<div>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        Demoleap, a no-code product demo assistant and sales discovery platform, raised USD 4.4 million in seed funding led by Bonfire Ventures and Differential Ventures with participation from 25madison and Ground up among other investors.
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        The company plans to use the funds to expand its employee base and invest in developing its product offering.&nbsp;
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <p>
    &lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;
    <b>Analyst QuickTake</b>
    :&nbsp; Demoleap offers a similar solution to 
    <a href="https://sp-edge.com/companies/1198215">
      Demostack
    </a>
     and 
    <a href="https://sp-edge.com/companies/1155731">
      Walnut
    </a>
    , both of which raised Series B funding earlier this year (Demostack raising USD 
    <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/9818">
      34 million
    </a>
     in April, and Walnut raising 
    <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/7864">
      USD 35 million
    </a>
     in January). Although Demoleap is comparatively much younger than its peers&ndash;having only launched publicly in January 2022&ndash;it aims to differentiate itself by also providing clients with supplemental material such as contextual playbooks that enable them to learn and practice their skills in real-time.&lt;/ul&gt;
  </p>
  <p>
  </p>
</div>


<div>
  <p>
    <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/demoleap-raises-4-4-million-to-shift-the-sales-process-towards-ai-guided-selling-solutions-301607353.html">
      Press release
    </a>
  </p>
</div>


No-code Software

Demoleap raises USD 4.4 million in seed funding

Empowering efficiency, visibility and collaboration throughout supply networks

Supply Chain Tech

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

<div>
 <p>Sayari has formed a collaboration with GAN Integrity, a firm that is focused on the mitigation of risk and compliance, in a bid to fight corruption and the issue of modern slavery within global supply chains.</p>
 <p>Through their partnership, the business risk intelligence and ownership data provided by Sayari is combined with GAN Integrity's third-party management automation, offering an integrated solution to streamline the onboarding, assessment, monitoring, and management of intricate supplier networks. By leveraging data from numerous companies globally, the partnership can evaluate risk more efficiently amidst increasing regulatory scrutiny. The overall objective is to identify various forms of risk, which include forced labor and political exposure, and manage these risks effectively throughout their lifecycle. This collaborative solution assists corporations in fulfilling heightened compliance standards and promotes a more ethical business environment.</p>

</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> In April 2024, Sayari <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/28374"> launched </a> Sayari Map, a platform that allows users to explore complex corporate ownership structures and trace corporate relationships across borders. The platform allows sourcing, procurement, and trade compliance teams to map and screen potential risks from direct and upstream suppliers. The collaborates with GAN Integrity, which leverages the insights from this platform and delivers new capabilities in managing supply chain risks through enhanced compliance.</p>

Sayari collaborates with GAN Integrity to counter corruption and modern slavery in supply chains

Autonomous and connected technologies shaping the future of the auto industry

Auto Tech

INCUMBENTS_PRESENT

<div>
 <p>NVIDIA, a tech company, has established a partnership with Chery Automobile, a Chinese car manufacturing giant, to create an intelligent driving platform. This platform will be based on NVIDIA's "DRIVE Thor," a centralized car computing technology, and will be initially employed in Chery's high-end vehicle models.</p>
 <p>The advanced AI capabilities of DRIVE Thor chip will be integrated into the future models of Chery to enhance the driving experience.</p>
 <p>Notably, this collaboration is an advancement from NVIDIA’s existing "DRIVE Orin" platform, utilized in Chery's latest model, "EXEED STERRA ET." This model offers features like automated driving assistance and intelligent parking.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> NVIDIA's Drive Thor chip introduced <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/13215"> in September 2022 </a> is anticipated to power a range of next-generation vehicles, including robotaxis, autonomous delivery vehicles (ADVs), and long-haul trucks. ADV developer <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/companies/454812"> Nuro </a> and autonomous truck manufacturer <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/companies/1410679"> Waabi </a> have already integrated Drive Thor into their driving systems. Other Chinese automakers like <a href="https:<br>
//www.teslarati.com/nvida-drive-thor-chip-autonomous-vehicles/"> BYD, Li Motors, and Xpeng </a> also plan to incorporate Drive Thor into their upcoming vehicle models, highlighting the chip's broad adoption and pivotal role in advancing autonomous transportation technologies.</p>

NVIDIA to offer 'Drive Thor' platform to Chery to develop intelligent driving functions

Automation and robotics are finally creating solutions for the complexities of doorstep deliveries.

