TIER Mobility GmbH, based in Berlin, specializes in providing electric kick scooters for urban commuting as part of its sustainable micro-mobility solutions. The company has rapidly expanded its operations, reaching 32 cities across Europe within a short timeframe. TIER develops a user-friendly application that allows individuals to locate and book scooters easily. By focusing on operational excellence, TIER integrates various micro-mobility assets and forms strategic partnerships with public transportation systems and other mobility providers, enhancing urban transport options. The leadership team, experienced in sustainability and technology, is dedicated to improving the quality of life in cities through innovative mobility solutions.
MPOWER Financing is a Public Benefit Corporation based in Washington, D.C., that provides educational loans to international and DACA students studying in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2014, the company offers loans ranging from $2,001 to $50,000, which can be used for various student-related expenses, including tuition, housing, and books. Notably, MPOWER does not require a co-signer, collateral, or a U.S. credit history, utilizing a proprietary credit algorithm that assesses future potential instead. Loans are structured as 10-year fixed-rate agreements, with repayments beginning six months after graduation. The company also offers additional support services, such as interest discounts, personal finance education courses, credit-building resources, and job placement assistance. By partnering with universities, MPOWER identifies potential loan candidates and directly disburses funds to educational institutions for tuition and related expenses.
Impact Nano is a manufacturer specializing in advanced materials for the semiconductor industry, focusing on specialty chemicals that enhance various applications. The company utilizes green chemistry and circular manufacturing practices to address global challenges in computing, energy transition, and health. With expertise in ligand, organometallic, silicon, and fluorine chemistry, Impact Nano produces controlled fingerprint chemicals designed for safety, transparency, and sustainability. Their commitment to innovation and excellence enables them to scale up leading technologies and bring them to market effectively. Guided by values of respect for people and the environment, integrity, and an innovative approach, Impact Nano is dedicated to contributing positively to the industries it serves.
Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (Tata Power-DDL), a joint venture between Tata Power and the Government of NCT of Delhi.
Raisin is a savings and investment marketplace that connects retail customers with banks looking to expand deposit reach. The company's goal is to provide savers the best interest rates. The company gives access to exclusive savings products from all over Europe. Raisin assures a smooth investment process and the simple management of investments with all of the partner banks via one single platform. Raisin was founded on 2012 and is headquartered in Berlin, Germany.
KAVAK is the online platform that offers an exceptional experience of buying and selling used cars in Mexico, with the best prices on the market and without leaving home.
Kate Farms, Inc. specializes in producing vegan meal replacement shakes and plant-based tube feeding solutions. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Santa Barbara, California, with an additional office in Waltham, Massachusetts, the company has established itself as a leader in the market for plant-based enteral formulas. Its products are designed to be nutritionally advanced and well-tolerated by patients, being free of common allergens such as soy, dairy, and corn. Clinicians have reported that patients using Kate Farms products experience reduced gastrointestinal intolerance, improved weight and growth, and enhanced overall nutritional status. By combining science and natural ingredients, Kate Farms aims to significantly improve health outcomes for individuals with varying medical and dietary needs, providing a nourishing alternative that prioritizes both well-being and choice in nutritional care. The company's products are available through a network of retail stores across the United States and online.
New York Shipping Exchange enables the transformation of the container shipping industry through two innovations: a new standardized freight contract and a new way to trade freight digitally. The company is supporting the transformation of container shipping by solving inefficiencies associated with booking downfalls and shipment rollings. They determined to eliminate the distrust between shippers and carriers that has been created by the lack of accountability in ocean contracts. It was founded in 2014 and headquartered in New York, United States.
D-Wave Systems Inc. is a pioneer in the development and integration of superconducting quantum computers, established in 1999 and headquartered in Burnaby, Canada. The company produces various quantum computing systems, including the D-Wave Two System, and offers the D-Wave Hybrid platform for quantum-classical applications. Additionally, D-Wave provides Leap, a cloud-based service that grants users real-time access to quantum computing resources alongside development tools and educational materials. D-Wave's technology is utilized across diverse fields such as logistics, machine learning, climate modeling, and financial analysis, addressing complex problems in industries including defense, finance, and energy. The company also delivers professional services, including training and customer support, to enhance user experience and application of its quantum solutions. With additional offices in the United States and Europe, D-Wave continues to lead in both annealing and gate-model quantum computing systems.
Contentsquare offers a platform that analyzes customer behavior through billions of anonymous interactions across web, mobile, and app environments, while adhering to data privacy regulations such as the EU GDPR and California CCPA. The platform synthesizes various data points, including content, user experience, product details, pricing, acquisition channels, and technical performance, to generate insights and AI-driven recommendations. These insights aim to enhance digital performance throughout the customer journey, ultimately helping businesses improve revenue, engagement, and growth. With a client base exceeding 700 enterprise customers, Contentsquare serves notable companies such as American Express, Best Buy, Dell, Ikea, LVMH, T-Mobile, Salesforce, Sephora, and Toyota.
Casavo Management S.p.A. operates an online platform that simplifies the buying and selling of homes. Founded in 2016 and based in Milan, Italy, the company leverages technology to provide real-time property evaluations and purchase offers within 24 hours, allowing sellers to complete transactions in as little as 30 days after a maximum of two home visits. By directly acquiring properties, Casavo significantly reduces the time needed for sales, although offers typically reflect an average 8% discount compared to market prices. Once acquired, properties are either renovated or fractioned and resold quickly. The platform serves both real estate agencies and private sellers, aiming to create a seamless and efficient experience in the real estate market.
Airbase, Inc. develops software designed to streamline financial processes through automated pre-approval, payment, and accounting workflows. The company offers an all-in-one platform for spend management that integrates approval workflows, corporate cards, bill payments, and accounting automation, thereby enhancing financial control and visibility for organizations. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Burlingame, California, Airbase aims to simplify the complexities of spend management, allowing companies to reduce the time spent on manual tracking of expenditures and focus more on strategic decision-making. The software includes features such as pre-approval management, vendor payment capabilities, and comprehensive reporting, making it a comprehensive solution for modern financial operations.
