LAS VEGAS, Sept. 4, 2024 — GMA Consulting (“GMA”) is proud to announce Greg Roselli, a seasoned gaming industry expert, has joined the firm. With nearly two decades of experience as a credit analyst, investor, and advisor, Roselli brings unparalleled financial insight into the gaming, lodging, and leisure sectors. His extensive background and deep industry knowledge will significantly enhance GMA’s capabilities and value proposition to our clients.

Prior to joining GMA, Roselli founded Roselli Advisory – a boutique consulting firm – to provide specialized services to both corporate clients and investors. His extensive background includes research, investing, capital raising, direct lending, balance sheet engineering, M&A, and strategic consulting. At GMA, Roselli will leverage his deep industry knowledge and innovative approach to drive strategic growth and enhance client solutions.

Commenting on his new role, Greg Roselli stated, “I am thrilled to join GMA Consulting and help contribute to their exceptional team. Over my career, I have been fortunate to work in some of the most dynamic sectors within the gaming and hospitality industries, and I am excited to bring my experience to a firm that is at the forefront of these fields. I look forward to collaborating with the GMA Consulting team and serving our diverse and prestigious client base.”

Roselli began his career in 2005 at Bank of America as a member of the No. 1 Institutional Investor-ranked Gaming, Lodging, and Leisure High Yield Research team. In 2009, he joined UBS’ Fixed Income desk as a Senior Credit Analyst, where he covered over 50 debt issuers and supported the firm’s Investment Banking and Capital Markets teams. In 2013, Roselli joined a prominent hedge fund overseeing a portfolio of gaming and hospitality debt, equity, and private credit. During his 10-year tenure, he invested across a majority of domestic and Native American gaming operators and equipment suppliers, participated in the fund’s direct lending efforts, and collaborated with management teams and investment banks to structure new debt and equity issues, refinancings, construction loans, credit facilities, and bank amendments.

Roselli’s notable achievements also include serving on the Board of Revel Entertainment as a Director and member of the Operations Committee and being licensed by the NJ Casino Control Commission, underscoring his deep understanding of the regulatory landscape in the gaming industry.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Greg Roselli to GMA Consulting,” said Josh Swissman, Founding Partner and Managing Director of GMA Consulting. “Greg’s unparalleled expertise perfectly complements our firm’s capabilities, allowing us to better serve our current and future clients. His strategic vision and proven success will be instrumental as we continue to expand our footprint across gaming, lodging, and leisure, strengthening both our team and the value we deliver to our clients.”

Roselli is a graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, holding degrees in Finance and Computer Science. His addition to GMA Consulting signals a significant step forward in the firm’s mission to deliver exceptional advisory services and innovative solutions to clients.

Greg is available immediately to offer his expertise in financing, debt and equity capital, balance sheet, M&A, strategic and other related consulting services. Please reach out to GMA Consulting at [email protected] for more information or to schedule a call with Greg.

About GMA Consulting
GMA Consulting is a modern consulting firm created through the merger of Global Market Advisors and The Strategy Organization.  Founding Partners Matthew Chilton, Steve Gallaway, Seth Schorr, Josh Swissman, Kit Szybala, and Seth Young each have decades of deep-rooted experience in the hospitality, gaming, entertainment, web3, iGaming and online sports betting industries.  In 2023, the firm also launched its Government Relations, Strategic Communications, and Executive Placement business units.  The company’s client list spans the majority of public gaming companies, 85 Native American tribes, commercial and investment banks, and government agencies from around the world.  For more information on GMA Consulting, please visit www.gmaconsulting.com.   

Media Contact
Pat Eichner
Associate Partner, GMA Consulting
(303) 759-5944
[email protected]

SOURCE GMA Consulting

Toyota Ventures and Azolla Ventures Investments will Boost Development of Cost-Effective Green Methanol Production

NEW HAVEN, Conn., Sept. 3, 2024 — Oxylus Energy, developer of a novel carbon utilization technology for the production of e-fuels, today announced the close of its $4.5 million Series Seed investment co-led by Toyota Ventures and Azolla Ventures with participation from Earth Foundry and Connecticut Innovations. Oxylus’ solution is the first low-temperature and low-pressure conversion of carbon dioxide to green methanol, a liquid fuel. This is enabled by commercializing the first-ever catalyst developed at Yale University by Professor Hailiang Wang for direct electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol. Building reactors similar to green hydrogen electrolyzers, Oxylus creates methanol using only captured carbon dioxide, water and electricity. Designed to operate in modular conditions, this approach is a lower-cost technology for carbon conversion into alternative fuels. This funding will accelerate Oxylus’ technology development, prototype testing and pilot deployment.

