Company Will Scale Production and Accelerate Adoption of its Proprietary, Air-Stable Low-E & Solar Control Coatings for Glass, Acrylic, and Polycarbonate Applications
CANTON, Mich., Oct. 14, 2025 — NxLite™ today announced it has closed $9.2M in Series A funding to accelerate the deployment of its next-generation energy-control coatings and continue to increase capacity at its Advanced Innovation & Manufacturing (AIM) Center.
The investment round was led by Crabtree Lane Alt, LLC, a Chicago-based active financial investor, and had participation from leading manufacturers in the door and window industry and venture capital firms like Earth Foundry, MUUS, New Climate Ventures, and ACT Venture Partners of the Netherlands.
Beyond increased capacity to meet growing demand for its window and transparent surface solutions, NxLite will use the financing to bolster its commercial operations in Michigan, accelerate its go-to-market strategy, and expand strategic relationships to continue capturing high-growth market segments.
“With strategic partnerships in place, global customers, and unique offerings, the Series A investment provides us the capital to meet the growing demand of our customers,” said David Mather, Chairman and CEO of NxLite. “We have the chance to redefine energy efficiency and operating costs in every transparent application.”
Unlike traditional solutions, NxLite’s air-stable coatings can be applied to monolithic (single-pane surfaces) applications as well as multi-pane window solutions. These applications offer unprecedented design flexibility as well as building retrofitting opportunities for a broad range of transparent materials including glass, acrylic, and polycarbonate.
Opportunities NxLite coatings address include:
Residential and commercial windows, drastically cutting heating and cooling costs for consumers and owners.
Refrigeration display doors, improving efficiency and reducing spoilage.
Window inserts, used to retrofit existing buildings to modern standards.
Lightweight solutions for transportation, contributing to fuel efficiency, range, and more-efficient internal climate control.
The company has already secured joint development agreements and offtake purchase orders with leaders in the window manufacturing, plastics, and food & beverage industries.
“We are very impressed with NxLite’s energy-coated substrates,” said Bobby Weatherholz, Vice President of DALB Inc., a Kearneysville, West Virginia-based decorative and functional plastics manufacturing company. “We are seeing significant interest with our customers in the vending, beverage cooler, automotive, and transportation industries.”
Globally, buildings are responsible for a significant portion of energy consumption, with windows being a major culprit for heat gain and loss. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, up to 30% of building heating and cooling energy is lost through windows, presenting a massive opportunity for NxLite’s technology to make an immediate environmental and economic impact.
About NxLite NxLite™ (pronounced “next light”) is a U.S. manufacturer bringing air-stable, energy-efficient, lightweight glass and glass-like solutions to the world. Our proprietary permanent, low-emissivity coatings—applicable to both glass and polymeric substrates—uniquely reduce energy consumption while cutting weight compared to conventional alternatives.
Partnering with leaders in the window industry, commercial refrigeration, transportation, and beyond, NxLite is scaling this breakthrough technology for global application. NxLite combines world-class expertise in materials science and advanced manufacturing with backing from premier investors to drive deployment and innovation.
The international round marks a key milestone, consolidating Caracol’s leadership in Europe, US, and the Middle East, supporting its exponential growth, fueling expansion into new markets, and advancing next-generation manufacturing technologies.
MILAN and AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 14, 2025 — Caracol, one of Europe’s fastest-growing deep-tech companies and a pioneer in large-format robotic manufacturing, today announced the closing of its $40 million Series B round, co-led by Omnes Capital, Move Capital Fund I, alongside CDP Venture Capital – Large Ventures Fund, which played a key role as a catalyst for international investors. These international funds, together with leading Italian institutional investors, will accompany Caracol into its next phase of global growth, alongside continued backing from long-standing shareholders including Primo Capital SGR, Eureka! Venture SGR, and Neva SGR (the Intesa Sanpaolo Group’s venture capital company). Thanks to a massive oversubscription, this round also enabled some early investors to exit with significant returns, underscoring the strong appetite shown by institutional players to invest in Caracol’s next chapter.
Caracol Founders, pictured from left to right: Francesco De Stefano, CEO, Paolo Cassis, COO, Jacopo Gervasini, CFO and Giovanni Avallone, Chief Innovation Officer
This new funding will further accelerate Caracol’s global scaling and international expansion. The company will cement its leadership in Europe, the United States, and the Middle East while expanding further into high-growth markets such as Asia Pacific, building on the strong traction it has already achieved in Japan. On the technology side, Caracol will deepen the capabilities of its multi-process, multi-material platforms, with a focus on software, automation, and artificial intelligence to deliver data-driven process control and unmatched quality. The company will also intensify the ramp-up of its metal additive manufacturing technologies, particularly in highly regulated sectors such as aerospace and defense, energy, and maritime, while continuing to expand its polymer offering in key verticals such as transportation, construction, and architecture. Finally, Caracol will continue growing its global team, bringing on board top international talent to drive innovation and scale up. As of today, the company employs over 100 people, across three offices in Milan (Italy), Austin (USA), and Dubai (UAE), and has a global footprint with a presence in over 50 countries.
