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Dual-Use Tech Roundup - Manufacturing, Security, Space & AI
24 January 2022 - Featuring: Efabless, Human Security, Benchmark Space Systems, Ironscales & FutureAI
Deal Round-Up
Efabless: 💾
Efabless has developed an open source community based platform for chip design that has spurred innovative ideas into the process of creating and manufacturing semiconductor chips. Just like YouTube democratized video, Efabless does the same for chip creation enabling millions of software and product designers to create their own customized ICs and for under-resourced IC experts to get quickly to proof of concepts. Remote and collaborative chip design are now possible for all and customers can get better control of their supply chain - long term issues made particularly visible with the COVID-19 pandemic. The company secured an undisclosed amount of Series A-1 funding on January 12th, 2022 in a round led by New North Ventures. These funds will be put towards supporting business development, marketing, and product development.
Human Security: 🔐
Internet bots and cyber fraud have continued to adapt over the years and have become increasingly complex and effective. Human Security has developed a bot mitigation platform that helps companies identify and prevent frauds and scams brought on by bot populations. The company raised $100 M of development capital in a growth round on January 4th, 2022. The round was led by WestCap Group and Night Dragon. The funds will be used for global expansion into new industries.
Benchmark Space Systems: 🚀
Increasing support from private markets have spurred the creation of new space startups and injected innovation into the industry. Benchmark Space Systems has developed several propulsion systems that use green bi-propellant thrusters. Green propellants are safer to handle and in December the company’s Halcyon thrusters were installed on a Spaceflight orbital vehicle that is set to launch in January. The company raised $8.5 M in Series A and Series A1 funding from The Flying Object and undisclosed investors on January 14th, 2022.
Ironscales: 📩
Email scams and frauds can be extremely taxing for corporations, taking up precious time and financial resources. Ironscales has developed a platform that leverages machine learning and human intelligence to fight phishing and other email frauds. The company raised an undisclosed amount of funding from Climb Channel Solutions on January 11th, 2022. This raise was shortly after the company’s $64 M Series C round of funding on December 7, 2021. The Series C round was led by PSG and included other firms such as K1 Investment Management and Jump Capital.
FutureAI: 📈
FutureAI is a deep tech startup operating out of Silicon Valley. The company is developing an AI platform that they hope will be able to understand and interact with its surroundings similar to how humans understand their environment. This type of platform is called artificial general intelligence and the company is hoping to apply it to solve real world problems. The company raised $2 M in angel funding from undisclosed investors on January 12th, 2022. The funds will be used to expand the team and accelerate product development.
What We’re Reading:
2021 Cybersecurity Person Of The Year: Jen Easterly - Cybercrime Magazine