Investment from Rittenhouse Ventures and Tech Council Ventures Supports Company’s Mission to Help Enterprise Organizations Transform Accounts Payable Operations

HAMILTON, N.J., Nov. 3, 2025 — TranscendAP, Inc., a leading provider of accounts payable (AP) automation software, today announced that it has secured venture funding to scale operations and support the company’s aggressive growth strategy. The funding round was led by Rittenhouse Ventures and Tech Council Ventures, supporting TranscendAP’s mission to drive innovation across AP operations for enterprise organizations.

TranscendAP will utilize the investment to enhance its AI-driven technology platform, accelerate market penetration, and build on its recent momentum, which includes notable customer wins across the healthcare, manufacturing, and higher education markets. Clients include Aspen Surgical, Loomis, George Mason University, Kaiser Aluminum, Powell Industries, and Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates, demonstrating the flexibility and configurability of the TranscendAP platform and its ability to meet the unique needs of diverse AP departments.

“AP automation has moved from being a back-office necessity to a true strategic advantage,” said Jeff Weinstein, Co-Founder and CEO of TranscendAP. “Securing this venture funding is a major milestone for us, empowering our team to accelerate AI innovation, expand our platform, and continue transforming how organizations across industries manage their accounts payable. It’s especially rewarding to be backed by two venture firms with a proven track record and a team that I’ve had great success with before.”

As organizations increasingly look to apply AI to streamline financial operations, TranscendAP’s platform stands out for its intelligent data capture, workflow automation, and exception handling capabilities, helping enterprise AP teams reduce manual processing, improve visibility, and lower invoice processing costs.

“The accounts payable automation market is undergoing a crucial transformation, shifting rapidly from outdated, first-generation systems, with over 90% of the market still lacking effective AP automation,” said David Nevas, General Partner at Rittenhouse Ventures. “Their cloud-based, AI-first platform leverages best-in-class technology, providing critical value propositions like a 70% reduction in per-invoice costs and robust fraud detection capabilities. We believe the time to strike this market is now, and TranscendAP is perfectly positioned to capture significant share in the mid-market segment. The company has proven product-market fit with impressive customer wins and strong capital efficiency.”

This investment milestone not only validates TranscendAP’s approach to intelligent AP automation but also fuels the company’s ongoing initiative and commitment to help organizations worldwide achieve smarter, more efficient accounts payable operations.

“We’re excited to invest for the second time in a leader like Jeff Weinstein, who now has a best-in-class solution for automating the accounts payable workflow,” said Steve Socolof, Managing Partner at Tech Council Ventures. “Having worked with Jeff and his team in the past, we’ve seen firsthand their ability to execute, scale quickly, and deliver real enterprise value through innovation. We’re confident TranscendAP has the right leadership and technology to redefine AP automation for a broad range of organizations.”

For more information about TranscendAP’s accounts payable automation solutions or to schedule a demo, contact [email protected].

About Rittenhouse Ventures

Rittenhouse Ventures is an emerging-growth venture capital firm that partners with capital-efficient B2B SaaS, AI, and tech-enabled services companies. With a strategic focus on the Mid-Atlantic region and other underserved markets, Rittenhouse invests in companies generating $2M-$10M in revenue, typically into rounds of $5M or less. The firm is dedicated to providing deep operational support and unique network access, collaborating with exceptional management teams to foster sustainable growth and market leadership.

About Tech Council Ventures

Tech Council Ventures invests in the most promising early-stage, rapid-growth technology companies in the Mid-Atlantic region. The Fund typically initially invests $500,000 to $3M, with up to $4-5M to support the company’s growth. The general partners are active investors, typically (but not always) a Board Director and lead investor.

About TranscendAP

TranscendAP, Inc. provides a flexible and scalable AI-driven accounts payable (AP) automation platform capable of supporting the most complex workflows and processes. Since 2018, enterprise organizations in healthcare, higher education, manufacturing, and other sectors have entrusted TranscendAP to manage millions of invoices and billions of dollars annually. For more information, visit www.transcendap.com.

Media Contact:
Domenick Cilea
[email protected]

SOURCE TranscendAP

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 3, 2025 — Verde Resources Inc. (OTCQB: VRDR) (Verde), a road materials company offering proprietary, environmentally sustainable solutions, today announced that Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Inc. (“Ergon”), the largest liquid asphalt marketer in North America, has completed a $2 million strategic common stock and warrant investment in Verde.

This investment follows the 10-year exclusive licensing agreement signed by Verde and Ergon in October, granting Ergon rights to commercialize Verde’s emulsion-based carbon sequestering BioAsphalt™ technology across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. BioAsphalt™ enables the use of 100% recycled asphalt materials in cold-mix applications that eliminate burners, heat, and solvents—lowering costs, extending paving seasons, and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions is a subsidiary of Ergon, Inc., a diversified global organization engaged in multiple industries. The privately held Ergon is an industry pioneer in asphalt innovation and supply, employing more than 4,000 people as it serves customers and partners in over 100 countries worldwide.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Ergon as a strategic shareholder of Verde,” said Jack Wong, CEO of Verde Resources. “This investment strengthens our balance sheet and reinforces our shared vision and long-term commitment. We’re honored that Ergon recognizes Verde as a trusted partner in advancing large-scale decarbonization of the road construction industry through an innovative yet pragmatic approach. With Ergon’s deep expertise and extensive nationwide infrastructure, they are the ideal partner to scale BioAsphalt™ across North America.”

