Weekly Tech Pulse
From Martin Tobias Raising $10.5M for Early Stage B2B Software Fund To Rocket Lab Backer Outset Raising $25M to Fund New Zealand’s Deep Tech Moonshots.
US & International Startup & Tech News
Longtime Seattle Investor Martin Tobias Raises $10.5M for Early Stage B2B Software Fund
Martin Tobias, a seasoned Seattle-based investor, has secured $10.5 million for his firm Incisive Ventures to invest in early-stage B2B software startups. The fund aims to support approximately 30 companies, focusing on those that leverage AI to reduce operational friction. Tobias emphasizes the importance of distribution strategies over product features and has already invested in 16 startups, including Grw AI and Civic IQ. While primarily targeting U.S. startups, the fund is open to global investments.
Source: GeekWire
Climate Venture Firm Stepchange Raises $7M to Back Startups with Immediate Impact
Seattle-based Stepchange has closed its first fund, raising $7 million to invest in climate-focused startups across sectors like transportation, energy, and the built environment. The firm prioritizes software solutions that are cost-competitive and have immediate market demand, avoiding reliance on government incentives. With 13 startups already backed, Stepchange plans to make a total of 30 investments from this fund. Notable investors include Bain Capital Ventures and tech leaders from companies like Microsoft and Amazon.
Source: GeekWire
Humain Planning $10B VC Fund to Invest in US, European, and Asian Startups
Saudi Arabia's state-owned AI company, Humain, is set to launch a $10 billion venture fund named Humain Ventures, targeting investments in startups across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. The firm is in discussions with major U.S. tech entities, including Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI, and plans to expand its data center capacity significantly by 2030. Humain aims to process 7% of global AI training and inference workloads, with the overall project expected to cost around $77 billion.
Source: TechCrunch
Contract Management Software Company Icertis Lands $50M
Icertis, a contract management software provider based in Bellevue, Washington, has raised $50 million from existing investor B Capital. The funds will be used to pay down existing debt. Founded in 2009, Icertis has raised over $500 million to date and reported more than $300 million in annual recurring revenue in 2024. The company continues to develop AI-related products and competes with firms like DocuSign and Ironclad.
Source: GeekWire
Rocket Lab Backer Outset Raises $25M to Fund New Zealand’s Deep Tech Moonshots
Outset Ventures, an Auckland-based venture firm known for backing Rocket Lab, has closed its second fund at approximately $25 million USD to invest in deep tech startups. The fund focuses on hard science and engineering projects, particularly in energy generation and storage. Notable investments include OpenStar, a nuclear fusion startup, and EnergyBank, which is developing long-duration energy storage solutions for offshore wind farms.
Source: TechCrunch
LATAM Startup & Tech News
ClearLeaf Closes $3.5 Million Financing Round to Bring Sustainable Agriculture to Latin America
ClearLeaf, a company focused on sustainable agriculture, has closed a $3.5 million financing round. The funds will support the development and distribution of eco-friendly agricultural products in Latin America. ClearLeaf's mission is to promote sustainable farming practices and reduce the environmental impact of agriculture in the region.
Source: OpenPR
Tala Grows 80% in Q1 2025
Tala, a financial technology company, reported an 80% growth in the first quarter of 2025. The company attributes this surge to increased demand for its credit services in emerging markets. Tala continues to expand its offerings to meet the financial needs of underserved populations.
Source: Yahoo News
Accel Leads $23M Round in OpenFX
OpenFX, a cross-border payment platform, has secured $23 million in a funding round led by Accel. The investment will be used to enhance the company's technology infrastructure and expand its global reach. OpenFX aims to simplify international transactions for businesses by providing efficient and cost-effective solutions.
Source: Entrepreneur
Poliglota Closes New Funding Round and Strengthens Its Use of AI
Poliglota, a language learning platform, has secured new funding to enhance its services in Mexico and the U.S. The company plans to leverage artificial intelligence to personalize learning experiences and improve user engagement. This strategic move aims to solidify Poliglota's position in the competitive language education market.
Source: Portal Innova
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