Category Archives: Deals

Game-Changing Wireless Irrigation Tech Lands Thrive Smart Systems a Lead Investment from Hawaii Angels in $1 Million Round

AMERICAN FORK, Utah, and HONOLULU, April 14, 2025 — Thrive Smart Systems, a pioneer in wireless irrigation technology, has announced a lead investment of $600,000 from members of the Hawai’i Angels, an early-stage investor network based in Honolulu. The funding is part of a targeted $1 million round supporting Thrive’s expansion and next-generation product launch.

Thrive’s flagship product, the Thrive EVO™, eliminates the wiring typically required between irrigation controllers and valves—wiring that often creates headaches for landscape professionals and limits water efficiency. The company’s fully wireless solution reduces installation complexity and maintenance costs, while enabling reliable, long-range performance in the field.

By removing the need to trench and bury wires, Thrive’s system slashes installation time and cost, allowing contractors to complete more projects with fewer resources. This not only saves on labor and materials, but also opens up new opportunities in locations where traditional wiring would be impractical or cost-prohibitive. It integrates seamlessly with all industry-standard multi-wire controllers, including models from Rain Bird and Hunter, making upgrades easy without overhauling existing systems.

This year, Thrive is preparing to launch a cloud-connected LoRa version of its technology, extending the system’s wireless range virtually without limit and removing the need for a physical irrigation controller altogether.

Thrive’s wireless technology has already gained traction with landscape professionals, with over a thousand units installed to date. Thrive EVO™ systems are in use at Google and Apple campuses, as well as dozens of schools and universities, churches, city parks, and commercial properties across the country. The upcoming cloud-based solution is poised to expand the company’s reach among distributors and industry partners.

“We installed the Thrive EVO™ a few months ago. Not only was it quick and easy to install but it saved me the cost of having to horizontal-bore under a city street and disturb the existing landscape,” said David Hawk, Grounds and Irrigation Manager at Brigham Young University. “I see it as our solution to the sprinkler wire problems I deal with on my site.”

The Hawai’i Angels network, which has supported hundreds of early-stage companies since 2002, brings together individual angel investors who collaborate to fund and mentor startups. Members evaluate companies independently but often invest as a group, contributing capital, guidance, and strategic connections to help founders succeed.

“We’re always looking for founders who are tackling overlooked but important problems—and Thrive is a perfect example,” said Joey Katzen, Managing Director of Hawai’i Angels. “Their approach to wireless irrigation has the potential to change how water is managed across entire landscapes. It’s exciting to back a team like this and help them accelerate.”

“We’re grateful for the support from Hawai’i Angels,” added Bangerter. “Their belief in what we’re building helped us reach this next stage—and their investment is already accelerating our growth.”

About Thrive Smart Systems
Based in American Fork, Utah, Thrive Smart Systems delivers fully wireless irrigation solutions that eliminate underground wiring, reduce installation costs, and simplify water management. Its flagship product, the Thrive EVO™, is trusted by landscape professionals for its reliability, range, and ease of use. Learn more at thrivesmartsystems.com.

About The Hawai’i Angels
The Hawai’i Angels is a Honolulu-based network of early-stage investors that has supported founders in Hawai’i and beyond since 2002. Members invest individually but often collaborate on deals like Thrive’s, offering not just capital but also coaching and connections to help startups grow. Learn more or inquire about membership or corporate/VC sponsorship at hawaiiangels.org.

Contact:
Joey Katzen
Hawai’i Angels 
[email protected]
Bryan Brittain
Thrive Smart Systems
801.413.3023
[email protected]

SOURCE Hawai’i Angels; Thrive Smart Systems

ABC Impact sluit Fonds II af voor meer dan 600 miljoen dollar en verdubbelt daarmee de omvang van het fonds met toezeggingen van de Aziatische Ontwikkelingsbank, Temasek Trust, Temasek en andere vooraanstaande institutionele beleggers

SINGAPORE, 14 april 2025 — ABC Impact, de op Azië gerichte impactinvesteringsfirma, heeft met succes de afronding van haar tweede fonds afgerond op meer dan 600 miljoen dollar, een verdubbeling van de omvang van Fonds I. Deze mijlpaal verdiept het engagement van de firma om de kritieke sociale en ecologische noden van Azië aan te pakken door impactgedreven investeringen.