Oxylus Energy’s methanol can be used as a drop-in fuel replacement or upgraded to jet fuel and other green petrochemicals. By uniquely combining carbon conversion and alternative fuel production this approach can reduce energy expenditures and cut costs for fuel production. “Direct electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide at low temperatures and pressures is the only way to decrease the cost of green methanol,” said Conor Rooney, Co-Founder and CTO of Oxylus. According to Harrison Meyer, Co-Founder and COO of Oxylus, “Without decreasing the price of methanol it will be difficult to decarbonize the hard-to-abate sectors of aviation, shipping, and petrochemicals that are currently responsible for 11% of global emissions.”

The World Economic Forum states that green methanol can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by almost 95%. Furthermore, “green methanol can be blended with traditional gasoline or diesel fuel, offering a seamless transition … minimizing the need for infrastructure upgrades.” Current green methanol production is less than 0.2 million tons annually, but according to estimates from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), this is likely to rise to 500 million tons by 2050. “This is why Oxylus’ technology is critical—it can meet the growing market demand for methanol in the net-zero transition at a price that actually works for industry,” said Co-Founder and CEO Perry Bakas.

“We are thrilled to support the team at Oxylus Energy as they work to scale this cost-effective process for e-fuel production,” said Lisa Coca, Climate Fund partner, Toyota Ventures. “Eliminating the need for hydrogen as an input is a significant innovation in the green energy space that has the potential to dramatically reduce production costs and unlock numerous decarbonization pathways.”

“While green methanol provides a pathway to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors like shipping, maritime and aviation, price premiums and limited supply restrict feasibility of adoption. Oxylus Energy’s modular single-step CO₂ electrolyzer, however, is highly efficient, reduces cost, and can be easily stacked to scale green methanol production,” said Amy Duffuor, General Partner at Azolla Ventures. “Oxylus Energy’s technical progress combined with the novel catalyst, complementary team and ability to target multiple market applications, makes it an optimal investment for Azolla. We are incredibly excited to partner with Oxylus Energy on the next phase of their journey.”

About Oxylus Energy
Oxylus Energy is a climate technology company developing low-temperature and low-pressure conversion of carbon dioxide into green methanol. Oxylus Energy was founded at Yale by graduate students Harrison Meyer, Conor Rooney, and Perry Bakas and incubated at ClimateHaven. Oxylus Energy converts CO₂ into carbon-neutral fuels and chemical feedstocks. Oxylus’ electrolyzers are designed to be modular and enable onsite carbon utilization and fuel production. Carbon utilization in green methanol can provide drop-in fuels and chemical feedstocks for the hard-to-abate sectors of shipping, aviation, and petrochemicals. To learn more, go to: https://www.oxylusenergy.com/

About Toyota Ventures
Toyota Ventures is the early-stage venture capital arm of Toyota. Founded in July 2017, its mission is to discover what’s next for Toyota by helping startups bring disruptive technologies and business models to market quickly. With more than $800 million in assets under management, the firm is dedicated to investing in talented entrepreneurs around the world who are driving innovation in frontier technologies and climate solutions. For more information about Toyota Ventures and its portfolio companies, please visit www.toyota.ventures.

About Azolla Ventures
Azolla Ventures, launched by Prime Coalition in 2021, is an early-stage investor in climate breakthroughs that could avert catastrophic climate change. At Azolla Ventures, we prioritize impact first: every investment holds the potential for large-scale greenhouse gas reductions and a more just climate for all. The team seeks out bold entrepreneurs from all corners and embraces opportunities outside of venture norms. Azolla Ventures manages the $239MM Azolla Fund I and the $50MM Prime Impact Fund. For more information about Azolla Ventures, please visit https://www.azollaventures.com

Media Contact:
Victoria Reich
Mahoney Communications Group
[email protected]
212-220-6045

SOURCE Oxylus Energy

The investment is a pivotal milestone allowing Segmed to further expand its medical imaging solutions for artificial intelligence development and real-world evidence

PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 3, 2024 — Segmed, Inc., a leader in providing real-world imaging data for health innovation, has raised a $10.4 million Series A funding round. The oversubscribed round was led by iGan Partners and Advocate Health, with participation from Castellan Group, Engine Health Capital, Bold Brain Ventures, Fox Chase Cancer Center, and current investors including Y Combinator, Nina Capital, Nova Capital, Blumberg Capital, and Expeditions Fund. The current Series A round follows a financing by Flashpoint Growth Debt Fund received in 2023.

