Company to expand its higher education footprint and enhance platform capabilities

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Dec. 10, 2025 — BoodleBox, the leading platform for collaborative AI in higher education, today announced the completion of its $5 million seed round co-led by Dogwood Ventures and Osage Venture Partners. Additional investors include JFFVentures, ECMC Group, Hivers and Strivers, Service Provider Capital, the UVU Wolverine Fund, and City Light Capital.

BoodleBox provides students, faculty, and institutions with unified access to multiple premium AI models, such as GPT-5.1, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, LLAMA, and more, through a single, secure interface designed for responsible collaboration between multiple users. The platform’s proprietary token-reduction technology cuts AI operating costs and environmental impact by up to 96% while maintaining enterprise-grade security and FERPA compliance. Since launching in Q4 2024, BoodleBox has been adopted by educators, students, and professionals at over 1,200 higher education institutions and more than 100 workforce teams. More than 80 institutions have selected BoodleBox’s AI infrastructure, enabling equitable access to AI for over 70,000 faculty, staff, and students.

“This investment marks an important milestone in our mission to make responsible AI accessible, affordable, and impactful for all learners,” said France Hoang, CEO and Founder of BoodleBox. “By enabling seamless collaboration between students, faculty, and multiple AI models, we’re helping institutions not only prepare learners for the AI-driven workforce, but also ensure they carry these skills and assets with them well beyond graduation.”

The company’s approach addresses a critical skills gap. While 66 percent of employers now require AI capabilities, only 24 percent of low-income students have access to AI tools. By offering affordable, secure, and equitable AI access, BoodleBox ensures that every student, regardless of background, has the opportunity to gain fluency in technologies that will define the future of work.

“BoodleBox is uniquely positioned to bridge the AI skills gap in higher education,” said Aaron Hurst, Founding Managing Partner, Dogwood Ventures. “With its focus on affordability, security, and educational impact, the company is creating the infrastructure that colleges and universities need to teach responsible AI at scale.”

Investor confidence reflects BoodleBox’s rapid traction and distinctive product advantages. The platform not only aggregates leading AI models in one place but also offers custom bot-building, AI collaboration across teams, AI coaching, and unique data portability, allowing graduates to take their AI-assisted work into their careers.

“As investors focused on advancing equitable workforce solutions, we see BoodleBox as a vital tool for ensuring that all students—not just the most privileged—can build AI fluency,” said Sabari Raja, Managing Partner at JFFVentures. “By lowering cost barriers, expanding access, and enabling data portability, BoodleBox aligns with our mission to equip underserved learners with the skills and opportunities they need to thrive in an AI-transformed economy.”

“We are excited to partner with BoodleBox! As students, we know firsthand that Generative AI is the technology that will define our generation. We’ve been looking for a solution that’s not just a tool, but a safe, secure, collaborative, and educational platform helping students get the AI skills they need, with pricing tailored to schools’ budgets,” said Matt Biggins, Student Managing Director on behalf of the Wolverine Fund. “That’s exactly what BoodleBox is. This partnership is personal because we’re investing in a product that we, as students, need and want. We’re proud to support their mission to make higher education and AI skills more accessible to the future engineers, doctors, politicians, and professionals of all kinds.”

With the additional funding, BoodleBox plans to expand its higher education footprint, enhance platform capabilities, and support adoption in new sectors where AI collaboration can drive value, such as corporate training, public sector organizations, and specialized industries. 

BoodleBox will also relocate its principal headquarters to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where the company can benefit from the state’s business-friendly environment, access to emerging tech talent, and lower operational costs while maintaining its ability to serve educational institutions and workforce organizations nationwide.

About BoodleBox
BoodleBox is the leading collaborative platform for higher education, enabling lifelong learning and work with AI. Through BoodleBox, students and faculty can prepare for class, teach and learn responsible AI, and assess assignments effectively. With a secure, FERPA-compliant interface, BoodleBox provides affordable access to multiple top AI models, custom bot-building and assignment tools, AI coaching, and unique data portability features that allow learners to retain their work beyond graduation. For more information, visit https://boodlebox.ai.