MercadoLibre operates online commerce and payment platforms across Latin America, enabling businesses and consumers to buy, sell, and transact efficiently. Its primary service is the MercadoLibre marketplace, where users can list items for sale in both fixed-price and auction formats. The platform also facilitates classified listings for various categories, including vehicles, real estate, and services. To support transactions, MercadoPago provides an integrated online payment solution that allows users to send and receive payments securely, both on and off the marketplace. Additionally, MercadoLibre offers logistics services through MercadoEnvios, which includes fulfillment and warehousing solutions, as well as integration with third-party carriers. The company also provides advertising platforms to help brands promote their products and services, and it offers MercadoShops, a hosted solution for users to create and manage their own online stores. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina, MercadoLibre has expanded its services to multiple countries in the region, enhancing e-commerce accessibility and efficiency.
MemSQL, now known as SingleStore, provides a real-time data warehouse solution that enables businesses to manage and operationalize diverse data across various platforms. The company focuses on facilitating faster adaptation to changing business needs and accelerating digital innovation by offering a unified platform for data management. SingleStore's services are available through major cloud providers such as AWS, Azure, and GCP, as well as through customized deployments. This flexibility allows organizations to run SingleStore's capabilities in environments that best suit their operational requirements.
Modanisa is an online fashion retailer for women's Islamic clothing, dresses and accessories. The site offers clothing and accessories to women of all ages and offers shipping and delivery all over the world. The site also trends latest hijab styles for women along with fashion tips for the Muslim regions. Designer abayas and jilbabs, Kayra, Armine, Aker and Tekbir are also sold online.
Northvolt AB, founded in 2016 and based in Stockholm, Sweden, specializes in the manufacture of sustainable lithium-ion batteries tailored for various sectors, including automotive, grid, industrial, portable, and micromobility markets. The company focuses on developing eco-friendly battery solutions that feature a minimal carbon footprint and incorporate advanced recycling technologies. Northvolt provides a range of products, including battery cells, custom cells, and complete battery systems, all designed to support clean energy initiatives and facilitate the electrification of transport. By emphasizing research and development, as well as industrialization, Northvolt aims to establish a reliable supply of sustainable battery cells and systems, enabling industries to transition from fossil fuels to electric alternatives efficiently.
Mayvenn, Inc. is a company that empowers hairstylists by providing them with tools to sell hair extensions directly to their clients, eliminating the need for upfront inventory costs. Founded in 2012 and based in Oakland, California, Mayvenn has developed a platform that supports over 50,000 stylists and has attracted hundreds of thousands of customers. The company's mission focuses on transforming the salon retail experience and enhancing the purchasing process for hair extensions. Since its inception, Mayvenn has experienced significant growth, investing millions of dollars back into salons nationwide, thus fostering a movement within the beauty industry that prioritizes the needs of hairstylists and their clientele.
Private Equity Round in 2022
Varagon Capital Partners is an asset manager specializing in direct lending to mid-sized companies primarily in the United States, focusing on those with EBITDA ranging from $10 million to $75 million. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in New York, with an additional office in Fort Worth, Texas, the firm offers flexible financing solutions and emphasizes building strong relationships with borrowers and private equity firms. Varagon provides investors direct access to quality middle-market loans, delivering investment, risk management, analytics, and reporting services tailored to the commercial, industrial, healthcare, and energy sectors. The experienced team at Varagon is committed to providing transparency, flexibility, and exceptional service to meet the needs of sophisticated investors.
Conexa Saude is a digital platform that promotes the connection of patients and healthcare professionals through technology. With Conexa Saude's telemedicine platform it is possible to break distances, humanize medical care, and democratize health.
Conexa Saude aims to help in preventive medicine and, using technology, lead solutions of Telemedicine all over the country, shortening distances, promoting medical networking and democratizing health care access.
LegalForce, Inc. develops, operates, and maintains software related to legal services. The company was founded in 2017 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.
Megarobo Technology Co., Ltd. engages in collaborative robotics research and development. The company provides automation solutions for life science, intelligent retail, and lightweight manufacturing. It offers robot, motion control, and software services. The company also provides facility on lease with technical support service to use robots. Megarobo Technology Co., Ltd. was founded in 2016 and is based in Beijing, China with additional offices in Suzhou, Shenzhen, and Munich, China.
AlphaSense, Inc. is a New York-based company that specializes in developing an AI-powered search engine for market intelligence. Founded in 2007, AlphaSense provides a platform that enables research professionals to efficiently search, navigate, and analyze various data sources, including filings, research, news, and other disclosures. This technology utilizes artificial intelligence and natural language processing to identify relevant insights from diverse and fragmented data sets, helping users gain critical business insights quickly. The company serves over 1,000 enterprise clients across multiple industries and geographies. With a workforce exceeding 240 employees, a significant portion of whom are dedicated to product development, AlphaSense also has offices in London, Helsinki, Pune, and other locations in the United States.
H1 is the developer of a healthcare data analytics platform intended to help companies make smarter scientific decisions. The company specializes in providing real-time data to support the end-to-end therapeutic development process from fundraising to product development to product launch, thereby providing the healthcare industry, organizations, and professionals with on-demand, live insights from across the data universe to accelerate the discovery and development of therapies to fight diseases.
RippleMatch Inc. is an online recruiting service that connects entry-level candidates with companies seeking to hire them. Founded in 2015 and based in New York, the company addresses the challenges that students face when starting their careers, often relying on limited career services and personal networks. RippleMatch has developed innovative software that automates early career recruiting and career coaching, streamlining the recruiting process for employers while enhancing the candidate experience. By removing geographic barriers, the platform helps candidates find suitable job opportunities and enables companies to identify their ideal hires. Since its inception, RippleMatch has gained traction on college campuses, secured approximately $5 million in venture funding, and partnered with notable companies across the country, all while striving to transform the job search experience for early career professionals.
CareAcademy operates an online training platform tailored for senior home care agencies and caregivers. Founded in 2013 by Helen Adeosun, the company provides evidence-based classes that help direct care workers enhance their skills and improve the quality of care they deliver to older adults. The platform offers a variety of courses covering essential topics such as infection control, nutrition, dementia care, and fall prevention, enabling caregivers to meet licensure requirements across all 50 states. CareAcademy has certified over 40,000 caregivers nationwide, emphasizing the importance of high-touch coaching and exceptional customer service. The training programs not only equip caregivers with the necessary knowledge and skills but also offer peace of mind to employers, ensuring that their teams are well-prepared to support seniors in living independently and safely at home.
