As Silicon Valley builds AI for the internet, RLWRLD trains AI to act in the real world—with support from LG, SK, KDDI, ANA, and more

SEOUL, South Korea and TOKYO, April 14, 2025 — RLWRLD, a Physical AI startup building robotics foundation models, today announced a $15 million seed round backed by a powerful alliance of industrial leaders from Korea and Japan.

The round includes investments from LG Electronics, SK Telecom, KDDI, ANA Holdings, Mitsui Chemicals, and Shimadzu Corporation, as well as leading AI-focused VCs from Japan and Korea, including Hashed, Mirae Asset, and Global Brain—marking one of the most significant cross-border bets on the future of real-world AI.

RLWRLD is led by Jung-hee Ryu, whose previous company, Olaworks, was acquired by Intel in its first-ever acquisition of a Korean startup. The founding team includes KAIST Chair Professor Jinwoo Shin, Kurly’s ex-CTO, a Kakao engineering lead, and a former BCG partner, forming a world-class squad to tackle what may be the next trillion-dollar opportunity in AI: machines that can move, think, and adapt in the physical world.

“Silicon Valley is building brains for the internet. We’re building brains for machines.”

— Jung-hee Ryu, Founder & CEO, RLWRLD

From Text to Touch: The Rise of Physical AI

While generative AI leaders race to master text, code, and images, RLWRLD is developing foundation models that learn from real-world sensors, robotics systems, and industrial workflows. These models enable robots to reason and act autonomously in dynamic physical environments—factories, warehouses, logistics hubs, and beyond.

RLWRLD’s platform is built on three strategic pillars:

• Embodied model architecture optimized for real-world intelligence
• Industrial-scale data pipelines from East Asia’s manufacturing ecosystem
• Plug-and-play infrastructure that integrates seamlessly with existing robotics systems

“We’re not just writing papers—we’re training models that solve real-world problems on real production floors.”

— Jinwoo Shin, Chief Scientist, RLWRLD & KAIST Chair Professor

Building a Real-World AI Ecosystem

The $15M funding will accelerate RLWRLD’s next phase:

• Expanding proprietary data pipelines across industrial partner sites
• Advancing its robotics foundation model stack
• Deepening integration with robotics and sensor companies in Asia and North America

The company is also building a multi-stakeholder innovation ecosystem through collaborations with KAIST, Seoul National University, and POSTECH, and with robotics manufacturers like WIRobotics, Rainbow Robotics, Wonik Robotics, Robotis and more.

“RLWRLD combines deep AI research with industrial execution at scale. That’s what makes this a rare, high-conviction investment.”

— Simon Seojoon Kim, CEO, Hashed

About RLWRLD

RLWRLD is a Physical AI company developing robotics foundation models trained on real-world data from East Asia’s top manufacturing ecosystems. Founded by serial entrepreneur Jung-hee Ryu, the company brings together world-class AI, robotics, and industrial expertise to power the next generation of embodied intelligence.

Learn more at rlwrld.ai.

Media Contact:

Leehyoung Yang, Team Cookie, [email protected] 

SOURCE RLWRDL

“We welcome Comvest Partners, Barings, and once again thank RedBird for their ongoing support. iCreditWorks will continue to execute its product roadmap, focus on PaaS automation, and integrate new capabilities that make the iCreditWorks App and omni-channel platform even more intuitive and powerful,” said Stephen E. Sweeney, iCreditWorks’ Chairman and Founder.

iCreditWorks has developed a highly configurable and modular Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) solution that empowers its partners (leading financial institutions, enterprise networks, and large brands) to rapidly deploy embedded POS lending solutions with integrated payment technologies that meet consumers where they live—significantly decreasing time to market while eliminating cost and challenges facing those industries today. iCreditWorks’ digital payments infrastructure, which includes the rapid issuance of an in-App “Tap to Pay” virtual card, offers a seamless and flexible payment experience to consumers and merchants alike.

