The funding will support Intuition Robotics’ growth as demand surges for loneliness interventions, and fuel its continued development of ElliQ’s relationship and conversational capabilities, powered by generative AI and deep utilization of Large Language Models (LLMs)

RAMAT GAN, Israel, Aug. 29, 2023 — Intuition Robotics announced today that it has secured a first closing of a new funding round amounting to $25 million, $20M in venture capital and $5M in venture debt, and led by Woven Capital, the growth fund of Toyota, with participation from Toyota Ventures, OurCrowd, Western Technology Investment, and additional investors. The funding will help the company meet surging demand for its AI care companion ElliQ across government aging agencies and healthcare organizations. It will also allow the company to deepen integrations into the healthcare system and help aging populations better connect with others, and better access much-needed products and services while reducing costs.

Loneliness is an epidemic that can cause serious harm to health, with the U.S. Surgeon General recently advising that experiencing loneliness can increase the risk of death equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The U.S. healthcare system is increasingly seeking solutions, with legislation recently introduced to create a national policy to promote social connection and address soaring rates of loneliness.

Intuition Robotics has pioneered ElliQ, an AI companion designed to enhance the lives of older adults by combating loneliness and promoting healthy and independent living. In an era dominated by groundbreaking technologies, ElliQ has consistently demonstrated its ability to engage users over time and positively impact the lives of older individuals with its proactive suggestions and conversational capabilities. ElliQ provides companionship and support for older adults through daily health check-ins, cognitive and physical activities, connection to family and friends, and more using a simple and intuitive interface.

“Intuition Robotics is advancing the future of mobility for aging populations by offering human connection and access to goods and services that they couldn’t obtain otherwise,” said Nicole LeBlanc, a partner at Woven Capital who is also joining the company’s board of directors. “The company is leading the way by providing a field-proven solution that delivers strong results, improving social infrastructure and serving overlooked markets in unique, thoughtful, and powerful ways. These are precisely the values behind the future of mobility that Toyota is bringing to life, making Intuition Robotics a natural fit for Woven Capital.”

The funding round comes on the heels of a successful commercial launch with government agencies across the United States. Intuition Robotics has initiated programs to distribute ElliQ at no cost to end users with the New York State Office for the Aging, the Area Agency on Aging of Broward County, the Olympic Area Agency on Aging, and California’s Agency on Aging in Area 4. In addition, the company signed its first agreement with a Managed Care Organization focusing on Medicare beneficiaries. In the state of New York, the product has shown unprecedented engagement levels with users averaging over 30 interactions with ElliQ per day. It has been proven to reduce loneliness for 95% of users.

The latest advancements in Generative AI and the prevalence of transformers and Large Language Models (LLMs) have allowed Intuition Robotics to integrate rich and continuous conversational experiences into ElliQ. By leveraging these advancements, ElliQ has deepened its conversational abilities, allowing for an even deeper relationship to evolve between ElliQ and the user. The company has developed technology that chooses the areas where to integrate multiple LLMs seamlessly into the experiences such as sparking the creativity of the users by painting with ElliQ through the use of DALLE2, augmenting scripted conversations, and achieving deeper contextual understanding. This is done with guardrails and algorithmic control on the integrity of the experience.

“We’ve seen the direct impact that loneliness has had on our aging community, but we’ve also seen the positive results our AI and technology have on the older adult population. Beyond the groundbreaking results in reducing loneliness – ElliQ is also seeing an impact on health, wellness, and behavior change,” said Dor Skuler, CEO and Co-founder of Intuition Robotics. “The latest advancements in AI have advanced ElliQ’s conversational capabilities to become even more contextual, personalized, and goal driven. We’re proud to be at the forefront of harnessing this technology for the benefit of our users. We are excited to utilize this new funding to deploy more ElliQ devices out into the world, further increase its accessibility, expand partnerships, and gain a deeper understanding of the role ElliQ can play in the healthcare ecosystem. We are grateful for the support of Woven Capital and our additional investors as we continue our mission to empower older adults to live happier, healthier, and more independent lives at home,”

“Since we first invested in Intuition Robotics in 2017, we’ve been inspired by the team’s mission to empower older adults using AI. It’s exciting to see the progress they’ve made over the years – from ElliQ’s initial development and testing, to the commercial deployment and now a growing number of partnerships,” said Jim Adler, founder and general partner of Toyota Ventures. “We share the company’s vision of using technology to amplify the human experience and look forward to seeing how ElliQ will continue to enrich the lives of older adults.”