Over the past five years, Caracol established itself as one of the most dynamic players in advanced robotic manufacturing, building a strong track record with more than 100 robotic platforms installed worldwide and hundreds of projects delivered across industries. Revenueshave more thandoubled year-over-year, a trend that continued in H1 of 2025. The company has unlocked applications that are reshaping industrial supply chains – for example, in the maritime industry, delivering up to 70% cost savings on finished parts for leading yacht manufacturer Ferretti Group (Italy); in automotive and motorsports, cutting production lead times by 50% on carbon fiber tooling with composite expert Duqueine (France); and enabling circular economy loops and reducing waste in construction projects such as with major general contractor HITT (United States).
Recent milestones include the expansion of Caracol’s headquarters in Texas, strengthening its North American presence and creating a hub for local manufacturing of its technology for the region. The new funding also builds on the strategic acquisition of Hans Weber Maschinenfabrik GmbH’s additive robotic IP and technologies in Germany, reinforcing Caracol’s European technology base and enhancing its supply capabilities across the DACH region.
“This Series B represents a generational step for Caracol,” said Francesco De Stefano, CEO and co-founder of Caracol. “In just a few years we’ve built strong global traction, doubling revenues year after year. This round validates our vision and the outstanding execution of our team, while bringing on board some of the world’s leading deep-tech investors. With their support, we’re ready to accelerate our global scale-up and help advanced industries strengthen supply-chain and manufacturing resilience through the flexibility, efficiency, and sustainability of our technology.”
“Caracol has achieved remarkable growth by turning a technological vision into solid industrial performance. This Series B round provides Caracol the financial strength to scale its large-format robotic manufacturing globally, while consolidating its European leadership in advanced manufacturing, contributing to Europe’s deep-tech sovereignty and resilience. We are proud to support Caracol as it enters this new phase of profitable international expansion“, said François-Xavier Dedde, Partner at Omnes Capital.
“We are thrilled to invest in Caracol, a company defined by strong technological expertise, visionary leadership, and a clear commitment to sustainability. We look forward to actively supporting Caracol’s international expansion by fostering strategic alliances and partnerships, helping the team scale this next phase of growth“, said Sophie Sursock, Partner at Move Capital Fund I.
“We are excited to continue supporting Caracol on its journey, as the company demonstrates solid and consistent growth”, said Alessandro Scortecci, Head of Direct Investments at CDP Venture Capital. “From the very beginning, we believed in the team’s vision and chose to back them through the first round via our Corporate Partners I fund. Today, we are pleased to see a company that is attracting interest from international investors and successfully accelerating its expansion into new geographies, including the U.S. market, and we continue supporting its growth through our Large Ventures fund. Caracol is a concrete great example of how Italian innovation can scale globally with ambition and strong execution.”
“We’ve believed in Caracol since its very first steps, when it was a small team with just a handful of employees and only a few hundred thousand euros in revenues. Since then, we have continued to invest at every stage of its growth, as the team has consistently demonstrated the ability to deliver on its targets,” said Stefano Peroncini, CEO at Eureka! Venture SGR. “Today, our initial choice is further validated, and we are proud to support such a solid and visionary growth story with new and well established international investors, alongside current investors such as NEVA SGR (the Intesa Sanpaolo Group’s venture capital company) and CDP Venture Capital, Corporate Partners Fund I”, continued Matteo Cascinari, Partner at Primo Capital SGR.
Caracol delivers turnkey robotic manufacturing platforms for large scale advanced parts, leveraging both polymers and metals. The company integrates proprietary hardware, software, and automation, providing customers with full end-to-end control and support. Its vision is to advance industrial manufacturing, leading the way towards a new paradigm of efficient, sustainable, and distributed production at global scale.
Caracol wishes to thank the firms that supported the successful completion of its Series B: Growth Capital acting as sole financial advisor to Caracol leading the deal structuring, negotiations, and execution, together with the law firms: Fieldfisher, which advised Caracol; Legance, which advised CDP Venture Capital SGR, Omnes Capital and Move Capital; Portolano Cavallo, which advised NEVA SGR S.p.A.; and Target Law, which advised Primo Capital SGR and Eureka! Venture SGR.
CARACOL CARACOL is redefining advanced manufacturing through integrated technological platforms that combine proprietary hardware, advanced software, and robotics. Its solutions — including the Heron AM and Vipra AM platforms — leverage additive manufacturing of polymers and metals, along with robotics, to produce large-scale, complex industrial parts for sectors such as aerospace, marine, energy, design, and architecture. With Europe’s largest LFAM production center, a North American production hub, and offices in Dubai, Caracol is shaping the future of industrial manufacturing worldwide.
