Startups and Advocates Keep a Hopeful Eye on Bidenโ€™s Pick to Run the US Patent Office

Sam Blake

Sam primarily covers entertainment and media for dot.LA. Previously he was Marjorie Deane Fellow at The Economist, where he wrote for the business and finance sections of the print edition. He has also worked at the XPRIZE Foundation, U.S. Government Accountability Office, KCRW, and MLB Advanced Media (now Disney Streaming Services). He holds an MBA from UCLA Anderson, an MPP from UCLA Luskin and a BA in History from University of Michigan. Email him at samblake@dot.LA and find him on Twitter @hisamblake

Startups and Advocates Keep a Hopeful Eye on Bidenโ€™s Pick to Run the US Patent Office

After seven years trying to make it as an entrepreneur, Josh Malone's dreams and savings were running dry. With a growing family, urgency was mounting for his return to the safety and stability of corporate life. Desperate for a final crack, he asked his wife for patience and built one last prototype โ€“ a patented device that could quickly fill and tie multiple water balloons at once, which he called "Bunch O Balloons" โ€“ and started a Kickstarter campaign.

Malone raised nearly $1 million from 21,000 backers, and was invited on the national TV circuit, including a feature on the "Today Show."

"That's when it blew up," he recalled.


Malone struck a big deal with Zuru, a Los Angeles-based toy company, to exclusively license his patent, and his invention soon lined retail shelves across the country.

But he quickly learned that his patent, which was supposed to grant him legal recourse to prevent others from exploiting his invention for 20 years, hadn't deterred copycats, and that his ability to stop them wasn't as ironclad as he'd expected.

Patents can be the lifeblood of a startup and their immediate future will be shaped by the next head of the U.S. Patent and Trade Office (USPTO), which receives over 600,000 patent applications a year and sets the tone for how the executive branch enforces patent rights. Once small-time players like Google and Intel used patents to shoot ahead in their industries, along with many other founders who've leveraged patents to help raise money and protect investors. If the company fails, they may be able to sell the patents off to others.

Over the last 15 or so years, however, a combination of court decisions, regulatory changes and new legislation has weakened U.S. patent protection, leaving smaller patent owners few ways to prevent others from exploiting their inventions, according to USC law professor Jonathan Barnett.

Since 2006, the trend "has tended to favor the interests of larger firms and firms that use system or platform business models, like Google or Facebook, and disfavor entrepreneurs and firms that focus on innovation but don't necessarily convert those innovations into products for end-users, like Qualcomm, UCLA or BioNTech," said Barnett.

Startups often have a tougher time taking on established companies when patent rights are weakened, Barnett found after examining 116 years of U.S. patent and antitrust history for his latest book.

Patents can help startups raise money and attract partners and open doors to new markets. Established companies, on the other hand, can more easily self-finance commercialization of their innovations, said Bridget Smith, an L.A.-based patent lawyer who recently filed a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court arguing for stronger patent rights. Weaker patent rights often help incumbents fend off new competitors trying to grab a toehold in their market, she said.

As the Biden administration takes office, Smith, Malone and others concerned with how the government wields its patent policies are watching closely to see who will become the new leader of the USPTO.

"There are big debates about who the patent system benefits," said Barnett. Opponents to patent protection argue that patents slow innovation or increase prices, he said, but "empirical data is either uncertain or, in some cases, refutes these claims."

While changes under the outgoing USPTO director have slowly started to tilt the scales back toward stronger patent protection, Barnett said, "it will be interesting to see if the new administration reverts to the policies under the Obama administration, which was more patent-skeptical."

Who Will Be the Next USPTO Director?

It is too early to tell who Biden will pick to lead the USPTO. He has not publicly indicated who his choice will be, and the people he has surrounded himself with so far don't provide many clues about which way his appointee could lean.

Gina Raimundo is a former venture capitalist and current governor of Rhode Island.

On one hand, Gina Raimundo, a former venture capitalist and current governor of Rhode Island, is awaiting Senate confirmation to lead the Commerce Department, under which the USPTO falls. Based on her past career, she is "familiar" with IP and startups, said former USPTO Director David Kappos, suggesting that Raimundo may lean toward an inventor- and startup-friendly patent regime.