Private Equity Round in 2022
Recover Textile Systems, S.L. is a Spanish company based in Banyeres de Mariola, specializing in the transformation of textile waste into high-quality recycled fibers. Founded in 1947, the company offers a range of products under the RCotton and RColorBlend segments. Their offerings include RPure, a recycled cotton product derived from cotton textile waste; RMix, a recycled cotton fiber from cotton blend textiles; RDenim, which utilizes post-consumer denim; RBlue, a vibrant mix of recycled cotton and polyester; and REarth, a blend of recycled cotton and organic cotton. Recover focuses on sustainability by providing innovative solutions for textile recycling, contributing to the reduction of waste and the promotion of circular economy practices in the textile industry.
MoEngage, Inc. provides a user analytics and engagement platform to improve customer retention and lifetime values. Its platform enables user intelligence, push notification, in-app messaging, and smart triggering aspects. The company serves e-commerce, telecom, travel and hospitality, and banking and finance industries. MoEngage, Inc. has a strategic partnership with Vidora, Inc. The company was founded in 2014 and is based in San Francisco, California. It has additional offices in Bengaluru, India; Singapore; London, United Kingdom; Jakarta, Indonesia; Bangkok, Thailand; H? Chí Minh, Vietnam; and Berlin, Germany.
Rimac Group, based in Sveta Nedelja, Croatia, specializes in the design, development, and manufacturing of electric vehicles and advanced automotive components. The company produces high-performance electric hypercars and a variety of electric vehicle components, including drivetrains, battery systems, and infotainment systems. Rimac Group also offers extensive engineering solutions, such as concept design, production strategy development, and quality control. In addition to manufacturing, the company provides prototyping services and the conversion of internal combustion engines to electric or hybrid powertrains. Founded in 2009, Rimac Group has established a strategic partnership with Hyundai Motor, further enhancing its capabilities in the automotive sector. The organization is driven by a passion for innovation and aims to redefine the electric vehicle landscape through cutting-edge technology and design.
MotoRefi, Inc. operates an automotive refinance platform designed to help customers save on their car loans. By partnering with various local and community lenders, the company offers competitive loan rates and aims to reduce monthly payments, with customers typically saving an average of $100 each month. MotoRefi's secure digital platform allows users to assess potential savings and complete the refinancing process easily from home. The company handles all aspects of the transaction, including paying off the previous lender and retitling the vehicle, eliminating the need for customers to visit the DMV. Founded in 2016, MotoRefi is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.
SkySpecs automates the inspection, diagnostics, and maintenance of utility scale wind turbines with custom autonomous drones. The company develops an affordable form of energy, through the use of an automated drone inspection service and analytics platform that allows for repeatability, high-quality data, and safer inspections.
SkySpecs was founded on 2012 and is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Mahmee is a care management platform focused on enhancing maternal and child healthcare. The company aims to bridge critical gaps in maternal health by connecting patients with healthcare providers through a comprehensive system that integrates health records for mothers and infants. This platform identifies clinical risks and facilitates collaboration among maternity and infant care practitioners, ensuring that physicians and specialists can share care plans effectively. Founded on the principle that every woman deserves compassionate and respectful support during new motherhood, Mahmee strives to provide ongoing professional assistance to mothers, enabling them to thrive in their parenting journey while promoting the healthy development of their infants in the first year of life.
Deserve, Inc. is a financial services company based in Menlo Park, California, that specializes in providing credit cards and financial products to international students in the United States. Founded in 2012 and rebranded from Tremus, Inc. in 2017, Deserve utilizes a unique approach to assess creditworthiness by considering factors beyond traditional credit history, such as education, major, cost of education, initial funding sources, and future employability. This innovative method addresses the challenges faced by young individuals who often lack a credit history, thereby enabling them to access fair credit opportunities. Deserve's compliance framework adheres to stringent legal standards, incorporating enhanced identity verification and consistent lending practices to ensure security. The company's streamlined process from application to account management is designed to be simple and efficient, reflecting its commitment to helping customers achieve financial independence.
MoMa Therapeutics, Inc. discovers precision medicines by targeting the molecular machines that underlie human disease. MoMa Therapeutics, Inc. was formerly known as ATPases NewCo, Inc. and changed its name to MoMa Therapeutics, Inc. in March 2020. The company was founded in 2019 and is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Job&Talent operates as an on-demand staffing marketplace designed to enhance the flexibility and transparency of the labor market. The platform addresses the growing demand from companies for adaptable hiring solutions while simultaneously working to reduce global unemployment. As the labor market shifts towards greater flexibility, workers often find themselves in precarious employment situations. Job&Talent offers a Workforce as a Service (WaaS) model that aims to create a mutually beneficial environment for both employers and employees. The company has established a presence in several countries, including the UK, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Mexico, and Colombia, with plans for expansion into France and Italy.
Private Equity Round in 2022
Spot.tv provides marketers with real-time media measurement and performance insights to advertise and stay ahead of the competition. iSpot measurement and attribution analytics are used by every industry for decision making that drives sustainable growth. iSpot.tv attention analytics measures the propensity of consumers to interrupt an ad play on TV and iSpot conversion analytics is the new standard for TV attribution, directly connecting TV ad impressions with web, app, and other first-party data.
The company was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington.
Rapyuta Robotics Co., Ltd. is a technology company based in Tokyo, Japan, with a subsidiary in Zurich, Switzerland, specializing in cloud-connected multi-robotic systems for the security and inspection markets. Founded in 2014 as a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), the company employs around 90 people globally, with additional offices in India. Rapyuta Robotics has developed a platform that simplifies the deployment of robotic solutions by integrating hardware, software, sensor data, and applications in the cloud. This allows businesses to manage various robots and sensors centrally, reducing the need for in-house robotics expertise. By leveraging advanced control research and artificial intelligence technology, Rapyuta Robotics facilitates the creation of an open and coordinated robotics ecosystem, enabling companies to concentrate on their core business processes rather than on the complexities of robotics management.