Bredere steun weerspiegelt groeiende afstemming

ABC Impact Fund II kon rekenen op de steun van een diverse groep Limited Partners, waaronder Temasek; Temasek Trust; de Aziatische Ontwikkelingsbank (ADB); Mapletree Investments; SeaTown Holdings; een staatsinvesteringsfonds in Zuidoost-Azië; een Amerikaans family office; en zeer vermogende particulieren. Deze convergentie van ontwikkelingsfinanciering en privékapitaal geeft blijk van een groeiend besef dat impactinvesteren systeemproblemen kan aanpakken via marktgebaseerde benaderingen.

Benoit Valentin, hoofd Impact Investing, Temasek: “In een snel veranderende wereld staan we voor steeds complexere en ingrijpendere sociale en ecologische uitdagingen. Ons partnerschap met ABC Impact is een kernpijler van Temaseks impactinvesteringsstrategie. Het geeft onze overtuiging weer dat impact investing kapitaal kan opschalen om de dringende problemen waarmee we geconfronteerd worden aan te pakken. Door samen te werken kunnen we een meer inclusieve en duurzame wereld creëren waarin elke generatie tot bloei komt.” 

“Het landschap voor impactinvesteringen in de regio staat nog in de kinderschoenen, en bedrijven in de groeifase hebben een gebrek aan financiering,” zegt Jackie Surtani, regionaal directeur van ADB en hoofd van het kantoor in Singapore. “De investering van ADB in ABC Impact Fund II weerspiegelt onze betrokkenheid om impactkapitaal te katalyseren in Azië en de Stille Oceaan.

Door innovatieve bedrijven te steunen die dringende sociale en milieuproblemen aanpakken, willen we levens- en bestaansmiddelen in de hele regio verbeteren.”

Een gedeelde visie voor Azië versterken

Tow Heng Tan, voorzitter van ABC Impact: “De succesvolle afsluiting van Fonds II benadrukt het vertrouwen van toonaangevende institutionele beleggers in de gedisciplineerde beleggingsstrategie van ABC Impact. Door extern kapitaal van bijvoorbeeld de Asian Development Bank te verwelkomen, verdiepen we onze toewijding aan het vormgeven van een duurzamere en inclusievere toekomst in Azië.”

“Wij geloven dat doelgericht ingezet kapitaal kan bijdragen aan pragmatische, marktgestuurde antwoorden op de meest urgente uitdagingen in onze regio,” zegt David Heng, CEO van ABC Impact. “Of het nu gaat om klimaatbestendigheid, inclusieve financiering of toegang tot gezondheidszorg, investeren in deze gebieden is niet alleen een maatschappelijke noodzaak maar ook een zakelijke kans op lange termijn.”

Grotere impact in prioritaire sectoren

Door de toenemende klimaatschommelingen, ongelijkheid en economische onzekerheid richt ABC Impact Fund II zich op praktische oplossingen in gebieden waar traditionele modellen moeite hebben om resultaten te leveren. De investeringsstrategie is gericht op vier prioriteitssectoren: schone energie en klimaatbestendigheid, inclusieve financiering en digitale toegang, gezondheidszorg en onderwijs, en duurzame voedselsystemen.

Onze investeringen tot nu toe waren onder meer voor Aye Finance in India, dat leningen verstrekt aan micro- en kleine ondernemingen; Tekoma Energy in Japan, een ontwikkelaar van hernieuwbare energie gespecialiseerd in zonneprojecten; en DCDC Kidney Care, een van de grootste dialysenetwerken in India dat betaalbare behandelingen aan achtergebleven patiënten biedt.

Afgestemd investeren in een diverse regio

Het economische en demografische momentum in Azië blijft kansen creëren voor innovatie op het gebied van impact. Maar de complexiteit van de regio vereist een juiste en aangepaste investeringsaanpak.

“Hoewel het beleid veranderingen kan versnellen, zijn het de marktvraag, kapitaalstromen en concurrentiekrachten die uiteindelijk zorgen voor aanpassing op schaal,” aldus David. “De bedrijven waarin we investeren wachten niet op signalen van buitenaf – ze geven actief vorm aan de toekomst door kritieke behoeften aan te pakken op een impactvolle en gezonde financiële wijze.”