About Intuition Robotics
Intuition Robotics is on a mission to empower older adults to live happier, healthier, and more independent lives at home. The company’s award-winning product, ElliQ^®, is a proactive care companion for older adults. ElliQ helps keep users healthy, engaged, and informed, while alleviating the effects of loneliness and social isolation. Intuition Robotics has won several awards for its work with ElliQ including Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies and the CES Best of Innovation award. The company was founded in 2016 and investors include: Woven Capital, Toyota Ventures, Samsung NEXT, iRobot, OurCrowd, Terra Ventures and Venture Capital firms from California, Israel, Japan, and Asia. To learn more, please visit intuitionrobotics.com.

Media Contact
Jennifer Laski
Si14 Global Communications
irpr@si14global.com

SOURCE Intuition Robotics

HYDERABAD, India, Aug. 29, 2023 — Aryastha Life Sciences, a leading Contract Research and Development Organization in healthcare, has achieved a major milestone by successfully concluding its Series A funding with significant backing from Vessella Group, a prominent investor in India.

A strategic funding boost from Vessella positions Aryastha to reshape drug discovery and development in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. With a vision to provide exceptional solutions for unmet clinical needs, Aryastha leverages cutting-edge R&D infrastructure in India and plans expansion in the USA. Aryastha aims to differentiate as a pioneer, utilizing AI, advanced preclinical models derived from patient samples and  pluripotent stem cells  ‘Aryastha’s Bio Solutions™^‘ for efficient drug screening. This innovative approach accelerates the clinical translatability of candidates, streamlining services across the value chain and addressing pharmaceutical industry challenges.

Aryastha’s commitment to transforming drug discovery attracts top talent aiming to influence healthcare. With cutting-edge facilities and a skilled team, Aryastha cultivates an environment of innovation. Partnering with Vessella Group offers a unique chance for impactful change in healthcare. Vessella’s investment acknowledges outsourcing’s significance in drug discovery and development, aligning with Aryastha’s expertise. Guided by visionary leadership, Aryastha is poised to advance scientific solutions and provide quality healthcare services.

Quote from Co-Founder & CEO, Dr. Raghava Reddy Kethiri, Ph.D.:

“Empowered by our excellent team and infrastructure, we have united our expertise to establish a leading drug discovery and development service company globally. With our vast collective knowledge and experience, we are dedicated to revolutionizing the drug discovery and development process by de-risking throughout the entire value chain.”

Quote from Co-Founder, Former Faculty of Harvard Medical School, Boston & Chief Scientific Advisor, Dr. Pradip K. Majumder, Ph.D.:

“Aryastha will differentiate by unique preclinical models from patients’ samples and pluripotent stem cells. By mimicking the intracellular milieu and patho-physiological ecosystem to enhance the predictability of the clinical success of drug-like molecules. These cutting-edge technologies will enable faster and more economical routes for clinical translatability of drug candidates.”

Quote from Vessella Group Managing Director & CEO, Sivananda Reddy Mandra:

“Pharmaceutical outsourcing is vital in drug discovery and development. Our investment in Aryastha offers a distinctive yet attractive opportunity to collaborate and contribute to healthcare. Tempus Law Associates and Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas structured the business legally. While specific Series A terms remain undisclosed, Aryastha’s partnership with Vessella promises innovation and quality healthcare services worldwide.”

ABOUT VESSELLA GROUP

Vessella Group, a renowned and distinguished investor in many sectors including infrastructure, healthcare and expands into pharma and life sciences, affirming a dedication to global healthcare progress. Visit www.vessella.com for details.

ABOUT ARYASTHA LIFE SCIENCES

Aryastha, an innovation-driven Life Science service provider, offers CRDMO solutions for novel drug development from Hyderabad, India. With advanced R&D and a visionary approach, Aryastha excels in Pharmaceuticals and Biotechs. Discover more on LinkedIn or at www.aryastha.com

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2195351/Aryastha_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Aryastha Life Sciences

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 29, 2023 — Allseated has announced $20 million funding – including capital from Level Structured Capital (an affiliate of Level Equity), and existing investors, Magma Ventures, Vestech Partners, NYFF, and WGG, to further scale its space visualization and collaboration platform.