ShadowBot develops a software robot that performs repetitive online tasks. The software robot simulates various operations of humans and performs operations such as mouse clicks, keyboard input, and reading information on any applications, enabling enterprises to improve efficiency and productivity.
Starling Bank Limited is a digital-only bank headquartered in London, United Kingdom, founded in 2014 by Anne Boden. Originally known as Starling FS Limited, the institution rebranded in July 2016. Starling Bank specializes in providing personal and business banking services through its mobile banking application, which allows users to manage their finances efficiently. The platform offers features such as real-time spending intelligence, the ability to send money to friends, and tools for collaborative savings. Customers can conduct transactions in a paperless and branchless manner, ensuring a streamlined and personalized banking experience.
FundPark is a FinTech focused trade finance platform. FundPark provide purchase order financing and invoice financing to Small and Medium enterprises (SMEs), hence business owners can focus on its own business development, and FundPark can take care of its funding for working capital production.
Fortress Information Security LLC, based in Orlando, Florida, specializes in third-party risk management, cloud and mobile risk management, threat monitoring, incident response, and operational intelligence services. Founded in 2015, the company serves a diverse range of industries, including power utilities, transportation, finance, and healthcare. Fortress employs a comprehensive approach that combines technology, analytics, and services to address emerging cyber threats. Its distinctive Fortress Platform serves as a centralized resource for identifying and managing risks across clients' digital ecosystems, integrating IT, operational technology, and supply chain vulnerabilities. By utilizing risk assessments, continuous monitoring, and expert analysis, Fortress provides clients with actionable insights to enhance security and ensure regulatory compliance, streamlining the process of safeguarding their connected assets.
Nubank issues, administrate, processes, and transfers payments related to post-paid credit cards and equity investment in other entities. It serves clients in Brazil. The company launched its proprietary loyalty rewards program ("Nubank Rewards"), as well as a digital account ("NuConta") that is already used by more than 17 million people. In Cristina Junqueira, David Velez, and Edward Wible founded EO2 Solucoes de Pagamento on May 6, 2013 that became Nubank in on June 25, 2013. It has its headquarters in São Paulo in Brazil.
Coin Metrics Inc. is an online publisher specializing in blockchain and cryptocurrency data, offering a range of market and network analytics to various industries. Founded in 2017 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company provides several key products, including the CM Network Data Pro, which delivers historical crypto network data in a detailed format for institutional clients. Additionally, Coin Metrics offers the CM Market Data Feed, a standardized solution for trade, candle, and order book data from multiple exchanges, and CM Reference Rates, which provides fixed pricing for various assets quoted in U.S. dollars. By focusing on transparent and actionable data, Coin Metrics enables stakeholders to better understand and utilize public crypto networks.
Data.world, Inc. operates an open data platform designed to facilitate the discovery, understanding, and sharing of data across various sectors, including finance, education, environment, and politics. Founded in 2015 and based in Austin, Texas, the platform enables users to access and utilize a wide array of data by minimizing data wrangling and simplifying data transformation processes. It fosters collaboration through a large community, allowing users to engage in projects that range from data journalism to social bot detection. Data.world emphasizes the importance of ethical data practices and has co-created the Manifesto for Data Practices, which promotes effective teamwork in data-related endeavors. As a Public Benefit Corporation, Data.world is committed to balancing its mission of enhancing data accessibility and collaboration with the pursuit of shareholder value.
Founded in 2000, SBI Life Insurance is an India-based insurance company offering individual life insurance products and other products like retirement pensions, protections and savings plans to its clients.
CertiK Global Ltd. is a company specializing in blockchain security, focusing on the formal verification of smart contracts and blockchain ecosystems. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in New York, with additional offices in Beijing, Seoul, and Seattle, CertiK provides a range of services including security audits, penetration testing, and custom formal verification. The company has developed advanced techniques to mathematically prove the correctness and security of blockchain applications, distinguishing its approach from traditional security audits. By employing artificial intelligence and leveraging both on-chain and off-chain data, CertiK offers developers real-time insights into the security of decentralized finance and other critical applications. With a commitment to securing over $6 billion in assets, CertiK has established itself as a leader in the blockchain security industry, serving many of the world's top projects.
Kyte’s mission is to offer the most compelling and most customer-centric way to get a car for consumers on top of fully virtualized cloud fleet ecosystem.
TemperPack Technologies, Inc. designs and manufactures thermal packaging products specifically for insulated and temperature-sensitive goods. The company provides various shipping containers suitable for transporting perishable food and medical supplies, including one-piece boxes, two-piece liners, and temper sleeves. These products are utilized to ship meal kits, sensitive medications, prepared meals, seafood, meats, and desserts. Established in 2015 and based in Richmond, Virginia, with additional facilities in Las Vegas, Nevada, TemperPack serves e-commerce food companies across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. The company is committed to sustainable design, having developed the first certified fully curbside recyclable insulated shipping solution, aiming to address packaging challenges in the perishable food and life sciences sectors.
Ramp is a technology company based in New York that specializes in corporate credit cards and spending management solutions for businesses and startups. Founded in 2019, Ramp's corporate card offers tools for tracking expenses and gaining insights, alongside cashback rewards for purchases made at various retailers. The company aims to streamline corporate spending by providing higher card limits, automated expense management, and seamless integration with accounting systems. Ramp was founded by the team behind Paribus, known for facilitating automated savings on online purchases. Additionally, Ramp Holdings, an entity with a longer history, focuses on video management and delivery solutions, enabling organizations to optimize video content through advanced search, delivery, and monetization capabilities. Originally established in 1948 and based in Boston, this subsidiary of Raytheon BBN Technologies utilizes innovative technologies such as speech-to-text and natural language processing to enhance video experiences across numerous industries.
