US & International Startup & Tech News
Carbitex, makers of carbon fiber materials for footwear, raises $3.3M
Carbitex, a Kennewick-based maker of flexible carbon fiber composites for footwear and luggage, recently raised $3.3 million in a funding round led by Michael Marks of Celestea Capital. Known as an "ingredient brand," Carbitex partners with brands like Altra, Tumi, and Porsche Design, integrating its materials into products for sports and travel. After a restructuring and leadership changes, the company is projecting fivefold revenue growth in 2025.
DeepRoute raises $100M in push to beat Tesla’s FSD in China
Shenzhen-based DeepRoute.ai has raised $100 million from Great Wall Motor to accelerate the deployment of its driver assistance technology in China, aiming to equip around 200,000 vehicles by the end of 2025. Originally focused on Level 4 robotaxis, DeepRoute has shifted to Level 2+ and Level 3 systems, requiring driver oversight but enhancing driving assistance. The funds will support development of end-to-end AI models and expand partnerships with automakers, especially as Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system prepares to enter China and Europe in 2025.
Mawari Raises $10.8 Million To Launch Tokenized Spatial Streaming Network
Mawari, a Tokyo-based innovator in decentralized content delivery, has raised $10.8 million to scale its network for streaming 3D spatial content in real-time without the need for traditional apps. By leveraging decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) and split rendering technology, Mawari enables high-quality immersive experiences for devices like Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3. Their upcoming node license sale will invite individuals and data centers to contribute computing power, helping Mawari scale its decentralized infrastructure and overcome the limitations of traditional cloud services for spatial computing.
Ulysses is using robots to restore seagrass populations
Ulysses Ecosystem Engineering has developed an autonomous robot to accelerate seagrass restoration, a crucial but declining marine plant that supports ecosystems and sequesters carbon. By planting seeds 100 times faster than human volunteers and at lower costs than other robots, Ulysses is poised to scale restoration efforts globally with partnerships and $2 million in recent funding. With future plans for coastal management and expanded applications, Ulysses aims to bring cutting-edge technology to ocean conservation.
Zillow Group revenue up 17% to $581M as rentals, mortgage units drive growth
Zillow Group exceeded third-quarter expectations, with $581 million in revenue and $127 million in adjusted earnings. Its rentals and mortgages segments saw strong growth, up 24% and 63% year-over-year, respectively, while residential revenue rose 12%. Despite a drop in share prices due to rising mortgage rates, Zillow's stock rebounded in after-hours trading, and Jeremy Wacksman was recently appointed CEO, succeeding co-founder Rich Barton.
LATAM Startup & Tech News
Oxpay raises $3.5M from SRM Ventures
Brazilian fintech Oxpay has raised $3.5 million from SRM Ventures to expand its client base and increase its transaction volume by 10 times by next year. The company, which offers a digital account with services like payment processing and credit solutions for transportation companies and drivers, plans to leverage SRM's financial backing and expertise to strengthen its platform. Oxpay aims to become the go-to bank for freight drivers across Brazil, with over 10,000 drivers and 36 carriers already on board.
MoradaUno wants to make it easier to rent apartments in Mexico
MoradaUno, a proptech company in Mexico, aims to address the challenges Latin American renters face by underwriting tenant risk for landlords, which allows more people to qualify for rentals without extensive deposits or guarantors. By working with real estate brokers, MoradaUno screens tenants, handles payments if tenants default, and provides services like legal and home insurance, easing landlords’ concerns. Recently raising $5.6 million in Series A funding, MoradaUno plans to expand across Mexico and develop additional fintech services to further support renters and brokers.
Patagon AI raises $1.1M to expand AI-powered sales in LATAM
Ecuadorian startup Patagon AI raised $1.1M, led by OneVC and 17Sigma, to expand its AI-powered sales agents that enhance lead qualification and conversion rates. Patagon AI enables companies to scale marketing efforts efficiently without additional human resources, optimizing budgets and boosting sales results. Operating in several Latin American countries, its clients include Autos OK, Alvarez Bravo, and Humana S.A.
Samu.ai raises capital of 300 thousand dollars with 500 Global
Samu.ai, an Argentinian startup, raised $300,000 from 500 Global to expand in Mexico and Colombia. The company’s virtual assistant analyzes sales interactions to provide data-driven insights, helping teams improve performance and streamline processes. By enhancing visibility into team activities and reducing administrative tasks, Samu.ai enables companies to optimize strategies and boost competitiveness across Latin America.
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