Media Contact

Mickayla Williams, Interdependence
(760) 716-3654
[email protected] 

SOURCE BoodleBox

SYRACUSE, N.Y., Dec. 10, 2025 — Abhishek Chopra, Founder and CEO of BQP (formerly BosonQ Psi), has been awarded ‘Venture Deal of the Year’ at the 2025 Upstate Capital Awards Night, recognizing the company’s strategic funding round and contributions to establishing Syracuse as a quantum innovation hub.

The Upstate Capital Awards honor leaders and transactions driving innovation and impact across New York’s venture capital, private equity, and M&A ecosystem. This year’s ceremony celebrated individuals and companies shaping the region’s investment landscape and economic growth.

BQP’s recognition highlights momentum in building quantum infrastructure that bridges today’s computational needs with tomorrow’s quantum-native applications. The Syracuse-based startup works with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Department of Defense, IBM, and Intel to accelerate computational fluid dynamics, digital twin workflows, and optimization for aerospace, defense, and semiconductor applications.

“We are really grateful for this recognition and what it represents for our team in Syracuse and across Upstate New York,” said Abhishek Chopra, Founder and CEO of BQP.

“Being recognized alongside leaders driving impact across the region validates our team’s work and Syracuse’s emergence as a quantum technology hub. It feels like a shared win for everyone helping grow a quantum tech community here. We look forward to what 2026 has in store for BQP.”

BQP‘s platform enables organizations to run quantum simulations that deliver significant performance improvements on classical hardware while maintaining compatibility with future quantum systems. In July, BQP led an oversubscribed $5M oversubscribed seed round. The round was led by Monta Vista Capital, with participation from Empire State Development’s New York Ventures, New York State’s venture capital arm, Arc Ventures, Armory Square Ventures, Emergent Ventures, Alumni Ventures, Arka Venture Labs, Transpose Platform, Gainangels, and Pranatech Venture Capital. The round also saw participation from key angel investors and existing investors, including Paradigm Shift Capital and Griffiss Institute, as part of the Mojave Aerospace Accelerator Fund.

The company recently demonstrated a hybrid quantum-classical workflow with Classiq and NVIDIA, showcasing how quantum-compatible methods integrate into existing HPC pipelines used across aerospace and defense. BQP’s work with AFRL and defense partners positions the Upstate New York corridor as a strategic center for quantum innovation. BQP‘s growth has been supported by NY Ventures/Empire State Development, reinforcing New York State’s commitment to advancing quantum technology and attracting top-tier talent to the region.

The awards ceremony will take place at the 2025 Holiday Party & Awards Night, bringing together investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders from across New York’s venture capital, private equity, and M&A communities.

About BQP (formerly BosonQ Psi)

BQP (formerly BosonQ Psi) is a quantum-first simulation company building the next generation of digital twin platforms for mission-critical applications. Headquartered in Syracuse, NY, with a technology hub in Bangalore, India, BQP supports faster, more efficient engineering decisions across aerospace, defense, semiconductors, and energy.

Its core platform, BQPhy, integrates into existing engineering workflows and runs on today’s infrastructure – no quantum hardware required. By combining probabilistic algorithms from quantum information science with proprietary solvers, BQPhy enables breakthroughs in optimization, machine learning, and physics-based (CFD) simulations.

BQP works closely with leading partners, including the Department of Defense, Air Force Research Laboratory, IBM, Intel, Moog, and IAI North America.

For more information, visit www.BQPsim.com

Media Contact:
Ludington Media on behalf of BQP
[email protected] 
(551) 795-5950

SOURCE BQP

Leading defense tech company strengthens position as the largest AUV manufacturer in the US with record-breaking funding round

PORTSMOUTH, R.I., Dec. 10, 2025 — Vatn Systems, a defense technology company building autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for the US military, allied nations, and commercial customers, today announced it has raised $60 million in Series A funding, bringing total funding to $76.5M. The round was led by BVVC, with participation from new investors such as Hanwha, Geodesic Capital, Airbus Ventures, Dauntless Ventures, Trousdale Ventures, and Veteran Ventures Capital. Major existing investors also participated in the round, including DYNE Ventures, Propeller Ventures, Decisive Point Ventures, SAIC Ventures, Centre Street Partners, Cubit Capital, and Lockheed Martin Ventures.