Fonds II bouwt voort op het momentum van Fonds I (2019-2024), waardoor ABC Impact zijn partnerschappen kan uitbreiden, zijn bereik in sectoren met een grote impact kan vergroten en commercieel levensvatbare oplossingen met een potentieel voor impact op lange termijn kan ondersteunen.

Doelgericht vooruitkijken

Steeds vaker wordt impactinvestering beschouwd als een strategisch voordeel, in plaats van een compromis. De aanpak van ABC Impact is geworteld in de overtuiging dat financiële kracht en maatschappelijk voordeel hand in hand gaan, op weg naar vooruitgang.

“Onze vooruitgang wordt mogelijk gemaakt door het vertrouwen en de samenwerking van onze investeerders en partners,” concludeert Tow. “Samen laten we zien dat financieel succes en positieve impact niet alleen samengaan, maar elkaar ook versterken.”

(EINDE)

Voor vragen van de media:
Jeffrey Fang
Hoofd Investeerdersrelaties
[email protected]

Over ABC Impact
ABC Impact is een pan-Aziatische impactinvesteringsmaatschappij die zich toelegt op het leveren van meetbare sociale en milieuresultaten naast een voor risico gecorrigeerd financieel rendement door middel van duurzame groei. Met meer dan USD 900 miljoen aan vermogen onder beheer volgt het bedrijf een gedisciplineerde, thematische strategie om te investeren in bedrijven met een hoog potentieel die de meest urgente uitdagingen van Azië aanpakken.

Haar portfolio omvat klimaat- en wateroplossingen, duurzame voeding en landbouw, gezondheidszorg en onderwijs, en financiële en digitale inclusie. ABC Impact maakt deel uit van Temasek Trust Asset Management en wordt gesteund door Temasek Trust, Temasek, de Aziatische Ontwikkelingsbank en andere vooraanstaande institutionele investeerders.

Als ondertekenaar van de Principles for Responsible Investment en de Operating Principles for Impact Management, past ABC Impact een rigoureus, op feiten gebaseerd kader voor impactmeting en -beheer toe om doeltreffendheid en verantwoordelijkheid te garanderen. ABC Impact zet zich in om privékapitaal te mobiliseren voor een duurzamer en inclusiever Azië.

Ga naar www.abcimpact.com.sg voor meer informatie.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2661736/ABC_CMYK_Orange__Logo.jpg

Nimblemind.ai Raises $2.5M to Unlock AI-Ready Clinical Data for Healthcare Providers

CHICAGO, March 14, 2025 — Nimblemind.ai, an AI-powered data infrastructure platform designed to help healthcare providers structure and leverage their clinical data, has secured $2.5 million in funding to accelerate its mission. The round was led by Bread & Butter Ventures, and included participation from Great Oaks Venture Capital, SpringTime Ventures, Stone Mountain Ventures, Victorum Capital, Techstars, and strategic HC angel investors committed to transforming healthcare through AI-driven data infrastructure.

The funding will enable Nimblemind.ai to accelerate its mission of making unstructured healthcare data AI-ready. By curating and labeling clinical datasets, the company is addressing one of the biggest challenges in healthcare AI—access to high-quality, structured multi-modal datasets.

“We are at an inflection point where AI can revolutionize healthcare, but without well-structured, specialty-specific data, its full potential remains untapped,” said Pi Zonooz, CEO & Co-Founder of Nimblemind.ai. “Our platform ensures that healthcare providers can unlock the value of their data for AI while maintaining sovereignty and compliance. We put the healthcare provider in the driver seat of their AI future.”

Nimblemind.ai has secured partnerships with multiple healthcare organizations in the US and Asia. The company’s proprietary approach enables clinicians to transform raw patient data into structured, AI-ready formats, paving the way for better decision-making, predictive analytics, and non-clinical revenue opportunities. “Nimblemind.ai is unlocking the power of AI in healthcare. By organizing and curating data from our EMR, patient surveys, and wearable devices, they are helping us identify patient interventions more effectively. This kind of AI-driven insight is the future of personalized, proactive care,” said Lynn M Madden, PhD, CEO of APT Foundation. 

“We believe that transforming healthcare represents perhaps the single most significant application of artificial intelligence in our time, and Nimblemind.ai is building the essential foundation to realize this potential,” said Mary Grove, Managing Director of Bread & Butter Ventures. “Their platform empowers healthcare providers with everything from sophisticated clinical decision support to streamlined operations and personalized patient care. With their exceptional vision and technical expertise, the Nimblemind team is uniquely positioned to lead this revolution.”