Since Segmed’s inception, it has been committed to unlocking diverse cohorts of imaging data to support AI development and further clinical research. We are excited to announce the next step in that journey. Segmed will use the new funding to further expand its footprint in the healthcare AI space as well as to bring medical imaging to the biopharmaceutical and life science world. Our data network of leading healthcare providers enables innovators to get access to heterogeneous and diverse de-identified imaging data that can be linked with other data types. Additionally, our technology allows clients to access, de-identify, standardize, and build cohorts of medical imaging data within their own environment.

“We are excited to partner with such a select group of health systems and healthcare technology investors to support Segmed as they continue to disrupt the healthcare industry with their innovative approach to real-world imaging data. Segmed’s platform has the potential to drive significant improvements in patient care and healthcare outcomes, and iGan stands ready to continue to support their dynamic growth and the significant impact they are poised to make on healthcare technology going forward,” said Sam Ifergan, managing partner at iGan Partners.

“Advocate Health is an industry leader in utilizing innovation to serve the health needs of individuals, families and communities,” said Emilie McKenna, managing director of strategic development and investment at Advocate Health. “We’re driven to advance the science of medicine. To that end, our team is dedicated to developing the most comprehensive provider-based research data set in the country. We look forward to supporting Segmed in the shared goal of unlocking imaging data to accelerate medical research.”

“We founded Segmed five years ago to improve patient outcomes by revolutionizing medical imaging research,” said Martin Willemink, CEO and co-founder at Segmed. “We are thrilled to have the continued support from investors like iGan Partners and Y Combinator, as well as the addition of clinical powerhouses like Advocate Health and Fox Chase Cancer Center. Their expertise and experience will be invaluable as we continue to develop cutting-edge solutions for the future.

“Segmed deeply appreciates the support and confidence demonstrated by these significant investments and strategic partnerships to reshape the landscape of medical imaging utilization, ultimately advancing health care,” he said.

About Segmed, Inc.
Segmed, Inc. collaborates with life-sciences, health care and technology firms to streamline access to medical imaging studies for advancing biopharmaceutical R&D, AI development and enhancing global health care initiatives. Segmed acquires, de-identifies, standardizes and subsequently provides medical imaging data to researchers and innovators in AI/ML and Real-World Imaging Data (RWiD) through its proprietary data platform. Before Segmed, acquiring imaging data for medical research was a time-consuming process that could take months, or even years. By partnering with thousands of health care locations and imaging clinics across five continents, researchers and AI developers can access the studies they need.

For more information about Segmed, visit www.segmed.ai or follow us on LinkedIn @segmed-ai.

SOURCE Segmed

Purpose-built for three dynamic market segments—private equity (PE) and venture capital-backed (VC) portfolio companies (portcos), and fast-growing independent entrepreneurial businesses—this new service provides high-quality in-house GC support to companies at critical stages of their evolution, where legal complexities and requirements are mounting but the costs and commitment of a full-time in-house general counsel aren’t yet warranted.

AA&C’s Fractional GC Services are tailor-made to meet the risk, compliance, and legal standards of investment sponsors, bolster enterprise risk management and controls, and prepare companies for the rigorous due diligence that impacts valuation, capital raises, and exits. The Services flexibly scale from a few hours per week to full-time General Counsel support, navigating the legal challenges relevant and unique to each type of organization.

AA&C’s Fractional GC Services are led by partners with past GC and in-house legal experience, who have access to Axiom’s expansive bench of high-quality legal talent, all to address the practice areas that concern PE- and VC-backed ventures and thriving small businesses. Practices include AI, M&A, commercial contracts, labor and employment, real estate, IP, and more—all while delivering savings up to 25% less than traditional Arizona-located law firms.

“Legal work in these companies is often handled by a CFO, COO, or other C-suite member as a side responsibility, supplemented by law firms charging high rates that are ultimately unsustainable,” said Catherine Kemnitz, Managing Director for Axiom Advice & Counsel and Chief Strategy & Development Officer at Axiom. “This strategy increases risk and hampers regulatory readiness, which creates significant challenges when competing for capital where sponsors will also weigh their risk. It also fails to capitalize on potential revenue growth opportunities, particularly through sales cycle acceleration. Our Fractional GC Services can make all the difference in the next capital raise, next growth chapter, or exit, because they help high-growth companies be focused and prepared.”