“Vatn Systems is on a mission to become the next underwater defense prime in a world where autonomous systems dominate the naval battlespace,” said Nelson Mills, co-founder and CEO of Vatn Systems. “Demand for affordable, scalable autonomous systems in undersea environments is accelerating rapidly. This funding strengthens our position as the leader in deployable AUV technology and enables us to expand our team, accelerate R&D, and scale manufacturing to capture this growing demand and win critical contracts both domestically and internationally.”

“Vatn Systems has built a significant competitive moat in the AUV market through their advanced navigation technology, modular platform, and scalable manufacturing approach,” said Joe Musselman, Managing Partner at BVVC. “Rarely have we seen a company execute with this speed and precision to achieve these growth rates in just two years. Their ability to deliver affordable, multi-mission systems at scale addresses a critical capability gap, and we’re proud to lead what we believe is the largest funding round in the AUV space.”

The Series A announcement follows significant momentum for Vatn Systems, including the company’s first international contract win in Singapore. The company continues to deepen partnerships with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps while expanding its global customer base.

About Vatn Systems
Vatn Systems is a leading defense technology company building autonomous underwater vehicles that can be deployed at scale for the US military and allies. Founded in 2023 by a team of maritime experts and military leaders, Vatn Systems is on a mission to be the next underwater defense prime in a world where autonomous systems dominate the naval battlespace. Vatn’s flagship products include the Skelmir S6 compact modular underwater effector and the Skelmir S12, a 12.75-inch diameter platform that merges the capabilities of a traditional AUV with the agility and performance of a lightweight torpedo, designed to attrit threats, deploy sensors and decoys, and support electronic warfare missions at scale. Both vehicles are powered by INStinct, Vatn’s proprietary inertial navigation system that delivers precise, GPS-free navigation in harsh maritime environments at a fraction of the cost of traditional systems. For more information, visit www.vatnsystems.com and follow the company on LinkedIn.

Media Contact:
[email protected]

SOURCE Vatn Systems

MIAMI, Dec. 10, 2025 — Origis Energy, one of America’s leading renewable energy platforms, today announced financial close for the Swift Air Solar II and Swift Air Solar III projects in Ector County, Texas. The two projects have a combined nameplate capacity of 313 MWdc. The $290 million senior secured debt facilities include construction debt, term debt and a tax credit bridge loan from Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking (Natixis CIB) and Santander Corporate & Investment Banking (Santander).

Natixis CIB and Santander acted as coordinating lead arrangers and bookrunners, hedging banks, and LC issuers, with Natixis CIB serving as green loan coordinator and administrative agent for the $290 million debt financing package.

Swift Air Solar II and III will start commercial production in the fourth quarter of 2025. The projects will sell energy and renewable energy credits with Houston-based Occidental Power (Oxy) and its subsidiary, OLCV Stratos Development for Swift Air Solar II under two 15-year Power Purchase Agreements, to provide zero-emission solar power for the Direct Air Capture (DAC) facility, STRATOS, currently under construction in the Permian Basin. Earlier this year, Origis started commercial operation of the 184 MWdc Swift Air Solar I project, which is also contracted with Oxy.

Origis is the builder, owner, and operator of Swift Air Solar II and III. The two projects are the first phase of a larger, 600 MW complex in Ector County, in West Texas, with three additional projects expected to provide Full Notice to Proceed before the end of the year.

“We’re excited to have achieved this successful financing milestone for the Swift Air Solar projects. These projects further demonstrate Origis Energy’s ability to scale efficiently and mark another step toward bringing over 3 GW of long-term contracted assets into commercial operation by the end of 2026,” said Alice Heathcote, Chief Financial Officer, Origis Energy. “A big thank you to Natixis CIB and Santander for their ongoing partnership on both these transactions and beyond.”

The Swift Air Solar II and III financing represents the first project financing jointly led for Origis by Natixis CIB and Santander. The parties had previously worked together on the Origis $750 million construction warehouse facility in August 2023 and an upsize of the Origis $750 million development facility in March 2023.