Recent independent testing by the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) validated the performance of Verde’s next-generation BioAsphalt™—a 100% reclaimed asphalt pavement (known as RAP) cold mix enhanced with biochar. The results confirmed that the material not only meets but exceeds industry specifications, demonstrating strength, durability, and moisture resistance suitable for surface applications.

This milestone establishes a strong operational, technical and financial foundation for Verde’s commercialization efforts with Ergon, marking a pivotal step toward scalable, carbon-storing pavements that lower costs while decarbonizing road construction.

“Our partnership with Verde underscores Ergon’s commitment to leading the industry toward a more sustainable future,” said Patrick Nation, President of Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions. “Our investment reflects genuine enthusiasm to advance Verde’s proprietary technology and bring it to market. BioAsphalt™ provides a practical, scalable solution to decarbonize our sector without compromising quality or performance, and we’re proud to support Verde’s growth as both a commercial partner and strategic shareholder.”

Verde and Ergon have already hit the ground running, mobilizing joint teams and engaging major customers across Ergon’s network for large-scale projects. These initiatives aim to demonstrate BioAsphalt™ at full commercial scale, showcasing its superior performance, durability, and ease of installation, while generating verified carbon removal credits.

Biochar is fast emerging as a cornerstone of modern infrastructure, creating measurable value for taxpayers, contractors, producers, and Departments of Transportation alike by embedding reliable, traceable carbon removal directly into existing and new roads.

Today, 94% of US roads are paved with asphalt, a high performance but energy-intensive material produced and installed at high temperatures. Frontline workers face heat-related risks, communities endure frequent construction delays, and taxpayers bear the cost of deteriorating infrastructure and mounting environmental waste. Verde and Ergon are bringing practical, scalable solutions to address these long-standing challenges.

At a time when voluntary carbon markets face a credibility crisis, Verde and Ergon are proving that trust is earned through measurable results, not rhetoric. The solution is no longer theoretical; it’s right under our wheels. By integrating permanent carbon storage into materials society already consumes at massive scale, Verde and Ergon are redefining what sustainable road construction looks like: visible, verifiable, and built to last—with common-sense economics at its core.

Additional details regarding Ergon’s investment in Verde will be disclosed in a Form 8-K filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

About Verde Resources Inc.:

Verde Resources Inc. (OTCQB: VRDR) is an emerging leader in sustainable infrastructure, specializing in innovative and cost-effective solutions to help the industry seamlessly #TransitionToZero™. By integrating proprietary technologies with sustainable practices, Verde is at the forefront of creating low-carbon materials for infrastructure worldwide.

The company is driving transformation in a sector long overdue for change. Its approach reduces greenhouse gas emissions, sequesters carbon dioxide, optimizes the use of native soils and recycled materials, accelerates installation, and improves overall efficiency, all while lowering costs.

For more information, please visit https://www.verderesources.com

About Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Inc.:

Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Inc., a subsidiary of Ergon, Inc., is a leading provider of high-performance asphalt products and technologies. With decades of experience, Ergon specializes in delivering advanced emulsions, polymer modified asphalts, and other solutions that enhance pavement performance and sustainability. Through its state-of-the-art facilities and dedicated technical expertise, Ergon is committed to driving innovation in the asphalt industry.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press release and statements of Verde’s and Ergon’s management made in connection with the matters addressed by this press release contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding Verde’s expectations, projections, and potential future developments. These statements are subject to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Forward-looking statements involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed or implied. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “project,” “intend,” “seek,” “potential” or similar expressions. In this press release, forward looking statements include those related to (i) the anticipated benefits to Verde of the license agreement with Ergon and Ergon’s $2 million investment into Verde, (ii) the anticipated attributes and advantages of Verde’s products and (iii) Verde and Ergon’s future commercial plans in general. These and other statements are based on current expectations and speak only as of the date of this release.

A non-exclusive list of risks and uncertainties that could cause the forward-looking statements herein to differ from future results include, without limitation: (i) the risk that Ergon will be unable to sell Verde-enabled products in the marketplace in sufficient volume so as to generate meaningful revenue for Verde, (ii) risks resulting from Verde’s dependence on Ergon as Verde’s exclusive North American distributor, and (iii) the risk that the commercial relationship between Verde and Ergon may face known or unknown challenges that result in material adverse effects on Verde. Other Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include those contained in the Verde’s filings with the SEC, which can be accessed here. 

Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained herein. Except as required by applicable law, Verde does not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, whether because of any new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.

© 2025 Verde Resources, Inc. All rights reserved.

SOURCE Verde Resources Inc.

• AIP Secondary Fund II L.P., Aquilius’ second real estate secondaries flagship fund, closed on total capital commitments of over US$750 million. The fund was significantly oversubscribed at the hard cap, surpassing its original US$700 million target.
• The Firm raised US$1.1 billion in capital commitments for its second flagship fund and associated vehicles. The program attracted diverse global institutional investors, including leading sovereign wealth funds and pension funds.
• Aquilius seeks to capitalize on the region’s fast-growing, untapped real estate secondaries market, with the aim of building highly diversified, shorter duration portfolios across ‘new economy’ sectors at attractive, risk-adjusted return profiles.
• Founded in 2021 by ex-Partners Group and ex-Blackstone Asia private markets industry veterans Bastian Wolff and Christian Keiber, Aquilius has established itself as the largest real estate secondaries platform in Asia, with 30 on-the-ground professionals.