The new funding will enable the fast-scaling business to propel its global expansion and continue to pioneer the international hospitality and event industries with innovative resources and product development. 

Alongside the funding, Allseated is spinning out its Meetaverse division. This includes a brand-new entity with a dedicated mission: to pioneer immersive experiences, such as virtual events and corporate environments, within an emerging market landscape.

Space, time, and flow

The global event industries have been completely transformed by the pandemic and the rise of remote communication and working with prospects, clients and partners. This includes the strategies employed by venues for selling and promoting their spaces. While “static” digital twins are a de facto standard in real estate, their use in hospitality and events require significantly more value to support the needs of venues and event planners. Allseated’s virtual space and event planning technology is built upon real-time data analysis, predictive insights, and advanced simulations. Users can eliminate guesswork and usher in a new era of precision, innovation, accessibility, design, analysis, and collaboration with multiple stakeholders, all in one platform.

Allseated pioneered the transformation of digital spaces into collaborative working environments, providing real-time capabilities to bring a first-of-its-kind solution to the hospitality industry. Allseated provides an immersive virtual space that extends beyond the boundaries of its three-dimensional coordinates, creating an experience that encapsulates space, time, and dynamic flows to immerse users and customers in a rich 3D experience.

“Allseated has always been about bringing cutting-edge innovation to the hospitality market, enabling our customers to be more effective and close a lot more business, faster. The new funding will help us to continue expanding our product line from floor planning to a full collaborative space visualization platform. It will enable us to continue to grow rapidly and partner with some of the best brands in hospitality, supercharging and differentiating their business.” Yaron Lipshitz, Allseated CEO, said.

San Francisco based Nfluence Partners served as financial advisor and Fenwick and West as Legal counsel.

About Allseated

Allseated is an innovative, award-winning company, leading space visualization and collaboration through immersive experiences. With 3D visualization, floor plan design tools, and virtual tours through digital twins, Allseated transforms the hospitality industry, leveraging innovation and outstanding customer service to help clients grow their businesses. Allseated offers various collaborative tools for showcasing and selling venues, designing detailed floor plans to scale, and providing comprehensive analytics. The Allseated experience simultaneously increases sales and marketing opportunities and improves operational efficiency.

Comprising an existing local team of five people, the company is strategically positioned to embark on a journey of substantial expansion by nurturing and harnessing the rich local talent pool. With an ambitious outlook, the company envisions growing its workforce by welcoming over 30 new members into the team in the next 12 months. New hires will span across diverse business segments, invigorating every facet of the organisation with diverse perspectives and expertise.

Located within the vibrant community of professionals, within the dynamic co-working space Coloft. The space boasts an array of amenities designed to nurture both professional growth and personal well-being such as yoga, food and drink, and socialising spaces including a beautiful rooftop terrace.

SOURCE Allseated

SAN FRANCISCO, 29. August 2023 — Allseated hat Finanzierung in Höhe von 20 Millionen Dollar bekanntgegeben, darunter Kapital von Level Structured Capital (einer Tochtergesellschaft von Level Equity) und den bestehenden Investoren Magma Ventures, Vestech Partners, NYFF und WGG, um seine Plattform für Raumvisualisierung und Zusammenarbeit weiter auszubauen.

Die neue Finanzierung wird es dem schnell wachsenden Unternehmen ermöglichen, seine globale Expansion voranzutreiben und weiterhin mit innovativen Ressourcen und Produktentwicklungen Pionierarbeit in der internationalen Gastgewerbe- und Veranstaltungsbranche zu leisten. 

Zusätzlich zur neuen Finanzierung gliedert Allseated seinen Geschäftsbereich Meetaverse aus. Dazu gehört eine brandneue Abteilung mit einer speziellen Mission: Pionierarbeit für immersive Erlebnisse wie virtuelle Veranstaltungen und Unternehmensumgebungen in einer aufstrebenden Marktlandschaft.