“Natixis CIB is pleased to have supported Origis in the financing of the Swift Air II and III projects, alongside Santander. Origis, along with Antin, is an important client to Natixis CIB, and we look forward to continuing our long, collaborative and successful relationship in future transactions,” said Nasir Khan, Head of Real Assets & Global Trade Americas, Natixis CIB.

“Santander is proud to support Origis in financing Swift Air II and III, together with Natixis. Our longstanding relationship with Origis and Antin reflects our shared commitment to accelerating the energy transition, and we are pleased to further their continued growth,” said Andrew Platt, Head of Energy Structured Finance & Advisory US, Santander Corporate & Investment Banking.

Latham & Watkins represented Origis Energy in the transaction, together with Reed Smith as local counsel, while Milbank represented the lenders with support from Husch Blackwell as local counsel.

About Origis Energy

Origis Energy is accelerating the transition to a carbon-free future by Reimagining Zero℠. As one of America’s leading renewable energy and decarbonization solution platforms, the company continues to expand and reimagine its contribution to the world’s net-zero goals. Origis Energy puts customers first to deploy a wide range of sustainable solutions for grid power generation, performance optimization, and long-term operation of solar and energy storage plants across the U.S. Learn more at www.origisenergy.com.

SOURCE Origis Energy

MONTREAL, Dec. 10, 2025 – INLAN, a Montreal-based technology company pioneering next-generation battery-less IoT tags and AI-ready data infrastructure, is proud to announce it has raised US$ 5 million in series A funding led by strategic investor Saas Fee Limited, with strong participation from California-based VC investor Shea Ventures, as well as contributions from Montreal-based TandemLaunch and several strategic individual investors.

This new investment will enable INLAN to transition its breakthrough hardware into large-scale deployment and to expand the software and data backbone required to support massive IoT adoption across industrial and supply chain markets.

“AI is poised to fundamentally transform supply chain management, but only if the underlying data is granular, real-time, multidimensional, and reliable,” said Ali Shajii, CEO and Co-Founder of INLAN. “That level of data simply doesn’t exist today at scale, because the sensing technologies needed to capture it are either too limited or too expensive. INLAN was built to change that. With this funding, we can bring truly scalable, AI-ready data to the supply chain world and unlock the next generation of intelligent operations.” 

“We’ve spent the past two years developing a new class of battery-less tag that combines the affordability of RFID with the performance of active IoT devices,” said Mohammad Hajikhani, Co-Founder and CPO. “This funding marks an important milestone for INLAN and gives us the momentum we need to scale our technology into real-world supply chain environments. We’re excited to take the next steps toward making item-level intelligence accessible at truly massive scale.”

INLAN is creating a world where every item in the supply chain can continuously report where it is, how it’s doing, and what it needs, without the cost or complexity of today’s sensor technologies. By removing the trade-off between affordability and performance, INLAN makes it possible for businesses to access real-time, item-level intelligence at a scale that was previously out of reach. This means clearer visibility across operations, more reliable data for automation, and the ability to respond to issues the moment they arise.

INLAN was incubated at TandemLaunch, a Montreal-based deep-tech start-up foundry and seed fund. Emilie Boutros, Managing Partner added, “The support from a group of strategic and highly experienced international investors reflects our growing confidence in INLAN’s technology and its potential to transform large-scale data collection in industrial IoT and supply chain management. We welcome the opportunity to continue supporting INLAN’s journey.”

INLAN was advised by Pantek Securities, LLC, and Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP on the transaction. 

About INLAN

INLAN is a Canadian deep-tech company enabling real-time, item-level data at massive scale for modern supply chains and industrial IoT. By combining breakthrough tag chip technology with AI-ready data infrastructure, INLAN makes continuous, reliable, and granular operational insights accessible to businesses everywhere.

SOURCE INLAN

NESS ZIONA, Israel, Dec. 10, 2025 — VisIC Technologies Ltd., a pioneer in Gallium Nitride (GaN) power semiconductors for electric mobility, today announced the successful second closing of its Round B funding, securing $26 million. The round was led by a global semiconductor leader, with HKMC joining as a strategic investor. This milestone reinforces VisIC’s position at the forefront of GaN innovation for EV traction inverters and strengthens its role in enabling next-generation electric mobility.

