{"id":311368,"date":"2025-10-17T18:23:15","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T18:23:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/311368\/"},"modified":"2025-10-17T18:23:15","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T18:23:15","slug":"la-tech-week-final-days-cocos-bots-andurils-helmet-ai-impulses-moon-freight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/311368\/","title":{"rendered":"LA Tech Week: Final Days \u2022 Coco\u2019s bots, Anduril\u2019s helmet AI, Impulse\u2019s moon freight"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\ud83d\udd26 Spotlight<\/p>\n<p><strong>Happy Friday Los Angeles, <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Founders are closing out Tech Week, robots are getting a new research brain, space logistics are taking shape, and defense tech just moved mission command into a helmet.<\/p>\n<p>Anduril\u2019s EagleEye: mission command, heads up<\/p>\n<p class=\"shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image image-crop-3x2\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"8df24\" data-rm-shortcode-id=\"7bbbdeb6eac61e35f59f1ccf3cc22818\" data-rm-shortcode-name=\"rebelmouse-image\" class=\"rm-shortcode rm-lazyloadable-image \" lazy-loadable=\"true\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201200%20800'%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-runner-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1760725392_65_image.jpg\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" alt=\"\"\/> Image Source: Anduril<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.anduril.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Anduril<\/a> introduced <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anduril.com\/article\/anduril-s-eagleeye-puts-mission-command-and-ai-directly-into-the-warfighter-s-helmet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>EagleEye<\/strong><\/a>, a helmet mounted system that puts maps, comms, sensor fusion, and on device AI directly in a warfighter\u2019s line of sight, integrated with the Lattice stack. The goal is simple: less time looking down at a tablet and more decisions made at the edge.<\/p>\n<p>Impulse Space: a practical path to lunar deliveries<\/p>\n<p class=\"shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image image-crop-3x2\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"8f4ab\" data-rm-shortcode-id=\"a61273a7cd39742946288f99a461dc23\" data-rm-shortcode-name=\"rebelmouse-image\" class=\"rm-shortcode rm-lazyloadable-image \" lazy-loadable=\"true\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201200%20800'%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-runner-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1760725392_52_image.jpg\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" alt=\"\"\/> Image Source: Impulse Space<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.impulsespace.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Impulse<\/a> outlined a two piece ride to the Moon. Its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.impulsespace.com\/updates\/to-the-moon-and-beyond-how-impulse-can-deliver-more-mass-to-the-lunar-surface\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Helios<\/a> stage ferries an Impulse built lander to lunar orbit in about a week, the lander detaches, then descends to the surface without in-space refueling. The company says each mission could carry about three tons and that starting in 2028 it could run two missions per year for roughly six tons total, filling the gap between today\u2019s small CLPS deliveries and future heavy landers.<\/p>\n<p>Coco Robotics: new lab, new chief AI scientist<\/p>\n<p class=\"shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image image-crop-3x4\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"9de8f\" data-rm-shortcode-id=\"ae66d2c0638d693b54e10f77bf5ad5b3\" data-rm-shortcode-name=\"rebelmouse-image\" class=\"rm-shortcode rm-lazyloadable-image \" lazy-loadable=\"true\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201500%202000'%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-runner-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1760725395_553_image.png\" width=\"1500\" height=\"2000\" alt=\"\"\/> Image Source: Coco Robotics<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cocodelivery.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Coco<\/a> named <strong>UCLA\u2019s Bolei Zhou<\/strong> chief AI scientist and is <a href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2025\/10\/14\/coco-robotics-taps-ucla-professor-to-lead-new-physical-ai-research-lab\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">launching a physical AI research lab<\/a> to turn years of curbside driving data into faster, more autonomous sidewalk deliveries. Expect quicker iteration from data collection to local models on the bots.<\/p>\n<p>LA Tech Week: last three days<\/p>\n<p>We are down to the final few days of LA <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tech-week.com\/calendar\/la\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tech Week 2025<\/a>. If you are still slotting meetings or panels, use the rundowns to plan your route: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dot.la\/la-tech-week-2025-friday-2674181178.html\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Friday&#8217;s<\/strong> <strong>Event Lineup<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dot.la\/la-tech-week-2025-saturday-2674181199.html\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Saturday\u2019s Event Lineup<\/strong><\/a><strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dot.la\/la-tech-week-2025-sunday-2674181226.html\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Sunday\u2019s Event Lineup<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Scroll for the most recent LA venture deals, funds, and acquisitions.