Moreover, these three market segments are often interconnected, with companies moving from high-growth Series A-D rounds to being backed by private equity as their investment life cycle advances. AA&C’s Fractional GC Services are designed to meet the specific legal needs of these distinct yet interrelated market segments by providing tailored services with industry-specific support and experience for each.

• AA&C Fractional GC Service for Private Equity Portcos: For PE-backed portcos, untended compliance and risk issues can delay or even scuttle a possible transaction, and can also reduce value realized. The Fractional GC lead partner, working with high-quality Axiom lawyers, assesses the risk profile of the portco, standardizes compliance best practices, resolves ongoing legal issues, and helps the portco maintain transaction readiness for potential due diligence. This agile approach allows portcos to implement consistent legal strategies, enhance value, reduce risk, and unlock growth opportunities. With the right legal setup, portcos can accelerate sales processes and compete more effectively for top talent, positioning themselves for increased market competitiveness and value creation.
• AA&C Fractional GC Service for Venture-Backed Startups: For VC-backed startups, rapid scaling and disruptive innovation can cause neglected compliance, risk, and legal issues to hinder fundraising rounds or jeopardize potential exits. The Fractional GC lead partner, working with specialized Axiom lawyers, establishes robust legal foundations, business processes, and compliance measures, supporting hypergrowth while mitigating risk. By providing startups with on-demand GC services, VC-backed companies can efficiently and effectively round out their C-suite, bringing seasoned legal expertise to the leadership team without diverting critical resources from core product development and market expansion efforts. This strategy navigates complex regulatory landscapes and enhances decision-making, positioning startups for sustainable growth and success.
• AA&C Fractional GC Service for High-Growth Small Businesses: For founders, leaders, and operators of high-growth entrepreneurial businesses, navigating legal complexities can be overwhelming and potentially threaten long-term business health. The Fractional GC lead partner, drawing on Axiom’s deep bench of experienced lawyers, provides valuable counsel, affordable legal support to assess and address key risk areas and compliance needs, and provides guidance on day-to-day legal matters. This approach allows leaders at these companies to remain focused on the core business while helping preserve their balance sheet by avoiding exorbitant law firm costs.

“Leaders of businesses backed by private capital often have to make difficult choices between enabling growth and preserving capital,” said Andrea Liburdi, Partner at Axiom Advice & Counsel. “Our Fractional GC Services meet this challenge head on. You get a one-stop shop with the ability to quickly assemble and access a high-quality legal team, as well as get specialized help when the need arises—and all for less than you might expect to spend with a traditional law firm. The result is a flexible legal function that’s a valuable contributor to and enabler of growth.”

For more information or to talk to an Axiom Advice & Counsel (AA&C) representative, visit our Fractional GC website and network with us on LinkedIn. For more information about Axiom, please visit our website, hear from our experts on the Inside Axiom blog, network with us on LinkedIn, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Related Axiom News

About Axiom Advice & Counsel

Located in Arizona, Axiom Advice & Counsel (AA&C) is setting a new standard for the modern law firm. From prioritizing clients and the lawyer experience, to finding the right legal talent for the right legal matter, AA&C’s approach to the law firm model provides clients with better value for every dollar spent on outside counsel. AA&C represents a diverse set of clients, ranging from growing mid-market businesses to global multinationals with large in-house teams. The firm focuses on corporate law including general counsel services, real estate, labor and employment, mergers and acquisitions, data privacy, intellectual property, and regulatory matters. For more information, please visit https://www.axiomadviceandcounsel.com.

About Axiom

Axiom is where high-caliber legal talent meets full-service law firm work. We invented the alternative legal services industry 24 years ago and now serve more than 1,500 legal departments globally, including 68% of the Fortune 100, with 95% client satisfaction. Axiom gives small, mid-market, and enterprise clients a single trusted provider who can deliver a full spectrum of legal solutions and services across more than a dozen practice areas and all major industries at rates up to 50% less than national law firms. To learn how Axiom can help your legal departments do more for less, visit axiomlaw.com.