SINGAPORE, Nov. 3, 2025 — Aquilius Investment Partners (“Aquilius” or the “Firm”), a leading provider of secondaries solutions in the Asia Pacific region, completes fundraising of its second real estate secondaries flagship fund, AIP Secondary Fund II L.P. (“AIP SF II”).

AIP SF II was significantly oversubscribed at the hard cap and closed on over US$750 million in capital commitments, surpassing its original US$700 million target. In aggregate, the Firm has raised US$1.1 billion in capital commitments across its flagship fund and associated vehicles.

Aquilius’ Asia Pacific secondaries program attracted a wide range of global institutional investors, including leading sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, financial institutions, and family offices.

AIP SF II is Aquilius’ second real estate secondaries flagship fund targeting LP-led and GP-led transactions across Asia Pacific, with exposure to ‘new economy’ sectors supported by structural tailwinds including logistics, life sciences, data centers, hospitality and living. AIP SF II has already deployed approximately 50% of total commitments across eight secondaries transactions.

Bastian Wolff, Founding Partner at Aquilius, commented:  “We are actively capitalizing on a generational buying opportunity for secondaries in Asia. This milestone fundraise is a testament to our strong track record and highlights the continued and growing appetite for Asian real estate secondaries investments among LPs, as market volatility and the need for liquidity drives deal volume to record highs. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our Firm recognized and supported by such a broad and global group of high-profile institutional investors. We are deeply thankful for the trust of existing and new investors, whose partnership makes this milestone possible.”

Christian Keiber, Founding Partner at Aquilius, commented:  “The past 12 months marked a record-breaking year for secondaries volume. We are committed to being the leading provider of secondaries solutions in the Asia Pacific region — partnering with institutional investors and fund managers to deliver value through creative, efficient and scalable liquidity solutions while delivering compelling returns to our investors.”

ABOUT AQUILIUS 

Aquilius was founded in 2021 by Bastian Wolff (former Managing Director and Head of Asia Pacific Real Estate for Partners Group) and Christian Keiber (former Managing Director for The Blackstone Group). Both Founders have invested in Asia for the past 15+ years, having collectively deployed over US$4 billion of equity across some of the region’s most complex LP-led and GP-led liquidity solutions, including LP interest transfers, single and multi-asset recapitalizations, strip sales, continuation vehicles, and structured equity.

Aquilius’ team consists of 30 dedicated professionals and collectively brings decades of experience in sourcing, investing and structuring secondaries transactions in the Asia Pacific region. Aquilius focuses on building long-term, scalable, and mutually beneficial partnerships with funds and their managers by providing customized liquidity solutions. The Firm’s independent nature and institutional backing enable Aquilius to transact with speed and certainty on a discreet and strictly friendly basis.

MEDIA CONTACT

Evelyn Tan, Partner, Aquilius Investment Partners
Email: [email protected]

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– Catalyx Space consigue una ronda de financiación inicial de 5,4 millones de dólares para prepararse para la próxima era de la logística orbitaria

•  Catalyx está construyendo la infraestructura completa para el espacio: hardware, software y operaciones que permiten que el lanzamiento y el regreso de la carga funcionen como logística programada, no como misiones puntuales.

•  El lanzamiento es predecible; el regreso de la carga no. Catalyx está convirtiendo el regreso en un servicio reservable para productos fabricados en microgravedad, investigaciones urgentes, devolución de componentes y logística de muestras, cerrando el ciclo que hace que la órbita se comporte como infraestructura.

SAN FRANCISCO, 1 de noviembre de 2025 —  Catalyx Space, Inc., empresa de infraestructura espacial que ofrece soluciones integrales para misiones orbitales en diversos sectores, anunció recientemente el cierre de su ronda de financiación semilla de 5,4 millones de dólares, liderada por la firma de capital riesgo Outlander VC, que superó las expectativas. Este anuncio se produce tras el éxito de su ronda pre-semilla de 1,7 millones de dólares en enero, la cual culminó con la primera prueba de lanzamiento exitosa de su cápsula en un plazo acelerado de seis meses. Los nuevos fondos se destinarán a comercializar su arquitectura de reentrada de última generación, fortalecer sus operaciones internacionales y ampliar su capacidad de captación de clientes a nivel global. En la ronda también participaron: Arka Venture Labs, Lex Reddy, KDX Management LLC, Together Fund, Higher Life Ventures, Nivesha Ventures, Prana Tech Ventures, Bria, HF0 Residency y Techstars.

“El espacio no es la próxima frontera, sino la próxima capa de infraestructura. Catalyx está haciendo que la órbita sea tan accesible y programable como la nube, y ese cambio impulsará industrias completamente nuevas. Nos enorgullece respaldar a un equipo que está construyendo la columna vertebral de esta transformación”, afirmó Paige Craig, fundadora y socia directora de Outlander VC.

“La historia de Rifath es un ejemplo de perseverancia. Desde la construcción de su primer satélite en la adolescencia hasta su liderazgo actual en Catalyx, nunca ha dejado de perseguir lo que otros consideran imposible. Conozco a miles de fundadores al año, y muy pocos se mueven con la velocidad y precisión de Rifath y su equipo. La capacidad de Catalyx para llevar la idea a la órbita a su propio ritmo está redefiniendo la forma en que se construye en la industria espacial”, añadió AJ Smith, socio inversor de Outlander VC.

