Last Week in Boston Tech Deals
Boston Tech is Now on Clubhouse
Boston Tech 360 Clubhouse
Elon Musk making an appearance is a close second for the most exciting things happening on Clubhouse this week. Number one? Join some awesome folks speaking this Wednesday night @ 8:30 PM EST about deals, talent, and everything in between in the Boston tech ecosystem:
https://www.joinclubhouse.com/event/exBJgJ4x
If you still need an invite, let me know. I have couple right now that I’m happy to share. (iOS only)
Stuff I’m Reading:
The Great Unbundling (Presentation on eCommerce) — Benedict Evans
Plaid Introduces Deposit Switch for Accounting Funding Automation
2020 United States of Venture Capital (Most Active VC by State) — CBInsights
Boston Tech Financing Rounds:
Scitara 🧪
Two-year-old provider of cloud-based laboratory software Scitara just raised $5.1M in a deal led by Northpond Ventures, with participation from existing Boston investor Flybridge Capital. They’re building out a “Digital Lab Exchange” platform that can connect to lab instruments and unify the data they produce.
Esme Learning Solutions 🧑🎓
AI-enabled executive education platform Esme Learning Solutions just raised $7.6M from Adit Ventures. They offer six-week online executive education courses in partnership with leading universities in the US and UK. Their co-founder and Managing Director Beth Porter is also the founder and CEO of Boston-based Riff Analytics, a venture-backed video analytics company that gives users real time feedback on video call interactions.
Z Imaging 🥽
Three-year-old Z Imaging, a YC and Harvard i-Labs company that uses AR and robotics to make brain surgery easier, raised another $770K. The product allows surgeons to overlay patient’s brains with CT scan and MRI imagery, track medical instruments inside the body, and plan procedures using AR.
It’s run by Jose Maria Amich, who previously co-founded a non-profit aimed at tackling blindness in developing countries. Previous investors include Artesian VC, Brinc, Plug and Play, and Emles Venture Partners.
Nextuple 🚚
Nextuple, a four-year-old software company that builds loyalty programs, post-purchase experiences, and fulfilment services for ecommerce businesses, just raised $1.4M. They also offer same day/next day delivery and curbside pickup services “in a box” by connecting ecommerce stores with local delivery hubs. It’s run by Darpan Seth, who previously ran Expicient before its sale to Publicis Groupe.
Prezence 🧘
It looks like the three-year-old mindfulness and meditation app Prezence is raising $500K in equity, with $55K closed this week. It’s run by HubSpot employee and fitness instructor Colleen Hayes. They sell the mobile application directly to consumers for $55/yr and to businesses as an employee benefit.
Watershed Informatics 🧮
A pre-launch company called Watershed Informatics raised $3.5M according to a new Form D. The company builds data exploration tools for biologists in pharma, biotech, and research labs to help them better utilize existing datasets.
They’re hiring for several engineering positions.
Unruly Studios 💃
EdTech startup Unruly Studios just raised $877K of a $900K round, following a $1M round back in May 2020 that was led by eCoast Angel Network. They sell IoT-enabled interactive tiles that K-12 students can use in school to learn how to code while also being physically active.
SiTration 🌊
A pre-launch filtration membrane developer called SiTration just received $50K. Their filtration tech can apparently improve the efficiency of industrial liquid separations by as much as 10X. It’s led by Brandon Smith, a materials science PhD and entrepreneurial research fellow at Activate.
Resonant Energy ☀️
Resonant Energy, a Dorchester-based community solar provider that focuses on low-income housing and non profits, just raised $133K . They work with vendors and impact investors to develop new community solar facilities in the Boston area.
BioFine Developments 🧬
BioFine Developments “BDNE” just raised $400K in equity. The two-year-old company develops biobased chemicals and fuels from cellulosic biomass.