Momentum in Motion: IPOs, Partnerships, and Innovation

Momentum in Motion: IPOs, Partnerships, and Innovation

🔦 Spotlight

Happy Friday, Los Angeles!

Last week, we dove into some of the major moves shaping LA’s tech scene, from ServiceTitan’s IPO ambitions to Anduril’s AI advancements. This week, the story continues with new milestones and updates that reveal how quickly the landscape is evolving. Here’s what’s happening now:

ServiceTitan’s IPO: A Fintech Spark 

ServiceTitan’s initial public offering has proven to be a resounding success.The Glendale-based company priced its IPO at $71 per share, significantly above the anticipated range of $52 to $57. On its first trading day, shares opened at $101 and closed at $101.20, marking a 43% increase and valuing the company at nearly $9 billion. This impressive debut underscores ServiceTitan’s growing influence in the trades software space and signals a potential trend for other fintech leaders to watch closely. Read more about ServiceTitan's IPO success here.

Anduril Industries: Expanding the Horizon 

We recently covered Anduril’s groundbreaking partnership with OpenAI, emphasizing the growing role of AI in defense. This week, Anduril continues to make headlines with new developments and collaborations that underscore its commitment to reshaping national security and autonomous technology:

  • Partnership with Palantir: Anduril and Palantir are teaming up to accelerate AI capabilities in defense. Together, they aim to integrate Palantir’s advanced data analytics with Anduril’s autonomous systems, creating a platform capable of delivering actionable intelligence in real time. This partnership is expected to enhance battlefield decision-making, reduce operational risks, and maintain U.S. leadership in defense technologies. Read more about the partnership here.
  • Dive XL Autonomous Submarine: Anduril’s Dive XL submarine is setting new standards for maritime autonomy. This long-endurance unmanned vehicle can operate in harsh underwater environments for extended periods, providing capabilities for intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance. With its modular design, Dive XL supports a range of payloads, making it a versatile asset for maritime security. Learn more about Dive XL here.
  • Archer VTOL Aircraft Partnership: Anduril’s collaboration with Archer Aviation is pushing the boundaries of autonomous flight technology. This partnership leverages Archer’s expertise in vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft to complement Anduril’s advanced defense systems. By integrating Anduril’s cutting-edge AI capabilities with Archer’s innovative designs, the companies aim to create next-generation solutions for tactical military operations. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to innovation and positions both companies as leaders in reshaping the future of aerial defense. Details about the partnership are available here.

Writers Guild Challenges AI in Hollywood 

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) continues its efforts to address the growing influence of AI in entertainment. In recent negotiations, the Guild has pushed for clear boundaries on the use of generative AI in scriptwriting, emphasizing the need to protect writers’ rights and creative integrity. As the industry grapples with the implications of this technology, the WGA’s stance highlights an ongoing effort to balance innovation with fairness in Hollywood. Read more about the Guild’s actions here.

Our thoughts are with the residents of Malibu as they face wildfires fueled by Santa Ana winds, which have displaced many and disrupted communities, including Pepperdine University. For resources during emergencies, explore our guide to the top tech apps for natural disasters, highlighting tools to support preparation and safety.

From tech breakthroughs to creative industry challenges, the region’s innovation engine shows no signs of slowing. As 2024 approaches, one thing is clear: the momentum isn’t slowing down.


✨ Featured Event ✨

2024 PledgeLA Catalyst Awards

Image Source: Instagram: PledgeLA

Catalyst Awards to Honor Inspiring Entrepreneurs and Emerging Managers in Venture Capital, Catalysts Improving Access to Capital Across Los Angeles

PRINCIPALS AND HOSTS: The Annenberg Foundation and PledgeLA, the initiative launched in 2018 by the Annenberg Foundation and the City of Los Angeles to promote equity and increase access to capital for L.A.-based startups and investors from underrepresented backgrounds.

WHEN: Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. PST.