La historia de Catalyx comienza con su fundador, Rifath Shaarook, quien, frustrado por los prolongados plazos de desarrollo y la compleja y fragmentada infraestructura de la industria espacial, fundó Catalyx en 2024. Veterano del sector espacial con docenas de misiones exitosas, Shaarook fue noticia a los 18 años cuando diseñó KalamSat, entonces el satélite más ligero del mundo y una maravilla de la ingeniería impresa en 3D.

“La misión de Catalyx es acelerar la comercialización del espacio al permitir un acceso orbital rápido, fiable y asequible en todas las industrias, incluidas la defensa, la fabricación avanzada y la biofarmacéutica. Este hito de financiación nos acerca a hacer realidad ese futuro”, declaró Shaarook.

Según Fortune Business Insights, el mercado mundial de infraestructura espacial se valoró en 146.000 millones de dólares en 2024 y se prevé que alcance los 308.000 millones de dólares en 2032. Catalyx pretende satisfacer esta creciente demanda con una solución integral y completa para aplicaciones espaciales de próxima generación.

Acerca de Catalyx Space

Catalyx está reinventando el acceso al espacio, construyendo laboratorios autónomos con capacidad de reentrada. Fundada por Rifath Shaarook, Clinton D. Antony, Keerthan Chand Aluvala y Saqib Hussain, la plataforma tecnológica de Catalyx abarca sistemas de reentrada y recuperación, plataformas ligeras para naves espaciales, software para estaciones terrestres y un estándar de despliegue sin contenedores para nanosatélites. Catalyx presta servicios a innovadores, investigadores y empresas de sectores clave, como defensa, fabricación avanzada y biofarmacia, permitiendo a sus clientes probar, construir e iterar en entornos de microgravedad de forma más rápida y económica.

Para aprender más, visite www.catalyx.space o siga a @CatalyxSpace en las redes sociales.  

Vídeo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JNfEdfbU2s
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• Catalyx met en place une infrastructure back-end pour l’espace, avec du matériel, des logiciels et des opérations qui permettent à la masse montante et à la masse descendante de fonctionner comme une logistique planifiée, non comme des missions ponctuelles
• Le lancement est prévisible, la masse descendante ne l’est pas. Catalyx transforme l’étape de retour en un service programmable pour les produits fabriqués en microgravité, la recherche chronosensible, les retours de composants et la logistique des échantillons, une approche qui permet à l’orbite de se comporter comme une infrastructure

SAN FRANCISCO, 31 octobre 2025 — Catalyx Space, Inc., une société d’infrastructure spatiale qui fournit des solutions clés en main pour les missions orbitales dans tous les secteurs, vient d’annoncer son financement de démarrage de 5,4 millions de dollars, mené par la société de capital-risque Outlander VC. Cette annonce fait suite à la levée de pré-amorçage de 1,7 million de dollars en janvier, qui a débouché sur un premier essai réussi de largage de capsule avec un calendrier de six mois. Les nouveaux fonds seront utilisés pour commercialiser son architecture de rentrée de prochaine génération, pour renforcer les opérations à l’étranger et pour développer ses capacités d’acquisition de clients à l’échelle mondiale. Le financement bénéficie également de la participation des sociétés suivantes : Arka Venture Labs, Lex Reddy, KDX Management LLC, Together Fund, Higher Life Ventures, Nivesha Ventures, Prana Tech Ventures, Bria, HF0 Residency et Techstars.

« L’espace n’est pas la prochaine frontière, c’est la prochaine couche d’infrastructure. Catalyx rend l’orbite aussi accessible et programmable que le nuage, et cette évolution donnera naissance à des industries entièrement nouvelles. Nous sommes fiers de soutenir une équipe qui constitue l’épine dorsale de cette transformation », déclare Paige Craig, fondateur et managing partner d’Outlander VC.

« L’histoire de Rifath est celle d’une volonté implacable. Depuis la construction de son premier satellite alors qu’il était adolescent jusqu’à la direction de Catalyx aujourd’hui, il n’a jamais cessé de poursuivre ce que d’autres considèrent comme impossible. Je rencontre des milliers de fondateurs chaque année, et très peu évoluent avec la rapidité et la précision de Rifath et de son équipe. La capacité de Catalyx à passer de l’idée à l’orbite à son rythme redéfinit la manière dont l’industrie spatiale se construit », ajoute AJ Smith, investing partner chez Outlander VC. 

L’histoire de Catalyx commence avec son fondateur, Rifath Shaarook, qui, frustré par les fenêtres de développement prolongées et l’infrastructure complexe et fragmentée de l’industrie spatiale, a fondé Catalyx en 2024. Vétéran de l’espace avec des dizaines de missions réussies, Shaarook a fait les gros titres à l’âge de 18 ans lorsqu’il a conçu KalamSat, alors le satellite le plus léger du monde et une merveille d’ingénierie imprimée en 3D.

« La mission de Catalyx est d’accélérer la commercialisation de l’espace en permettant un accès orbital rapide, fiable et abordable pour toutes les industries, y compris la défense, la fabrication de pointe et la biopharmacie. Cette étape de financement nous rapproche de la concrétisation de cet avenir », déclare Shaarook.

Selon Fortune Business Insights, le marché mondial des infrastructures spatiales était évalué à 146 milliards de dollars en 2024 et devrait atteindre 308 milliards de dollars d’ici 2032. Catalyx veut satisfaire cette demande croissante en proposant une solution unique et entièrement intégrée pour les applications spatiales de prochaine génération.