The lead investor’s focus on advancing critical semiconductor technologies complements VisIC’s proprietary D³GaN™ platform, designed to deliver unmatched efficiency, scalability, and reliability for automotive drivetrains. HKMC’s participation underscores its commitment to integrating GaN technology into mass-production EV platforms.

The global EV market is experiencing rapid growth, with automakers racing to improve driving range, reduce costs, and meet stricter sustainability targets. A critical bottleneck lies in the efficiency and scalability of power electronics, particularly traction inverters, which directly impact vehicle performance and energy consumption.

Problem Statement
Traditional silicon-based solutions struggle to deliver the efficiency and power density required for next-generation EV platforms, especially at higher voltages. While SiC (Silicon Carbide) devices offer improved performance, their high cost and complex manufacturing limit widespread adoption. VisIC’s GaN-based D³GaN™ technology addresses these limitations by enabling smaller, lighter, and more efficient inverters—unlocking new possibilities for both 400V and 800V architectures.

Use of Funds
The new capital will accelerate VisIC’s roadmap, including:

• Optimization, qualification, and release of Gen3 750V GaN dice and power modules.
• Development of Gen4 1350V GaN technology, supporting the full spectrum of EV designs.
• Stabilization of the supply chain and ramp-up of GaN product delivery for EV traction inverters.
• Expansion into emerging 800V data center power requirements, leveraging the same advanced GaN platform.

Executive Quotes
Tamara Baksht, CEO of VisIC Technologies:
“This investment marks a major milestone for VisIC and the global EV industry. Our D³GaN technology is redefining power electronics for electric vehicles, and the support of our strategic partners accelerates our mission to deliver high-efficiency, scalable solutions for the next generation of mobility.”

 Hyundai Motor Company and Kia:
“Hyundai Motor Company and Kia are committed to advancing sustainable mobility. Partnering with VisIC enables us to integrate cutting-edge GaN power technologies into our EV platforms, enhancing efficiency, reliability, and performance as we shape the future of electric transportation.”

Contact:

Dieter Liesabeths
[email protected]

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1134462/VisIC_Technologies_Logo.jpg

Mission-aligned investors back platform enabling personalized, cross-brand cooking experiences

DUBLIN, Dec. 10, 2025 — Fresco, the platform powering smart cooking experiences for the world’s leading appliance brands, today announced the closing of its Series C funding round of €15 million, backed by a group of investors committed to reshaping the future of food, home cooking, and connectivity. The round includes new investment from Samuel Dennigan (Strong Roots), Barry Napier (Cubic³), and Tyler Hu (Arda), alongside follow-on participation from existing investors Middleby, ACT Venture Capital, AE Ventures, Morpheus Ventures, and Alsop Louie Partners.

The global smart kitchen appliances market is projected to reach approximately USD 60 billion by 2030; however, most appliance brands still lack a way to deliver personalized cooking experiences at scale, a gap that Fresco solves.

The funding will accelerate the evolution of its AI Cooking Companion, a personalized, appliance-aware sous chef that suggests recipes, guides home cooks in real time, and intelligently controls and syncs appliances so meals turn out perfectly, whether through screens, voice, or seamlessly across both. The investment will enable Fresco to scale this experience globally through partnerships with the biggest appliance brands.

The round follows a wave of industry adoption, including new OEM partnerships with E.G.O. and Arda, who manufacture appliances and components for hundreds of global brands. By integrating at this layer, Fresco has the potential to be distributed across every appliance built by these OEMs, enabling onboarding in days rather than months and rapidly extending the reach of Fresco’s cross-brand platform, KitchenOS, and the AI Cooking Companion.

“Almost every part of daily life has been transformed by technology except the kitchen, where the opportunity to help people is arguably the biggest,” said Ben Harris, CEO and co-founder of Fresco. “Fresco already connects all the pieces, positioning us to make AI genuinely useful in the kitchen, personalizing every cooking experience to make it effortless to cook a delicious, healthy meal. And as more partners join the ecosystem, the experience gets better and smarter for everyone.”