Raum, Zeit und dynamische Abläufe 

Die globale Veranstaltungsbranche hat sich durch die Pandemie und die Zunahme der Fernkommunikation bei der Arbeit mit Interessenten, Kunden und Partnern völlig verändert. Dies umfasst auch die von Veranstaltungsorten angewandten Strategien für den Verkauf und die Bewerbung ihrer Räume. Während „statische” digitale Zwillinge in der Immobilienbranche zum De-facto-Standard gehören, erfordert ihr Einsatz im Gastgewerbe und bei Veranstaltungen einen deutlich höheren Wert, um die Anforderungen von Veranstaltungsorten und -planern zu erfüllen. Die Technologie für virtuelle Raum- und Veranstaltungsplanung von Allseated basiert auf Echtzeit-Datenanalysen, vorausschauenden Erkenntnissen und fortschrittlichen Simulationen. Nutzer können dem Rätselraten ein Ende bereiten und eine neue Ära der Präzision, Innovation, Zugänglichkeit, Gestaltung, Analyse und Zusammenarbeit mit verschiedenen Interessengruppen einläuten – alles auf einer Plattform.

Allseated leistete Pionierarbeit bei der Umwandlung digitaler Räume in kollaborative Arbeitsumgebungen, indem es Echtzeitfunktionen bereitstellte und damit die erste Lösung dieser Art für das Gastgewerbe bot. Die virtuelle Umgebung von Allseated geht über die Grenzen der dreidimensionalen Koordinaten hinaus und schafft ein Erlebnis, das Raum, Zeit und dynamische Abläufe einbezieht, um Nutzer und Kundschaft in ein umfassendes 3D-Erlebnis eintauchen zu lassen.

„Bei Allseated ging es schon immer darum, dem Gastgewerbe bahnbrechende Innovationen zu bieten, die es unserer Kundschaft ermöglichen, effektiver zu arbeiten und schneller viel mehr Geschäfte abzuschließen. Die neue Finanzierung wird uns dabei helfen, unsere Produktlinie von der Raumplanung bis hin zu einer vollständigen kollaborativen Raumvisualisierungsplattform weiter auszubauen. Dadurch können wir weiter schnell wachsen und mit einigen der besten Marken im Gastgewerbe zusammenarbeiten, um ihr Geschäft anzukurbeln und auszudifferenzieren”, erklärte Yaron Lipshitz, CEO von Allseated.

Nfluence Partners mit Sitz in San Francisco fungierte als Finanzberater und Fenwick and West als Rechtsberater.

Informationen zu Allseated 

Allseated ist ein innovatives, preisgekröntes Unternehmen, das bei der Visualisierung von Räumen und der Zusammenarbeit durch immersive Erlebnisse führend ist. Mit 3D-Visualisierung, Werkzeugen für die Raumplanung und virtuellen Rundgängen durch digitale Zwillinge verändert Allseated das Gastgewerbe und unterstützt seine Kundschaft durch Innovation und herausragenden Kundenservice beim Ausbau ihres Geschäfts. Allseated bietet verschiedene kollaborative Werkzeuge für die Präsentation und den Verkauf von Veranstaltungsorten, die Erstellung detaillierter, maßstabsgetreuer Raumpläne und die Bereitstellung umfassender Analysen. Allseateds Angebot erhöht gleichzeitig die Verkaufs- und Marketingmöglichkeiten und verbessert auch die betriebliche Effizienz.

Das Unternehmen hat ein fünfköpfiges lokales Team und ist strategisch so positioniert, dass es durch die Förderung und Nutzung des reichhaltigen lokalen Talentpools eine erhebliche Expansion anstrebt. Mit ehrgeizigen Aussichten plant das Unternehmen, seine Belegschaft in den nächsten 12 Monaten um mehr als 30 neue Mitglieder zu vergrößern. Die Neueinstellungen werden sich über verschiedene Geschäftsbereiche erstrecken und jede Facette der Organisation mit unterschiedlichen Perspektiven und Fachkenntnissen beleben.

Die Büroräume befinden sich inmitten einer lebendigen Gemeinschaft von Fachleuten, im dynamischen Gemeinschaftsgebäude von Coloft. Die Räumlichkeiten bieten eine Reihe von Annehmlichkeiten, die sowohl das berufliche Wachstum als auch das persönliche Wohlbefinden fördern, wie z. B. Yoga, Speisen und Getränke sowie Räume für geselliges Beisammensein, darunter eine wunderschöne Dachterrasse.