A corporate language learning platform that uniquely offers active practice alongside algorithmically matched native language coaches who share their students' professional backgrounds and interests. On the app, engineers are learning Arabic from engineers and aid workers are learning French from medical doctors and achieving industry topping course completion rates. Chatterbox language coaches are professionals who have become forcibly displaced and are currently undervalued in the labour market. Co-founded by a former refugee and Y Combinator alum, Chatterbox is backed by BGV, All Turtles and WeWork.
xbAV AG is a German company based in Munich that specializes in the digitalization of corporate retirement solutions and life insurance. Founded in 2016, it offers an online platform and software solutions designed to streamline the interactions among employees, insurance companies, employers, and insurance brokers. xbAV AG's flagship products include xbAV-Berater, which provides advisory and administrative tools for insurance brokers, and bAV-Manager, which enables paperless policy administration. The company also offers employee access features that allow individuals to assess their pension gaps and explore available pension options. With a focus on user-friendly interfaces and efficient processes, xbAV AG connects various stakeholders through its software-as-a-service offerings, enhancing the management of pension and life insurance in a digital format. The company maintains offices in Munich, Berlin, and Saarbrücken.
Peabody Energy Corporation is a leading player in the coal mining industry, focusing on both thermal and metallurgical coal production. The company operates through several segments, including Seaborne Thermal Mining, Seaborne Metallurgical Mining, and various U.S. mining operations, with the Powder River Basin generating the majority of its revenue. Peabody supplies coal primarily to electric utilities, industrial facilities, and steel manufacturers, contributing significantly to electricity generation in the United States and internationally. As of late 2019, Peabody owned interests in 21 mining operations across the U.S. and Australia, holding approximately 3.6 billion tons of proven and probable coal reserves. In addition to mining, the company engages in coal marketing and trading, as well as providing related transportation services. Founded in 1883 and headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Peabody Energy filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 in 2016.
Private Equity Round in 2022
GridPoint, Inc. specializes in energy management solutions that utilize data collection, big data analytics, and cloud computing to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability. The company offers a range of hardware, including advanced monitoring devices and submeters, alongside its cloud-based software platform, GridPoint Energy Manager, which enables the monitoring and management of various energy-consuming assets such as HVAC and lighting systems. Additionally, GridPoint provides a mobile application to facilitate real-time access to site and asset data. Its comprehensive services encompass customer support, energy advisory, and site monitoring. Serving a diverse clientele that includes retailers, grocery stores, restaurants, and educational institutions, GridPoint's solutions aim to achieve significant energy savings, with deployments at over 12,000 sites and billions of data points collected. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Reston, Virginia, GridPoint operates as a subsidiary of Twenty First Century Utilities, LLC.
Bloomreach is the leader in commerce experience™. Its flagship product, brX, is the only digital experience platform built specifically for brands, retailers and B2B companies who want to grow their revenue online while delivering each of their customers a premium, personalized experience. brX combines content management capabilities with market-leading, commerce-specific, AI-driven search, merchandising and personalization in one flexible, API-first next generation platform. Bloomreach serves over 300 companies globally including Albertsons, Staples, Bosch, Puma, FC Bayern Munchen and Marks & Spencer. Bloomreach has a global ecosystem of certified partners and market-leading commerce platforms, including Accenture Interactive, BORN, commercetools, EPAM, IBM iX, Salesforce, SAP, valtech, and Wunderman Thompson Commerce. For more information, visit Bloomreach.com and follow our news on Twitter @Bloomreach_tm or on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/company/bloomreach.
Homebound Inc. is a technology-driven custom home builder based in Santa Rosa, California, founded in 2017. The company specializes in constructing residential homes and offers a comprehensive range of support services, including architecture, design, financing, and insurance consultancy. Originating in response to the 2017 Northern California wildfires, Homebound aims to simplify the homebuilding process by providing a transparent and streamlined experience for homeowners. It manages the entire building journey, assisting clients from insurance negotiation and architectural design to permitting and construction. By leveraging user-friendly technology and a network of qualified building professionals, Homebound addresses the complexities and uncertainties homeowners face, particularly in the aftermath of natural disasters, enabling them to rebuild their homes more efficiently.
Selina Finance Limited, incorporated in 2018 and based in London, provides innovative digital finance services aimed at consumers and businesses. Recognizing the significant value tied up in UK homes and the reliance on costly consumer loans, credit cards, and overdrafts, the company offers flexible financing solutions that are designed to meet modern customer needs. Selina Finance enables individuals to assess their loan eligibility and provides credit facilities for property investors and businesses. By leveraging expertise in real estate, finance, and technology, Selina Finance aims to deliver a next-generation financing option that combines the flexibility of a current account, the affordability of a mortgage, and the ease of application typical of consumer loans.
Fast Radius, Inc. provides additive manufacturing solutions including application discovery, product design and testing, production-grade manufacturing, and global fulfillment. The company offers additive thermoplastic, elastomeric, and metal manufacturing services. Additionally, it provides CNC machining, injection and cast urethane molding, and reverse engineering services. Fast Radius, Inc. was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
ElasticRun appears to be building a similar app-based asset-light model for receiving orders and dispatching delivery drivers.ElasticRun is building next generation transportation technology that will power the ecommerce and distribution industry of India.
Hopper Inc. is a travel technology company that has developed a mobile application leveraging big data to predict and analyze airfare and hotel prices. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Montreal, Canada, with additional offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts, New York, New York, and Sofia, Bulgaria, Hopper assists travelers in securing the best deals by providing timely notifications when flight and accommodation prices reach their predicted lowest points. By offering data-driven travel recommendations, Hopper enhances the booking experience for users, enabling them to make informed decisions and save money on their journeys.
Contabilizei offers an online accounting service for small and micro enterprises. The company positively impacted the lives of thousands of micro and small businesses by implementing cost-effective, intelligent online accounting. Fábio Bacarin and Vitor Torres founded it in January 2014, with its headquarters in Curitiba in Brazil.
Raisin is a savings and investment marketplace that connects retail customers with banks looking to expand deposit reach. The company's goal is to provide savers the best interest rates. The company gives access to exclusive savings products from all over Europe. Raisin assures a smooth investment process and the simple management of investments with all of the partner banks via one single platform. Raisin was founded on 2012 and is headquartered in Berlin, Germany.
Capital Markets Gateway (CMG) is a financial technology firm that is modernizing the equity capital markets (ECM). CMG connects investors and underwriters via a neutral platform that delivers integrated ECM data and analytics, unrivaled transparency, and workflow efficiencies. Providing a digital system of record for firm-wide deal activity, CMG helps clients make more timely, better-informed decisions. Launched in 2017 by a team of ECM practitioners, the CMG platform is currently relied upon by nearly 100 buy side firms representing $12 trillion in AUM and 15 investment banks.
