headquartered in New York City and offers its services in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington. Learn more at https://orchard.com/

Media Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Orchard