There are also indications, however, that Biden could take a harder line on patent-protection. He appointed UC Santa Clara law professor and former Obama IP-advisor Colleen Chien to his transition team, for instance. Chien has previously opposed the STRONGER Patents Act, legislation carried by Delaware Senator Chris Coons (D), who is now chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Intellectual Property.

Traditionally, the appointment and confirmation of the USPTO director occurs after the secretary of commerce is confirmed. Should Raimundo's appointment go forward, Kappos said the new USPTO director appointee could enter the extensive vetting process by April and assume the position a few months later. At that point, the director will start to implement the direction that the Biden administration wants to take U.S. patent rights.

The Patent-Protection Pendulum

One key issue that the new director will have to weigh in on, and which has had a big influence on the recent push toward weaker patent protection, is how to subdue "patent trolls" โ€” entities that accumulate patents with the sole purpose of suing companies for infringement. In many of those cases, companies settle out-of-court to avoid prolonged and expensive legal battles.

Ten years ago, in response to what he and others saw as "rampant abuse of the system" by patent trolls, Kappos oversaw the establishment of a new entity at the USPTO empowered to retrospectively invalidate patents. The Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) was hailed by proponents as an efficient and easy process to clean up the patent system, but critics say it went too far.

Particularly under Kappos' successor, former Google executive Michelle Lee, the PTAB "became a killing field for patents," said Brian Pomper, executive director of the Innovation Alliance, a pro-patent trade group that represents companies including Qualcomm and Dolby Labs.

Pomper said a recent series of rulings by the Supreme Court โ€” motivated in part by a fear of patent trolls โ€” has injected an unwelcome uncertainty over what is and isn't eligible for a patent, a sentiment echoed by multiple sources and shared by numerous current and formerย judges, appointees and legislators.

Smith and Pomper said the upshot of this uncertainty is weaker patent-rights and lower patent values.

Some politicians have taken note. Senator Coons, for example, has said that "U.S. patent law discourages innovation in some of the most critical areas of technology, including artificial intelligence, medical diagnostics and personalized medicine."

Of Balloons and Slingshots

Much of the support for the weakening of patent-protection has been backed by big tech lobbying at the expense of smaller, would-be competitors, according to critics like intellectual property lawyer Robert Taylor.

"In the matchup between David and Goliath, Goliath didn't need a slingshot; he only had to take David's away from him," said Taylor. "That's what large tech companies are doing with respect to small companies' patents."

It was against this backdrop that Malone's patent litigation battle unfolded.

Not long after Bunch O Balloons had arrived on retail shelves nationwide, TeleBrands โ€“ a large firm that invented the "As Seen On TV" method of selling products through pitchmen like Billy Mays โ€“ began selling a knock-off product.

From 2015 to 2019, Zuru, the L.A.-based company that had licensed Bunch O Balloons, pumped almost $100,000 a week into litigation and attorney and expert fees to sue TeleBrands, ultimately spending "$20 million in legal costs fighting over a stupid water balloon intellectual property," Malone said.

Ultimately, they prevailed. TeleBrands and several retailers were ordered to pay Malone and Zuru $31 million for infringing on their patent. They were also forced to permanently stop selling the knock-off product. Bunch O Balloons has now done nearly half a billion dollars in total sales.

Malone, who has since gone on to work as a full-time volunteer for patent-protection advocacy group US Inventor, says he is a rare exception. If not for his deep-pocketed backer, he said, he would have been another victim of an intellectual property system that he sees as rigged against the little guy.

"The average patent trial is about $450,000," said Smith. "That's nothing to FAANG companies, but that could eat up a startup's entire funding."

Adding more certainty over patent-eligibility and mitigating the power of the PTAB to invalidate patents are steps that the outgoing USPTO director, Andrei Iancu, took to strengthen patent protection. These decisions, Smith said, helped provide confidence to investors and lawyers working on contingency that it's worth putting up the fight against infringers.