WHERE: Register to See Address Los Angeles, California

RSVP HERE

🤝 Venture Deals

    LA Venture Funds
      • Alpha Edison led a $27M Series A funding round, joined by Acre Venture Partners, ReMY, among others, for One Bio, a UC Davis spinoff based in California that is developing biotech solutions to bridge the dietary fiber gap, with plans to scale production and expand its product offerings. - learn more
      • Gideon Strategic Partners participated in a $110M Series C funding round for Capstan Medical, a Santa Cruz-based company developing robotics technology for heart disease treatment, with the funds aimed at advancing clinical trials and preparing for commercialization. - learn more
      • Riot Ventures led a $10.1M Seed funding round for Deterrence, a company developing automated solutions for energetics production, including explosives and propellants, with participation from Impatient Ventures and others, to scale its technology, improve manufacturing efficiency, and meet growing industry demands. - learn more
      • Chapter One Ventures participated in a $12M Series A funding round for Hyperbolic, a San Francisco-based AI company specializing in predictive analytics for supply chain optimization, with plans to use the funds to enhance its technology platform and expand its team. - learn more
      • Blue Bear Capital participated in a $35M Series C financing round for Raptor Maps, a Boston-based company that provides software solutions for solar asset management. The funds will be used to enhance their AI-driven platform, expand global operations, and support the growing needs of the renewable energy industry. - learn more
      • Behind Genius Ventures and Night Ventures, among others, participated in a $3M Pre-Seed funding round for Moldco, a Boston-based company providing digital, evidence-based care, treatments, and lab testing to help individuals reclaim their health from mold toxicity, with plans to use the funds to expand operations nationwide in 2025. - learn more,
      • Regeneration.VC co-led a €8M Series A funding round for Orbisk, a Netherlands-based company that develops AI-powered food waste monitoring systems for the hospitality industry, with plans to use the funds to expand internationally and enhance their technology platform - learn more
      • Mucker Capital participated in a $17M Series A funding round for Ask Sage, an Arlington, VA-based company offering a generative AI platform for government and commercial sectors, with plans to use the funds to expand its AI capabilities, drive growth, and increase its workforce. - learn more
      • Magnify Ventures participated in a $8M Series A funding round for MiSalud Health, digital health platform offering affordable, same-day bilingual telehealth consultations in Spanish and English to better serve Hispanic communities in the U.S. and Mexico. With a focus on improving access for Spanish-speaking individuals, the company aims to address the growing demand for culturally and linguistically appropriate healthcare solutions as the Hispanic population continues to expand rapidly in the U.S.. - learn more

        LA Exits

        • Elios Vision, a company specializing in innovative glaucoma treatment technologies, has been acquired by Bausch + Lomb to strengthen its portfolio in addressing the needs of glaucoma patients. The acquisition brings Elios Vision's cutting-edge solutions into Bausch + Lomb's comprehensive eye health offerings, expanding its capabilities to provide advanced care for this critical condition. - learn more
        • OceanX, a provider of subscription-focused fulfillment and logistics solutions, has been acquired by Cart.com to enhance its end-to-end e-commerce platform and expand its capabilities in subscription management and order fulfillment. - learn more

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          The $260M Robot Revolution Happening in Torrance

          🔦 Spotlight

          Hello Los Angeles,

          Forget rockets. This week, the loudest move in the defense tech scene came from a factory floor in Torrance, where Hadrian secured $260 million to fuel its robot-run revolution.

          The company, which builds AI-powered, robot-run factories for America’s aerospace and defense industries, announced the massive Series C raise, led by existing investors like Lux Capital and Founders Fund, along with a factory expansion loan facility arranged by Morgan Stanley. The funding will power Hadrian’s third factory (in Arizona), unlock full product manufacturing, and accelerate its mission to bring American manufacturing roaring back faster, smarter, and more automated than ever.

          And here’s what makes them fascinating: Hadrian isn’t just churning out parts. They’re reinventing what a factory is. Their facilities look more like giant humming circuit boards than the smokestacks of old, packed with robots, AI, and ambition to move at the speed of software.

          It’s the kind of vision you’d expect from a founder who speaks about reshoring U.S. manufacturing as if it were a moral obligation and then backs it up with billion-dollar contracts and steel-and-silicon proof.

          We’ll be watching closely to see what Hadrian assembles next. One thing’s certain: the robots are already working overtime, and if you’re smart (or a robot whisperer), you might want to join them.

          🤝 Venture Deals

          LA Companies

          • Boulevard, a SaaS startup that helps salons and self-care businesses manage scheduling and operations, has raised an $80M Series D led by JMI Equity at a valuation near $800M. The funding will fuel enhancements to its AI-powered scheduling tools and support continued product innovation and market expansion. - learn more
          • Rwazi has raised $12M in Series A funding to expand its AI-powered decision-making platform, which helps businesses replace gut-based decisions with real-time insights and simulations based on consumer behavior. The round was led by Bonfire Ventures and will support the growth of Rwazi’s simulation engine and data infrastructure to help companies make more precise, data-driven decisions across marketing, product, and operations. - learn more
          • Lexington Bakes, an artisan bakery known for its gluten-free, organic oat bars and luxury brownies, has raised $1M in a seed round. The investment was led by Rainfall Ventures. The funding will help the company transition to co-manufacturing, expand its retail reach from about 100 to a projected 1,000 doors in the next year, and scale up its team and operations. - learn more