SOURCE Allseated

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Aug. 28, 2023 — Turn Biotechnologies co-founder Vittorio Sebastiano will share company data during a presentation on the potential of epigenetic reprogramming to increase human longevity during this week’s 10th Aging Research and Drug Discovery Meeting (ARDD), the world’s largest longevity forum.

Epigenetic reprogramming is prominent at this year’s meeting, which is expected to attract hundreds of scientists and investors to Copenhagen – and thousands more via video link.

Sebastiano will speak during the “Emerging Science and Technology Workshop.” Details of his presentation include:

• Title: “Cellular and Tissue Rejuvenation through Epigenetic Reprogramming”
• Time: 10:50 a.m. CET on Aug. 31.
• Location: Ceremonial Hall, University of Copenhagen, Frue Plads 4, 1171 Copenhagen, Denmark.

“It is an honor to have our work recognized by ARDD, alongside that of the world’s leading longevity experts,” said Turn Bio CEO Anja Krammer. “The fact that Dr. Sebastiano was invited to speak underscores how important the promise of our work is. We believe Turn Bio’s ERA epigenetic reprogramming technology not only has the potential to dramatically improve and people’s lives but also to change what medicine deems possible in the future.”

ABOUT TURN BIOTECHNOLOGIES 

Turn Bio is a pre-clinical-stage company focused on repairing tissue at the cellular level and developing transformative drug delivery systems. The company’s proprietary mRNA-based ERA™ technology restores optimal gene expression by combatting the effects of aging in the epigenome. This restores cells’ ability to prevent or treat disease and heal or regenerate tissue. It will help to fight incurable chronic diseases. Its eTurna™ Delivery Platform uses unique formulations to precisely deliver cargo to specific organs, tissues, and cell types.

The company is completing pre-clinical research on tailored therapies targeting indications in dermatology and immunology, and developing therapies for ophthalmology, osteo-arthritis, and the muscular system. For more information, see www.turn.bio.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Jim Martinez, rightstorygroup
[email protected]or (312) 543-9026

SOURCE Turn Biotechnologies

TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 24, 2023 — Irys Insurtech, Inc., a pioneering insurtech startup, has closed a seed funding round of $3.5 million, marking its entrance into the market dominated by stagnant legacy agency management systems. The funding round was led by Markd, known for its keen interest in groundbreaking insurtech innovations. This investment heralds a new era where traditional insurance distribution processes are challenged and redefined.

Irys, established in 2021, is an open API software platform with a mission to break down the barriers erected by large legacy competitors. Their cutting-edge platform utilizes machine learning (ML) and generative artificial intelligence (AI) to aid insurance brokers by providing critical information exactly when it’s needed.

“Parker Beauchamp, our lead investor, shares our vision of breaking free from outdated, restrictive insurance practices,” says Margeaux Giles, CEO of Irys. “We’ve assembled a group of intelligent, motivated, and unorthodox insurance entrepreneurs. We’re not just shaking the tree; we’re uprooting it.”

This seed round will fuel the scaling of the platform and implementation team, thereby providing the industry a much-needed escape route from the confines of traditional systems. Irys, with its revolutionary spirit and no-nonsense approach, is ready to demonstrate what the future of insurance distribution can and should look like.

Markd’s Beauchamp asserts, “In my distribution experience, there was never a bigger drag on growth, profitability, innovation, and customer happiness than an agency management system. I have no issue with legacy claims of those to be the original insurtechs. They certainly act like it.”

“In Margeaux and her team, we knew we had finally found someone who has been a successful insurance agency account and operations manager, and they created and will continually innovate an AMS other professionals like she all dream of having.”

With this successful funding round which included follow-on investment from prominent insurtech firms Brokertech Ventures, Revtech Labs, Cofounders Capital and Mtech Capital, Irys is geared up to bring a refreshing, innovative approach to an industry in desperate need of change.

About Irys Insurtech, Inc.
Irys Insurtech, Inc. is a Tampa-based fintech SaaS company that brings innovative, AI-driven solutions to the insurance industry. Irys is an open APi cloud based management system. By offering a unified workspace that simplifies workflows and ensures data precision, Irys drives significant ROI, enabling companies to organically grow their books and amplify client satisfaction.

