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        New York-based PreciTaste, which developed an AI-powered platform that optimizes operations at restaurants and minimizes food waste, has raised USD 24 million in a Series A funding round led by Melitas Ventures and Cleveland Avenue. Investors including Enlightened Hospitality Investments (EHI) and Monogram Capital Partners also joined the round.
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        The funds will support PreciTaste in its aim to offer its solution as a standard for digital food AI management in fast casual and quick-service restaurant (QSR) kitchens.
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        The company also reported that it partnered with Franke Foodservice Systems, a leading foodservice solution provider supporting major restaurant chains in implementing kitchen and equipment improvement campaigns, to provide PreciTaste users with further insights when implementing the PreciTaste software solution.&nbsp;&nbsp;
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  <p>
    <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/precitaste-raises-24m-series-a-to-redefine-foodservice-operations-with-vision-ai-technology-301601973.html">
      Press release
    </a>
  </p>
  <p>
    <a href="https://www.alleywatch.com/2022/08/precitaste-vision-ai-platform-restaurant-management-fast-casual-qsr-hauke-feddersen/">
      Alley Watch
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Food Waste

PreciTaste raises USD 24 million in Series A funding

Technology providers that enhance satellite operations

Next-gen Satellites

<div>
 <p>Space data company Pixxel raised USD 24 million in a Series B extension funding round, bringing its Series B total to USD 60 million and its overall funding to USD 95 million. The round was led by M&amp;G Catalyst and Glade Brook Capital Partners and included participation from Google, Radical Ventures, and Lightspeed.</p> 
 <p>The funds will be used to speed up the deployment of 18 hyperspectral satellites, enhance the Aurora AI-powered Earth observation platform, increase satellite production, and extend satellite manufacturing services globally.</p>
 <p>Pixxel's hyperspectral satellites can record over 250 spectral bands with a five-meter spatial resolution. The six-satellite Fireflies constellation, which was revealed in <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/35711">November 2024</a>, is set to launch in early 2025 and will provide daily global coverage.</p>
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Pixxel secures USD 24 million in Series B funding to advance satellite constellation

Reinforcing recycling, rerouting refuse, and reducing wasteflows

Waste Recovery & Management Tech

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 <p>The UK Government is planning to implement a rule that necessitates online marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay to fund the recycling costs associated with e-waste from January 2026. At present, these fees are evaded by offshore vendors utilizing these platforms, with the majority of the burden falling on UK-based sellers.</p>
 <p>Vapes will be recognized as a distinct e-waste category under the proposed reform, separating them from toys, leisure, and sports gear. It is estimated that each year, 844 million vapes are discarded, and every week, 5 million vapes are either littered or tossed in the UK.</p>
 <p>The goal of this initiative is to establish an equal platform for electronics manufacturers and echoes the UK Government's pledge to a circular economy, emphasizing the reuse, repair, and sharing of materials to promote environmental sustainability.</p>
</div>

UK to make online retailers pay for e-waste recycling

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  <p>Waste-to-value infrastructure developer, Nexus W2V, has successfully secured a funding of USD 140 million. This funding includes a structured equity commitment of USD 75 million from Orion Infrastructure Capital (OIC). Additional investments have been made by Nexus Holdings and Khasma Capital, accompanied by debt financing from Ameris Bank.</p>
  
  <p>As per reports from the company, the funds will be utilised for the construction of the Kingsbury Bioenergy Complex, based in La Porte, Indiana. This facility will be responsible for the conversion of organic waste into renewable natural gas (RNG). The company anticipates the facility to be fully operational by the end of 2026 and it's projected to create 35 local job opportunities.</p>
  
  <p>Situated around 70 miles from Chicago, the firm asserts that this waste-to-RNG facility will process approximately 200 tons of organic waste each day. The RNG generated from the waste will be inserted into the existing pipeline system of Northern Indiana. This inclusion of RNG will contribute to augmenting the region's domestic renewable energy supply.</p>

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Nexus W2V raises USD 140 million in equity funding to construct RNG facility

Sustainably solving the food shortages of the future

Smart Farming

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

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 <p>AgTechLogic, a company offering sustainable agriculture solutions, has formed a partnership with Birds Eye Aerial Drones (BEAD), a drone service firm, merging precision spraying technology with aerial data collection services. The partnership brings together BEAD's skills in aerial data collection, including multi-spectral imaging, photogrammetry, and infrared technology, with AgTechLogic's AI-powered precision spraying solutions.</p>
 <p>The aim of the partnership is to provide farmers with thorough data-driven insights for monitoring crop health, managing irrigation, and optimizing yield. The partnership also seeks to encourage sustainable farming practices by reducing resource usage.</p>
 
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AgTechLogic partners with Birds Eye Aerial Drones to enhance sustainable farming with drone technology

Natural Fertilizers

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 <p>Koch Agronomic Services has launched Phosforce, an enzyme-based nutrient enhancer that uses phosphodiesterase to unlock organic phosphorus in soil for better crop nutrition. This product is available as a liquid solution compatible with common agricultural inputs.</p>
 <p>Phosforce facilitates biochemical reactions in the soil to make unavailable phosphorus usable for plant uptake. It has versatile application methods such as on the surface, in furrow, as a side dress, or through fertigation, and has a shelf life of two years.</p>
 <p>Trials have shown 23% more phosphorus in corn treated with Phosforce compared to untreated corn, resulting in a yield advantage of five bu/A. Other crops also showed improved yields; 3.5 bu/A in soybeans, 22.4 cwt/A in potatoes, and 57 lb/A in cotton. Additionally, Phosforce stimulated lateral root formation and boosted soil activity.</p>
 
