The National Science Foundation (NSF), established in 1950 and located in Alexandria, Virginia, is an independent federal agency dedicated to advancing fundamental research and education across all scientific and engineering disciplines. With an annual budget of approximately $7.8 billion, the NSF operates America's Seed Fund, which allocates nearly $200 million each year to support startups and small businesses through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. This initiative provides non-dilutive funding of up to $1.5 million to assist in research and development efforts, thereby facilitating the transformation of scientific discoveries into commercially viable products and services. By helping to de-risk technology, the NSF plays a crucial role in fostering innovation and addressing societal challenges through scientific advancements.

Khosla Ventures is a venture capital firm established in 2004 by Vinod Khosla, co-founder of Sun Microsystems, and is headquartered in Menlo Park, California. The firm manages over $5 billion and focuses on investing in a diverse range of sectors, including consumer technology, enterprise solutions, education, healthcare, financial services, agriculture, sustainable energy, and robotics. Khosla Ventures provides not only capital but also strategic guidance to entrepreneurs, particularly in early-stage ventures, where it often supports innovative and unconventional projects. The firm seeks to back companies that are driven by breakthrough technologies, with investment sizes ranging from $100,000 to over $20 million. Khosla Ventures maintains a collaborative approach, frequently co-investing with other firms, including Kleiner Perkins, with which it has historical ties.

Salesforce is a global cloud computing company that specializes in providing business software on a subscription basis, primarily known for its customer relationship management (CRM) solutions. Founded in 1999 and based in California, Salesforce offers a comprehensive suite of products, including Sales Cloud for managing customer information, Service Cloud for customer support, Marketing Cloud for digital marketing, and Analytics Cloud for data insights. The Customer 360 platform integrates customer data across various systems to enhance sales, service, marketing, and commerce functions. Additionally, Salesforce Ventures, the company's venture capital arm, invests in technology-related startups, providing funding and access to its extensive cloud ecosystem. Since its inception in 2009, Salesforce Ventures has supported over 250 enterprise cloud startups worldwide, promoting innovation and encouraging corporate philanthropy through initiatives like Pledge 1%.

Insight Partners is a global private equity and venture capital firm founded in 1995 and headquartered in New York City, with additional offices in London, Tel Aviv, and Palo Alto. The firm specializes in investing in growth-stage technology, software, and internet companies, focusing on sectors such as B2B, B2C, cybersecurity, cloud technology, and financial technology. With over $75 billion in assets under management, Insight Partners has invested in more than 750 companies worldwide, helping many achieve significant milestones, including over 55 initial public offerings. The firm’s approach emphasizes hands-on collaboration with visionary executives, providing practical expertise to support companies throughout their growth journey. Insight Partners is committed to fostering a culture that views growth as an opportunity, driving transformative change across various industries.

NVIDIA Corporation is a prominent visual computing company that specializes in graphics processing units (GPUs) and Tegra processors. The GPU segment includes products like GeForce for gaming, Quadro for design professionals, Tesla for artificial intelligence applications, and GRID for cloud-based graphics. The Tegra Processor segment focuses on mobile-cloud technologies, serving areas such as home entertainment, AI, and autonomous vehicles with products like DRIVE AGX and Jetson AGX. Founded in 1993 and based in Santa Clara, California, NVIDIA's products are utilized across various markets, including gaming, professional visualization, data centers, and automotive sectors. The company markets its offerings to a diverse customer base, including original equipment manufacturers, system builders, automotive manufacturers, and cloud service providers. Beyond hardware, NVIDIA also supports startups through its accelerator program, helping them develop AI and data science innovations.

Andreessen Horowitz is a venture capital firm established in 2009 by Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, based in Menlo Park, California. The firm specializes in investing across various stages of startups, from seed to late stage, with a strong emphasis on technology sectors. Its investment focus includes software, cloud computing, enterprise solutions, and consumer Internet, as well as areas intersecting computer science and life sciences, such as digital therapeutics and computational medicine. The firm aims to fund innovative companies that contribute to American dynamism, with investments typically ranging from $50,000 to $50 million. While primarily targeting technology startups, Andreessen Horowitz has a selective approach, avoiding investments in sectors like clean energy and traditional consumer retail.