OMNES CAPITAL Omnes is a leading private equity firm dedicated to the energy transition. With over €6.7 bn in assets under management, our teams support long-term partnerships with entrepreneurs through our four core businesses: renewable energy, sustainable cities, deeptech and co-investment. For over 20 years, Omnes has been applying its expertise to help businesses grow in more than 15 countries, with a particular focus on sustainable development. As part of its approach as a responsible investor, the company has created the Omnes Foundation to support non-profit organisations working for children and young people in the fields of education, health, social and professional integration.
PRIMO CAPITAL SGR Primo Capital SGR is the leading Italian independent platform for alternative investments focused on key technological sectors that foster economic growth. The company has over € 500 million committed over multiple funds specializing in the digital, healthcare, climate tech and space economy sectors.
EUREKA! VENTURE SGR Eureka! Venture SGR is a leading independent Italian venture capital management company, authorized by the Bank of Italy and focused on investments in Venture Capital and Private Equity. The firm currently manages €130 million across a portfolio of specialized funds. Eureka! Fund I – Technology Transfer invests in proof-of-concept projects, spin-offs, startups, and companies aimed at transforming Italian scientific research results into market-ready innovations in Advanced Materials and, more broadly, in Materials Science and Engineering. BlackSheep Fund focuses on digital technologies, including Artificial Intelligence and Big Data, applied to the MadTech (Marketing & Advertising Technology) sector. ETA I operates in small private equity through the search fund model, supporting entrepreneurial transitions and long-term value creation within small and medium-sized enterprises.
GROWTH CAPITAL Growth Capital is a European tech investment bank with offices in Milan, Madrid, and London. We advise startups and scaleups on cross-border fundraising (€5M–€50M) and M&A transactions (EV range €10M–€100M). We also support corporate investors, family offices, PE funds, and VC funds in identifying high-potential tech opportunities. Driving growth is at the core of what we do, providing strategic financial solutions to take innovative companies to the next level.
Enabling the Intelligent Edge Across Terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial Networks—from Urban Centers to Remote Regions, from Earth to Orbit
IRVINE, Calif. and MUSCAT, Oman, Oct. 14, 2025 — Movandi, the semiconductor and systems innovator powering next-generation wireless communications solutions, today announced it has raised $40 million in strategic funding to accelerate the global deployment of high-performance connectivity infrastructure across 5G, satellite communications, and fixed wireless access.
The round was led by a $20 million investment from ITHCA Group, the sovereign-backed technology investment firm driving innovation across the MENA region and marks a strategic expansion into the Middle East. Additional participation came from Phaistos Investment Fund and global technology leaders including VT Alliance, Murata, and Movandi’s existing investors including Cota Capital, Celesta Capital, DNX Ventures and Sierra Ventures, underscoring broad confidence in Movandi’s mission to redefine the next era of intelligent connectivity.
“This is a pivotal inflection point in Movandi’s growth,” said Maryam Rofougaran, CEO and co-founder of Movandi. “We’re expanding beyond 5G into larger markets: satcom, fixed wireless, and AI-driven connectivity, leveraging the world-class RF and mmWave technology and team. With ITHCA and our strategic investors, we’re creating a bridge between Silicon Valley and the Middle East that will enable Movandi to scale into new markets and regions.”
The investment fuels Movandi’s evolution beyond its mmWave leadership to become a foundational enabler of intelligent infrastructure across three critical domains:
Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) leveraging cost-effective 5G and Wi-Fi-based solutions
Non-terrestrial satellite communications (Satcom) for global, low-latency coverage
Next-generation RF systems for high-performance terrestrial wireless networks
MENA Expansion and Oman Innovation Hub
The investment from ITHCA signals a strategic collaboration with Oman’s Vision 2040 to build a deep-tech ecosystem rooted in AI, semiconductors, and intelligent connectivity. Movandi will open a new Oman office to access the regional talent and expertise, and cultivate an environment of technology co-development, regional deployments, and talent partnerships with local universities and research institutions.
“Our investment in Movandi reflects Oman’s strategy to partner with global semiconductor leaders, growing Oman’s talent pool and leveraging our resources” stated, Said Al Mandhari, CEO of ITHCA Group. “Movandi’s proven leadership in scaling international teams, and innovation in wireless systems, satellite communications, and 5G are aligned with our vision for building AI-capable, connected societies.”
Movandi’s RF chipsets, beamforming silicon, phased array antennas, and repeater systems have already transformed mmWave economics and performance. The company is now bringing the same technological edge to LEO satellite systems and hybrid fixed wireless access deployments, helping operators overcome cost, range, and latency barriers to scale real-world broadband across the globe.
With a proven record of powering commercial 5G networks, Movandi is delivering solutions that combine high throughput, low power, and intelligent beam steering, all in compact, easily deployable form factors.