          LA Venture Funds

          • TCG (The Chernin Group) participated in Substack’s latest $100M funding round, joining Andreessen Horowitz, and other investors. Their investment underscores confidence in Substack’s vision to grow its subscription publishing platform and expand its tools for independent writers and creators. - learn more
          • Acre Venture Partners participated in Zucca’s $5M funding round to help the Seattle startup scale its platform, which uses AI to design and develop plant-based food products faster and more efficiently. Their investment will support Zucca’s mission to create sustainable, health-focused foods and expand its operations. - learn more
          • Sound Ventures joined XMTP’s $80M Series B to back its vision of redefining how people communicate in the web3 world. With this funding, XMTP plans to scale its decentralized, privacy-focused messaging protocol, enabling secure, wallet-to-wallet conversations across the blockchain ecosystem. - learn more
          • Morpheus Ventures and Sage Venture Partners participated in Datavations’ $17M Series A funding round, with Morpheus joining as a new investor and Sage returning as an existing backer. Datavations, an AI-driven analytics platform for the building materials and home improvement industries, uses machine learning to deliver actionable insights on pricing, inventory, assortment, and supply chains. The funds will be used to grow the team, accelerate development of its Commerce Alert Hub, and expand its presence across North America. - learn more
          • Mucker Capital led the $3.3M seed round for Bidbus, an AI-powered consumer-to-dealer used car marketplace in the U.S. The platform enables car owners to auction their vehicles online and receive competing offers from dealers, while dealers gain access to high-quality inventory more efficiently. The funding will help Bidbus enhance its AI capabilities and expand into new markets. - learn more
          • Creative Artists Agency (CAA) participated as a strategic investor in Moonvalley’s $84M funding round, signaling strong industry confidence in the company’s development of a fully licensed, AI-powered video generation platform tailored for professional filmmakers and studios. CAA’s investment reinforces Moonvalley’s commitment to ethical AI practices and provides it with a direct pipeline to top-tier creative talent and entertainment partners. - learn more
          • MANTIS Venture Capital joined Zip Security’s $13.5M Series A funding round, backing the company's mission to deliver automated, AI-driven cybersecurity and compliance solutions. Their participation supports Zip’s efforts to expand its engineering team, build deeper platform integrations, and scale into regulated industry verticals like defense, finance, and healthcare. - learn more
          • Rebel Fund participated in Apolink’s oversubscribed $4.3M seed round, joining other notable backers such as Y Combinator and 468 Capital. By investing in this 19‑year‑old–led space tech startup, Rebel Fund is supporting Apolink’s mission to deliver continuous LEO satellite connectivity and facilitate its planned demo missions and constellation build‑out. - learn more

            LA Exits
            • Retina AI is to be acquired by Onar in a deal that will enhance Onar’s AI-powered customer analytics and personalization offerings. By integrating Retina’s predictive customer lifetime value technology, Onar aims to provide businesses with deeper insights into customer behavior and more precise targeting. The acquisition highlights Onar’s commitment to delivering data-driven solutions for optimizing customer relationships. - learn more
            • Nearsure, a U.S.-based tech services company with over 600 professionals across 18 Latin American countries, has been acquired by Nortal to bolster its AI and enterprise solutions in the Americas. Known for its AI-driven transformation, custom software, and partnerships with major platforms, Nearsure will merge into Nortal’s U.S. operations and rebrand later this year. The acquisition allows Nearsure to expand into U.S. and European markets while enhancing its AI, cybersecurity, and enterprise offerings. - learn more
            • InsideOut Sports & Entertainment, the event production company behind high‑profile sports events like The Pickleball Slam, Pro Padel League, and Major League Pickleball, has been acquired by GSE Worldwide, marking GSE’s first foray into live event production. Founded by tennis legend Jim Courier and Jon Venison, who will now serve as EVP and head of the new GSE Productions division, InsideOut’s team will integrate into GSE to help scale its live-event operations into new markets. - learn more

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              From Sunset Boulevard to Outer Space: LA’s Latest

              🔦 Spotlight

              Good Morning Beliebers and Los Angeles!

              While Justin Bieber’s new album dropped last night, here’s what else is making headlines in Los Angeles this week.

              Luma has opened its Dream Lab on Sunset Boulevard, boldly positioning itself at the forefront of AI-powered creativity. Known for transforming ordinary photos into cinematic 3D scenes, Luma is combining cutting-edge research with practical tools to build a playground for artists, engineers, and anyone ready to push the boundaries of visual storytelling. In their words: “From Hollywood blockbusters to the next generation of immersive media, this is where the magic happens.”