<\/p>\n<p>\ud83e\udd1d Venture Deals<\/p>\n<p><strong>LA Companies<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/secondnature.ai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Second Nature<\/a>, an AI role-play training platform for sales and service teams, raised $22M Series B led by Sienna VC with participation from Bright Pixel, StageOne Ventures, Cardumen, Signals VC, and Zoom (also a customer). The company will use the funding to expand operations and advance its platform, which generates AI-driven practice scenarios and feedback for enterprise clients like Oracle, Zoom, Adobe, Teleperformance, and Check Point. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/second-nature-secures-22m-series-b-to-future-proof-sales-and-service-teams-for-the-ai-era-302586229.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pelagepharma.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pelage Pharmaceuticals<\/a>, a Los Angeles\u2013based biotech developing regenerative treatments for hair loss, raised a $120M Series B co-led by ARCH Venture Partners and GV. Participants include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mainstreetadvisors.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Main Street Advisors<\/a>, alongside Visionary Ventures and YK Bioventures; proceeds advance PP405, a topical small molecule that reactivates dormant hair-follicle stem cells, toward Phase 3 in 2026 following positive Phase 2a data. <a href=\"https:\/\/pelagepharma.com\/press-releases\/pelage-pharmaceuticals-announces-120-million-series-b-financing-to-advance-regenerative-medicine-treatments-for-hair-loss\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.launchpad.build\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Launchpad<\/a>, an AI-first robotics company for factory automation, raised an $11M Series A to speed product development and meet demand across the U.S., U.K., and Europe. The round was co-led by Lavrock Ventures and Squadra Ventures, with participation from Ericsson Ventures, Lockheed Martin Ventures, Cox Exponential, and the Scottish National Investment Bank; it follows $2.5M in grant funding from Scottish Enterprise. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/launchpad-closes-series-a-to-power-its-ai-reimagining-of-the-manufacturing-sector-302584867.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mythicalgames.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Mythical Games<\/a> raised a Series D round, with a strategic investment from Eightco Holdings alongside ARK Invest and the World Foundation. The partnership focuses on human verification and digital identity in gaming, tapping Worldchain\/Worldcoin\u2019s Proof-of-Human infrastructure. The transaction is expected to close the week of October 20. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/eightco-holdings-inc-orbs-makes-strategic-investment-into-mythical-games-to-accelerate-human-verification-and-digital-identity-in-gaming-302581585.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.electricentertainment.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Electric Entertainment<\/a>, the L.A. studio behind \u201cLeverage,\u201d \u201cThe Librarians,\u201d and \u201cThe Ark,\u201d secured a $20M investment from Content Partners Capital. The funding follows CPC\u2019s launch of an investment arm in April 2024 and is aimed at supporting Electric\u2019s growth across production and distribution. <a href=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/2025\/tv\/news\/electric-entertainment-20-million-investment-content-partners-1236551697\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.everyset.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Everyset<\/a> raised $9M to launch Background Payroll, a SAG-AFTRA approved platform that automates timecards and payroll for background performers, including overtime, penalties, and premiums. The round was led by Crosslink Capital and Haven Ventures, and the company says studios such as Netflix, CBS, Apple TV, Sony, and Amazon already use its tools as it expands into fully integrated background payroll.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/everyset-raises-9m-to-eliminate-hollywoods-background-worker-payroll-headache-302578471.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"> &#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/torlbio.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">TORL Biotherapeutics<\/a> raised $96M in Series C funding to advance TORL-1-23, its Claudin-6 targeted antibody-drug conjugate, through a pivotal Phase 2 study in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and into a confirmatory Phase 3 program. The company also reported that updated Phase 1 data for TORL-1-23 will be presented at ESMO 2025, bringing total funding since its 2019 founding to more than $450 million. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/torl-biotherapeutics-secures-96m-series-c-financing-and-presents-updated-phase-1-results-of-novel-claudin-6-targeted-antibody-drug-conjugate-torl-1-23-at-the-2025-european-society-of-medical-oncology-congress-302576530.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/theplugdrink.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">The Plug<\/a>, a plant-based liver health brand, raised $5M in a venture round of equity and debt to fuel marketing and retail expansion after rolling out its Pill Jar in June and entering all Total Wine &amp; More locations nationwide in September. The company is keeping the round open for additional strategic investors and says it recently hit its first profitable month, is pursuing a partnership with a $500 million nutrition telehealth company, and is targeting a 40% boost to gross margins through a new operational milestone. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/the-plug-secures-venture-round-funding-expands-retail-presence-and-keeps-round-open-for-strategic-investors-302574810.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>LA Venture Funds<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clocktowerventures.