SOURCE Axiom

NEW YORK, Sept. 3, 2024 — GSE Worldwide (“the Company” or “GSE”), a leader in athlete talent management and sports marketing partnerships, announced today that BC Partners Credit, the $8 billion credit arm of BC Partners, a leading alternative investment firm, has made a strategic investment into the company, joining Gatemore Capital Management (“Gatemore”) as investors, and providing committed financing to support GSE’s growth plans.

Since Gatemore took control of GSE in 2018, GSE has established itself as a leading sports agency, representing over 275 top athletes across golf, tennis and NFL, including two-time U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, American tennis stars Tommy Paul and Jessica Pegula, and Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence.

BC Partners Credit’s investment enables GSE to execute on an ambitious growth plan that takes advantage of the strong momentum in the sports industry, expanding and enhancing its impressive talent practice and bolstering its capabilities in brand services as well as property ownership and representation.

Ted Goldthorpe, Head of BC Partners Credit, who will join the GSE Worldwide board following the investment, said: “We are very impressed by GSE’s market leadership, growth track record, and roster of clients. We are excited to be a part of GSE’s extraordinary growth journey.”

Michael Principe, CEO of GSE Worldwide, said: “We have earned our position as partner of choice for so many top athletes across football, golf, and tennis. We thank the Gatemore team for their support in getting us to where we are today, and we are thrilled to have the additional support of BC Partners Credit, which enables us to grow our industry-leading position, further enhance our offerings to clients, and push into new verticals of talent and brand management and the ownership and operation of events.”

Liad Meidar, Managing Partner of Gatemore Capital Management who serves as Executive Chairman of GSE, said: “In a span of five years, GSE has risen into one of the preeminent sports talent agencies globally thanks to a clear strategy, dedicated management team, and a company culture built on best-in-class service. We welcome BC Partners as partners and are excited to continue to support the company as it leverages the momentum it has built to unlock the next phase of growth.”

Fidus Partners acted as financial advisor to GSE Worldwide. Three Ocean Partners acted as financial advisor to BC Partners Credit.

About GSE Worldwide

GSE Worldwide is a leading sports and lifestyle marketing and management company, representing high-profile sports, broadcasting and other notable personalities in all aspects and stages of their careers, including the best and brightest amateurs, established superstars and post-career legends.  GSE also advises brands and properties in their marketing and business objectives and manages, owns or operates unforgettable, world-class sporting events.

Formed in 2018 following Gatemore Capital Management’s acquisition, GSE Worldwide currently offers its clients full-service talent in football, golf, tennis and NIL as well as broadcasting, coaching, lifestyle and talent marketing, while providing consulting, activation, and event production services to brands and properties.  GSE is headquartered in New York and operates across the world.

About BC Partners & BC Partners Credit

BC Partners is a leading international investment firm in private equity, private debt, and real estate strategies. BC Partners Credit was launched in February 2017, with a focus on identifying attractive credit opportunities in any market environment, often in complex market segments. The platform leverages the broader firm’s deep industry and operating resources to provide flexible financing solutions to middle-market companies across Business Services, Industrials, Healthcare and other select sectors. To date, BC Partners Credit has completed more than 400 transactions. For further information, visit www.bcpartners.com/credit-strategy.

About Gatemore Capital Management

Gatemore Capital Management manages an activist strategy focused on companies across consumer, industrial, healthcare, sports, media, and technology sectors. Gatemore primarily targets fundamentally sound businesses that are underperforming and/or undervalued but have strong potential for recovery and growth. Gatemore’s strategy is to influence outcomes and drive outperformance through thought leadership and deep engagement, aiming to effect positive change and unlock value within the companies in which they invest.

GSE Worldwide
NRGized Media
Marlon LeWinter
[email protected]

BC Partners
Kekst CNC
Daniel Yunger / Shea Maney
[email protected]

SOURCE GSE Worldwide

VC Dedicated to Investing in and Scaling Innovative Cybersecurity Startups Recognized for Unique Community-Oriented Approach

TYSONS CORNER, Va. and TEL AVIV, Israel, Sept. 3, 2024 — Merlin Ventures, the venture capital affiliate of The Merlin Group, today announced the company has been named a finalist in the 2024 SC Media Awards for Investor of the Year. Merlin Ventures invests exclusively in enterprise cybersecurity software companies, with a particular focus on identifying and investing in Israeli startups.

The SC Awards are one of the most prestigious and competitive honors in the cybersecurity industry. Now in its 27th year, the SC Awards program has expanded award categories to include recognition for the investors that fuel the cybersecurity space and help bring innovative technologies to life.