              Meanwhile, well beyond our skyline, SpaceX reportedly hit an eye-popping $400 billion valuation in a recent share sale, making it one of the most valuable private companies ever. The milestone reflects both investors’ fervor for the commercial space race and LA’s unrivaled role as the launchpad of aerospace innovation.

              LA continues to prove it can deliver on the ground, in the cloud, and far beyond the stars. See you next week.

              🤝 Venture Deals

              LA Companies

                 
              • Varda Space Industries, the El Segundo–based company manufacturing pharmaceuticals in microgravity, has raised $187M in a Series C round led by Natural Capital and Shrug Capital, bringing its total funding to approximately $329M. The funds will support an increased launch cadence of robotic drug-production capsules, expansion of its El Segundo lab for biologic drug crystallization, and broader efforts to scale commercial microgravity-driven drug formulation and hypersonic reentry testing. - learn more

              LA Venture Funds

              • Rebel Fund participated in Vellum’s $20M Series A round, which was led by Leaders Fund. The company helps businesses build and optimize LLM-powered applications. Vellum plans to grow its team and speed up product development with the new funding. - learn more
              • Bold Capital participated in a $31M Series B funding round for Aqtual, a Hayward, California based precision medicine startup developing a cutting edge cell free DNA (cfDNA) multiomics platform. The capital will help commercialize Aqtual’s flagship rheumatoid arthritis diagnostic, currently being tested in a 1,300 patient trial, and support expansion into other chronic and autoimmune diseases. - learn more
              • Strong Ventures invested in VERAMORE, a skincare brand focused on addressing early signs of aging in women. Since launching in March 2022, VERAMORE has grown over 300% annually, expanded to more than 16 products, and entered markets including Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan, Europe, and Korea. The funding will support its D2C growth, product-driven marketing, and planned global expansion starting with Japan in 2025 and the U.S. and Europe in 2026. - learn more
              • Mucker Capital joined a $3.7M seed funding round for Velvet Capital aimed at launching its DeFAI operating system and $VELVET governance token. Velvet’s vertically integrated DeFi toolkit combines AI-powered trading, portfolio management, APIs, and a native token to streamline on-chain investment for funds, DAOs, and individual traders. The funding will accelerate platform development, the rollout of its tokenomics, and broader adoption of its intent-based DeFi suite. - learn more
              • Btech Consortium Fund participated in a $8.5M Series A funding round for Castellum.AI, a New York based financial crime compliance platform that uses in‑house risk data, AI, and screening tools to help financial institutions manage AML/KYC compliance. The funds will be used to expand their team, enhance integrations with financial institutions, and accelerate adoption of their AI‑powered compliance solutions. - learn more
              • Bold Capital Partners joined the oversubscribed $45M Series A round for Centivax, a South San Francisco biotech company dedicated to developing a universal flu vaccine using a proprietary mRNA-based immune-engineering platform. Led by Future Ventures, the funding will help Centivax advance its lead candidate into Phase I clinical trials and expand its broader universal immunity pipeline targeting pathogens like RSV, HIV, and malaria. - learn more
              • Alpha Edison participated in Honor Education’s $38M Series A funding round for the San Francisco–based learning platform. Honor uses AI‑enhanced, mobile-first courses and credentialed programs to improve engagement and leadership development. The funding will be used to scale AI capabilities, personalize learning experiences, and expand the company’s operations and customer‑success teams to meet rising demand. - learn more
              • Wasserman Ventures participated in a $7M seed round for Fantasy Life, the fantasy sports platform founded by Matthew Berry. The funding will support the launch of Fantasy Life’s revamped platform, featuring new “Guillotine Leagues,” a modernized app experience, and enhanced content and tools to scale its audience and technology offerings. - learn more

              LA Exits
              • El Segundo based Kaye Capital Management, a fee only RIA with approximately $700M in assets under management and $300M in assets under advisement, was acquired by Modern Wealth Management, marking its 17th acquisition and pushing its total AUM over $8.5B. The deal strengthens Modern Wealth’s presence in California and adds Kaye’s institutional retirement plan expertise to its suite of financial and retirement solutions for clients. - learn more
              • NIRx Medical Technologies was acquired by Gilde Healthcare’s private equity fund and combined with Artinis Medical Systems to form a world-leading neuroimaging group. Both companies will retain their brands and locations while collaborating on R&D, product development, and global expansion of their functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) tools to advance research in mental health, neurodegenerative diseases, and stroke rehabilitation. - learn more
              • Emotive, a conversational SMS marketing platform, has been acquired by Privy to create a unified solution for e-commerce brands that combines email, SMS, pop-ups, and real-time customer conversations. The integrated platform will help over 10,000 merchants simplify their marketing, personalize customer interactions, and strengthen relationships with dedicated strategists and transparent pricing. - learn more

