Weekly Tech Pulse
AI roleplay startup Yoodli raises $40M, Gradial raises $35M, BBVA Spark grants $36 million financing to Clara & more!
US & International Startup & Tech News
AI roleplay startup Yoodli raises $40M, reports 900% revenue growth
Seattle-based Yoodli secured $40 million in Series B funding led by WestBridge Capital to expand its AI communication coaching platform.
The startup, which helps users practice real-world conversations like sales pitches and job interviews through AI-powered roleplay, reported 900% year-over-year revenue growth.
The company plans to use the funding to enhance its AI coaching capabilities and expand its enterprise offerings, bringing total funding to nearly $60 million since its 2021 launch.
Source: Geek Wire
SV Angel Is Going Solo With A $45 Million Venture Fund
Former SV Angel managing partner Beth Turner launched Valkyrie, her solo $45 million venture fund focused on AI applications, infrastructure, and critical industries like nuclear energy.
The fund closed in just five weeks with backing from notable investors including Ron Conway, Jack Dorsey, and Marc Andreessen.
Turner, who helped invest in over 40 unicorns including ElevenLabs and Flock Safety during her time at SV Angel, plans to invest in around 80 companies over the next two years with her signature fast-moving, high-conviction approach.
Source: Forbes
Seattle startup Gradial raises $35M to boost agentic tools that automate enterprise marketing
Gradial, a Seattle-based AI marketing automation startup, raised $35 million in Series B funding led by VMG Partners to scale its agentic AI platform.
The company’s AI agents automate complex enterprise marketing workflows including content creation, quality assurance, and campaign operations for clients like T-Mobile and AWS.
Founded in 2023, Gradial has reached a $350 million valuation and plans to expand its team across engineering and product development to meet growing enterprise demand.
Source: Geek Wire
LATAM Startup & Tech News
Nu will double its investment in Mexico, targeting $2.5 billion in 5 years
Brazilian digital bank Nu announced plans to invest $2.5 billion in Mexico over the next five years, doubling its previous investment as it transitions to operating as a full bank.
CEO Armando Herrera stated the funds will support continued growth, expand credit offerings, and develop new products and services for the company’s 13.1 million Mexican customers.
The investment underscores Nu’s commitment to financial inclusion, as 60% of Mexico’s population still lacks access to digital financial services.
Source: El Ceo
BBVA Spark grants $36 million financing to Clara
BBVA Spark provided $36 million in structured financing to Clara, a leading corporate spend management platform in Latin America.
The funds will help Clara scale its payment products in Colombia, where the company has doubled its payment volume year-over-year, and support the implementation of TravelPay, its new vertical payment solution for corporate travel.
Clara serves major companies across the region including Rappi, Grupo Nutresa, and Juan Valdez, positioning itself as the fastest-growing corporate card in Colombia.
Source: BBVA Spark
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