With this funding, Nimblemind.ai plans to expand its specialty-specific AI models, enhance its platform’s capabilities, and onboard more healthcare providers seeking to leverage AI for better patient outcomes.

For more information about Nimblemind.ai, visit www.nimblemind.ai

SOURCE Nimblemind.ai

Accropeutics Secured $12 Million in Series B Plus Financing

  • Approximately $12 million additional financing led by Shenzhen Capital Group (SCGC), with participation from existing investor Morningside Ventures, and new investors Leader Venture Investment (SZTI) and Hefei Sci-Tec Venture Capital (HFST).
  • Cash runway extended into the second half of 2026

NEW YORK and SUZHOU, China, March 14, 2025 — Accropeutics Inc. (Accropeutics), a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of novel therapeutics that target molecular mechanisms of regulated cell death for immune mediated diseases, today announced the closing of its $12 million Series B Plus financing. The round was led by Shenzhen Capital Group (SCGC), an existing investor, with participation from Morningside Ventures, also an existing investor, and new investors Leader Venture Investment (SZTI) and Hefei Sci-Tec Venture Capital (HFST).

The proceeds from the Series B Plus financing will be used to generate more clinical data for AC-101, a RIPK2 inhibitor, in an ongoing Phase Ib clinical trial for patients with Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Accropeutics’ other clinical-stage assets include AC-201, a selective TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor, currently in an ongoing Phase II trial for patients with moderate-to-severe Psoriasis, and for multiple additional indications; and AC-003, a RIPK1 inhibitor, currently in an ongoing Phase Ib trial for patients with acute Graft-versus-Host Disease (aGvHD). The company also has multiple I&I assets in the pre-clinical stage.

Dr. Xiaohu (Jason) Zhang, Co-founder and CEO of Accropeutics, stated: ” With this round of financing, we are able to continue advancing our lead programs and solidify our position as an innovative, multi-program, clinical-stage biotech company. I am grateful to our existing and new investors, who share our vision that we can transform the treatment landscape for a wide range of I&I diseases with potentially best-in-class therapies. “

About Accropeutics

Accropeutics Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapeutics for immune mediated inflammatory disease, by targeting molecular mechanisms of regulated cell death. The company has a robust portfolio of innovative compounds in various stages of development, ranging from lead optimization to clinical testing. AC-101, a selective RIPK2 inhibitor, has completed Phase I clinical trials in Australia and China, and is currently undergoing a Phase Ib trial for Ulcerative Colitis (UC). AC-201, a selective TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor, has completed Phase I study in Australia and China, and is currently undergoing a Phase II trial for Psoriasis in China. AC-003, a selective RIPK1 inhibitor, has completed Phase I clinical trials in China and the United States as of August 2023, and is currently undergoing a Phase Ib clinical trial in aGVHD. Accropeutics’ pipeline also includes several assets in the research and pre-clinical stages of development. Accropeutics owns global rights for all of its assets, and boasts 23 issued patents in China, Japan, Korea, US and the EU. For more information, visit www.accropeutics.com

Contacts

Kenneth Gao
SVP, Corporate Development & Strategy
[email protected]

SOURCE Accropeutics

Disputed.ai Secures $1.12M in Seed Funding to Transform AI-Powered Chargeback Management

PORTLAND, Ore., March 13, 2025 — Disputed.ai, the most advanced AI-driven chargeback management platform for enterprise merchants, announced today that it has raised $1.12 million in seed funding. This investment will accelerate the company’s mission to redefine how large merchants handle chargebacks through intelligence, automation, and innovation.

Founded by former merchants and technologists who experienced firsthand the challenges of traditional chargeback processes, Disputed.ai combines AI-powered intelligence with deep industry expertise to transform how companies handle chargebacks. The platform is specifically designed for large-scale merchants processing anywhere from 1,000 to 100,000 chargebacks per month, enabling them to manage disputes seamlessly without the need for a large operational workforce.

“Our experience as merchants inspired us to build Disputed.ai,” said Shawn Kelley, Co-Founder & CEO of Disputed.ai. “We created the solution we wished we had, leveraging AI at multiple levels to make intelligent decisions about which chargebacks to fight and how to fight them. Our win-rate & recovery results were the validation, and this funding allows us to more quickly scale and bring our approach to market. We’re committed to transforming enterprise chargeback management.”