Fresco already powers cooking experiences across appliances from global brands, including Panasonic, Instant Pot Brands, Viking, Kenwood, and more, enabling home cooks to enjoy intuitive, guided cooking that works with the devices they own. With this next phase of growth, Fresco is evolving from powering connected appliances to driving intelligent, personalized cooking at scale. 

“As someone who has spent years helping people make better everyday food choices, Fresco feels like the next step. Not just changing what we eat, but how we cook, using technology to make it easier, more personal and more sustainable,” said Samuel Dennigan, who scaled Strong Roots into one of Europe’s leading consumer food brands.

“Fresco is delivering the scale and simplicity this industry has been waiting for-making intelligence in the kitchen invisible, effortless, and deeply personal. It’s the only ecosystem capable of harmonizing hardware, connectivity, and AI to truly transform how we cook,” said Barry Napier, CEO of Cubic³, who led the company through its global automotive connectivity expansion and acquisition.

About Fresco

Fresco is the smart kitchen platform trusted by the world’s leading appliance brands to launch faster, deliver better customer experiences, and accelerate digital transformation. Powered by KitchenOS and the Fresco AI Cooking Companion, the platform connects any appliance across any brand and supports rapid onboarding, global scalability, and 15+ languages. Fresco works with partners including Panasonic, Middleby, Kenwood, Instant Pot Brands, Bosch, GE Appliances, LG, and more, and operates globally from offices in Dublin and Madrid. To learn more, visit frescocooks.com.

SOURCE Fresco

SHANGHAI, Dec. 9, 2025 — D3 Bio, a global clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of innovative oncology therapeutics, announced the completion of a $108 million Series B financing round.

The funding round was backed by a distinguished group of investors, including IDG Capital and SongQing Capital. Existing investors — WuXi AppTec’s Corporate Venture Fund, Temasek, HSG, MPCi, and Medicxi — also contributed to the round. The robust involvement from both new and current investors highlights widespread confidence in D3 Bio’s innovative pipeline and its global development strategy.

Proceeds from this financing will primarily support the planned global Phase III pivotal program for the company’s lead asset, elisrasib (D3S-001). These pivotal trials will assess elisrasib as both a monotherapy and in combination therapies for KRAS G12C-mutant cancers across key countries and regions, including the United States, China, and the European Union, to facilitate global regulatory submissions.

Furthermore, the funding will facilitate ongoing development of D3 Bio’s comprehensive pipeline of targeted and immuno-oncology programs, which are centred on innovative mechanisms with first-in-class or best-in-class potential.

Dr. George Chen, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of D3 Bio, stated, “The completion of our Series B financing demonstrates the strong confidence our investors place in our vision, scientific approach, business operations, and global development capabilities. This funding enables us to advance our lead program into late-stage clinical trials and further expand our pipeline of innovative therapies designed to benefit patients globally.”

Dr. Antoine Yver, Member of the Board of Directors and Scientific Committee of D3 Bio, stated, “This financing demonstrates that the swift and effective pursuit of the best- or first-in-class science is meaningful to society, and validates D3 Bio’s leading innovation, scientific vision and development strategy. It also highlights the unique potential of elisrasib for individuals affected by KRAS G12C-mutant cancers.”

About D3 Bio
D3 Bio is a global biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development, and registration of new medicines in oncology and immunology. The company’s discovery and development platforms leverage proprietary clinical insight and biomarker strategies to create novel and clinically meaningful therapies for patients in need. D3 Bio’s oncology programs target driver mutations or critical immune pathways and are designed to have first-in-class or best-in-class potential. D3 Bio owns global rights for all of its programs.

For more information, please visit www.d3bio.com. 

SOURCE D3 Bio, Inc.

Grant to expand program in Atlanta and strengthen Indianapolis programming

ALEXANDRIA, Va. and INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 9, 2025 — CHC: Creating Healthier Communities (CHC) today announced an additional $700,000 in funding from Elevance Health Foundation to expand the reach of its Better Births Initiative (BBI)—a nationally recognized program improving maternal health outcomes and reducing the high rates of preterm births in under-resourced communities.