About Markd
Markd is a venture capital company focused on funding and partnering with transformative insurtechs. It pays homage to the insurance industry’s legacy while helping design its future. Markd’s mission is to power substantial work and continually inspire more ideas to prevent hurt and loss.

SOURCE Irys Insurtech, Inc.

Financing lead by Particle Future

SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 24, 2023 — FranklinWH Energy Storage Inc. (“FranklinWH”), a leader in whole-home energy management, today announced that it secured $25 million in Series B funding. The financing round was led by Particle Future to propel FranklinWH’s growth and solidify its position as an innovative leader in delivering whole-home energy freedom for every household in the United States and Puerto Rico.

The funding comes as the U.S. is in the middle of an energy transformation. More than 70% of the U.S. electricity grid is more than 25 years old and vulnerable to disruption. The U.S. Department of Energy announced that two thirds of the country is at risk of a power outage in summer 2023 alone. Today’s changing and complicated energy landscape must support bi-directional energy flow and a variety of renewable energy sources. These developments and other factors, such as infrastructure investments via the Inflation Reduction Act, are paving the way for the ‘age of the battery.’

The funding will support FranklinWH’s mission to create a seamless living experience by integrating diverse energy sources with home battery technology. FranklinWH envisions a world where energy independence is within everyone’s reach, regardless of geographical or socio-economic status. Funding will allow the company to focus on solving the challenge of energy storage and management, which has been a limiting factor in the broader adoption of renewable energy. FranklinWH plans to allocate the invested funds to expand its R&D capabilities, optimize supply chain and scale up its company operations and sales network.

“The best days of renewable energy are ahead of us,” said Gary Lam, Co-Founder of FranklinWH. “Battery storage systems are positioned to expand in the energy market because they are strong alternatives to the vulnerable, outdated and expensive energy grid. This funding from Particle Future will help FranklinWH advance home battery technology and make renewable energy options more accessible.”

Founded in 2019, FranklinWH is originally funded by Sequoia Capital and committed to bringing homeowners energy independence. Its team is well experienced in energy systems and designed the Franklin Home Power (FHP) solution, a whole-home energy management system with AC-coupled storage. After just over one year on the American market, FranklinWH has onboarded over 1,000 installation companies through its FranklinWH Certified Installer program. FranklinWH is AVL listed with multiple financial institutions, and its tier one lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cell access allows it to bring homeowners, installers and distributors the highest-value of battery products.

FHP is FranklinWH’s marquee offering to homeowners providing flexibility and energy independence to homes. FHP’s powerful, integrated home energy management system consists of the aPower battery — offering the highest LFP AC capacity on the market — and the aGate, an intelligent power control system that creates maximum home comfort. The solution is pre-assembled for fast and easy installation. 

“Solar panels had their day in the sun over the past few years, but homeowners are becoming interested in pairing solar with other energy efficient technologies to balance a home’s energy supply,” said Vincent Ambrose, Chief Commercial Officer at FranklinWH. “Our Franklin Home Power system is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure and a mix of energy sources, including traditional generators and renewable energy technologies. This provides a smooth, pragmatic transition that minimizes disruption in households adopting renewable energy.”

For more information about FranklinWH, please visit the website.

About FranklinWH

FranklinWH Energy Storage is the manufacturer of the Franklin Home Power system. FranklinWH is a research-driven company focused on next-generation residential energy management and storage solutions. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, FranklinWH’s team has decades of experience in energy systems, from design, through manufacturing, to sales and installation. FranklinWH is also on the Approve Vendor’s List with multiple financial institutions. Learn more about how homeowners can achieve energy independence at franklinwh.com.

Media Contacts:
[email protected]

SOURCE FranklinWH Energy Storage Inc.

Bennin Brings 12 Years of Impact Investing Experience and Passion for Education to His Role as Director

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24, 2023 — Building Hope, the non-profit leader in charter school facilities, financing, and services, today announced the appointment of education impact investor and strategist Andre Bennin to its Board of Directors. Building Hope’s Board now includes 11 directors.