Last-mile Delivery Automation

<div>
 <p>Alphabet's drone delivery division, Wing, is partnering with the National Health Services (NHS) in the UK to test drone-based blood sample deliveries between London hospitals. They will be working alongside Apian, a medical logistics firm and this project will be financially supported by the NHS.</p>
 <p>The service is set to roll out in summer of this year, and is planned to run for six months, with potential expansion if successful. The drones will be used to transport high-priority samples between Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals in South London. The goal is to make 10 daily deliveries during weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the trial period.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> Alphabet Wing’s upcoming UK trial would mark the company’s first drone-based delivery operations in the country. This positions the company to potentially launch ahead of <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/companies/203208"> Amazon </a> <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/22843"> this year. </a> Furthermore, Wing has previously collaborated with Apian <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/21053"> in August 2023 </a> for drone deliveries in Ireland. On a separate note, NHS is already experienced in drone-based deliveries, having previously conducted UK trials in partnership with startups including <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/companies/69024"> Zipline </a> <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/25057"> (December 2023), </a> &nbsp; <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/companies/865738"> Skyports </a> <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/20818"> (August 2023), </a> and <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/companies/1311070"> Skyfarer </a> <a href="https:<br>
//www.commercialdroneprofessional.com/coventry-universitys-medical-drone-start-up-skyfarer-takes-flight/"> (September 2020). </a></p>

Alphabet's Wing partners with NHS and Apian for drone-based blood sample deliveries between London hospitals

Leveraging personal data for custom-fit diagnosis and treatment

Precision Medicine

<div>
 <p>Variantyx, a company specializing in genomic testing, has successfully raised USD 36 million in venture funding. Key investors in this round include Peregrine Ventures, Pitango HealthTech, New Era Capital Partners, and Bosch Ventures. This latest round of funding brings Variantyx's total investment to over USD 125 million.</p>
 <p>The funds will be used to drive further technological and commercial expansion in the fields of genetic disorder testing, reproductive health, and precision oncology. Additionally, it will support the shift from panel and exome-based testing to whole genome testing.</p>
</div>

Variantyx raises USD 36 million in venture funding for further technological and commercial growth

AI-based solutions for evolving digital threats

Next-gen Cybersecurity

<div>
 <p>The AI cybersecurity firm, Darktrace, which is listed on the LSE, has reportedly agreed to go private, courtesy of a deal with private equity firm Thoma Bravo. The firm is valued at GBP 4.25 billion (USD 5.3 billion) through this deal, which is yet to receive approval from the shareholders but is expected to be finalised by the end of 2024.</p>
 <p>The current valuation factors in all convertible securities, presenting a more detailed analysis of Darktrace's value. </p>
 <p>The deal suggests that the shareholders will acquire GBP 6.20 (USD 7.75) per share, marking a 44% premium rate on Darktrace’s average share price over the past three months and a 20% premium on its price as of the end of April 25.</p>
 <p>Darktrace went public on LSE back in April 2021, with a valuation of USD 2.4 billion. Before going public, the firm had amassed approximately USD 230 million in venture funding, achieving a private valuation of USD 1.65 billion. </p>
 