Exotec Solutions, based in Croix, France, specializes in innovative order preparation systems that utilize a fleet of collaborative mobile robots. Founded in 2016, the company’s technology enhances warehouse management by employing an orders-to-man system, which brings items directly to the picker, improving efficiency in e-commerce, fast-moving consumer goods, retail, and third-party logistics applications. The Exo robots navigate without fixed infrastructure, while the Fleet Control supervisor coordinates their movements and tasks, interfacing with warehouse management systems. This system essentially functions as a virtual conveyor with limitless path options, facilitating seamless picking and dropping of goods in various logistical environments.
Shanghai ZhenGe Biotechnology Co.,Ltd. researches and develops drugs. It also engages in mammalian cell line development, upstream development, downstream development, and formulation development for various protein therapeutics. In addition, the company provides contract development and manufacturing services; and offers IND and BLA filing services. Further, it provides platform for research and development of antibodies, transient infection, process development, N-Glycosylation, and CAR-T. Shanghai ZhenGe Biotechnology Co.,Ltd. was founded in 2017 and is based in Shanghai, China.
Private Equity Round in 2022
Project44, Inc. is a technology company that provides a cloud-based visibility platform tailored for shippers and third-party logistics providers. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Chicago, with an office in Paris, the company offers a suite of solutions that includes pricing, routing, scheduling, tracking, exception management, digital documentation, and payment processing. By connecting to over 175,000 carriers globally and supporting various transportation modes—such as parcel, final-mile, less-than-truckload, truckload, rail, intermodal, and ocean—project44 enhances operational efficiencies and reduces costs. Its platform enables organizations to improve shipping performance and offers a comprehensive view of the shipment life cycle, allowing businesses to act swiftly on insights gained from real-time data.
Started in 2016 by a group of educators and technologists in California, Wonderschool offers a platform where people can start infant and toddler programs and preschools out of their homes. Wonderschool supports experienced educators and childcare providers to start their own childcares or preschools out of their homes, whether they live in apartments, condos, or homes that they rent or own. Wonderschool provides assistance with licensing, program setup, marketing and everything in between. The company’s software platform allows teachers to manage their students, parents, and their program from one dashboard. Along with this, Wonderschool has built a marketplace for parents to search Wonderschool programs, schedule visits, enroll their children, and make payments. It’s been proven time and time again that children should start developing cognitive, motor, behavioral, and social skills from as early as 6 months and Wonderschool is committed to increasing families’ access to high quality care and learning environments for children.
Zakher Marine International operates as an offshore oil and gas industries and offshore marine construction companies that focus on client satisfaction and retention since 1984. They always innovative ideas and business opportunities with the aim to service their clients by offering value added components. It works in the areas of towing vessels, platform supply vessels (PSV, OSV), subsea capabilities etc.
Hydrostor Inc. develops a compressed air energy storage solution, a technology to address electricity system needs for dispatchable capacity, renewable integration and optimization, transmission deferral, and behind-the-meter or remote applications. The company solutions delivers bulk energy storage that is synchronous and emission-free to locate, including the ability to repurpose retired coal plants and leverage existing mining infrastructure. Its solutions are used in fossil plant repurposing, renewable integration, transmission deferral, and mines and large industrial operations. The company serves customers in the United States, Australia, and Canada. It has a strategic partnership with AECOM. The company was founded in 2010 and is based in Toronto, Canada.
Private Equity Round in 2022
symplr is a provider of healthcare Governance, Risk, and Compliance solutions and services. We help organizations execute a strategy that ensures high quality patient care, streamlined processes and a healthy bottom line by providing the technology, support, and resources needed to successfully navigate workforce management, credentialing, privileging, and compliance.
Fever Labs, Inc. operates a mobile application that serves as a social discovery tool, offering users a curated list of local events in various cities, including New York, Madrid, and London. The app provides comprehensive information on a wide range of experiences, such as concerts, exhibitions, parties, comedy shows, and attractions, along with ticket booking options. With a focus on enhancing the Experience Economy, Fever connects over 40 million users monthly with the best local activities, while also empowering event organizers to create original content. Founded in 2011 and initially known as Kzemos, Inc., Fever has established itself as a leader in the digitization of experiences, helping individuals discover and enjoy diverse cultural and entertainment offerings.
Kobo360 is a tech-enabled digital logistics platform that aggregates end-to-end haulage operations to help cargo owners, truck owners, and drivers, and cargo recipients to achieve an efficient supply chain framework. Through an all-in-one robust logistics ecosystem, Kobo uses big data and technology to reduce logistics frictions, empowering rural farmers to earn more by reducing farm wastages and helping manufacturers of all sizes to find new markets. Kobo enables unprecedented efficiency and cost reduction in the supply chain, providing 360-visibility while delivering products of all sizes safely, on time and in full. The Kobo mission is to build the Global Logistics Operating System that will power trade and commerce across Africa and Emerging Markets. The company is also preparing to enter the agro-trading space by creating a marketplace that links farmers with buyers all over the world. The marketplace will effectively eliminate the high cost of middlemen for smallholder farmers and significantly improve profits. Ife Oyedele ll and Obi Ozor founded it in 2017 and is headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria.
Addi is a technology company that provides credit and banking solutions. Addi is headquartered in Bogota, Colombia.
Olist is an online e-commerce platform based in Curitiba, Brazil, that facilitates connections between sellers and major Brazilian marketplaces. Founded in 2015, the company provides a comprehensive platform for shopkeepers of various sizes and sectors to register and sell their products through prominent retailers. Olist aims to streamline the selling process for entrepreneurs by enabling them to advertise and sell their products without complications, thereby enhancing their reach to international marketplaces. The company emphasizes a sustainable and fair business model, focusing on delivering excellent services to both merchants and consumers.