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              Tinder, Starlink, and Apple’s New Studio: This Week in LA

              🔦 Spotlight

              Happy Independence Day, Los Angeles! 🇺🇸

              While you're celebrating freedom, here are some electrifying updates lighting up LA’s tech, satellite, and music scenes:

              🔥 Tinder mandates Face Recognition in California

                Image Source: Tinder

              Tinder is now requiring all new users in California to complete a biometric face check, a brief video selfie processed via FaceTec, to verify profiles are genuine. The video is deleted post-verification, though an encrypted face map remains while the account is active. This West Hollywood based move could redefine trust, safety, and privacy in mainstream consumer apps.

              🌐 Starlink clears hurdle to launch in India

              Elon Musk’s SpaceX backed Starlink has cleared most regulatory and licensing hurdles with India’s Department of Telecommunications, marking a key step toward launching satellite broadband in one of the world’s fastest growing markets. Final approvals from the national space regulator are pending, and services, expected to deliver high speed connectivity to underserved regions, could launch in the coming months. This is a major milestone for Starlink’s global expansion.

              🎧 Apple Music opens Culver City creative hub

                Image Source: Apple

              Apple Music is celebrating its anniversary by launching a brand new 15,000 square foot, three story studio in Culver City. The facility, featuring a 4,000 square foot soundstage, spatial audio suites, podcast booths, and more, is designed by Eric Owen Moss and slated to open mid August. It solidifies LA’s reputation as a creative powerhouse and reaffirms Apple’s commitment to investing in and nurturing our city's cultural ecosystem.

              From dating apps to deep space to sound stages, LA isn’t just watching the future unfold, we’re building it.

              Here’s to independence, imagination, and everything this city dares to launch next. Happy Fourth, Los Angeles.

              🤝 Venture Deals

              LA Companies

              • Castelion has raised a $350M Series B round led by Lightspeed Venture Partners alongside Altimeter Capital to scale its hypersonic missile production capabilities. The El Segundo-based defense startup plans to use the funds to expand manufacturing, accelerate testing through its SpaceX-inspired rapid development model, and position itself as a cost-effective supplier of hypersonic weapons to the U.S. military and its allies. - learn more
              • Earth Sama, a Calabasas, California–based climate-tech platform that helps rural farming and Indigenous communities generate and manage carbon credits, secured investment from Omtse Ventures. The funding will support the rollout of Earth Sama’s blockchain-powered field app, climate-creator platform, and smart-contract tools to scale community-led carbon credit projects globally under the Paris Agreement’s Article 6.4 framework. - learn more

                        LA Venture Funds

                        • Plassa Capital participated in Metafide’s $3.275M funding round. Miami based Metafide, the creator of SURGE, a gamified trading platform that combines AI neural networks and human insight, will use the funds to scale and launch SURGE into the market. - learn more
                        • BOLD Capital Partners participated as a founding investor in Syntis Bio’s $33M Series A round, with an additional $5M in NIH grants. The Boston-based biotech is developing oral therapies for obesity and rare diseases, and the funding will help advance its SYNT platform, moving its lead obesity treatment, SYNT-101, into Phase 1 trials and supporting development of SYNT-202 for homocystinuria. - learn more
                        • BAM Ventures participated in Cred’s $15M seed round for its predictive intelligence startup. San Francisco based Cred uses AI to unify company data with real time market signals and deliver actionable insights for sales and operations. The funding, led by defy.vc, will be used to scale Cred’s platform, expand its customer base, and grow team and product capabilities. - learn more
                        • BOLD Capital Partners participated in Gallant’s $18M Series B round to advance its ready-to-use stem cell therapies for pets. The funding, led by Digitalis Ventures with additional support from NovaQuest Capital, will help Gallant bring its off-the-shelf regenerative treatments to market. - learn more
                        • Rebel Fund joined the seed round for Rocketable, contributing to the $6.5M raised to build a portfolio of fully automated SaaS companies. San Francisco-based Rocketable, backed by True Ventures and others, uses AI agents to operate acquired software products, and Rebel’s support will help scale both the platform and acquisitions. - learn more 
                                LA Exits
                                • Leasepath, a cloud-first provider of equipment lease and loan management software, has been acquired by Solifi to enhance its mid-market offerings. The deal allows Solifi to expand Leasepath’s Microsoft Dynamics-based platform into new global markets while keeping Leasepath’s team and leadership in place. - learn more

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