Such changes were never codified into law, however, and the next director could take a new approach.

"There really is a chance to make a break (from weaker patent-protection), or do business as usual," Smith said.

Malone hopes for a course correction from what he and others view as an overreaction. "The problem with the efforts to stop the so-called patent troll is that they have thrown the baby out with the bathwater," he said.

The new USPTO director will inherit that legacy โ€“ and the power to decide what to do about it.

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Mars, Money, and Makeovers : LAโ€™s Big Week

๐Ÿ”ฆ Spotlight

Happy Friday, LA!

This week has been full of energy in LAโ€™s tech world, with some big moves that are hard to ignore. From a local company going public to bold partnerships and exciting projects, hereโ€™s a look at the stories driving conversations and shaping whatโ€™s happening right now.

ServiceTitan's IPO Ambitions

Image Source: ServiceTitan - Cofounders Ara Mahdessian & Vahe Kuzoyan

ServiceTitan, a Glendale-based software leader for tradespeople like plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians, is gearing up for a major step forward: its initial public offering. The company plans to offer 8.8 million shares priced between $52 and $57, targeting a valuation of up to $5.16 billion. Trading under the ticker โ€œTTANโ€ on the Nasdaq, ServiceTitanโ€™s IPO is backed by financial heavyweights Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. ServiceTitanโ€™s software simplifies essential tasks such as scheduling and payments for trades professionals, providing much-needed solutions in an industry frequently underserved by technology. The IPO reflects both the companyโ€™s rapid growth and a broader trend of integrating advanced tools into foundational industries.

SpaceX: Shooting for the Stars (and $350 Billion)

Image Source: SpaceX

SpaceX is on the verge of solidifying its place as the worldโ€™s most valuable startup, with insiders estimating a valuation of $350 billion, according to Forbes. Itโ€™s not just about rockets anymore; this company has its sights on global internet domination with Starlink and a future where Mars isnโ€™t just science fiction. Investors are clearly betting big on SpaceXโ€™s ability to pull off the impossibleโ€”time and time again. The companyโ€™s achievements not only redefine the limits of private enterprise but also establish SpaceX as a key player in reshaping humanityโ€™s relationship with space. For the LA tech scene, SpaceXโ€™s valuation is more than a number; itโ€™s a reminder of whatโ€™s possible when ambition meets execution. The question isnโ€™t โ€œwhatโ€™s next?โ€โ€”itโ€™s โ€œwhatโ€™s not?โ€

Anduril x OpenAI: The Future of AI Defense

Image Source: Anduril

In a move that underscores the rapid convergence of defense and cutting-edge AI, Costa Mesa-based Anduril Industries announced a partnership with OpenAI. This collaboration aims to bolster U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence while enhancing national security capabilities. Anduril, known for its autonomous defense technologies, is leveraging OpenAIโ€™s advanced AI systems to supercharge its offerings. The implications? Think faster decision-making and smarter tech on the battlefield. This partnership not only signals Andurilโ€™s commitment to innovation but also highlights the growing importance of AI in reshaping defense.

The Rose Bowl Legacy: Preserving an Icon

Image Source: VisitPasadena

The Rose Bowl, Pasadenaโ€™s iconic stadium and a symbol of Southern Californiaโ€™s rich history, is gearing up for an $80 million transformation as part of its "Lasting Legacy Campaign." This effort isnโ€™t just about preparing for the 2028 Olympicsโ€”itโ€™s about enhancing the fan experience while staying true to the venueโ€™s historic roots. From new field-level club seats to a cutting-edge videoboard, upgraded Wi-Fi, and even a refurbished marquee sign, this project balances nostalgia with modern innovation. The Rose Bowl has always been more than just a stadiumโ€”itโ€™s a cultural landmark that represents LAโ€™s ability to honor its past while embracing the future. If thereโ€™s a place that embodies where history meets progress, itโ€™s here.