About Movandi Movandi is a next-generation connectivity company powering intelligent wireless infrastructure, from 5G to non-terrestrial satellite communications and fixed wireless broadband. With over 115 issued patents and a portfolio spanning chipsets, beamforming silicon, antennas, and software-defined networking, Movandi delivers scalable, high-performance, and cost-effective solutions for global operators and device makers. Founded by wireless industry pioneers from Broadcom, Movandi is headquartered in Irvine, California with new operations in Muscat, Oman. Learn more at movandi.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
Aker ASA (“Aker”) has finalized subscription to shares in the previously announced Series B financing round in Nscale Global Holdings Ltd. (“Nscale”). In parallel, Aker and Nscale have completed the closing of the 50/50% joint venture in Narvik, Northern Norway. The new company, “Aker Nscale“, will deliver secure, scalable, and energy-efficient infrastructure tailored for sovereign AI workloads across Europe.
OSLO, Norway, Oct. 13, 2025 — The joint venture has already gained strong commercial traction, anchored by the previously announced five-year, multi-billion dollar off-take agreement with Microsoft, alongside the Stargate Norway project with OpenAI. These partnerships affirm the scale and strategic importance of the business, highlighting the accelerating demand for clean, sovereign AI compute capacity.
The closing of Aker Nscale follows the fulfilment of all necessary conditions, and the completion of Nscale’s Series B financing round, in which Aker became a 9.3% owner on a fully diluted basis. Aker’s 50% stake in Aker Nscale is convertible into additional Nscale shares at a future IPO, positioning Aker to benefit from long-term value creation and public market upside.
Øyvind Eriksen, President and CEO at Aker ASA, commented:
“This reflects the full scope of Aker’s strategic commitment – through our direct ownership in Nscale and our partnership in Narvik. Together, it gives us a strong position in a fast-moving market, with a structure designed to capture long-term upside. But this is also something bigger: we are finally realizing Narvik’s potential, placing Norway at the heart of a new industrial era, and doing it in partnership with the most capable technology companies in the world.”
Aker Nscale will be headquartered at Fornebu, Norway, with operational teams in Narvik. Kristian Røkke has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the new company. He commented:
“I want to thank the people of Narvik and Northern Norway for their unwavering support and collaboration. Their commitment has been instrumental in turning a bold vision into a real, operational foundation for sovereign AI infrastructure. I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with local partners and municipalities, and to witness first-hand the capabilities and dedication that define this region. Aker Nscale is built on a clear and growing need: scalable, secure, and energy-efficient compute capacity for European AI. I’m proud to lead this effort and work alongside our teams, customers, and partners to realize its full potential.”
Media contact: Atle Kigen, Head of Media Relations and Public Affairs +47 90 78 48 78 [email protected]
Investor contact: Fredrik Berge, Head of Investor Relations +47 45 03 20 90 [email protected]
Visual Scheduling Leader Sees 600% Growth in Data Center Projects in 6 Months
SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 13, 2025 — Planera, the leader in visual collaborative scheduling for construction, today announced significant momentum in the data center market, supported by $8 million in additional funding. This new funding, following Series A in 2024, brings total funding to $26.5M and will help Planera expand adoption among contractors and subcontractors building the world’s most complex and fast-growing data center projects.
Planera has introduced a customized service offering built around the powerful platform to support its growing roster of data center customers. Some customers include companies such as:
HITT Contracting, the nation’s top data center builder, which is using Planera to raise visibility on project progress and accelerate delivery on critical data center builds.
Ralph L. Wadsworth (RLW), which has used Planera to build data centers for some of the world’s largest technology companies, helping to reduce schedule compression, ensure a high level of collaboration, and successfully deliver highly complex projects on-time.
Ryan Companies US, Inc., a national leader in mission-critical work, which relies on Planera as an efficient scheduling collaboration tool—uniting project managers, field staff, and schedulers on one platform to drive transparency and accuracy. The team also uses Planera for subcontractor resource analysis, push/pull planning, and seamless integration of sequences into the master schedule.
Planera has established a dedicated service team with deep data center knowledge to support its customers in the segment. It has also developed new AI tools to help these customers to identify potential project delays early and find opportunities to accelerate their project schedules.
According to Grand View Research, the global data center market was valued at approximately $347.6B in 2024, and is expected to swell to $652B by 2030, reflecting a CAGR of ~11.2%. Meanwhile, the data center construction market is also surging—from about $91.9B in 2024 to over $214B by 2030, per Arizton, with growth accelerating faster in regions investing heavily in hyperscale and AI infrastructure. These trends underscore the urgency and opportunity for Planera’s focus on large-scale data center scheduling.