Sysdig, Inc. provides network and application monitoring software solutions designed to enhance the performance and security of cloud-based application delivery infrastructures. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, Sysdig addresses the complexities of securing containers, Kubernetes, and cloud services through its Sysdig Secure DevOps Platform. This platform enables organizations to secure their build pipelines, detect and respond to runtime threats, validate compliance, and monitor cloud infrastructure effectively. Built on an open-source foundation that includes tools like Falco and sysdig OSS, Sysdig's SaaS offerings are relied upon by numerous companies for their container and Kubernetes security needs. The company also operates data centers in Oregon and Frankfurt, Germany, and has a subsidiary in Japan.
CloudBees, Inc. is a provider of software solutions focused on enhancing the software delivery process for IT organizations. Founded in 2010, the company specializes in continuous integration and continuous delivery technologies, primarily built around the Jenkins platform. CloudBees offers a suite of products, including an open-source automation server, CloudBees CI for continuous integration, and CloudBees CD for continuous delivery. Their solutions cater to various deployment preferences, including on-premise and cloud-native, and address specific enterprise requirements for governance and developer flexibility. Additionally, CloudBees provides tools like CloudBees DevOptics, which aggregates data from software pipelines for better insights, and CloudBees Core for Kubernetes Continuous Delivery, aimed at managing cloud-native applications. With a focus on making software development more efficient and manageable, CloudBees enables organizations to accelerate the transformation of ideas into software, thereby enhancing overall business value. The company operates from multiple locations, including Delaware, California, North Carolina, Virginia, Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
CloudBees, Inc. is a provider of software solutions focused on enhancing the software delivery process for IT organizations. Founded in 2010, the company specializes in continuous integration and continuous delivery technologies, primarily built around the Jenkins platform. CloudBees offers a suite of products, including an open-source automation server, CloudBees CI for continuous integration, and CloudBees CD for continuous delivery. Their solutions cater to various deployment preferences, including on-premise and cloud-native, and address specific enterprise requirements for governance and developer flexibility. Additionally, CloudBees provides tools like CloudBees DevOptics, which aggregates data from software pipelines for better insights, and CloudBees Core for Kubernetes Continuous Delivery, aimed at managing cloud-native applications. With a focus on making software development more efficient and manageable, CloudBees enables organizations to accelerate the transformation of ideas into software, thereby enhancing overall business value. The company operates from multiple locations, including Delaware, California, North Carolina, Virginia, Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Heap Inc. develops an analytics infrastructure designed for online businesses, enabling them to capture and analyze web, mobile, and cloud interactions, such as clicks and transactions. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, with additional offices in New York and Utah, Heap's solution automates the analytics process, allowing companies to focus on deriving insights and making informed business decisions. The platform provides a comprehensive view of customer data, helping businesses optimize product offerings and enhance user experiences. Heap serves over 6,000 clients across various industries, including e-commerce, financial services, and software as a service (SaaS), with notable customers such as Twilio, LendingClub, and Optimizely.
Private Equity Round in 2021
RateGain Travel Technology Pvt. Ltd. specializes in providing web-based revenue optimization and distribution solutions for the global travel industry. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Noida, India, with additional offices in London, Santa Pola, Dubai, and McLean, the company offers a range of products including RevGain for price optimization, RezGain for channel management, BrandGain for guest satisfaction and online reputation management, and PriceGain-Air, a cloud-based price intelligence tool. RateGain serves a diverse clientele that includes airlines, hotels, cruise lines, car rental companies, online travel agents, tour operators, and wholesalers. The company's innovative approach has established it as a leader in hospitality and travel technology, enabling clients to streamline operations and enhance sales performance.
Private Equity Round in 2021
Synergis Fund is one of Australia’s first wholesale investment funds aimed at transforming the disability housing sector. We aim to set the standard for disability housing in Australia, where every person with disability has access to high quality, safe, stable and appropriate homes. We put people at the heart of our investment model, and work with wholesale investors, selected SIL providers and accredited SDA providers to overcome the complexities in disability housing, yielding better outcomes both for people living with disability and investors.
PeopleFund is Korea’s leading tech-based financial platform that is opening doors to financial freedom through affordable loans and attractive alternative investment products. It is the fastest growing marketplace lender in Korea and uniquely positioned as the first and only Korean marketplace lending platform to fully integrate with a top-tier commercial bank to process personal and business loans that are government approved. PeopleFund is also the first fintech platform to offer investment products directly on KakaoTalk, Korea’s most popular messaging app, which has allowed the company to grow and scale up its business. PeopleFund was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Seoul, Korea.
SK Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. is a South Korean pharmaceutical company focused on the research, discovery, and development of drugs for central nervous system disorders. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Seongnam, the company is advancing several clinical candidates, including Cenobamate for epilepsy, Solriamfetol for excessive daytime sleepiness, and Carisbamate for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Additionally, Relenopride is in Phase 2 trials for a rare neurological disease, while SKL13865, SKL20540, SKL-PSY, and SKL24741 are in various early-phase trials for conditions such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and epilepsy. SK Biopharmaceuticals aims to become a leading specialty pharmaceutical company by developing innovative therapies for CNS and metabolic disorders, alongside providing specialized pharmaceutical manufacturing services.
Peek is a travel activities marketplace based in San Francisco, California, that simplifies the process of discovering and booking tours and activities throughout the United States. Founded in 2011, the company provides a technology platform that connects travelers with a variety of experiences, facilitating easy online bookings. Peek's offerings include a comprehensive selection of tours and lessons, curated by handpicked vendors and experts to cater to diverse travel preferences. Through its website and mobile app, Peek generates new customers and enhances the visibility of local operators, empowering them to manage and grow their businesses effectively.
Up&Up is a New York-based platform that facilitates fractional homeownership, providing individuals with a more accessible and flexible approach to renting and owning property. Established in 2017, it allows users to invest in real estate and become part-owners of their chosen homes, thereby helping them build equity over time. This innovative model not only offers a rewarding alternative to traditional rentals but also enables residents to prepare for future homeownership or cash out when desired. Through its services, Up&Up aims to enrich the housing experience and provide users with greater financial opportunities in the real estate market.
Developer of a real estate platform designed for agents, teams, and brokerages. The company offers an end-to-end suite of software and business services that include administrative support, marketing and branding, lead generation, accounting, legal, human resources, back-office infrastructure, and training, enabling clients to build relationships with consumers from their first real estate purchase through every piece of property they buy in their lifetime.