“It is an honor to be named a finalist in the Investor of the Year category,” said Seth Spergel, Managing Partner, Merlin Ventures. “We have an incredibly talented team both in the U.S. and in Israel working closely with both founders and a huge community of CISOs, so that we can provide far more than just dollars to our portfolio companies – we arm them with direct feedback from security buyers to guide their growth strategy and product roadmap.”

Merlin Ventures’ community of over 300 security executives opens up access to the cybersecurity market, connecting CISOs and innovative startups together for bi-directional information exchange. This approach enables Merlin to invest ahead of the curve while also ensuring startups are able to gain a more complete understanding of the market needs.

On top of that community, Merlin has built a world-class platform for its portfolio, providing infrastructure for market readiness, cybersecurity engineering expertise, and go-to-market muscle. It helps startups penetrate and pursue some of the largest markets in the world, including the U.S. government.

This recognition comes on the heels of Merlin Ventures appointing Andrew Smeaton as the firm’s CISO-in-Residence, further strengthening Merlin Ventures’ unique approach to building community and helping portfolio companies better align with buyer preferences.

Learn more about Merlin Ventures and the companies in its portfolio.

About Merlin Ventures
Merlin Ventures is the venture capital affiliate of The Merlin Group, a network of companies with more than 25 years of success bringing technologies to the U.S. Government market. Merlin Ventures rapidly scales visionary companies and introduces disruptive solutions designed to help enterprises address today’s most critical cybersecurity challenges. Its unique business model combines robust infrastructure and capital, technical advisory and engineering advisory, market readiness acceleration, and deep-rooted government and industry relationships that enable its portfolio to rapidly grow and scale. Learn more at merlin.vc.

Media Contact:
Emily Ashley
[email protected]

SOURCE Merlin Ventures

To comply with academic institution guidelines, the founders’ academic affiliations and roles are listed only at the end of the statement.

BOSTON, Sept. 3, 2024 — Somite Therapeutics, a fully integrated TechBio company leveraging big data and AI to introduce novel cell replacement therapies, today announced a $4.8M extension of its pre-seed round, only 6 months after the initial raise, bringing total funds raised to over $10M.

“With most of the funds still in the bank, we were not planning to fundraise until 2025,” noted Dr. Micha Breakstone, Founder and CEO of Somite Therapeutics. “However, when Astellas Venture Management and Montage Ventures approached us, it was clear that they could add significant strategic value. Astellas Pharma and Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine (a wholly owned subsidiary of Astellas, “AIRM”) focus on regenerative medicine and cell therapy research in ophthalmology and other therapeutic areas that have few or no available treatment options, while Montage Ventures has built a robust thesis and has deep insights into this space, so we decided to extend the round.”

The additional funding will be used to expedite data generation to train Somite’s AI platform, AlphaStem, advance SMT-M01 toward the clinic, start a second clinical program, SMT-B01, using brown adipocytes to treat metabolic disorders, and begin research with hypoimmune cell lines.

“We are thrilled to partner with Somite and support their innovative approach to AI-driven cell therapies,” said Dr. Nagisa Sakurai, Senior Investment Manager at Astellas Venture Management, who will be joining Somite as a Board Observer. “Somite’s work in vertically integrated AI-driven cell therapy aligns perfectly with Astellas’ focus. We see great potential for impactful synergies between our companies.”

“Among numerous companies in the TechBio space, Somite stood out as the most aligned with our vision of AI-driven novel therapeutic modalities,” said Dr. Daphne Che, who will also be joining Somite as a Board Observer. “We firmly believe that Somite will emerge as a leader in fully integrated AI-driven cell therapy.”

Additional investors joining the round include Nachum Shamir, former Chairman and CEO of Luminex, and Paul and Dr. Kendra Harris, a renowned clinician with extensive experience in clinical trials, who will also be joining Somite’s Scientific Advisory Board.

About Somite

Somite.ai is a venture-backed company aiming to become the OpenAI of stem cell biology, developing AI foundation models to produce human tissue for cell therapies at scale for diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and muscular dystrophies. Somite’s AI platform, AlphaStem, fuels a virtuous cycle: It enables new cell therapies, generating massive data that further improve the platform, empowering even faster therapy creation with broader applications. The company’s pipeline includes the promising SMT-M01 program for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and the SMT-B01 program for metabolic disorders. Incorporated in Oct. 2023, Somite.ai has raised over $10m to date.