Disputed.ai already works with industries that face high dispute volumes, including live entertainment and ticketing, where chargebacks create operational and financial challenges. By leveraging AI-driven automation and industry expertise, they help merchants recover more revenue. In Q4 alone, Disputed.ai recovered 25% more revenue than one leading competitor and 13% more than another.

Beyond performance, Disputed.ai prides itself on its strong relationships with clients, acting as a strategic partner as well as a software provider. The company’s AI-native approach enables merchants to handle thousands of chargebacks without the need for a large operational team, giving leaders the ability to focus on growth rather than dispute management.

“AI has given us a chance to think about chargebacks from first principles, and we’ve developed a platform that takes full advantage of its strengths,” said Andrew Hart, Co-Founder & CTO, “It’s remarkable to see how much value we can create for clients once we get plugged into their data, and how that improves win rates over time.”

“Our mission is to make dispute management effortless, scalable, and highly effective,” added Kelley. “This funding allows us to accelerate our growth, push the boundaries of AI-driven dispute resolution, and help merchants recover more revenue with less operational overhead.”

With this investment, Disputed.ai is accelerating its growth to give enterprise merchants a smarter, more effective way to manage chargebacks. Disputed.ai helps merchants recover more, spend less, and stay ahead in an increasingly complex fraud and dispute landscape.

For more information, visit www.disputed.ai.

About Disputed.ai
Disputed.ai is the leading AI-powered chargeback management platform for enterprise merchants. Built by former merchants, it streamlines chargeback workflows, maximizes win rates, and reduces the operational burden of disputes. Disputed.ai delivers a tailored, scalable solution for large merchants—eliminating the need for a dedicated chargebacks team while driving better outcomes.

SOURCE Disputed, Inc.

Anyware Robotics Secures $12M Seed Funding, Deploys Pixmo Commercially

FREMONT, Calif., March 13, 2025 — Anyware Robotics, a leader in multi-purpose mobile robotics equipped with embodied intelligence, announced today it has secured $12 million in seed funding. The round is led by GFT Ventures, with participation from Foothill Ventures, Black Forest Ventures, Alumni Ventures, and other investors.

Anyware Robotics is developing highly versatile mobile manipulators to tackle tasks beyond human physical capabilities across industries, whether due to size, reach, precision, speed, or hazardous conditions. Focusing on logistics, their first robot, Pixmo, is designed to unload containers and trucks, sort and palletize, depalletize, pick cases, and load containers – creating a versatile robotic workforce that can be dynamically deployed across the distribution network as operational requirements demand.

“Warehouse operations, particularly container unloading, face critical challenges with worker safety, labor shortages, and operational efficiency,” said Thomas Tang, CEO and co-founder of Anyware Robotics. “Our solution reduces receiving labor expenses by up to 60% and, more importantly, protects workers from injury-prone tasks in harsh conditions where extreme temperatures abound. We’re excited to see Pixmo making a big impact for our customers.”

For unloading, Anyware Robotics equipped Pixmo with an industry first, a patent-pending conveyor accessory, solving the trade-off between flexible and purpose-built automation. Rather than requiring complex pick-and-place movements, Pixmo employs an innovative “pull” motion to the conveyor, significantly increasing speed and reliability, delivering more value to their customers.

Anyware has deployed Pixmo with multiple leading 3PLs, with a focus on clients who process large volumes of ocean containers.

“Our company will handle over forty-five thousand containers in 2025. We’ve sought solutions for years that uphold our efficiency commitments to customers while ensuring a safe work environment for our staff,” said Young Liu, CEO of Western Post US. “We are excited to have Pixmo deployed at our warehouses to unload containers safely, efficiently, and sustainably.”

“What truly impressed us is Anyware’s ability to go from concept to commercial-ready solution with remarkable speed. The team’s deep understanding of warehouse pain points and pragmatic approach, coupled with their proprietary AI technology, positions them to rapidly transform an industry plagued by labor challenges and inefficiencies,” added Jay Eum, Founding Managing Partner of GFT Ventures, who will join the Board of Directors.

Anyware will showcase Pixmo at Promat, where it has been nominated by MHI as a top 3 finalist for the 2025 Best New Innovation award, taking place in Chicago, IL, from March 17th-20th. For more information, please visit www.anyware-robotics.com.