“With data center demand exploding worldwide, our customers need modern, collaborative scheduling tools that can keep pace with the scale and complexity of these projects,” said Nitin Bhandari, CEO of Planera. “This new funding will help us double down on the data center and mission critical work, while continuing to delight customers in multiple other segments.” The $8 million financing round includes continued support from Sorenson Capital, Sierra Ventures, Prudence and Brick and Mortar Ventures, along with investment from Zachry Construction Corporation and other construction industry executives. “The rapid adoption of AI is driving intense demand for additional data center capacity,” said Ken Elefant, Managing Director of Sorenson Capital. “Every day that a 60MW data center project is delayed carries an opportunity cost of roughly $500K. In short, hitting schedules matters tremendously in this category, and Planera is ideally suited to help project owners and their GC partners to deliver their data center projects on time.”
“We use Planera across all of our projects and have seen the value it brings to our planning and scheduling processes,” said Ranjeet Gadhoke, Zachry’s Vice President, Project Controls. “This investment is a natural next step – it reflects our confidence in the platform and our commitment to driving efficiency through smart technology.”
“To meet the extraordinary demand from our data center customers, HITT requires a modern construction scheduling solution that can keep pace,” said Todd Von Krosigk, Senior Superintendent at HITT Contracting. “Planera has become an essential partner, giving our teams the visibility and control we need to deliver data center projects faster and with greater confidence.”
About Planera
Planera is a leading provider of visual, CPM-based construction scheduling solutions that transform project planning and management. Trusted by industry leaders including Balfour Beatty, Barton Malow, Big-D Construction, HITT Contracting, Ryan Companies, Skanska, and Zachry Construction. Planera empowers teams to build faster, smarter, and with greater clarity. Planera is backed by investors such as Sierra Ventures, Sorenson, Brick & Mortar Ventures, Prudence, and Firebolt. Learn more atwww.planera.io
Investors from Crosspoint Capital Partners and Amigos VC rally behind Glide’s mission with significant capital infusion
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 13, 2025 — Glide Identity, a digital identity security company, has raised an over $20 million Series A funding round led by Crosspoint Capital Partners with participation from Amigos Venture Capital, Singtel Innov8 Ventures and Sir Ronald Cohen to build an identity, authentication and verification platform ready for the AGI era. This round brings Glide’s total funding to over $25 million to date as the company races to solve digital commerce’s next major security challenge.
Glide’s technology replaces vulnerable one-time passwords with SIM-based cryptographic authentication that cannot be phished, intercepted or socially engineered. Instead of typing codes sent via text message, users authenticate through their mobile carrier’s network using secure signals that verify their identity without requiring any action.
Recent data from the Federal Trade Commission shows U.S. consumers lost $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, a 25% increase year-over-year. In addition, on average, 70% of online shopping carts are abandoned due to complex checkout processes, account friction and digital trust, resulting in billions of dollars of lost sales revenue each year. Weak or reused passwords are responsible for compromised credentials, as the barrier of passwords is easily beaten.
Traditional authentication methods — such as typing passwords, entering codes, or answering security questions — place the burden on individuals to verify their own identities. Scammers have learned to exploit this human factor through the use of urgency, manipulation, sophisticated impersonation and AI.
“Glide Identity is solving one of the most persistent and developing challenges in the AI era: authentication and verifying digital identity,” said Andre Fuetsch, managing director of Crosspoint Capital and former CTO of AT&T. “Glide is achieving significant traction with enterprise customers as almost every industry is grappling with fraud prevention and growing AI-based threats. This growth demonstrates the urgency of the problem the company is solving and the sophistication of its solutions.”
AI has made traditional security obsolete. Voice cloning, deepfakes and text manipulation mean codes and passwords are no longer safe. At the same time, AI agents are starting to make purchases and manage accounts on our behalf, introducing a new layer of risk altogether. Glide’s early traction with customers and partners underscores both the urgency and the scale of this challenge.
“As we approach AGI, securing human identity becomes the most critical challenge of our time — and the window to solve it is closing fast,” said Eran Haggiag, founder and CEO of Glide Identity. “We’re fortunate to have partners and investors who understand both the urgency and the scale of what we’re building. This isn’t a problem one company can solve alone. It requires global collaboration at an unprecedented scale across telcos, big techs, financial institutions and regulators. We’re working with the leading companies in each category because that’s the only way to upgrade humanity’s identity infrastructure before AI-powered fraud outpaces our defenses.”
Dedicated to building cryptographically secure and seamless solutions, Glide Identity was founded on the principle that secure digital identity is a fundamental human right. The company collaborates with major telecommunications providers, cloud platforms and technology partners, including T-Mobile, Verizon, Google Cloud and others, to deliver AGI-ready security through consumer-friendly interfaces.
Crosspoint Capital brings extensive cybersecurity expertise and a broad network of CISOs and enterprise security leaders, which will be critical as Glide expands its identity, authentication and verification solutions. Along with Crosspoint Capital, Glide’s investors include Amigos Venture Capital, Singtel Innov8 VC, Sir Ronald Cohen, and Fidelity International Strategic Ventures (FISV), which sits on the company’s board.