À propos de Catalyx Space

Catalyx repense l’accès à l’espace en construisant des laboratoires autonomes dotés de capacités de rentrée dans l’atmosphère. Créé par Rifath Shaarook, Clinton D Antony, Keerthan Chand Aluvala et Saqib Hussain, Catalyx dispose d’une pile technologique comprenant des systèmes de rentrée et de récupération, des engins spatiaux légers, des logiciels pour les stations au sol et une norme de déploiement non canalisé pour les petits satellites. Catalyx est au service des innovateurs, des chercheurs et des entreprises dans des secteurs clés tels que la défense, la fabrication de pointe et la biopharmacie, pour permettre aux clients de tester, de construire et d’évoluer dans des environnements de microgravité avec une rapidité accrue et un coût réduit.

Pour en savoir plus, visitez le site www.catalyx.space ou suivez @CatalyxSpace sur les réseaux sociaux.

Vidéo : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JNfEdfbU2s
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• Catalyx entwickelt die komplette Back-End-Infrastruktur für die Raumfahrt: Betriebsabläufe, die den Transport in den Orbit und den Rücktransport zur Erde wie planbare Logistikprozesse statt einmalige Missionen funktionieren lassen
• Der Start ist vorhersehbar; der Rücktransport nicht. Catalyx verwandelt den Rückweg in einen buchbaren Service für in der Schwerelosigkeit hergestellte Produkte, zeitkritische Forschung, den Rücktransport von Komponenten sowie die Logistik von Proben und schließt den Kreislauf, der den Orbit zu einer Infrastruktur macht

SAN FRANCISCO, 31. Oktober 2025 — Catalyx Space, Inc., ein Raumfahrt-Infrastrukturunternehmen, das schlüsselfertige Lösungen für Orbitalmissionen in verschiedenen Branchen anbietet, gab kürzlich seine überzeichnete Finanzierungsrunde in Höhe von 5,4 Millionen US-Dollar bekannt, die von der Risikokapitalgesellschaft Outlander VC geleitet wurde. Die Ankündigung folgt auf die im Januar mit 1,7 Millionen Dollar dotierte Pre-Seed-Runde, die in einem ersten erfolgreichen Kapselabwurftest innerhalb eines beschleunigten Sechsmonatszeitraums gipfelte. Die neuen Mittel werden für die Kommerzialisierung der Wiedereintrittsarchitektur der nächsten Generation, die Stärkung der Auslandsaktivitäten und den Ausbau der globalen Kundenakquisitionskapazitäten verwendet. An der Runde nahmen auch folgende Personen teil: Arka Venture Labs, Lex Reddy, KDX Management LLC, Together Fund, Higher Life Ventures, Nivesha Ventures, Prana Tech Ventures, Bria, HF0 Residency und Techstars.

„Der Weltraum ist nicht die nächste Grenze – er ist die nächste Infrastrukturebene. Catalyx macht den Orbit so zugänglich und programmierbar wie die Cloud und dieser Wandel wird völlig neue Branchen freisetzen. Wir sind stolz darauf, ein Team zu unterstützen, welches das Rückgrat dieser Transformation bildet”, sagte Paige Craig, Gründer und geschäftsführender Gesellschafter von Outlander VC.

„Rifaths Geschichte ist die Geschichte einer unerbittlichen Besessenheit. Vom Bau seines ersten Satelliten als Jugendlicher bis hin zur heutigen Leitung von Catalyx hat er niemals aufgehört, dem nachzujagen, was andere für unmöglich halten. Ich treffe jedes Jahr Tausende von Gründern, und nur wenige bewegen sich mit der Geschwindigkeit und Präzision von Rifath und seinem Team. „Die Fähigkeit von Catalyx, Ideen in ihrem eigenen Tempo von der Konzeptphase bis in den Orbit zu bringen, definiert die Art und Weise neu, wie die Raumfahrtindustrie entwickelt und baut”, fügte AJ Smith, Investmentpartner bei Outlander VC hinzu. 

Die Geschichte von Catalyx beginnt mit ihrem Gründer Rifath Shaarook, der aus Frustration über die langen Entwicklungszeiträume und die komplexe, fragmentierte Infrastruktur in der Raumfahrtindustrie im Jahr 2024 Catalyx gründete. Shaarook, ein Weltraumveteran mit Dutzenden erfolgreichen Missionen, machte im Alter von 18 Jahren Schlagzeilen, als er KalamSat entwarf, den damals leichtesten Satelliten der Welt und ein 3D-gedrucktes technisches Wunderwerk.

„Catalyx hat es sich zur Aufgabe gemacht, die Kommerzialisierung des Weltraums zu beschleunigen, indem es einen schnellen, zuverlässigen sowie erschwinglichen Zugang zum Orbit für alle Branchen ermöglicht, einschließlich Verteidigung, fortschrittliche Fertigung und Biopharma. Dieser Meilenstein der Finanzierung bringt uns der Verwirklichung dieser Zukunft näher”, erklärte Shaarook.

Laut Fortune Business Insights wurde der weltweite Markt für Weltrauminfrastrukturen im Jahr 2024 auf 146 Milliarden US-Dollar geschätzt und wird bis 2032 voraussichtlich 308 Milliarden US-Dollar erreichen. Catalyx will diese wachsende Nachfrage mit einer vollständig integrierten Lösung aus einer Hand für Raumfahrtanwendungen der nächsten Generation befriedigen.