Somite Management Team:

• Micha Breakstone, PhD: CEO and Co-founder – Repeat AI entrepreneur (Chorus.ai acq. for $575m)
• Jonathan Rosenfeld, PhD: CTO and Co-founder – Head of the Fundamental AI group at MIT FutureTech
• Carl Morris, PhD: Chief Scientific Officer
• Kristy Brown, PhD: SVP Translational Development
• Shai Kivity, VP Strategy & Operations
  

Scientific Co-founders:

• Olivier Pourquie, PhD: Professor of Genetics and Pathology, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital
• Allon Klein, PhD: Professor of Systems Biology at Harvard Medical School
• Cliff Tabin, PhD: Chair of the Department of Genetics at Harvard Medical School
• Jay Shendure, PhD: HHMI Professor of Genome Sciences at University of Washington

Media Contact: [email protected]
Website: www.somite.ai

SOURCE Somite Therapeutics

BERLIN and BOSTON, Sept. 3, 2024 — Monda, the all-in-one data monetization platform, today announced it has raised $5 million in seed funding. The round was led by Senovo and Acrobator Ventures, with participation from Techstars. The capital will be used to expand operations in the US, grow its partner ecosystem, and enhance its platform to make data monetization easier for companies of all sizes.

Monda’s software helps companies easily start, run, and scale their data business. Seeing rapid growth in 2024, Monda’s all-in-one data monetization platform is already used by over 150 data-as-a-service (DaaS) companies creating more than 6,000 data products. Monda has built key partnerships and integrations with world-leading cloud data marketplaces from Google Cloud, Databricks, and SAP. Since the beginning of the year, the team has doubled to 32 people. Additionally, Monda is opening its first US office in Boston in Fall 2024 to better serve North American customers, which account for 50% of its customer base. Monda was founded by serial entrepreneurs and data industry veterans Thani Shamsi and Richard Hoffmann as a spin-off from Berlin-based Datarade, the largest comparison platform for data providers.

Thani Shamsi, Founder & CEO of Monda, said, “AI has created massive demand for high-quality and unique datasets for training models. Companies have realized that there’s a huge business opportunity in monetizing their proprietary data, but many are struggling to navigate an increasingly complex global data market. I’ve seen these challenges first-hand working for a data provider. We created Monda to make it extremely easy for any company to start and build a safe, fast-growing, and sustainable data business – fueling the AI revolution.”

AI companies are rushing to secure access to proprietary datasets to train and refine their models, prompting data-rich companies like Reddit, Shutterstock, and Yelp to strike multi-million dollar AI data licensing deals. Yet technical, legal, and operational challenges are keeping companies from monetizing their data assets: Building a successful data-as-a-service business involves creating data products, integrating with a multitude of data marketplaces, training a data salesforce, managing cross-cloud data sharing, and handling data subscriptions.

Mona Gindler, Partner at Senovo, said, “As buying and monetizing data is entering the mainstream, data providers need better tools to handle the increasing complexity of the data market. Monda helps them reach more customers while reducing operational efforts, putting the company in a great position to lead this emerging software category. Thani and Richard have built a fantastic team and culture in Berlin, and we are excited to support their expansion into the US with the new Boston office.”

Monda’s data monetization platform has three key differentiators: Firstly, the product is easy-to-use, enabling business users to create data products and publish them on their own data storefront or data marketplaces in clicks. Secondly, Monda’s all-in-one vertical SaaS approach enables companies to run and manage their entire data business on one platform. Thirdly, customers value Monda’s world-class service and support from an international success team and data monetization experts. Part of the seed funding will be used to further develop data integrations with cloud platforms, support unstructured data products, and release additional regulatory compliance features.

Richard Hoffmann, Founder & President of Monda, said, “Opening our first US office in Boston marks a pivotal moment for Monda, our US customers, and for me personally. I’m currently relocating with my family from Germany to the United States, in order to fully dedicate myself to the success and growth of our US customer base and our local team. The US has always been our most important market as a hotbed of innovation in data and AI.”