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Clocktower Technology Ventures<\/a> participated in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mgtinsurance.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">MGT<\/a>\u2019s $21.6M Series B, an oversubscribed round led by Mubadala Capital with Tacora Capital and existing backers also joining. The AI-native commercial P&amp;C neo-insurer for small businesses will use the capital to accelerate R&amp;D, deepen vertical AI capabilities, and expand its E&amp;S initiatives nationwide. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20251015851816\/en\/AI-Neo-Insurer-MGT-Closes-%2421.6M-Oversubscribed-Series-B-to-Redefine-Commercial-PC-Insurance-for-Small-Businesses\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.m13.co\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">M13<\/a> participated in <a href=\"https:\/\/godaylight.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Daylight<\/a>\u2019s $75M financing, which combines $15M in equity led by Framework Ventures with a $60M project facility led by Turtle Hill Capital. Daylight is building a decentralized energy network that turns homes into mini power plants via a subscription model and crypto-enabled incentives, aiming to lower costs and dispatch battery power back to the grid. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20251016460925\/en\/Daylight-Raises-%2475M-Led-by-Framework-Ventures-to-Scale-its-Decentralized-Energy-Network\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/presight.vc\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Presight Capital<\/a> co-led <a href=\"https:\/\/peptilogics.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Peptilogics<\/a>\u2019 $78M Series B2, with <a href=\"https:\/\/beyondventures.co\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Beyond Ventures<\/a> participating, to fund a Phase 2\/3 pivotal trial of zaloganan (PLG0206) for prosthetic joint infections. The raise brings Peptilogics\u2019 total equity financing to about $120M and positions the company to begin the pivotal program in late 2025, pending approvals. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/peptilogics-raises-78-million-to-advance-zaloganan-into-pivotal-trial-302585651.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/patron.fund\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Patron<\/a> participated in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.egoai.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Ego AI<\/a>\u2019s $6.7M seed round to help the YC-backed startup launch human-like AI characters for games via its new character.world engine. The round also included Y Combinator, Accel, and Boost VC, and the capital will support research on Ego\u2019s proprietary model, which combines small language models with reinforcement learning, plus partnerships in Singapore to scale compute and development. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techinasia.com\/news\/y-combinator-backed-ego-ai-bags-6-7m-to-launch-human-like-characters\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.untapped.ventures\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Untapped Ventures<\/a> participated in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.withwoz.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Woz<\/a>\u2019s $6M seed round, joining Cervin Ventures (lead), Y Combinator, Burst Capital, MGV, and the Lacob family. The funding will help Woz scale its platform that blends agentic AI with expert human oversight to deliver production-ready mobile apps for enterprises. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/woz-raises-6m-to-build-enterprise-grade-ai-apps-that-businesses-can-trust-302584904.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.perseverance.capital\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Perseverance Capital<\/a> participated in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kailera.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Kailera Therapeutics<\/a>\u2019 $600M Series B, which was led by Bain Capital Private Equity. The funding advances KAI-9531, an injectable dual GLP-1\/GIP agonist, into global Phase 3 trials by year end and supports a broader pipeline of oral and injectable obesity therapies. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kailera.com\/press-release\/kailera-therapeutics-announces-600-million-series-b-financing-to-further-advance-pipeline-of-next-generation-therapies-for-the-treatment-of-obesity\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/marchcp.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">March Capital<\/a> participated in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lila.ai\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Lila Sciences<\/a>\u2019 $350M Series A, which lifts the company\u2019s total funding to $550M. The capital will scale Lila\u2019s AI Science Factories and commercialize its \u201cscientific superintelligence\u201d platform for partners across materials, energy, and biopharma. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lila.ai\/news\/announcing-the-close-of-our-series-a\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mucker.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Mucker Capital<\/a> participated in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pearsuite.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Pear Suite<\/a>\u2019s $7.6M Series A, which was co-led by Rock Health Capital and Nexxus Holdings. The L.A. based company equips community health workers with an AI-powered platform and provider network, and it will use the funding to expand product development, grow its network, and support new Medicaid and Medicare health plan contracts. Other investors include Enable Ventures, The SCAN Foundation, Acumen America, Impact Engine, and the California Health Care Foundation. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pearsuite.com\/post\/pear-suite-secures-series-a-funding-to-power-community-health-workers-nationwide\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/upfront.