Media Contact:

Torsten Schreiber
VP of Marketing
[email protected]

About Anyware Robotics:

Anyware Robotics develops multi-purpose mobile robots, equipped with embodied intelligence, to enhance operations in labor-intensive industries. Pixmo, the company’s first robot, will initially focus on unloading boxes from containers and trucks in a safe, cost-effective, and reliable way. Built for adaptability, Pixmo’s capabilities will expand with future software updates, enabling mobile palletizing, depalletizing, box picking, and truck loading. Founded by AI and robotics industry veterans, Anyware Robotics is headquartered in Fremont, CA. For more information, visit www.anyware-robotics.com.

SOURCE Anyware Robotics

Insilico Medicine Secures $110 Million Series E Financing to Advance AI-Driven Drug Discovery Innovation

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 13, 2025 — Insilico Medicine(“Insilico”), a clinical-stage generative artificial intelligence (AI)-driven drug discovery company, announced today that it has successfully secured a $110 million Series E financing led by a private equity fund of Value Partners Group (HKG:0806), one of Asia’s largest independent asset management firms, with strong participation from industry- and technology-focused new investors, as well as continued support from global existing backers.

The funds raised in this round will be directed to advance Insilico’s innovative drug pipeline and AI platform developments. On one side, resources will focus on refining AI models and algorithms, alongside updates and expansions to its state-of-the-art automatic lab to further automate and streamline R&D processes. On the other side, Insilico will focus on advancing the clinical validation of its flagship candidate for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treatment and accelerating the exploration of other independently developed and co-developed drug pipelines, driving impactful innovations in healthcare.

“We are excited to partner with Insilico Medicine in its mission to transform drug discovery with AI and automation. With a proven track record and a leadership position in AI-driven drug development, Insilico is at the forefront of transforming the industry. We believe that Insilico’s advancements will not only accelerate the development of life-saving therapies but also redefine the future of biopharmaceutical R&D. This partnership also marks a significant milestone for Value Partners’ private equity strategy and our vision of investing in disruptive innovations that have the potential to reshape industries,” said Dr. Chuen Yan Leung, Partner (Healthcare Investments).

“We are thrilled to announce our $110 million Series E financing—a key milestone that reflects our unwavering commitment to transforming healthcare and the strong confidence of our investors. This round, led by Value Partners and anchored by industry-focused investors, was heavily oversubscribed, drawing exceptional interest from prominent investors,” said Alex Zhavoronkov, PhD, Founder and CEO of Insilico Medicine. “The funds raised will accelerate the advancement of our drug pipeline and AI platform, further solidifying Insilico’s leadership in this rapidly evolving sector. We remain dedicated to our mission of extending productive longevity to people and are proud to be at the forefront of innovation in healthcare.”

Since its previous financing round, Insilico has achieved substantial progress in both the development of AI platform and drug discovery pipeline and has showcased the ability of its proprietary AI-driven platform to significantly reduce costs and enhance efficiency in the early stages of drug discovery. As its announced key benchmarks for internal preclinical candidate (PCC) programs show: By integrating advanced AI and automation technologies, Insilico has reduced the average time to PCC nomination to just 12-18 months compared to traditional drug discovery methods (typically require 2.5-4 years) , while enabling the synthesis and testing of only 60-200 molecules per program.

Pharma.AI, the proprietary platform developed by Insilico, undergoes major updates twice a year to maintain its technological edge. Built around generative AI and continuously integrating cutting-edge technologies, Pharma.AI provides a comprehensive solution spanning biology, generative chemistry, clinical medicine, and scientific research. As the technology evolves, Insilico has further enhanced Pharma.AI by introducing innovative engines powered by large language models (LLMs), including Nach01, a multimodal foundation model for natural and chemical languages, and Dora, a multi-agent generative research assistant. Recently, Insilico deployed the first bipedal humanoid AI Scientist within Life Star1, its fully robotic lab connected to Pharma.AI, designed to further optimize and automate research workflows.

To date, Insilico has rapidly built a wholly-owned drug discovery portfolio of 30 assets driven by its advanced Pharma.AI platform, with 10 of these assets receiving IND clearance. Among them, the most advanced candidate, Rentosertib (formerly known as ISM001-055), developed for treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), has progressed through multiple clinical studies with encouraging results. In a completed Phase IIa clinical trial, Rentosertib demonstrated favorable safety and tolerability across all dose levels, along with dose-dependent response in forced vital capacity (FVC), after only 12 weeks of dosage.