“Glide Identity represents the future of how telecommunications capabilities will power next-generation applications,” said Mattias Rejman, co-founder and general partner of Amigos Venture Capital. “By aggregating digital security solutions into seamless authentication experiences, they’re creating essential infrastructure for the future of telecommunications as AI agents conduct more transactions on behalf of consumers. This is precisely the type of telco-native innovation we seek in our investment strategy.”
Glide Identity will host a panel on “Agentic Authentication” at Authenticate 2025 on Oct. 14. To learn more about Glide Identity, visit glideidentity.com.
“We are excited about Glide’s pace of progress and ability to bring together leading players across industries to solve emerging issues with the rise of AI and fraud. Increasing the security of the AI era is a core pillar of future growth,” said Erik Wiesner-Mostenicky, Principal at FISV and Glide Identity’s Board member.
About Glide Identity: Glide Identity provides next-generation SIM-based cryptographic verification systems. Built on the Open Gateway protocol, Glide enables enterprises and developers to integrate AI-safe authentication at scale. Partnering with major mobile network operators and integrating with Google Cloud, Glide’s mission is to deliver the most secure and continuous identity platform for the AGI era — built for humans and agents everywhere. Learn more at www.glideidentity.com.
Media Contact: Ryan Hecker PANBlast for Glide Identity [email protected]
$150 million growth investment positions the Company to continue to expand its market leadership and accelerate innovation
ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 13, 2025 — Govini, the software leader in transforming the Defense Acquisition process, today announced that it surpassed $100 million in ARR and secured a $150 million growth investment from Bain Capital, which will allow the company to continue to expand its product offerings, grow its team of technologists and defense experts, and enhance its best-in-class data capabilities to meet exploding demand across the national security community.
“I founded Govini to create an entirely new category of software built to transform how the U.S. government uses AI and data to make decisions,” said Govini Founder and Executive Chairman Eric Gillespie. “After methodically developing our proprietary technology, that vision is now a reality. This investment validates not just the current position achieved by our incredibly talented team, but also our long-term goal of fundamentally rewiring how defense and national security communities make decisions with AI and data.”
Govini’s flagship product, Ark, is a suite of AI-enabled applications trusted by every department of the U.S. military and other federal agencies. Powered by Govini’s proprietary National Security Knowledge Graph, Ark accelerates workflows across the entire spectrum of Defense Acquisition including Supply Chain, Science & Technology, Production, Logistics, Sustainment, and Modernization.
“National security today is defined by speed—speed to build, to adapt, to fight,” said Govini CEO Tara Murphy Dougherty. “Our software delivers that speed, replacing slow, archaic acquisition processes with a system built for modern competition. By equipping the Department of War with the capabilities to outpace, out-innovate, and out-fight those who threaten us, we are turning the outdated acquisition system into a force multiplier that delivers decisive advantage. This capital ensures we can scale rapidly to meet the surging demand for our products, which gives the United States the edge it needs to win.”
The investment comes at a time when Defense Acquisition is increasingly recognized as critical to America’s national security posture. Govini’s software-first approach combines cutting-edge AI technology with unmatched defense data to solve acquisition challenges that have plagued the Department of War for decades.
“We’re thrilled to support Govini’s next phase of growth as it continues to revolutionize how the U.S. government acquires and deploys the capabilities that keep us safe. Govini sits in a completely unique position at the intersection of national security, data, and software—areas that are increasingly vital to America’s strategic interests,” said Scott Kirk, Partner at Bain Capital Tech Opportunities. “The company’s proven platform and dominance of this category position it as an indispensable partner to defense and civilian agencies alike.”
This coincides with a series of expanded deployments across the DoW, U.S. intelligence community, and other national security agencies, reaffirming Govini’s position at the forefront of transforming Defense Acquisition into a platform for sustained military readiness and American global leadership. These include a 5-year DoW-wide contract from the U.S. Army, a $50 million award from the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition & Sustainment (OUSW A&S), an extension of Govini’s support for the Minuteman III program, Impact Level 5 Authority to Operate (IL5 ATO) for three military departments, and a $919 million government-wide supply chain risk illumination contract sponsored by OUSW A&S.
About Govini
Govini builds software to accelerate the Defense Acquisition Process. Ark, Govini’s flagship product, is a suite of AI-enabled applications, powered by integrated government and commercial data, that solves problems across the entire spectrum of Defense Acquisition, including Supply Chain, Science & Technology, Production, Logistics, Sustainment, Modernization. With Ark, the Acquisition community eliminates slow, manual processes and gains the ability to rapidly imagine, produce, and field critical warfighting capabilities. Ark transforms Defense Acquisition into a strategic advantage for the United States.
They also outlined a bold AI-enabled roll-up strategy to build the all-in-one Human + AI business communication platform that challenges the traditional agency-consulting model.