Many women face a higher risk of preterm birth and complications during pregnancy. In fact, one out of every 2,000 Black women die during childbirth, a rate roughly 2.7 times higher than the national average. By partnering with community-based organizations, the BBI program improves access to reproductive health care, addresses social drivers of health, and strengthens support systems for expectant mothers.

Proven Impact on Maternal Health
Since launching in 2022, BBI has delivered measurable improvements in maternal health outcomes:

• Program participants carried pregnancies to full term at a rate of 91.2%, compared to 85.3% nationally for the program’s target population – an improvement of approximately six percentage points.
• The average delivery occurred at 38.5 weeks, with nearly all preterm births occurring in the moderate-to-late preterm range.
• Participants experienced a 70% reduction in anxiety symptoms from intake to program completion.
• The program has connected more than 360 mothers with trained doulas and comprehensive prenatal support.

“For nearly 70 years, CHC has partnered with thousands of organizations to improve health and well-being in communities across the country,” said Demetrius Geiger, Program Manager, CHC: Creating Healthier Communities. “We are grateful to Elevance Health Foundation for their continued commitment to this work and the leadership of our partners. We are strengthening a maternal health ecosystem that delivers meaningful, lasting results for families and sets a new standard for coordinated care.”

Expanding Community-Based Maternal Care in Atlanta
Building on this success, CHC will expand BBI services to reach up to 300 more pregnant women in Atlanta through an integrated doula and community health worker coordinated care model, providing both birth-related and social support services. CHC will also expand its core evaluation measures to include elective and emergent delivery outcomes, hospital readmissions, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions, vital measures that reveal risks, highlight opportunities, and drive life-saving improvements in maternal care. Expanded eligibility requirements will ensure that more expectant mothers receive timely, comprehensive care.

Scaling Innovative Solutions in Indianapolis
In Indianapolis, CHC’s Community Leadership Action Board (CoLAB) has united cross-sector partners, doulas, and community voices to identify urgent gaps in maternal care. With renewed backing from the Elevance Health Foundation, this collaboration has produced actionable solutions, including strengthening referral systems, building workforce capacity, and now driving the next phase of maternal health innovation in the city.

Through the CoLAB, CHC is advancing a systems-level maternal health model. Partnerships will strengthen and align referral systems, embed social determinants of health into maternal supports, and expand the capacity of local community-based organizations. This collaborative approach ensures that 180 pregnant women receive seamless access to essential services spanning from housing, food, transportation, and behavioral health, and childcare, while creating a foundation for lasting improvements in maternal outcomes, helping ensure women and their babies achieve optimal health and well-being.

“Elevance Health Foundation is committed to addressing the root causes of maternal health disparities,” said Shantanu Agrawal, MD, Chief Health Officer of Elevance Health. “Our continued partnership with CHC reflects our belief in community-led innovation, solutions that elevate doulas, strengthen referral networks, and set a new benchmark for maternal health nationwide.”

Since 2015, the Elevance Foundation has invested in maternal health programs ranging from prenatal care to mental health support. By funding programs like CHC’s Better Births Initiative, Elevance Health Foundation drives meaningful, measurable change in communities, supporting innovative solutions and empowering organizations to tackle critical health challenges.

About CHC: Creating Healthier Communities
For nearly 70 years, CHC: Creating Healthier Communities has united nonprofits, businesses, and communities to drive scalable impact that improves lives and strengthens communities. With a network of 5,000+ partners nationwide, CHC addresses the barriers to health so every person, no matter their zip code, can live their healthiest life. Join us at chcimpact.org or follow us on social media @chcimpact

About Elevance Health Foundation
Elevance Health Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Elevance Health Inc. The Foundation works to improve the health of the socially vulnerable through partnerships and programs in our communities with an emphasis on maternal-infant health; behavioral health; and food as medicine. Through its key areas of focus, the Foundation also strategically aligns with Elevance Health’s focus on community health and becoming a lifetime, trusted health partner that is fueled by its purpose to improve the health of humanity. To learn more about Elevance Health Foundation, please visit or follow us @ElevanceFND on X and Elevance Health Foundation on Facebook.

SOURCE Creating Healthier Communities