Funding | The Vertical

Ireland’s Manna Takes Drone Delivery to the U.S. Following $50M Raise

Irish drone delivery startup Manna is making its U.S. debut with a large-scale launch in Tulsa, Oklahoma, just three months after raising a $50 million Series B to accelerate its American expansion.

Seedcamp Raises $320M to Back Europe’s Startups, Expands New York Presence

Seedcamp has raised a record $320 million across two new funds, its largest fundraising effort to date, as the venture capital firm expands support for European startups scaling into the U.S. market.

Left to right: Niko Koenning (Cigna Ventures): Hanqing Li (Merck GHI Fund); Coppelia Marincovic (Syensqo Ventures); Toni Peña (Kamay Ventures); Kenneth Huynh (Elpis Labs). Credit: Yana Lande, The Vertical

Demystifying Corporate Venture Capital: What Founders Need to Know

The Vertical and Elpis Labs bring together leading CVC investors to unpack how startups can successfully navigate the corporate investment landscape.

Australian Defense-Tech Startup Arkeus Raises US$18M to Expand in U.S.

Melbourne-based Arkeus has raised US$18 million in Series A funding to accelerate its expansion into the U.S. and global defense markets, as demand grows for next-generation sensing systems in autonomous military platforms.

New York Opens Doors to Global Startups Through SOSA Program

SOSA Accelerator is now accepting applications for growth-stage startups to join its International Landing Pad Network (ILPN), in partnership with NYCEDC.

Dragon’s Curse: U.S. Biotech and Chinese Investment Dilemma

Chinese investors are filling the funding gap in U.S. biotech, but the risks of their capital extend beyond geopolitics. One medtech company’s struggle reveals the hidden costs.

Immigrant farm worker. Source: Shutterstock

“Digital Ellis Island” Welcome Tech tops $80.5M with latest $7.5M raise

Welcome Tech is betting on AI to scale its workforce engagement platform, which connects millions of immigrant households to jobs, healthcare, and financial tools.

Israeli Aerospace Startup AIR Lands $23 M for U.S. Expansion

AIR has secured $23 million in Series A funding to accelerate its U.S. expansion and scale production of its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The round brings AIR’s total raised capital to around $50 million.

Computer scientist in data center uses AI neural networks. Credit: Shutterstock

International Investors Rethink Energy Strategies as AI Spurs Demand

As AI’s energy demands surge, international investors are doubling down on grid reliability and supply chain resilience.

Emma Limor and Sunrit Panda, co-founders of Nirvana Carbon, at Princeton University. Credit: Nirvana Carbon.

First-Gen Founders Limor and Panda Work to Decarbonize Their Heritage Regions

Nirvana Carbon, a startup launched by Princeton students Emma Limor and Sunrit Panda, helps communities in India and Kazakhstan combat environmental damage.

Most Digital Founders Don’t Need VC Investment. Here’s Why

Each year, thousands of international entrepreneurs head to the U.S. seeking funding from American VCs. Charles Leyte, a top financial strategy consultant, explains why investment may harm your business and suggests alternatives.

From left to right: Abhishek Das (co-CEO), Devi Parikh (co-CEO), and Dhruv Batra (chief scientist). Credit: Abhishek / Yutori

Meta Veterans of Indian Origin Raise $15M to Build Advanced AI Assistants

Former Meta executives Devi Parikh, Dhruv Batra, and Abhishek Das have secured $15 million in funding for Yutori, an AI startup developing autonomous personal assistants.

International biotech startups set sights on U.S. for funding boost

The mood in biotech is grim as funding for early-stage startups is drying up. Why are European and Asian founders betting on U.S. investors?

The Startup Biobío program founders and participants in Miami Florida. Credit: Startup Biobío

Chilean Startup Program Bets on U.S. Market, Unveils New Fund Amid Uncertainty

Startup Biobío, the program backed by the Chilean Economic Development Agency (CORFO), is raising $5 million for a fund to invest in alumni scaling in the U.S.

How I Secured Capital for My Early-Stage Startup as an Immigrant

I came to the U.S. with a dream of building my own business. Like many immigrants, I lacked a strong network for a ‘friends and family’ round. How did I manage to secure 150K in funding with nothing but an idea, while still on an H1B visa?

Credit: The Vertical, the 'International Climate Innovators Meet U.S. Capital' event

How International Startups Can Seize Opportunities in Climate Adaptation

At a recent event hosted by Climate-KIC, investors, policymakers, and founders discussed the potential of solutions to threats such as hurricanes, rising sea levels, and extreme heat.

Over 50% of top climate risk software startups are led by international entrepreneurs

More than half of climate risk software companies, which collectively have raised over $930 million in the past

Underdogs Rising: Immigrants built 62% of U.S. and UK “unicorns”

A new study has found that 70% of U.S. and UK ‘unicorns’ — companies worth over one billion dollars — have “underdog founders” such as women and people of color. First or second generation immigrants built 62% of these startups.

The Vertical announces IMMIGRANT FOUNDERS REPORT 2024. Showcase your leadership in supporting diversity

The Vertical’s Immigrant Founders Report is the first in-depth examination of international talent in the U.S. startup ecosystem.

The pitfalls of mentorship and “Smart Money” in startups

Leaning too heavily on a mentor’s guidance can foster unhealthy dependency, impede necessary pivots, and stifle innovation, writes serial entrepreneur Michael Burtov. What are the red flags?