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Koch Agronomic Services launches Phosforce nutrient enhancer

Exploring the limitless possibilities of AI

Generative AI Applications

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 <p>Wald.ai, a context intelligence company, has secured USD 4 million in seed funding. The round saw participation from Inventus Capital and Entrada Ventures, as well as angel investors representing Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet, and HackerOne.</p>
 <p>This investment will be directed towards expanding the company’s operations and development activities.</p>
 <p>Wald.ai offers a Context Intelligence platform that links businesses with AI assistants such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Llama and ensures protection of confidential data. The platform is actively utilized by companies operating within the healthcare, financial services, and legal sectors.</p>
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Wald.ai raises USD 4 million in seed funding to expand operations

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

<div>
 <p>A lawsuit has been filed in Texas against Character AI on behalf of a 17-year-old, claiming that the chatbot service has caused mental health damage and promoted self-harm. The lawsuit also targets Google, accusing it of negligence and flawed product design.</p>
 <p>The Social Media Victims Law Center and Tech Justice Law Project have filed the lawsuit, stating that Character AI deliberately designed its platform without adequate safeguards to protect minors from damaging content, such as explicit sexual and violent material. Despite Section 230 protections, the legal action questions the current safety measures of Character AI, including its age limit of 13 without parental consent for older minors. It argues that creators of chatbot services should be held responsible for the harmful content produced by their bots.</p>
 <p>Character AI has reportedly introduced new safety features in response, including resources for suicide prevention. Google, on the other hand, insists it has no involvement in the operations or technology of Character AI.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> This lawsuit comes on the heels of a <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/35241"> previous case </a> where the company was accused of encouraging self-harm and even violence among young users. The recurring nature of these allegations raises significant concerns about the safety and ethical implications of AI-driven conversational agents, particularly in their interactions with vulnerable populations. This situation may prompt a broader dialogue about the responsibilities of AI developers in safeguarding users, particularly minors, from harmful content.</p>

Character AI faces lawsuit over teen safety violations

INCUMBENTS_PRESENT

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 <p>AI orchestration platform provider, Clarifai, has formed a partnership with visual content marketplace, Getty Images. The partnership will see the integration of Getty Images' GenAI capabilities into Clarifai's platform.</p>
 <p>As a result of this integration, Clarifai's enterprise clients will be able to use Getty Images' API to generate visuals powered by Artificial Intelligence. These visuals will be trained solely on Getty Images' creative library using NVIDIA AI and Edify. The partnership also ensures legal protection and commercial safety of the generated images.</p>
 <p>This integration allows customers to design custom visual content through the platform. Initial trial operations will be available for no charge, with discounts based on volume. This strategic move could potentially enhance AI-powered workflows within Clarifai's platform by incorporating features such as computer vision, classification, and automation.</p>
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Clarifai partners with Getty Images to offer AI-generated images for enterprise customers

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 <p>OpenAI has now made Canvas, a digital editing platform for ChatGPT, widely accessible to all users including those on the free-tier. Unlike before, it's not only limited to users of ChatGPT Plus, Teams, Edu, and Enterprise plans.</p>
 <p>Canvas offers a dual-screen format concentrating the traditional interface of ChatGPT into a chat sidebar and a content workspace. It facilitates real-time editing for different content forms such as text documents or code blocks, implementing changes instantly and providing immediate suggestions for text and code enhancements. Recently added features to Canvas include Python code execution, enhanced text pasting functions, and seamless integration with custom GPTs.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> This expansion, which follows a beta phase that excluded free users, reflects OpenAI's commitment to democratizing access to advanced AI tools and fostering a more interactive user experience. The rollout of Canvas to all users will likely accelerate the adoption of AI tools across various sectors. As more individuals and organizations recognize the potential of AI to streamline workflows and enhance creativity, we can expect a surge in demand for similar features in other platforms.</p>

OpenAI extends ChatGPT Canvas to free users

Making banking work, without the paperwork

Neobanks

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 <p>Consumer cyber safety solutions provider Gen Digital has agreed to acquire banking and investment products provider MoneyLion. The deal amounts to USD 82 per share in cash, with an estimated total value of around USD 1 billion. The transaction is projected to conclude in the first half of 2026, pending standard closing conditions.</p>
 <p>Shareholders of MoneyLion will receive a contingent value right per owned share. This allows the holder to receive a conditional payment of USD 23 per share in Gen common stock, depending on the performance of Gen Digital's stock.</p>
 <p>Gen Digital's objective with this acquisition is to expand its abilities to financial wealth solutions by integrating MoneyLion's personal finance platform, and to increase its customer count. As of now, MoneyLion holds a customer base of 18 million and provides a comprehensive personal finance platform including credit building and financial management services.</p> 
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All Updates

PreciTaste raises USD 24 million in Series A funding

Pixxel secures USD 24 million in Series B funding to advance satellite constellation

UK to make online retailers pay for e-waste recycling

Nexus W2V raises USD 140 million in equity funding to construct RNG facility

AgTechLogic partners with Birds Eye Aerial Drones to enhance sustainable farming with drone technology

Koch Agronomic Services launches Phosforce nutrient enhancer

Wald.ai raises USD 4 million in seed funding to expand operations

Character AI faces lawsuit over teen safety violations

Clarifai partners with Getty Images to offer AI-generated images for enterprise customers

OpenAI extends ChatGPT Canvas to free users

Gen Digital to acquire MoneyLion for USD 1 billion to expand financial wellness offerings

Food Waste

PreciTaste raises USD 24 million in Series A funding

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