In addition, Insilico has established a sustainable revenue stream through its business model centered on out-licensing deals for its pipelines. The company has secured four pipeline out-licensing agreements with Fosun Pharma, Exelixis, and Menarini, collectively valued at over $2.1 billion. Concurrently, Insilico has initiated multiple drug discovery and development collaborations with industry partners, including Sanofi, Saudi Aramco, Therasid Bioscience and others, with the collected value of over $1.4 billion. Many of these partnerships have reached milestones, resulting in milestone payments to Insilico, further contributing to the company’s growing financial performance.

With the successful completion of its Series E financing, Insilico will further accelerate the advancement of AI-powered biopharmaceutical research and development, strengthen collaboration across the industry value chain, and drive the application of its cutting-edge AI platform in diverse scenarios within the life sciences sector through flagship use cases.

About Insilico Medicine

Insilico Medicine, a global clinical stage biotechnology company powered by generative AI, is connecting biology, chemistry, medicine and science research using next-generation AI systems. The company has developed AI platforms that utilize deep generative models, reinforcement learning, transformers, and other modern machine learning techniques for novel target discovery and the generation of novel molecular structures with desired properties. Insilico Medicine is developing breakthrough solutions to discover and develop innovative drugs for cancer, fibrosis, central nervous system diseases, infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, and aging-related diseases. For more information, please visit www.insilico.com.

About Value Partners Group Limited

Value Partners, one of Asia’s leading independent asset management firms, seeks to offer world-class investment services and products. Since its establishment in 1993, the Company has been a dedicated, specialist value investor in Greater China and Asia. In November 2007, Value Partners Group became the first asset management firm to be listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (Stock code: 806 HK). In addition to its Hong Kong headquarters, the firm operates in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Singapore and London. Value Partners’ investment strategies cover equities, fixed income, multi-asset, alternatives, real estate and quantitative investment solutions, for institutional and individual clients in Asia Pacific, Europe and the United States. For more information, please visit www.valuepartners-group.com.

SOURCE Insilico Medicine

Konvoy and Rocket Science Unveil 2025 Game Developer Survey: Key Industry Trends and Insights

DENVER, March 13, 2025 — Konvoy, a leading venture capital firm specializing in gaming and interactive entertainment, has partnered with their portfolio company, Rocket Science, a premier technical services provider for game developers, to release the 2025 Game Developer Survey. This in-depth report compiles insights from 155 game developers, shedding light on the shifting landscape of game development, technology adoption, and monetization strategies. 

The report highlights a notable shift in game engine preferences, with Unity remaining a dominant force but seeing increased competition from open-source alternatives like Godot and Stride, particularly among smaller studios.

Artificial intelligence continues to play a role in game development, but enthusiasm for AI-generated content is cooling. While many studios experimented with generative AI in 2024, the report finds that developers are now focusing AI applications on workflow automation and backend efficiencies rather than creative content generation. 

The survey also uncovers major shifts in user acquisition and monetization strategies. Possibly due to changes in Apple’s pricing model, many studios are reducing their reliance on Apple Search Ads, turning instead to platforms like Tenjin and Branch for more cost-effective user acquisition solutions. 

In the multiplayer space, studios are reevaluating backend technology choices. Despite launching new product offerings, Photon has seen a decline in adoption, while Edgegap is gaining traction following its Epic Online Services partnership, signaling a growing preference for flexible and scalable multiplayer infrastructure solutions. 

To discuss these findings, Konvoy and Rocket Science hosted an exclusive industry panel on March 11th, featuring Karthik Bala (CEO, Velan Studios) and Mark James (CTO, Endava Games), moderated by Brian Corrigan (Co-Founder, Rocket Science) and Jackson Vaughan (Managing Partner, Konvoy Ventures). 

“This year’s survey confirms what we’ve been hearing from developers: the game development landscape is shifting faster than ever,” said Brian Corrigan, Co-Founder of Rocket Science. “From changes in preferred engines to evolving multiplayer infrastructure, the industry is undergoing a massive transformation. Understanding these trends is critical for developers navigating an increasingly complex ecosystem.”