H1 is the developer of a healthcare data analytics platform intended to help companies make smarter scientific decisions. The company specializes in providing real-time data to support the end-to-end therapeutic development process from fundraising to product development to product launch, thereby providing the healthcare industry, organizations, and professionals with on-demand, live insights from across the data universe to accelerate the discovery and development of therapies to fight diseases.
Cyclone Robotics, officially known as Hongsheng Information Technology Co., Ltd., specializes in the development and sale of artificial intelligence software products that function as digital employees. The company's primary focus is on enhancing operational efficiency for enterprises across various industries, including finance, insurance, retail, and technology. By providing integrated industry solutions based on its proprietary digital employee technology, Cyclone Robotics helps organizations significantly reduce personnel and system construction costs while improving business operation quality. The company's offerings have been successfully implemented in several prominent sectors, including a large state-owned bank and leading firms in home appliances and car retail. Cyclone Robotics has garnered positive feedback from clients for its innovative solutions that streamline processes and enable employees to concentrate on higher-value tasks.
WSO2 Inc. is a company that specializes in designing and developing an open-source enterprise middleware platform aimed at enhancing enterprise productivity. The platform enables enterprise architects and developers to build, integrate, manage, secure, and analyze APIs, applications, web services, and microservices across various environments, including on-premises, cloud, and mobile devices. WSO2 offers a suite of solutions, such as WSO2 Private PaaS for hosting middleware products, WSO2 App Factory for managing enterprise applications, and WSO2 API Cloud for sharing business capabilities globally. The company also provides WSO2 Identity Cloud, designed to support the growing demand for cloud and SaaS solutions. Serving diverse sectors including health, finance, retail, and technology, WSO2 operates globally with offices in multiple countries and employs over 650 professionals. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Mountain View, California, WSO2's integrated platform and open-source approach enable organizations to avoid vendor lock-in while facilitating digital transformation.
Ignis Therapeutics
Series A in 2021
Ignis Therapeutics is a life science company developing innovative therapies in the field of the central nervous system. With a strong commitment to self-discovery and a development strategy to advance the treatment paradigm, Ignis Therapeutics transforms the approach to treating CNS conditions. Ignis Therapeutics is dedicated to developing products that significantly improve the lives of patients while also providing additional therapeutic options for physicians.
H2O.ai, Inc. develops an open-source machine learning platform designed to facilitate predictive analytics and enhance application development. The company's flagship product, H2O, allows data scientists and application developers to implement in-memory machine learning for various use cases, including risk assessment, fraud detection, and customer churn prediction. H2O.ai also offers H2O Driverless AI, an automated machine learning platform, and H2O Wave, an open-source framework for real-time application development powered by AI. The company's technology serves over 5,000 organizations across diverse sectors such as insurance, healthcare, telecommunications, marketing, financial services, retail, and manufacturing. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Mountain View, California, H2O.ai has established strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings and continues to support a broad range of industries with its innovative solutions.
Nykaa is an e-Commerce platform for different beauty and wellness products for men and women. They also offer comprehensive content including product reviews, beauty how-to videos, articles by experts, and an e-beauty magazine. Their helpline helps to choose products and services best suited for customer's needs. Nykaa's products are authentic sourced directly from brands and provide a delivery experience. Nykaa was founded in 2012 by Falguni Nayar and is headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Mirae Asset Global Investments is a South Korean asset management firm established in 1997 that operates in 12 countries, including Australia, the United States, and various locations across Asia. The firm offers a range of investment solutions, including traditional equity and fixed income products, exchange-traded funds, and alternative strategies such as hedge funds. Committed to client-centric service, Mirae Asset emphasizes ethical standards and a team-oriented approach to identify opportunities that drive value and profits. By maintaining a diversified platform, the company aims to provide insightful financial strategies tailored to the diverse needs of its clients. Mirae Asset's foundational investment philosophy, centered around the principle of putting clients' interests first, has positioned it as a leading player in the Asian capital markets while fostering growth as it expands its global footprint.
Mirion Technologies is a provider of detection, measurement, analysis and monitoring solutions to the nuclear, defense, medical and research end markets. The organization aims to harness its unrivaled knowledge of ionizing radiation for the greater good of humanity. Many of the company's end markets are characterized by the need to meet rigorous regulatory standards, design qualifications and operating requirements.
Aware is a cloud intelligence platform that adopts the latest advancements in cognitive computing, artificial intelligence, and behavioral analytics to amplify enterprise value by monitoring the social graph. They harness the power of their platform’s insights into human behavior and interactivity to create great value for the enterprise. They have only built a fraction of what they imagined and now they are looking for incredibly talented people to help us achieve their aspirational vision.
Openpay Group Ltd provides Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) payment solutions across Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The company partners with merchants to offer BNPL repayment plans through various channels, including in-store, in-app, and online, enhancing transaction values and conversion rates at checkout. Openpay also features Openpay for Business, a software-as-a-service portal that allows enterprise customers to manage trade accounts comprehensively, covering applications, credit checks, approvals, and account management. The company serves multiple sectors, including healthcare, automotive, home improvement, and retail. Additionally, Openpay has formed a strategic partnership with ezyVet to provide payment plans for veterinary services. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, Openpay has streamlined its brand identity under a single name after evolving its technology framework over several years.
FAASOS, operated by Rebel Foods Services, is an on-demand food delivery platform that primarily functions through a mobile app. It is transforming the way customers order and receive food, serving approximately 10,000 customers daily, with a rapidly increasing user base. The service is currently available in ten cities, focusing exclusively on app-based orders to enhance customer convenience and streamline the delivery process. As a pioneer in the food tech space, FAASOS continues to expand its reach and improve its offerings to meet the growing demand for quick and accessible food delivery solutions.
FAASOS, operated by Rebel Foods Services, is an on-demand food delivery platform that primarily functions through a mobile app. It is transforming the way customers order and receive food, serving approximately 10,000 customers daily, with a rapidly increasing user base. The service is currently available in ten cities, focusing exclusively on app-based orders to enhance customer convenience and streamline the delivery process. As a pioneer in the food tech space, FAASOS continues to expand its reach and improve its offerings to meet the growing demand for quick and accessible food delivery solutions.