“Our customers care about outcomes, not products. Not just slides, but great business communication. While services businesses have traditionally provided these outcomes, AI makes a new reality possible,” says Rajat Mishra, founder and CEO of Prezent AI. “Our north star is to provide experts when you need them and AI acceleration everywhere. That way we deliver the outcome of great business communication – faster, better, cheaper.”
Unlike generic AI tools, Prezent AI was built by experts who understand the unique language, regulations, and needs of the industries it serves. Prezent AI provides real ROI to enterprise companies serving many F2000 LifeSciences and Technology companies at scale.
With Prezentium joining the platform, Prezent AI takes a step towards building the complete AI + human-augmented business communication solution. “We have been GTM partners for a while and share the same customer obsession,” says Deepti Juturu, founder and CEO of Prezentium. “With the AI expertise of Prezent AI, we can supercharge our flagship Christmas-in-an-inbox Overnight Presentations service and introduce new AI-enabled services.”
The $30M funding was led by Multiplier Capital, Greycroft and Nomura Strategic Ventures with participation of existing investors like True Global Ventures, Emergent Ventures, West Wave Capital, BluePointe Ventures, Alumni Ventures and other investors. “Prezent stands out as a category-defining company operating at the intersection of AI, communication, and enterprise productivity. We invest in high-growth businesses delivering mission-critical solutions, and Prezent’s platform—combined with its bold acquisition strategy—has the potential to reshape how enterprises communicate at scale,” said Ash Vaidya, Managing Director at Multiplier Capital. The acquisition marks a bold step in Prezent AI’s mission to disrupt traditional agencies and consultancy models, which are often slow, expensive, and inefficient. Prezent AI combines advanced AI, domain-specific software, and human expertise into one system, allowing organizations to:
Crunch complex clinical data and create deeply contextual decks for Commercial and R&D teams in minutes, not weeks.
Create brand-aligned compelling sales narratives and QBR decks in minutes, not days.
Work with a Forward-deployed Presentation Engineer to apply human creativity where it matters, accelerated by AI everywhere else.
Autonomously create and transform brand-aligned presentations in IT workflows with an easy-to-use API and presentation agents.
Build a Company Presentation Brain, where knowledge compounds and communication accelerates over time.
“The average enterprise has 15 different agencies and tools for business communication which is inefficient and ineffective,” says Rajat Mishra. “This acquisition is the start of a new chapter in building a complete AI + human-augmented lifecycle solution, supporting presentations from initial idea and narrative development, through slide creation and practice, to execution and delivery. More to come!”
With this funding round and acquisition, Prezent AI is now valued at $400M. On-track to become the first enterprise business communication unicorn.
About Prezent AI Prezent AI is an AI-powered business communication platform helping organizations create, optimize, and deliver high-impact presentations. Headquartered in Los Altos, Prezent AI serves clients across life sciences, technology, and manufacturing, combining AI, software, and expert human services into one integrated system. Learn more at Prezent.ai.
HONG KONG, Oct. 13, 2025 — In a major development for China’s cosmetic industry, CHANDO Group, a leading homegrown cosmetics brand, has completed a new round of financing. Harvest Capital has invested ¥300 million (over US$40 million) in this round, with global beauty giant L’Oréal also participating as an industrial partner. This historic collaboration signals the beginning of a new chapter for CHANDO Group, as it joins forces with well-known consumer funds and international industry leaders to propel the company toward high-quality, sustainable growth.
Two Decades of Beauty Leadership: Building a Multi-Brand, Full Supply Chain, and Digitally-Driven Enterprise
Founded in 2001, CHANDO Group has consistently adhered to its brand philosophy, “Beautiful, as you are.” dedicating itself to providing consumers worldwide with affordable, high-quality products for beauty and healthy living. According to data from Frost & Sullivan, as of 2024, CHANDO is the third-largest Chinese cosmetics group by retail sales. Its flagship brand, CHANDO, has ranked among the top two Chinese beauty brands by retail sales every year from 2013 to 2024, showcasing the company’s resilience across industry cycles.
Over the past two decades, CHANDO Group has evolved into a comprehensive enterprise that encompasses independent raw material sourcing, R&D, and manufacturing, with a fully integrated digital operating system and efficient direct-to-consumer (DTC) channels. Leveraging its robust capabilities, the company has expanded its portfolio to include multiple brands, such as CHANDO, Perfection Research, Chunxia, Meisu, and Jichu, covering a wide range of product categories including skincare, cosmetics, personal care, men’s grooming, and baby care.
Technology-Driven Beauty Innovation: Consistent Breakthroughs in R&D
In a highly competitive China beauty market, CHANDO Group has remained a frontrunner by relentlessly driving brand innovation through technology. The company is committed to meeting consumers’ demand for products that deliver both efficacy and beauty. Amidst the rise of countless “internet celebrity” brands, CHANDO’s enduring market leadership is due to its unwavering focus on long-term strategy, putting consumers at the center, and continuously investing in core business elements that create differentiated consumer experiences.