“We are excited to lead iCreditWorks’ capital raise,” said Charles Asfour, Partner at Comvest Partners. “We believe the Company’s highly compelling value proposition and attractive growth prospects make for a great addition to our opportunistic credit portfolio. We look forward to contributing to the Company’s ongoing success with both capital and other value-added resources going forward.”

Barings similarly embraced iCreditWorks’ Platform through its participation in the raise.

Michael Searles, Head of North America, Capital Solutions for Barings added, “We are excited to back the iCreditWorks Platform and look forward to working with the team to support the Company’s expansion.”

Mike Zabik, a Partner at RedBird Capital, will remain a Board Director since leading the prior capital raise; Charles Asfour and Micheal Searles will join as Observers to the iCreditWorks Board.

“Once again, RedBird Capital is excited to back iCreditWorks,” said Zabik, “and continue pushing their strategic edge in their next stage of growth.”

iCreditWorks will leverage these investments to fuel the continued expansion of its omni-channel PaaS platform into other business verticals (e.g., healthcare, SMB equipment, home improvement, etc.) and drive its commercial growth through new PaaS partnerships.
*All loans issued by WebBank.

About iCreditWorks
iCreditWorks leverages innovative technology and mobility to deliver an omni-channel platform experience that provides access to a broad suite of “Point-Of-Sale” (POS) financing products, empowering consumers to take control of their financing.* The first-of-its-kind iCreditWorks native mobile App delivers a simple, seamless, and secure financing experience that redefines the consumer journey. For more information, please visit www.icreditworks.com.

About Comvest Partners
Comvest Partners (“Comvest”) is a private investment firm that has provided equity and debt capital to well-positioned middle-market companies throughout North America since 2000. Through its private equity, direct lending and opportunistic credit investment platforms, Comvest offers tailored investment solutions across the capital structure along with deep industry expertise, operating resources, a collaborative approach, and significant transaction experience as an active investor. In 2025, Comvest Partners proudly celebrates 25 years of investment management leadership, and today manages $15.7 billion in assets, with over $16.8 billion invested since inception. Comvest Partners is based in West Palm Beach, with offices in Chicago and New York City. For more information, please visit comvest.com.

About Barings
Barings is a $442+ billion** global asset management firm that partners with institutional, insurance, and intermediary clients, and supports leading businesses with flexible financing solutions. The firm, a subsidiary of MassMutual, seeks to deliver excess returns by leveraging its global scale and capabilities across public and private markets in fixed income, real assets and capital solutions. For more information, please visit www.Barings.com.
**As of March 31, 2025

About RedBird Capital Partners
RedBird Capital Partners is a private investment firm that builds high-growth companies with strategic capital solutions to founders and entrepreneurs. The firm currently manages $12 billion in assets on behalf of a global group of blue-chip institutional and family office investors. Founded in 2014 by Gerry Cardinale, RedBird integrates sophisticated private equity investing with a hands-on business-building mandate that focuses on three core industry verticals – Sports, Media & Entertainment, and Financial Services. Over his 30-year investment career, Cardinale has partnered with founders and entrepreneurs to build some of the most iconic growth companies in their respective industries. For more information, please visit www.redbirdcap.com.

Contact
Rich Groves
SVP – Professional Affairs
201-450-4268
[email protected] 

SOURCE iCreditWorks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SOURCE Hawai’i Angels; Thrive Smart Systems

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

Bredere steun weerspiegelt groeiende afstemming

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

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

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

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

Een gedeelde visie voor Azië versterken

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

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

Grotere impact in prioritaire sectoren

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

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

Afgestemd investeren in een diverse regio

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

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

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

Doelgericht vooruitkijken

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

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

(EINDE)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SOURCE Nimblemind.ai

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

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

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

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

About Accropeutics

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

Contacts

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

SOURCE Accropeutics

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more information, visit www.disputed.ai.

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

SOURCE Disputed, Inc.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Media Contact:

Torsten Schreiber
VP of Marketing
[email protected]

About Anyware Robotics:

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

SOURCE Anyware Robotics

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Insilico Medicine

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

About Value Partners Group Limited

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

SOURCE Insilico Medicine