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Upfront Ventures<\/a> participated in <a href=\"https:\/\/heyrenew.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Renew<\/a>\u2019s $12M Series A, which was led by Haymaker Ventures with Goldcrest Capital and several Renew customers also investing. Renew\u2019s AI-powered resident retention platform helps apartment operators automate renewals and prevent fraud, and the company says the new funding will scale the product and launch what it calls the industry\u2019s first Resident Referral Network. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/renew-raises-12m-series-a-to-transform-rental-housing-retention-with-industry-first-resident-referral-network-302582488.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/acre.vc\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Acre Venture Partners<\/a> co-led <a href=\"https:\/\/ascribebio.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Ascribe Bio<\/a>\u2019s oversubscribed $12M Series A with Corteva to scale its natural crop protection platform and launch Phytalix, a broad spectrum \u201cbiofungicide without compromise.\u201d The funding advances Ascribe\u2019s small molecule technology derived from the soil microbiome toward commercial rollout, with participation from Syngenta Group Ventures, Trailhead Capital, Silver Blue, Cultivation Capital, and others. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20251014490176\/en\/Ascribe-Bio-Closes-%2412-Million-Series-A-Financing-to-Advance-Next-Generation-Natural-Crop-Protection-Co-Led-by-Acre-Venture-Partners-and-Corteva\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.are.com\/venture-investments.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Alexandria Venture Investments<\/a> participated in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tr1x.bio\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Tr1X<\/a>\u2019s $50M financing, announced alongside FDA clearance of the IND for TRX319, an allogeneic CAR-Tr1 Treg cell therapy for progressive multiple sclerosis. The funding extends Tr1X\u2019s runway into 2027 and supports a Phase 1\/2a dose-escalation trial slated to start in early 2026, while the company continues its TRX103 studies in Crohn\u2019s disease and other indications. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/news-release\/2025\/10\/14\/3166144\/0\/en\/Tr1X-Announces-FDA-Clearance-of-IND-Application-for-TRX319-a-First-in-Class-Allogeneic-CAR-Tr1-Treg-Cell-Therapy-for-Progressive-Multiple-Sclerosis-and-50-Million-in-Additional-Fin.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/lfxvp.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">LFX Venture Partners<\/a> participated in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fleetworks.ai\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">FleetWorks<\/a>\u2019 $17M funding, which supports the launch and expansion of its \u201calways-on\u201d AI dispatcher for the U.S. trucking industry. The round was led by First Round Capital with participation from Y Combinator and Saga Ventures, and the company says the capital will go toward hiring, commercial rollout, and product development. FleetWorks\u2019 platform automates freight matching between carriers and brokers to speed up bookings and reduce manual calls, emails, and texts. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fleetworks.ai\/blog\/fleetworks-launches-always-on-dispatcher-for-trucking-industry-with-17m-funding\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clocktowerventures.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Clocktower Technology Ventures<\/a> participated in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yendo.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Yendo<\/a>\u2019s $50M Series B. The fintech behind a vehicle-secured credit card will use the funding to expand its AI credit platform toward an inclusive digital bank that taps \u201ctrapped\u201d consumer equity, aiming to unlock up to $4 trillion from assets like cars and homes for underserved borrowers. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20251009817786\/en\/%2450M-Series-B-Fuels-Yendos-AI-Credit-Platform-Unlocking-%244T-in-Consumer-Assets\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alphaedison.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Alpha Edison<\/a> participated in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.transcrypts.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">TransCrypts<\/a>\u2019 $15M seed round. The company builds a blockchain-based verified-credentials platform to fight AI-driven fraud and plans to expand beyond employment verification into health and education records. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/transcrypts_trust-ai-fraud-ugcPost-7381611048019279875-1xTU\/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop&amp;rcm=ACoAACXhBSIBpcXogZBYbEQZVE_yG3HWU31PKbU\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.are.com\/venture-investments.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Alexandria Venture Investments<\/a> participated in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nilotx.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Nilo Therapeutics<\/a>\u2019 $101M Series A, which launched the company to develop medicines that modulate neural circuits to restore immune balance in disease. The round was led by The Column Group, DCVC Bio, and Lux Capital; Nilo also appointed Kim Seth, Ph.D., as CEO and plans to build out New York labs and advance preclinical programs. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/news-release\/2025\/10\/08\/3163197\/0\/en\/Nilo-Therapeutics-launches-with-101-million-Series-A-financing-to-advance-a-new-class-of-medicines-targeting-neural-circuits-in-immune-disease-and-appoints-Kim-Seth-as-Chief-Execut.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/chapterone.