“It is my pleasure, on behalf of Building Hope’s entire Board of Directors, to welcome Andre Bennin to our growing organization,” said Sheila Ryan-Macie, chair of the board of directors. “Andre has committed his career to moving the needle in education, particularly for underserved populations. His breadth and depth of experience in impact investing are invaluable additions as we create new ways for organizations to participate in the public charter school growth effort.”

Bennin currently serves as managing partner of Rethink Education, a leading impact venture capital firm focused on education, where he actively shapes the portfolio, positioning, and thesis. Previously, he held positions at Juvo Ventures and Strada Education Network, working as investment lead on several direct minority, control, and fund investments, and helped spearhead the creation of Indiana’s Next Level Fund while working in the Office of the Governor of Indiana.

“Education has been an extremely important part of my life, as my mother pushed the importance of education to my brother and me from a very young age,” said Bennin, who was born in Côte d’Ivoire before immigrating to the United States. “I have seen firsthand the doors that education opens and how education is a tool for economic mobility. It is in my ethos, and a huge part of who I am, to pay back the opportunities I have had by paying it forward and creating educational opportunities for others.”

Bennin earned both a bachelor of science degree in molecular biology and a juris doctorate from Brigham Young University. He has been recognized by Savoy Magazine as one of the Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America. Over the course of his career, Bennin has served on the boards of Authess, Cell-Ed, BridgeEdu, and Roadtrip Nation, and he has been an advisory board member of Kenzie Academy and GSV Ventures. He currently serves on the boards of Pathstream, a Rethink Education portfolio company, and Believe Circle City High School, a public college and career preparatory high school in Indianapolis.

About Building Hope

Building Hope is a national non-profit that empowers advancements in education through our work with charter schools providing unparalleled facility financing, real estate development, and operational services. We believe a facility should never be the barrier preventing a child from attending a great school. During our 20-year history, Building Hope has invested more than $482 million in high-impact charter schools serving nearly 200,000 children.   
For more information, visit www.buildinghope.org.  

Media Contact
ShinePR for Building Hope and Charter Support Unit
[email protected]
[email protected] 

SOURCE Building Hope

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 24, 2023 — ExcepGen, a genetic medicine startup, emerged from stealth after the successful completion of its newest funding round. The most recent $4 million round, which brings the company’s total seed funding to $14 million, was led by RA Capital Management and backed by Gravity Fund, Apollo Projects (Sam Altman), and other premier investors.

ExcepGen has been quietly advancing its groundbreaking technology to make nucleic acid therapeutics much more powerful. It works by encoding a specialized “shield” protein alongside the main nucleic acid cargo, which improves how cells react to the foreign DNA or RNA and prevents negative cell signaling. By this mechanism, ExcepGen’s technology could massively expand the reach of both DNA-based and RNA-based genetic medicines by enhancing their effectiveness and tolerability.

“We are excited to support the potential of ExcepGen’s novel platform to enhance nucleic acid therapeutics across a broad range of indications”, said Cosmas Giallourakis, Venture Partner at RA Capital Management.

“Our mission at ExcepGen is to unlock nucleic acid medicines,” said Thomas Folliard, CEO and co-founder at ExcepGen. “This funding validates our aim to make RNA and DNA-based drugs a cornerstone of therapeutics. We are excited to use this new funding to prove out the value of our technology in different therapeutic spaces.”

“We couldn’t be more excited about supporting the ExcepGen team. Engineering cellular response to mRNA vaccines and therapeutics represents a significant leap forward in the development of mRNA technology and, we believe, ultimately allows mRNA technology to reach its full potential. It’s easy to get excited about ExcepGen from a technology and investment standpoint, but we’re most excited about what this technology potentially means in terms of patient outcomes.” said Seth DeGroot, a partner at Gravity Fund.

The newly secured funding will play a pivotal role in accelerating ExcepGen’s research and development efforts, as well as advancing its collaborations with other companies.

For media inquiries and more information, please contact:
[email protected]

About ExcepGen:

ExcepGen is an early-stage biotechnology company at the forefront of the nucleic acid therapeutics revolution. Leveraging its proprietary platform, the company aims to expand the boundaries for RNA and DNA-based therapies and open the door to entirely new classes of genetic medicines. ExcepGen was co-founded by Barbara Mertins and Thomas Folliard and is based in San Francisco.

SOURCE ExcepGen Inc