The survey findings reflect a broader industry pivot. The rise of open-source engines highlights a demand for cost-effective and flexible development tools, particularly among independent studios. At the same time, developers are reassessing AI’s role in game creation, shifting their focus toward practical AI applications like QA automation and localization. With user acquisition and monetization strategies evolving rapidly, studios are adjusting their approaches to maximize engagement while controlling costs. 

“Partnering with Rocket Science allowed us to bring an incredibly deep level of technical expertise to our inaugural game developer survey,” said Jackson Vaughan, Managing Partner at Konvoy Ventures. “These insights help developers and industry leaders navigate an evolving landscape and make informed decisions about the tools and platforms shaping their businesses.” 

The full 2025 Game Developer Survey is now available. To access the report, please visit: (link https://www.konvoy.vc/reports/game-developer-survey-2025). 

About Konvoy:
Konvoy is a thesis driven venture capital firm. We invest in the platforms and technologies at the frontier of gaming.
Learn more at (https://www.konvoy.vc/) 

About Rocket Science:
Rocket Science Group builds top-tier studios that combine specialized expertise with operational excellence.
Learn more at (https://www.rocketscience.gg). 

SOURCE Konvoy

PRE Security Inc. Honored with Multiple Awards; Co-Founder John “JP” Peterson Recognized as AI Security Innovator of the Year; Continued Growth for Company

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 13, 2025 — PRE Security, the world’s first AI Native Predictive Security Operations (SecOps) company, has been recognized with multiple Cybersecurity Excellence Awards, further cementing its leadership in AI-driven security innovation. Among the prestigious honors, co-founder John “JP” Peterson has been named the AI Security Innovator of the Year for 2025.

AI Security Innovator of the Year: John “JP” Peterson
“With PRE Security being one of the pioneering companies leading cybersecurity into the AI era, it’s no surprise that John has been recognized as the AI Security Innovator of the Year,” said Paul Jespersen, co-founder of PRE Security. “JP has a proven track record of innovation, technical leadership, and transforming cutting-edge security product concepts into market-ready solutions—culminating in his work here at PRE Security.”

Holger Schulze, founder of Cybersecurity Insiders and organizer of the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards, extended his congratulations as well: “As we celebrate a decade of recognizing excellence in cybersecurity, we are proud to honor John Peterson for his innovation, commitment, and leadership. His contributions set a powerful example for the entire industry.”

Additional Cybersecurity Excellence Awards for PRE Security
Beyond Peterson’s individual recognition, PRE Security was also awarded in the following categories:

  • Most Innovative Cybersecurity Company (10-49 Employees)
  • Best AI SecOps Solution
  • Excellence in Cybersecurity Innovation

“These awards validate our leadership in AI-driven cybersecurity, particularly in Generative and Agentic AI,” said Peterson. “Our patent-pending technologies, such as Parserless™ data ingestion and Next Alert Prediction, and our industry first CyberLLM™ are pushing SecOps into the future. While I am honored to receive the AI Security Innovator of the Year award, this recognition truly reflects the dedication and ingenuity of our entire PRE Security team.”

PRE Security’s Continued Growth and Leadership Expansion
PRE Security’s rapid growth has been fueled by significant product advancements and the growing world class team. To build on this momentum, the company has made key leadership appointments:

  • Leo Versola has been promoted to Chief Product Officer, responsible for driving product vision and development.
  • Jens Andreassen has joined as Vice President of International to help lead the expansion of our international teams. Prior to this, Andreassen served as Vice President of International at Fortinet and later as CEO of Lastline (which was acquired by VMware,) among other leadership roles in the cybersecurity industry.

“Over the years I’ve been involved with numerous companies and startups,” Andreassen shared. “However, it’s rare to see the channel community respond so overwhelmingly positively to a new technology as we’ve seen with PRE. I’m excited to be part of the team as we lead cybersecurity into the AI era.”

About PRE Security
PRE Security is redefining cybersecurity with its AI Native SecOps solutions, delivering advanced detection, predictive security analytics, and automation. Built on Generative, Predictive, and Agentic AI innovations, PRE Security eliminates the pain points and shortcomings of traditional SIEM and XDR solutions. Founded by cybersecurity veterans John “JP” Peterson and Paul Jespersen, PRE Security is headquartered in Silicon Valley.

Learn more at www.presecurity.ai.

Media Contact

Paul Jespersen
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 408-218-9668

SOURCE PRE Security