2024 Wrapped: Your Year in Music

Image Source: Spotify

As the year winds down, music lovers are diving into Spotify Wrapped and Apple Music Replay 2024. These features donโ€™t just highlight our favorite tracks; they showcase how deeply music integrates into our daily lives and memories. For anyone in the tech or startup world, these features are a masterclass in how data-driven personalization can deepen user loyalty and turn casual interactions into powerful engagement.

Whether itโ€™s setting the stage for the next space frontier, advancing national security with AI, or revitalizing a cultural landmark, this weekโ€™s stories remind us that progress is as much about preserving what matters as it is about reaching for whatโ€™s next.


๐Ÿค Venture Deals

LA Companies

  • Nectir, an educational technology company that allows educators to design customized AI teaching assistants providing students with 24/7 personalized support, has raised a $4M Seed funding round led by Long Journey Ventures to develop new features and expand its team. - learn more
  • Talus Network, a blockchain platform merging AI and decentralized tech to create smart agents, has raised a $6M Strategic funding round led by Polychain Capital at a $150M valuation to advance its ecosystem, including Protochain, Nexus, and an AI dating app. - learn more
LA Venture Funds
  • Plus Capital participated in a $35M Series B funding round for Sage, a New York-based company specializing in senior living operations, to enhance its technology platform and expand its services across the U.S. and internationally - learn more
  • Supply Chain Capital led a $4.5M Seed funding round for Celleste Bio, a cocoa tech company specializing in cell-cultured cocoa production, to scale its manufacturing capabilities and accelerate sustainable cocoa innovation. - learn more
  • Village Global co-led a $5.75M Seed funding round for Across AI, a San Francisco-based startup developing AI-driven enterprise solutions, to accelerate product development and expand its team. - learn more
  • M13 led a $5.4M Seed funding round for Cat Labs, an Austin-based startup focused on combating crypto and AI-enabled crime, with the funds being used to develop tools and services that address digital asset security threats. - learn more
  • Chapter One Ventures participated in a $4M Seed funding round for Fiamma, a Singapore-based startup focused on decentralized finance infrastructure, with the funds being used to develop innovative tools for secure and efficient on-chain lending. - learn more
  • The Games Fund participated in a $3M funding round for Playgama, a gaming platform that simplifies the distribution and monetization of HTML5 games across various platforms; the investment will be used to enhance their Platform-as-a-Service ecosystem, including monetization, quality assurance, and management tools. - learn more
  • Fika Ventures led a $6M Seed funding round for StretchDollar, a Pittsburgh and San Francisco-based fintech startup that simplifies health benefits for small businesses through a self-service platform; the funds will be used to enhance their platform and expand their team. - learn more
  • OCV participated in a $27.6M funding round for OSSIO, a Woburn, Massachusetts-based medical device company specializing in bio-integrative orthopedic implants; the funds will accelerate commercial efforts, including new product development and establishing a manufacturing and training center in Florida. - learn more
  • Avalaunch participated in a $6.5M Seed funding round for Avant, a Palo Alto-based decentralized finance protocol that issues a "stable-value" token called avUSD, to scale its crypto yield products. - learn more
  • Rebel Fund participated in a $2.5M Seed funding round for Circleback, a San Francisco startup that uses AI to generate meeting notes and action items, integrating with platforms like HubSpot and Notion; the funding will support expansion and development. - learn more

LA Exits

  • Of Kos, formerly VMed, a healthcare marketing agency specializing in digital and creative solutions, has been acquired by ONAR, a global network of marketing agencies, as part of its expansion into the healthcare marketing sector. - learn more
  • Rhapsody Voices, a boutique podcast network representing leading content creators and offering tailored solutions for revenue growth through sponsorship representation, content creation, strategy, and marketing, has been acquired by Evergreen Podcasts. - learn more
  • TEDIVO, a Long Beach-based software provider specializing in container supply chain tools like BAPLIE Viewer Online, has been acquired by Lynxis to enhance its port orchestration products and improve cargo management efficiency. - learn more

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๐Ÿš€ Inversion Secures $44 Million to Pioneer On-Demand Delivery from Space

๐Ÿ”ฆ Spotlight

Happy Friday, LA!