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Chapter One<\/a> participated in <a href=\"https:\/\/glue.ai\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Glue<\/a>\u2019s $20M Series A. Glue builds an \u201cagentic team chat\u201d platform that embeds MCP-powered AI directly in workplace messaging, with 35 in-app integrations and support for thousands more via custom MCP servers. The funding will help expand product development and infrastructure as Glue pushes this model to more teams. <a href=\"https:\/\/glue.ai\/blog\/20m-to-build-agentic-team-chat\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stillmark.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">StillMark<\/a> participated in <a href=\"https:\/\/meanwhile.bm\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Meanwhile<\/a>\u2019s $82M raise, backing the Bermuda-regulated bitcoin life insurer as it expands bitcoin-denominated savings, retirement, and life insurance products for individuals and institutions. The round was co-led by Bain Capital Crypto and Haun Ventures with participation from Apollo, Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures, and Pantera Capital, and brings Meanwhile\u2019s 2025 funding to $122 million after an earlier $40 million Series A. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20251007203460\/en\/Meanwhile-the-First-Regulated-Bitcoin-Life-Insurer-Raises-%2482M-to-Meet-Strong-Demand-for-Inflation-Proof-Savings-and-Retirement-Products\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bluebearcap.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Blue Bear Capital<\/a> co-led <a href=\"https:\/\/www.energy-robotics.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Energy Robotics<\/a>\u2019 $13.5M Series A with Climate Investment. The Darmstadt-based company provides AI software that lets robots and drones autonomously inspect critical infrastructure, and it will use the funding to scale deployments across energy, chemical, industrial, and utility sites. Customers already include majors like Shell, BP, BASF, Merck, and E.ON, and the company reports more than one million inspections completed to date. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/energy-robotics-secures-13-5-million-series-a-to-scale-critical-infrastructure-inspections-with-ai--robotics-302576293.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/b.capital\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">B Capital<\/a> participated in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.evenuplaw.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">EvenUp<\/a>\u2019s $150M Series E, which values the AI legal-tech company at over $2 billion. EvenUp builds AI tools for personal-injury law firms and plans to use the new capital to scale its platform and product suite; the round was led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with investors including REV (LexisNexis) and others. <a href=\"https:\/\/news.bloomberglaw.com\/artificial-intelligence\/ai-legal-tech-evenup-raises-150-million-at-2-billion-valuation\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wndrco.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">WndrCo<\/a> participated in <a href=\"https:\/\/zingage.com\/#hero\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Zingage<\/a>\u2019s $12.5M seed round to build an AI care-delivery platform for home-based healthcare. Zingage is rolling out \u201cOperator,\u201d which automates scheduling, staffing, billing, and compliance for home care agencies, and \u201cPerform,\u201d which boosts caregiver retention, with the new capital supporting product expansion and go-to-market. The round was led by Bessemer Venture Partners with additional investors including TQ Ventures and South Park Commons. <a href=\"https:\/\/zingage.com\/insight-articles\/zingage-raises-12-5m-to-build-the-ai-care-delivery-platform-for-home-based-healthcare\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.are.com\/venture-investments.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Alexandria Venture Investments<\/a> participated in <a href=\"https:\/\/aerorxtx.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">AeroRx Therapeutics<\/a>\u2019 $21M Series A, which was led by Avalon BioVentures with Correlation Ventures also investing. The funding advances AERO-007, a first-in-class nebulized LABA\/LAMA for COPD, into late-stage clinical development aimed at patients who struggle with handheld inhalers. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20251007274842\/en\/AeroRx-Therapeutics-Announces-%2421-Million-Series-A-Financing-to-Advance-Inhaled-AERO-007-the-First-Nebulized-LABALAMA-for-COPD-into-Late-Stage-Clinical-Development\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.are.com\/venture-investments.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Alexandria Venture Investments<\/a> participated in <a href=\"https:\/\/affiniatx.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Affinia Therapeutics<\/a>\u2019 $40M Series C, alongside lead investor NEA and new investor Eli Lilly, to advance its AAV gene therapy pipeline. Proceeds will fund an IND submission in Q4 2025 and initial clinical work for AFTX-201 in BAG3 dilated cardiomyopathy, with a Phase 1\/2 trial targeted for Q1 2026. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20251007974424\/en\/Affinia-Therapeutics-Announces-Series-C-Financing-to-Advance-New-Class-of-Gene-Therapies-Intended-to-Provide-Improved-Safety-and-Efficacy\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20251007974424\/en\/Affinia-Therapeutics-Announces-Series-C-Financing-to-Advance-New-Class-of-Gene-Therapies-Intended-to-Provide-Improved-Safety-and-Efficacy\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clocktowerventures.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Clocktower Ventures<\/a> participated in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vy-carb.