– Picture is available at AP (https://apmultimedianewsroom.com/multimedia-newsroom/partners/news-aktuell) –

About Monda

Monda is a leading B2B SaaS company in the data-as-a-service industry. Monda’s data all-in-one monetization platform empowers any company to share and monetize their proprietary data safely. The company was founded in 2024 by Thani Shamsi and Richard Hoffmann as a spin-off from Datarade, the largest comparison platform for data providers. With the vision of democratizing data monetization, Monda aims to create a borderless data sharing ecosystem to fuel the AI revolution and accelerate human progress.

Web: www.monda.ai 

About Senovo

Senovo is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Munich and Berlin that partners with exceptional founders building global B2B SaaS category-leaders from Europe. As a European first-mover, the fund has been investing since 2013 into a new generation of B2B software startups which enable the digitalization of medium and large enterprises. Senovo joins the journey after a company has first revenues in a late Seed or Series A round. Their team of SaaS specialists seek meaningful eye-level relationships and regularly publish their learnings and thought leadership at www.medium.com/senovovc. 

Web: www.senovo.vc 

About Acrobator Ventures

Acrobator Ventures is an operator-led VC focused on (pre-)seed founders building enabling tech and data companies. The partners bring a deep understanding of AI/ML and operational excellence with a founders first mentality.
Web: www.acrobator.vc 

Place of registration
Berlin/ Boston

Press contact
Max Krüger
[email protected]

SOURCE Datarade GmbH

LONDON, Sept. 3, 2024 — Just two weeks after its groundbreaking introduction, AISQ is thrilled to announce that over 200 small business owners have successfully implemented and experienced the full capabilities of Next Level Marketing, the world’s first fully automated, end-to-end marketing system. These businesses have now harnessed the power of AI to autonomously manage their marketing—from content creation to distribution across search engines, social media, and email newsletters—with only minor inputs required from them.

A Milestone in AI-Driven Marketing

This milestone marks a historic moment in the evolution of digital marketing. For the first time in history, small business owners have been able to set up and execute a comprehensive marketing strategy entirely driven by AI, requiring only approval on content and minimal edits. The system has demonstrated its ability to carry out all marketing tasks—research, planning, scheduling, publishing, and promotion—on behalf of the business, seamlessly integrating across all digital channels.

“We knew we were onto something revolutionary, but seeing it in action with real businesses has exceeded even our expectations,” said Florin Muresan, CEO of AISQ. “These 200 business owners are not just using an AI tool; they are pioneers in the next chapter of marketing evolution. They’ve experienced firsthand what it means to have an entire marketing department run autonomously by AI. The results have been incredible, and we’re just getting started.”

Transformative Results and Real-World Impact

The initial test group of small business owners, carefully selected based on their commitment to provide detailed feedback, has reported significant success in setting up and running the system end-to-end. The results speak for themselves:

• Automated SEO Success: Users have successfully published new content to their websites, which was automatically indexed by search engines, driving increased organic traffic.
• Social Media Engagement: AI-driven social media posts have been scheduled and published across multiple platforms, maintaining consistent engagement with followers.
• Email Marketing Efficiency: Email newsletters were generated, personalized, and sent out without manual input, saving time and ensuring timely communication with customers.

These early adopters have validated the system’s ability to handle all facets of digital marketing, allowing them to focus on running their businesses rather than managing complex marketing tasks.

The Road Ahead: Expanding Access

With the successful implementation of Next Level Marketing by this initial group, AISQ is gearing up for a broader launch (and including new languages, not just English). The company is preparing to invite more businesses to experience the system.

“This is just the beginning,” added Muresan. “Our goal is to make Next Level Marketing accessible to businesses around the world. We’re refining the system based on the valuable feedback we’ve received, and we can’t wait to roll it out to a wider audience. The potential here is enormous, and we’re excited to be at the forefront of this revolution.”

Businesses interested in being part of the next wave of users for Next Level Marketing are encouraged to visitwww.aisq.com to learn more and register their interest. As the system prepares for broader release, AISQ is committed to ensuring that every user can achieve seamless, fully automated marketing success.

About AISQ

AISQ is a leader in AI-driven marketing solutions, dedicated to making advanced technology accessible and effective for businesses of all sizes. Founded by Florin Muresan, AISQ builds on over a decade of innovation and expertise in AI and digital marketing. The company is committed to transforming the way businesses approach marketing, with a focus on automation, efficiency, and real-world results. AISQ’s products are trusted by thousands of businesses worldwide, empowering them to compete on a level playing field.

Contact Information:

Irina Pogor, Marketing Lead
AISQ Squirrly
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 7425 330730
www.aisq.com

SOURCE AISQ