Informationen zu Catalyx Space

Catalyx stellt den Zugang zum Weltraum neu vor und baut autonome Labore mit Wiedereintrittsmöglichkeiten. Das von Rifath Shaarook, Clinton D. Antony, Keerthan Chand Aluvala und Saqib Hussain gegründete Unternehmen Catalyx umfasst Wiedereintritts- und Bergungssysteme, leichte Satellitenbusse, Bodenstationssoftware sowie einen nicht kapselbasierten Aussetzstandard für Kleinsatelliten. Catalyx beliefert Innovatoren, Forscher und Unternehmen in allen wichtigen Branchen, darunter Verteidigung, fortschrittliche Fertigung sowie Biopharma, und ermöglicht Kunden, in Mikrogravitationsumgebungen schneller sowie kostengünstiger zu testen, zu entwickeln und zu perfektionieren.

Um mehr zu erfahren, besuchen Sie bitte www.catalyx.space oder folgen Sie @CatalyxSpace in den sozialen Medien.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JNfEdfbU2s
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“Intelligent Luxury” makes the case that client experience won’t be redefined by technology—it will be redefined by the real estate advisors who use it with intention.

JACKSON, Wyo., Oct. 31, 2025 — REALM Global the leading network for luxury real estate professionals, has released a new white paper positioning the real estate advisor—not artificial intelligence—as the most critical driver of client experience in the luxury real estate market.

Titled “Intelligent Luxury: How AI Is Redefining Trust, Taste, and Timeless Value,” the paper is co-authored by REALM Founder and CEO Julie Faupel and Asha Saxena, AI strategist and CEO of Women Leaders in Data and AI.

The report challenges the growing narrative that technology alone will reshape the industry. Instead, it presents a clear case: AI is not a replacement for advisory relationships, but a tool to amplify the judgment, intuition, and fiduciary responsibility of exceptional professionals. Real Estate Advisors who know how to integrate these tools—ethically and intelligently—will set a new standard for service at the highest level, whether they are working with HNW individuals, global developers, or brand partners.

“There’s no sense in waiting for AI to deliver some perfect solution to client experience,” said Julie Faupel. “The most powerful transformation in this industry won’t come from automation—it will come from how advisors use these tools to be more human, more strategic, and more in tune with what really matters to their clients.”

Drawing from proprietary insights developed in collaboration with Altrata, this white paper underscores that 72% of ultra-high-net-worth individuals prefer to work with advisors who understand their lifestyle, legacy goals, and values—not just their financial assets. Across real estate, wealth management, and family office ecosystems, the client expectation is clear: use technology to serve better, not to serve less.

“Intelligent Luxury” offers a framework for how elite real estate professionals can adopt AI in ways that reinforce trust, preserve privacy, and personalize service at scale. The paper introduces the concept of the Augmented Advisor —a new model of leadership in luxury real estate where the agent’s human expertise is empowered, not diminished, by intelligent systems.

Case studies from across the REALM network—including advisors in Big Sky, Park City, Napa, and Washington, D.C.—demonstrate how early adopters are already using AI to anticipate client needs, detect timing cues, and deliver more meaningful outcomes for the lives of HNW and UHNW clientele.

“The data might say yes,” said Paul Benson, Founding Partner at Engel & Völkers Park City, “but a client’s silence says ‘not yet.’ That’s a nuance no algorithm can fully understand. That’s on us.”

This white paper is part of REALM’s larger mission to ensure that the future of real estate remains grounded in relationships, not algorithms. As AI adoption accelerates across the industry, REALM is calling on advisors to lead from the front—not just by using new tools, but by holding fast to the values that have always defined luxury: trust, intention, and deeply personalized service.

**Download the full white paper at: ** https://www.realm-global.com/how-ai-is-redefining-trust-taste-and-timeless-value/

Media Contact: Media or press inquiries: [email protected]

About REALM^®

REALM is the world’s first globally collaborative real estate platform that exists to support the work of over 550 top-producing luxury real estate professionals across the U.S. and internationally who share extraordinary standards for service to their ultra-high net worth (UHNW) clients. REALM maintains strict standards of performance required for entry into the organization and provides unparalleled value through its visionary leadership and innovative tools exclusive to its members.

REALM seamlessly blends cutting-edge technology with the power of human expertise and networking. Its game-changing platform enriches client data with personalized lifestyle profiles, intelligently matching elite REALM members across the globe based on their clients’ unique needs and property listings. REALM is an industry award-winning innovator in the luxury real estate market, winning Inman’s coveted Golden I Award in 2022, joining the ranks of a prestigious group of agents, brokers, creative thinkers, and dealmakers celebrated for testing the boundaries of the luxury real estate world and leading the industry into the future.

To learn more, go to https://www.realm-global.com/

SOURCE REALM

Princeton University Spinout Led By World-Class Innovators in Computational Imaging

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Oct. 30, 2025 — Cephia, a startup building products using advanced AI computational imaging technologies and silicon sensors made from advanced metamaterials, formally launched today with several pilot customers and $4 million in seed venture capital funding. Led by Radiant Opto-Electronics Corporation (ROE) and co-led by Incharge Capital, with participation from MetaVC Partners, NRM Partners and SOSV, the funding will accelerate product development, hiring and sales growth.