</div>

Thoma Bravo to take Darktrace private at ~USD 5 billion

Technology to explore opportunities beyond Earth

Space Travel and Exploration Tech

<div>
 
 <p>Gravitics, a Seattle-based space station and aerospace component developer, has secured a USD 1.7 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract awarded by SpaceWERX for the development of tactical space applications (TacRS) range. These applications are aimed to support both military and civilian operations.</p>
 <p>This project will witness a collaboration between Gravitics and several other companies including Rocket Lab, True Anomaly, Space Exploration Engineering, and Eta Space. The specifics of the tasks that Gravitics will undertake under this contract remain undisclosed, though, typically such a contract includes work pertaining to architectures, requirement analysis, and initial hardware development.</p>
 
</div>

Gravitics wins contract from US Space Force to develop tactical space applications

Empowering Tomorrow's Innovations with Generative AI Infrastructure

Generative AI Infrastructure

<div>
 <p>The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has initiated an Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security Board to supervise the application of AI within the critical infrastructure of the United States. This board is comprised of representatives from various sectors including tech firms, critical infrastructure units, academia, governmental agencies, and civil rights bodies.</p>
 <p>The primary duty of the board centers around the development of strategies and recommendations for the secure and responsible use of AI. The members are not only expected to offer security guidance but also contribute towards understanding the potential threats that could arise from AI.</p>
 <p>This initiative forms a part of the larger endeavor of the DHS to ensure comprehensive supervision over the deployment of AI in the US.</p>

</div>

Department of Homeland Security launches new AI Safety and Security Board to guide AI usage

Metaverse Experience Platforms

<div>
 <p>Yuga Labs, known for creating Bored Ape Yacht Club, recently declared a restructuring strategy which includes another round of layoffs. However, the proportion of employees affected by this change has not been specified.</p>
 <p>The CEO, Greg Solano, stated the need for leaner, more agile functioning with a focus on crypto-based operations as the primary reason for this restructure. This decision echoes their actions from October last year, where they issued layoffs to fine-tune operations for Otherside, their metaverse project.</p>
 
</div>

Yuga Labs announces new round of layoffs as part of restructuring efforts

The intersection of beauty and technology to deliver hyper-personalized products.

Beauty Tech

<div>
 <p>Estée Lauder Companies (ELC), a leading cosmetics and skincare brand, has broadened its global strategic partnership with technology giant Microsoft. The expanded partnership will see the establishment of an AI innovation lab, utilising Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service's GenAI capabilities. The goal of this collaboration is to apply artificial intelligence (AI) across multiple aspects of ELC's operations, allowing for quicker responses to market trends and consumer demands.</p>
 <p>In this joint endeavour, Microsoft and ELC have developed a GenAI tool. This tool will allow brands to roll-out locally relevant campaigns. It leverages advanced conversational AI and uses ELC’s comprehensive product and claim data database.</p>
 <p>Besides marketing, the AI innovation lab will focus on research and development applications of GenAI tools. Its use in this department can lead to quicker responses to new product and ingredient trends, a boon in the rapid-paced cosmetics industry.</p>
</div>

Estée Lauder Companies and Microsoft expand partnership to launch AI innovation lab

Foundation Models

<div>
 
 <p>Chemistry foundation model provider, Yoneda Labs, has successfully raised 4 million USD in seed funding. The investment round featured significant players including Khosla Ventures, 500 Emerging Europe, 468 Capital, Fellows Fund, and Y Combinator.</p>
 
 <p>With the funds secured, Yoneda Labs aims to establish a robotics lab designed to perform experiments on a specific set of 20,000 chemical reactions. The company's ambitious plans also extend to being able to conduct and analyze 200 experiments on a daily basis by the year's end.</p>
 
 <p>Yoneda Labs specializes in creating AI-powered software and models for the chemical industry, with a primary focus on optimizing reaction conditions. Their innovative offerings, such as Yoneda Optimize and Yoneda Predict, facilitate and improve the work of chemists. Yoneda Optimize, a desktop application, accelerates the optimization of chemical reactions, while Yoneda Predict provides medicinal chemists with accurate reaction conditions, eliminating the need for wet lab tests and preventing reaction failures due to parameter errors.</p>
 
</div>

All Updates