This week, Southern California's thriving space tech scene celebrated another milestone as Inversion, an El Segundo-based startup, announced a $44 million Series A funding round. The investment, co-led by Spark Capital and Adjacent, with participation from Kindred Ventures, Lockheed Martin Ventures and Y Combinator, underscores the growing appetite for innovative solutions in aerospace, logistics, and beyond. To date, theyโ€™ve raised $54 million, including a $10 million seed round in 2021. In September, they also secured a $71 million STRATFI agreement with the Space Forceโ€™s SpaceWERX to develop reentry vehicles for military applications, funded through a mix of government and private investment.

Image Source: Inversion

Inversion is pioneering a new frontier: reusable vehicles capable of rapidly returning payloads from orbit to Earth. Their "Earth Return Capsules" are designed to deliver within as little as an hour, enabling everything from rapid-turnaround experiments in microgravity to the delivery of critical medical supplies across the globe.

Building on this vision, a key focus for Inversion, as noted by SpaceNews, is the development of Arc, a reentry vehicle designed to provide "precision delivery on-demand" from space to Earth. With its first flight planned for 2026, the company is using the Series A funding to move Arc through its full product cycle, including design and development. This funding will also support Inversion's growth from its current 25 employees to a team of around 70, as well as their move into a new facility. Co-founder and CEO Justin Fiaschetti emphasized that the funding is sufficient to bring Arc through its inaugural flight.

Adding to the excitement, Inversion recently achieved a critical regulatory milestone in October by receiving a re-entry license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This license is a pivotal step in their journey, allowing the company to safely and legally return payloads from orbit to Earth. It positions Inversion among a select group of companies capable of operating in this emerging sector and demonstrates their readiness to bring the concept of space-based logistics into reality.

This isnโ€™t just a win for Inversionโ€”itโ€™s a win for the Los Angeles aerospace ecosystem, which continues to attract top-tier talent and funding. With giants like SpaceX and Relativity Space already calling the region home, Inversion is further cementing LAโ€™s status as the nationโ€™s space tech hub.

As Southern California continues to lead the way in space innovation, Inversion is one to watch. Their vision for merging cutting-edge aerospace technology with real-world logistics solutions may not just change how we view spaceโ€”it might transform how we interact with it.

Stay tuned for more updates from LAโ€™s tech and startup scene. For now, keep your eyes on the skiesโ€”Inversion is bringing them closer to Earth.