Nowadays, CHANDO has a team of 154 highly skilled researchers with expertise in fields like life sciences, material sciences, and applied chemistry. The company has also formed strategic partnerships with renowned medical institutions, including Huashan Hospital and the National Children’s Medical Center (Fudan University Children’s Hospital).
Since 2013, CHANDO has been at the forefront of microbial fermentation research, with independent research centers in locations such as Shanghai and Nyingchi, Tibet. The company has successfully developed several proprietary core ingredients, including “Ximoin,” “Blue Copper Peptide,” and “Space Ginseng Yeast,” making it the first Chinese cosmetics company to hold independent intellectual property rights in yeast-based ingredients. In partnership with China’s aerospace program, CHANDO is also exploring skincare challenges in space environments, further pushing the boundaries of skincare science.
Digital Transformation: Leading Industry Innovation
In addition to its innovation in R&D, CHANDO Group’s sustained success is also attributed to its forward-thinking approach to industry transformation. Not satisfied with merely being a leader in offline beauty retail, the company launched its digital transformation strategy in 2019. With a “digital-driven decision-making” philosophy, CHANDO has worked to build a consumer-centric, agile, and continuously evolving organization. The company was among the first in the cosmetics industry to implement advanced digital management tools, such as “Unified Inventory” and “Cloud Stores”, setting new benchmarks for the industry.
CHANDO’s digital strategy has enabled the company to establish an end-to-end digital business operation, including supply chain management, inventory control, production management, sales and marketing, logistics, and consumer data analysis. This comprehensive digital framework has significantly improved operational efficiency and decision-making quality, enhancing the company’s overall performance.
Harvest Capital’s Deep Involvement: Boosting Quality and Efficiency
Harvest Capital strongly aligns with CHANDO Group’s development strategy, which focuses on “cultivating lifetime consumer value” and “driven by digitalization and technology.” The firm values the company’s solid R&D capabilities and admires the founder’s entrepreneurial spirit, which emphasizes focus, continuous innovation, and organizational evolution. Since 2021, Harvest Capital has conducted in-depth research on CHANDO Group, assembling a team of professionals from various fields—including business, finance, and legal experts—to provide strategic planning, comprehensive budget management, and organizational support.
Focused on improving operational efficiency, Harvest Capital has helped CHANDO establish a comprehensive budgeting system centered around ROE (return on equity). The team participates in monthly business review meetings, collaborating with internal teams to identify areas for improvement. Additionally, Harvest Capital has helped the company optimize its DTC channel investments and growth, incorporating advanced industry methodologies and best practices to improve data quality and enhance marketing efficiency. Notably, while continuing to expand its offline retail presence, CHANDO has successfully developed an effective DTC channel, with online sales now accounting for 68.8% of its revenue. The brand has performed particularly well in the rapidly growing content e-commerce sector.
In 2023, based on its deep understanding of the industry and CHANDO Group, Harvest Capital provided comprehensive recommendations for the company’s five-year strategic plan. These insights were well-received by CHANDO’s management and have helped shape a clear roadmap for the company’s high-quality development. Moving forward, Harvest Capital will continue to support CHANDO’s listing and further growth, leveraging its post-investment support systems and extensive resources in the consumer sector.
A Shared Vision for the Future: Building a World-Leading Beauty Group
According to CBNData, China beauty brands accounted for about 55.2% of the market share in 2024, securing a dominant position. However, the market concentration of the top five brands remains in the single digits, a stark contrast to the maturity of mature markets. This signals that the industry is entering a crucial stage, transitioning from a “mass rise” to “leader concentration.” In this transition, industry leaders with core technologies, full supply chain advantages, and digital capabilities will play a key role in market consolidation. Harvest Capital firmly believes that as beauty brands grow stronger, China will soon produce world-class beauty groups.
Despite macroeconomic pressures, the underlying demand for beauty and self-care remains strong and stable. For the mass market, rational consumption is becoming the norm, and consumers are increasingly seeking “high-quality, affordable” products. Brands that can deeply understand consumer needs, drive supply with demand, and consistently create value for consumers by offering high-quality products will emerge as the winners in any economic cycle. With over two decades of industry experience and a strong digital transformation advantage, CHANDO Group is well-positioned to lead this trend.
This collaboration is a strategic alignment based on a shared long-term vision: to build a leading beauty brand and establish a world-class enterprise. It also represents Harvest Capital’s commitment to supporting China’s consumption sector and empowering national brands.
As Harvest Capital’s founding partner and chairman, Alan Song Xiangqian, stated, “Consumption is the stabilizer and ballast of China’s economy. We remain confident in the long-term growth potential of beauty brands and are committed to supporting Chinese companies like CHANDO, which are driven by technology, digitalization, and long-term vision, to become world-class national brands.”