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Vycarb<\/a>\u2019s $5M seed round, which was led by Twynam with participation from MOL Switch, Hatch Blue, Idemitsu, and SGInnovate. The Brooklyn startup develops sensor-driven, water-based carbon capture and storage systems that convert CO\u2082 into stable bicarbonate, with the new funding aimed at scaling deployments at industrial sites. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/vycarb_brooklyns-vycarb-nets-5m-to-scale-sensor-driven-activity-7380994031692046336-xSF2\/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop&amp;rcm=ACoAAD8TiqIBb3VRkNO18zQeW6zn3ipHTIsr7l0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>LA Exits<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.empaxis.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Empaxis Data Management<\/a> was acquired by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.communifysb.org\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Communify<\/a>, which is integrating Empaxis\u2019 custodial and accounting data connections and operations expertise into its financial AI platform. The aim is to remove fragmented data so wealth and asset managers can deploy MIND AI apps like Client Stories and Portfolio Stories more quickly with cleaner, unified data. Communify also cites pre-integrations with over 175 market-data vendors to speed rollouts. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20251016273143\/en\/Communify-Acquires-Empaxis-Data-Management-Unlocking-the-Power-of-Communifys-MIND-AI-for-Wealth-and-Asset-Management-Firms\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.truecar.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">TrueCar<\/a> is being acquired by founder-led <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fair.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Fair<\/a> Holdings (Scott Painter) in an all-cash deal at $2.55\/share (~$227M), with Painter set to return as CEO. A 30-day go-shop runs through Nov. 13, 2025; largest holder Caledonia supports the acquisition, which is expected to close Q4 2025 or early 2026 pending approvals. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/truecar-to-be-acquired-by-founder-led-strategic-and-financial-investor-group-in-all-cash-go-private-transaction-302584766.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.katesomerville.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Kate Somerville Skincare<\/a> was acquired by <a href=\"https:\/\/rarebeautybrands.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Rare Beauty Brands<\/a>, as Unilever moves to divest the prestige label it has owned for a decade. The deal includes the skincare and body-care lines as well as the brand\u2019s Melrose Place clinic in Los Angeles; terms weren\u2019t disclosed and closing is expected in Q4 2025 pending approvals. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unilever.com\/news\/press-and-media\/press-releases\/2025\/unilever-announces-sale-of-kate-somerville\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.3gcgroup.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">3GC Group<\/a> was acquired by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pandoblox.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Pandoblox,<\/a> combining 3GC\u2019s enterprise IT operations and cybersecurity services with Pandoblox\u2019s Themis AI data platform to form a unified, AI-ready data and IT operations offering for mid-market companies. The deal aims to solve fragmented data and IT workflows so growing businesses can get enterprise-grade intelligence, security, and support through a single partner. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.einpresswire.com\/article\/855063810\/pandoblox-acquires-3gc-group-to-create-comprehensive-ai-ready-data-it-operations-platform-for-mid-market\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ee-ul\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefp.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">The Free Press<\/a> was acquired by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.paramount.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Paramount<\/a>, and co-founder Bari Weiss will become editor in chief of CBS News as part of the deal. Paramount says the move pairs CBS News\u2019 scale with The Free Press\u2019 voice, with Weiss reporting to CEO David Ellison and working to \u201cmodernize\u201d the brand. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.paramount.com\/press\/paramount-announces-deal-to-acquire-the-free-press?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&#8211; learn more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/dot-la\/id6482981727?utm_source=dotla.beehiiv.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=from-pitch-meetings-to-power-lunches-la-s-exclusive-membership-clubs\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Download the dot.LA App<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\ud83d\udd26 Spotlight Happy Friday Los Angeles, Founders are closing out Tech Week, robots are getting a new research&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":311369,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5123],"tags":[1582,276,2961,224,103879,5337,2295,13781],"class_list":{"0":"post-311368","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-los-angeles","8":"tag-ca","9":"tag-california","10":"tag-la","11":"tag-los-angeles","12":"tag-los-angeles-tech-news","13":"tag-losangeles","14":"tag-newsletter","15":"tag-tech-news"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115390906555843237","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/311368","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=311368"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/311368\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/311369"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=311368"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=311368"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=311368"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}