๐Ÿค Venture Deals

LA Companies

  • Seen Health, a company enhancing healthcare for seniors, has raised a $22M Series A funding round led by 8VC to support the opening of its first center in California and drive the development of the companyโ€™s technology. - learn more
LA Venture Funds
  • Theory Forge Ventures participated in a $30M Seed funding round for San Francisco-based Wordware, a startup developing a full-stack operating system for AI development that enables users to create sophisticated AI agents using natural language; the funds will be used to expand their platform and accelerate growth. - learn more
  • Clocktower Ventures participated in the most recent funding round for OpenYield, a New York-based company revolutionizing bond trading with its automated, equity-like marketplace, bringing the company's total funding to $7M to date. - learn more
  • Bonfire Ventures led a $4.25M Seed funding round for KeySavvy, a Seattle-based platform that simplifies and secures private-party car transactions; the funds will be used to expand their operations and engineering team, support new partnerships, enhance platform automation, and launch a fast-financing product for buyers. - learn more
  • Aliment Capital led a $42M Series C funding round for OneRail, an Orlando-based company specializing in last-mile delivery logistics software; the funds will be used to enhance their platform's capabilities and expand market reach. - learn more
  • UP.Partners led a $7M second-extension Series A funding round for Teleo, a Palo Alto-based company specializing in autonomous construction equipment; the funds will be used to expand their product offerings and accelerate market adoption. - learn more
  • Alexandria Venture Investments participated in a $30M Seed funding round for Valora Therapeutics, a San Diego-based biotechnology company developing novel immunotherapies using their proprietary AbLec platform; the funds will be used to advance their research and development efforts, optimize the platform, and progress AbLec therapeutics toward clinical trials. - learn more
  • Progression Fund participated in a $1.5M Pre-Seed funding round for GetMyHome, a Redondo Beach-based real estate service provider that offers a full rebate of seller-paid agent commission fees, charging clients a flat fee for the services they need, and employs agents who receive flat-fee compensation to help clients secure their dream homes without the incentive to push for overbidding. - learn more
  • Hyperlink Ventures participated in a $33M Series B funding round for Selector, a Santa Clara-based company specializing in AI-driven solutions that provide comprehensive visibility and intelligence for complex networks, infrastructure, and applications; the funds will be used to accelerate the development of their AIOps, Large Language Model (LLM), and Digital Twin technologies, as well as to expand their global presence. - learn more
  • Bonfire Ventures and Impulsum Venture Colab participated in a $5.25M Seed funding round for CalmWave, a Seattle-based health-tech startup specializing in reducing non-actionable ICU alarms to alleviate clinician fatigue; the funds will be used to boost market growth and expand partnerships with GPO channels like Premier, Inc. and Partners Coop. - learn more
  • Wavemaker 360 participated in a $14.5M Seed funding round for Citizen Health, a San Mateo, CA-based company with an AI-powered consumer health platform designed to support individuals managing rare and complex conditions; the funds will be used to enhance their platform and advance research in rare disease drug development. - learn more
  • B Capital led a $25M Series A funding round for Synapticure, a Chicago-based virtual care company specializing in neurodegenerative diseases; the funds will be used to expand partnerships, invest in technology, accelerate clinical research, and scale their medical group to enhance care for patients and caregivers nationwide. - learn more
  • Amboy Street Ventures and Emmeline Ventures participated in a $16M Series A funding round for Alloy, a New York-based menopause care startup that offers personalized treatments, including hormone therapy and symptom management, through telemedicine consultations and home delivery of medications. - learn more
  • Morpheus Ventures participated in a $28M Series A funding round for Goodstack, a SaaS and fintech platform that helps businesses integrate charitable giving, and the funds will be used to expand services for corporates, build technology for nonprofits, and hire across the team in 2025. - learn more
  • Trousdale Ventures participated in a Series B funding round for Anello Photonics, a Santa Clara, CA-based company specializing in silicon photonic optical gyroscopes (SiPhOGโ„ข); the funds will be used to improve navigation and positioning in GPS-denied environments for industrial and defense uses. - learn more
  • Cultivate Next participated in a $30M Series B funding round for Plantible Foods, a San Diego-based biotechnology company that creates sustainable, plant-based protein ingredients, starting with Rubi Proteinโ„ข from the aquatic plant Lemna, will use its investment to expand manufacturing at its first commercial plant, "The Ranchito," a 100-acre facility in West Texas. - learn more
  • Bonfire Ventures led a $4M Seed funding round for Mithrl, a San Francisco-based company providing an AI-powered platform to accelerate scientific research; the funds will be used to expand their go-to-market team and further develop the platform. - learn more
  • Upfront Ventures led a $15M Seed funding round for BrightAI, a San Francisco-based company specializing in AI-powered sensor technology for real-time monitoring across various industries; the funds will be used to enhance their technology and meet growing customer demand. - learn more

      LA Exits

      • Brainjolt, a Pasadena-based digital media company that creates and curates engaging content across various platforms and reaches millions of users monthly, has been acquired by Centerfield. - learn more

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              Whatโ€™s New from Waymo ๐Ÿš—ย and Snapchat ๐Ÿ‘ป

              ๐Ÿ”ฆ Spotlight

              Happy Friday, LA!

              Image Source: Waymo

              In case youโ€™ve been cooped up indoors or havenโ€™t had a chance to leave the office this week, you might have missed the latest buzzโ€”Waymoโ€™s self-driving cars are now cruising all over LA! Thatโ€™s rightโ€”Waymo One, the autonomous ride-hailing service, has officially expanded citywide, now covering nearly 80 square miles of Los Angeles. After months of testing and a waitlist, Angelenos can now book rides 24/7 in areas stretching from Santa Monica to Hollywood to the USC neighborhood. Early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with passengers rating the service 4.7/5. Riders are praising the smooth, safe experienceโ€”making it a game-changer for getting around the city, whether itโ€™s for work, errands, or leisure.