Innovate UK is a non-departmental public body established in 2007 and based in Swindon, United Kingdom. Funded by a government grant, it supports innovation in science and technology by providing funding services to businesses across various sectors and regions. The organization aims to drive productivity and economic growth by facilitating advancements that contribute to the UK’s economic landscape. In addition to funding, Innovate UK offers a range of services and information related to business and economic development, thereby fostering a supportive environment for innovation.

MassChallenge is a non-equity startup accelerator headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with additional locations in Israel, Mexico, Switzerland, Texas, and the UK. Founded in 2009, it focuses on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship by supporting high-potential startups across various industries globally. MassChallenge provides expert mentorship, a tailored curriculum, and access to corporate partners without taking any equity from the startups. Its programs, including specialized initiatives like MassChallenge FinTech and MassChallenge HealthTech, aim to facilitate partnerships between startups and established companies to drive innovation and growth. To date, MassChallenge has helped over 1,200 alumni raise more than $2 billion in funding and create over 65,000 jobs, demonstrating its significant impact on the global innovation ecosystem.

GGV Capital IX is a venture capital fund managed by GGV Capital, a global firm founded in 2000 that focuses on investing in local founders across various sectors. The firm specializes in seed-to-growth stage investments, targeting industries such as Consumer/New Retail, Social/Digital & Internet, Enterprise/Cloud, and Frontier Tech. GGV Capital manages a total of $6.2 billion across 13 funds and has a diversified portfolio that includes notable companies like Airbnb, Alibaba, and Peloton. With offices in key locations such as Beijing, San Francisco, and Shanghai, GGV Capital aims to provide expansion capital ranging from $5 to $25 million for initial investments in both the United States and China. The firm's approach is to support innovative entrepreneurs and emerging technologies that can shape the future of their respective industries.

Accel is a venture capital firm founded in 1983 and based in Palo Alto, California. It specializes in early and growth-stage investments, focusing primarily on technology startups in sectors such as cloud computing, software, digital media, and fintech. With additional offices in San Francisco, London, and Bangalore, Accel employs localized strategies to identify and support entrepreneurs capable of building category-defining businesses. The firm has a notable portfolio featuring companies like Facebook, Spotify, and Slack, reflecting its commitment to fostering innovation across various industries. Accel manages several funds, targeting investments ranging from $5 million to $15 million, and has a robust global presence that includes partnerships in India and China.

Berkeley SkyDeck is an accelerator located in Berkeley, California, dedicated to supporting startups founded by UC Berkeley students, alumni, and faculty. Established in 2012, it offers a six-month Cohort Program where selected companies can receive up to $100,000 in funding, disbursed in two tranches. The program is industry-agnostic and includes a Global Innovative Partner Program and a HotDesk incubator accommodating approximately 120 startups annually. As a joint initiative of UC Berkeley’s College of Engineering, Haas School of Business, and the Vice-Chancellor for Research Office, Berkeley SkyDeck aims to foster entrepreneurial excellence by providing access to a robust network of advisors, investors, workshops, and resources to its participating teams.

Nuance Communications specializes in conversational and cognitive artificial intelligence innovations aimed at enhancing everyday work and life. The company provides a range of solutions that understand, analyze, and respond to users, thereby improving productivity and security. Its Healthcare segment focuses on clinical speech and language understanding tools that streamline the clinical documentation process, including solutions like cloud-based speech recognition and voice-enabled applications. The Enterprise segment utilizes speech and natural language processing to deliver automated customer solutions across various channels, including voice, mobile, and web. Additionally, Nuance offers voicemail transcription services in its Other segment. The company's clientele spans multiple sectors, including healthcare, financial services, telecommunications, government, and retail. Nuance markets its technologies directly and through a network of resellers worldwide. Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts, the company was previously known as ScanSoft, Inc. before rebranding in 2005.