Cephia sits at the forefront of machine vision, robotics, and edge AI—addressing a vast and rapidly expanding physical AGI market that spans numerous industry verticals. Building on computational imaging software and hardware developed over the past decade at Princeton University the company will introduce a range of superhuman vision sensor products built from biological concepts that are capable of detecting what traditional sensors and the human eye cannot. The sensing technology developed by Cephia uses novel silicon metamaterials that can bend optical signals in unusual ways, allowing for unique sensing functions that are difficult to achieve with current technologies today.

“This funding marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of multimodal sensing,” said Bo Dong, Founder and CEO of Cephia. “Our metamaterials-based technology is inspired by nature — drawing from creatures like mantis shrimp, dragonflies, and cephalopods, whose remarkably complex eyes allow them to perceive worlds invisible to us. Even more exciting, we can fit this capability into the palm of your hand, unlocking countless possibilities.” Cephia is engaging with partners and customers across industries, including consumer electronics, manufacturing, and precision agriculture.

Cephia’s founders are pioneers and engineers who have worked closely as researchers at Princeton University’s Computational Imaging Lab and further established themselves in major roles in industry. They include:

• Bo Dong, Founder & CEO – former computer vision lead at Disney Research Imagineering who also worked as a senior computer vision researcher at SRI and computer vision lead at ESPN advanced technology group;
• Ethan Tseng, Founder & CTO – a recent Ph.D. graduate from Princeton University who developed the world’s first full color metasurface cameras; also conducted research at Carnegie Mellon University and Adobe;
• Felix Heide, Founder – Professor at Princeton University; Head of AI at Torc Robotics, formerly Co-Founder and CTO at Algolux (acquired by Torc Robotics, an independent subsidiary of Daimler Truck).

“We see great market potential for Cephia technology that will redefine metasurface-based multimodal vision systems, and we are pleased to announce our lead in Cephia’s seed round,” said Justin Wang, President, Radiant Opto-Electronics Corporation. “With our investment Cephia gets access to and can deeply engage with the portfolio companies of Radiant Opto-Electronics Corporation.” Theodor Nielsen, founder and CEO of NIL Technology, will serve as ROE’s representative on the board of Cephia.

“Multimodal sensing is being redefined with Cephia’s proprietary hardware-software co-design approach,” said Aleksej Mitrjaschkin, Partner at Incharge Capital Partners. “Their multimodal sensing solution is unlocking new use cases across massive markets, such as automotive, manufacturing and consumer electronics. We are thrilled to support their mission to meet the growing global demand for this technology and are encouraged by the significant early traction with pilots and active partnerships.”

About Radiant Opto-Electronics Corporation
Radiant Opto-Electronics Corporation, founded in 1995, is a global leader in the design, manufacturing, assembly, and sales of backlight modules and display technologies. With a commitment to innovation and quality, ROE serves a diverse clientele, including major technology firms worldwide. Read more about ROE here: www.radiant.com.tw.

About Incharge Capital Partners
Incharge is an early-stage investor backing deeptech founders rethinking how people, goods, and industries move. Incharge invests in defensible technologies that will define how trillion-dollar markets evolve over the coming decades.

Incharge is backed by Porsche SE and Deutsche Telekom, giving our founders access to industrial networks, technical expertise, and partnerships that turn technology into impact. Learn more: www.inchargecapital.com

About MetaVC Partners
MetaVC Partners is an early-stage venture fund investing in new startup companies using metamaterials for applications in renewable energy, high-performance computing, imaging, and next-generation wireless communications and sensors. More information can be found on MetaVC Partners’ website.

About NRM Partners
NRM Partners is a Munich based boutique law firm focusing on Corporate, Litigation and Tax. For more information, visit NRM-Partners.com.

About SOSV
SOSV is a multi-stage venture investor focused on “human and planetary health” that aims to be the First Check in Deep Tech. It operates the startup development programs IndieBio, with facilities in New York City and San Francisco, and HAX, which is headquartered in Newark, New Jersey, with a satellite office in Tokyo. The SOSV ecosystem spans the globe, with 800+ startups operating in 40 countries. SOSV is the most active deep tech venture investor, ranking highly on the leaderboards for climate and health categories. For more information, visit sosv.com.

About Cephia
Cephia is pioneering a new era for multimodal sensing. It is building all-in-one sensing solutions that could enable the next generation of physical artificial general intelligence. Cephia is backed by Radiant Opto-Electronics Corporation, Incharge Capital, MetaVC Partners, SOSV, NRM Partners and others. For more information, please visit www.cephia.ai.

Media Contact:
Tim Turpin
[email protected]

SOURCE Cephia AI Inc.

New  fundraising campaign will catalyze larger, higher-conviction investments to bolster promising T1D programs, leveraging the Fund’s strong track-record and management team

Led by a $12 million donation from the Bukhman Foundation, the Fund has already secured more than $60 million of commitments toward its $150+ million goal

BOSTON, Oct. 30, 2025 — The T1D Fund: A Breakthrough T1D Venture, LLC, an impact investment fund focused on accelerating life-changing solutions to treat, prevent, and ultimately cure type 1 diabetes (T1D), announced the launch of a $150+ million fundraising campaign to expand its capital base and accelerate promising T1D programs. Across its 25+ portfolio companies, ranging from seed to public stage, the Fund invests in companies driving innovation across a spectrum of differentiated T1D approaches.