              Image Source: Snap

              Meanwhile, Snapchat is stepping up its game with new features in its Family Center designed to boost family safety and connectivity. Parents can now request their teens' live location on Snap Map, stay informed about their location-sharing settings, and set travel notifications to get alerts when family members arrive or depart from key locations like home or school. These updates give families more control and peace of mind in managing their digital interactions.


              ๐Ÿค Venture Deals

              LA Companies

              • Camouflet, an AI-driven platform specializing in real-time pricing optimization, has raised a $3M Seed funding round from private investors to enhance its services. - learn more
              • Chaos Industries, a defense tech company specializing in advanced detection and monitoring systems, raised a $145M Series B funding round led by Accel to accelerate its development of critical national security technologies. - learn more
              • Radiant, a company specializing in advanced nuclear microreactors, raised a $100M Series C funding round led by DCVC. The funds will be used to complete the Kaleidos Development Unit and conduct testing at Idaho National Laboratory's DOME facility, aiming to bring factory-built microreactors to market. - learn more
              • Mundial Media, a company focused on contextual marketing for multicultural audiences, raised a $1.5M Pre-Seed extension round led by new and existing investors, with the funds aimed at advancing their Cadmus AI technology and expanding digital advertising offerings. - learn more

              LA Venture Funds
              • Joyful Ventures participated in a seed funding round for Meatly, a UK-based company specializing in lab-grown pet food, though the exact amount raised has not been disclosed. - learn more
              • B Capital participated in a $200M Series C funding round for Writer, a full-stack generative AI platform that helps enterprises deploy secure and reliable AI solutions to address critical business challenges. - learn more
              • LFX Venture Partners participated in a US$30M Series C2 funding round for UniUni, a company transforming last-mile delivery for e-commerce through technology, and plans to use the capital to improve its platform and rapidly grow its operations. - learn more
              • Composition Capital participated in a $20M Series B funding round for Arbolus, an expert insights platform that connects investors and consultants with subject matter experts, to support Arbolus's expansion into the U.S. market - learn more
              • Type One Ventures co-led a Series A funding round for Lunar Outpost, a company specializing in lunar surface mobility, commercial space robotics, and space resources; the funds will support their active programs. - learn more
              • Trousdale Ventures participated in a $29M funding round for Starfish Space, a Seattle-based satellite servicing company that will use the funds to develop and launch its Otter spacecraft, designed to extend the operational life of satellites in geostationary orbit. - learn more
              • Plus Capital participated in a $20M Series A funding round for OneSkin, a San Francisco-based biotech company specializing in skin health treatments, with the funds aimed at expanding research, developing new formulas, and growing its presence in the anti-aging skincare industry. The company will also invest in its team and explore new sales channels. - learn more
              • Starshot Capital participated in a $10.5M Series A funding round for Ecolectro, a New York City-based green hydrogen company, to support the development of its scalable electrolyzer technology and make green hydrogen more accessible. - learn more
              • Navitas Capital participated in a $37M Series B funding round for SwiftConnect, a company that provides connected access solutions for buildings and spaces, to expand its network, scale operations, and support new product initiatives. - learn more
              • Griffin Gaming Partners led a โ‚ฌ17M Seed funding round for BIT ODD, a Finnish gaming studio focused on creating mobile games that prioritize creativity and emotional depth over finance-driven metrics. - learn more
              • The K Fund participated in a $20M funding round for Homethrive, a caregiving solutions platform, and the funds will be used to help expand its AI-driven care navigation, improve personalized support, and enhance digital tools to increase engagement across various payer populations. - learn more

                    LA Exits

                    • Farm Dog, a Los Angeles-based company that provides a platform with tools to help agronomists streamline their workโ€”offering features for field scouting, document management, and data integration to enhance productivity in agricultureโ€”has been acquired by FarmQA. - learn more

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