The Fund’s capital-raising efforts have been bolstered by several initial contributions, including a $12 million lead donation from the Bukhman Foundation and $25 million from Breakthrough T1D. Established by Anastasia and Igor Bukhman in 2023, the Bukhman Foundation aims to improve lives and create a better world through support of medical research and arts and culture. The contribution reaffirms the Bukhman family’s deep conviction and commitment to finding lasting, life-changing solutions for T1D patients, and underscores their support for the Fund’s higher-conviction investment strategy and vision for propelling scientific advancements.

“The scale and pace of T1D innovation have never been more promising, and our investment strategy is designed to meet this moment with the necessary capital and expertise in the pursuit of curative therapies,” said Elizabeth Mily, CEO of the T1D Fund. “The extraordinary early support from the Bukhman Foundation, which is intimately engaged with the T1D ecosystem, is a profound validation of our model and our power to drive meaningful progress—one that we proudly share with our partners at Breakthrough T1D and The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.”

The new capital raise is aimed at substantially expanding the T1D Fund’s investment scope, allowing for larger-scale investments in promising companies to treat, prevent, and ultimately cure T1D. This expansion will also enable the Fund to explore T1D applications for a wider array of emerging therapies, including novel modalities and new target mechanisms. With a broad mandate of driving towards a cure, the Fund is leveraging its unique expertise to identify and advance promising therapeutics in T1D.

“The T1D Fund has proven to be a vital catalyst, helping to turn groundbreaking research into real solutions for patients,” said Anastasia Bukhman, Co-Founder of the Bukhman Foundation. “Our donation reflects a strong commitment to the community and confidence in the Fund’s investment strategy to advance high-potential innovation for those living with T1D.”

Following significant leadership additions earlier this year, including the appointment of Mily as the Fund’s first CEO, the T1D Fund has refined its strategy to maximize its impact. Importantly, the Fund serves as a source of critical capital for its companies while also serving as a strategic thought partner by leveraging its deep disease expertise and extensive network across the T1D and life sciences spectrum.

With over $200 million assets under management (AUM), the Fund expects to double its AUM in the near-term to advance leading-edge T1D programs toward key clinical inflection points. Its unique model enables investment of philanthropic capital into for-profit ventures, creating a continuous cycle of progress. Proceeds from successful exits are redeployed into new investments with an aim to accelerate future T1D program development, thereby maximizing donor contributions and ensuring a profound, lasting impact.

“We must capitalize on our momentum. The T1D Fund’s larger scale empowers us to increase our investments and more powerfully champion T1D innovation,” said Jay Eastman, Chair of the T1D Fund’s Board. “Now is the crucial moment to elevate our support for promising companies, demonstrating our conviction as we align with partners and investors who trust our expertise. Born out of a vision to help bridge the gaps in T1D drug development, the Fund has far surpassed the founders’ initial expectations, becoming a transformative force driving breakthroughs in T1D.”

About the T1D Fund
Launched in 2016, the T1D Fund is the first scaled venture fund established to catalyze the development of T1D cure-oriented therapies through equity investments. The Fund co-invests with venture capital and biopharma in support of early-stage companies pursuing disease modifying therapies and potential cures for T1D. A core element of our mission is to rapidly advance promising therapies through development and ultimately regulatory approval. The Fund works in close partnership with Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) and The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust — two of the leading global organizations committed to supporting the T1D community and to advancing T1D research and innovation.  Led by a deeply experienced team of healthcare and investing professionals, the Fund leverages its vast research, clinical, regulatory and medical affairs network on behalf of its portfolio companies. Capitalized through philanthropic dollars, the Fund makes investments in biotech companies and recycles returns into new investments, thereby extending the impact of its donors’ contributions. Learn more at t1dfund.org. Follow the T1D Fund on LinkedIn.

About Breakthrough T1D, Formerly JDRF
As the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization, Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) helps make everyday life with type 1 diabetes better while driving toward cures. We do this by investing in the most promising research, advocating for progress by working with government to address issues that impact the T1D community, and helping educate and empower individuals facing this condition.  

About the Helmsley Charitable Trust
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust aspires to improve lives by supporting exceptional efforts in the U.S. and around the world in health and select place-based initiatives. Since beginning active grantmaking in 2008, Helmsley has granted more than $4.6 billion for a wide range of charitable purposes. The Helmsley Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) Program is the largest private foundation funder in the world with a focus on T1D, with more than $1 billion to date granted to transform the trajectory of the disease and to accelerate access to 21st century care, everywhere. For more information on Helmsley and its programs, visit helmsleytrust.org.

About the Bukhman Foundation
The Bukhman Foundation was established in 2023 by Anastasia and Igor Bukhman to help improve lives and generate positive impact to people and their communities. The foundation focuses on T1D medical research, supporting open science, long-term collaboration and visionary thinking; and arts and culture, celebrating and expanding access, and helping the next generation of artists and cultural professionals to be represented, be innovative and excel. In 2025, the foundation announced an historic £100 million pledge over the next 10 years to advance research and advocacy in T1D. By backing innovative projects and fostering collaboration among top researchers, the Bukhman Foundation’s aim is to spearhead efforts to address the unmet needs of millions of people living with T1D worldwide. For more information on the Bukhman Foundation and its programs, visit bukhmanfoundation.org.

Media Contact
Lia Dangelico
[email protected]
540-303-0180 

SOURCE The T1D Fund