GV Management Company, LLC, formerly known as Google Ventures, serves as the venture capital arm of Alphabet Inc., established in 2009 and headquartered in Mountain View, California, with additional offices in Boston, New York, Cambridge, and London. The firm specializes in growth capital investments across various stages, including seed, early, mid, and late stages, focusing on sectors such as life sciences, healthcare, artificial intelligence, robotics, cyber security, and agriculture. GV has invested in over 300 companies, seeking to support startups that aim to innovate and transform industries. The firm typically invests up to $50 million, with smaller amounts allocated to early-stage ventures. GV provides its portfolio companies with exceptional support by connecting them with Google's resources and talent, leveraging a team of experts in engineering, design, science, and marketing to enhance their growth potential.

Craft Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm based in San Francisco, founded in 2017. The firm focuses on investing in innovative companies across various sectors, including e-commerce, SaaS, cryptocurrency, and blockchain, as well as business and consumer products and services. It is managed by a team of 15 experienced investors and operators, who bring a blend of entrepreneurial expertise and investment insight. The partners have collectively built and invested in numerous iconic companies over the past two decades and are dedicated to identifying the next generation of transformative businesses while honoring the vision of their founders.

Sequoia Capital, founded in 1972 and based in Menlo Park, California, is a prominent venture capital firm that invests in early to growth stage companies across various sectors, including technology, healthcare, financial services, and consumer services. The firm specializes in supporting startups and emerging growth companies, typically investing between $100,000 and $1 million in seed companies, $1 million to $10 million in early ventures, and $10 million to $100 million in growth investments. Sequoia Capital operates globally, with a presence in regions such as Israel, China, and Southeast Asia, and has built a diverse portfolio that includes notable companies like Airbnb, Alibaba, and JD.com. The firm emphasizes a partnership approach with entrepreneurs, leveraging decades of experience to guide them from initial concept through to public offering and beyond.

Global Brain is a Tokyo-based venture capital firm founded in 1998, specializing in early-stage investments across various sectors, including e-commerce, software, gaming, media, IoT, education, entertainment, and fintech. The firm has expanded its investment activities to the US and Asia, targeting series A-stage technology companies. Since its inception, Global Brain has invested in approximately 30 companies, achieving seven initial public offerings and seven mergers and acquisitions. The firm supports its portfolio companies by providing not only capital but also strategic guidance, partnerships, and team-building resources to help them reach their milestones. Global Brain is particularly adept in e-commerce, operating a platform called EC-PLANET, which encompasses several group companies, including a large online sports goods store and a logistics firm offering comprehensive fulfillment services. This network, along with Global Brain's connections to established Japanese companies, facilitates market entry for US and Asian businesses into Japan.

Cisco Investments serves as the corporate investment arm of Cisco Systems, focusing on direct and fund of funds investments primarily within the technology sector. Founded in 1993 and based in San Jose, California, with an additional office in Moscow, the firm targets a diverse range of areas including big data and analytics, the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud technologies, cybersecurity, and data center solutions. Cisco Investments actively participates in venture capital, investing in start-ups, early-stage, later-stage, and pre-IPO companies, particularly in key markets such as China, India, Israel, and various regions in Europe. In India, the firm emphasizes early-stage and growth-stage investments in next-generation technologies, including smart city initiatives and financial services. The firm typically invests between $0.5 million and $15 million, aiming for ownership stakes of 5 percent to 20 percent in its portfolio companies. Cisco Investments has a robust portfolio, with over 80 direct investments and substantial Limited Partner positions in various funds globally.

Innovation Works is a venture capital firm based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, established in 1999. With over 20 years of experience, it has become a key player in Southwestern Pennsylvania's technology economy, focusing on investing in high-potential companies that can significantly impact the regional economy. As the largest investor in seed-stage companies in the region, Innovation Works supports a diverse range of sectors, including robotics, artificial intelligence, medical devices, retail technologies, and enterprise software. In addition to financial investment, the firm offers business expertise and resources to help manufacturers adopt new technologies, further fostering innovation and growth within the local economy.

Liquid 2 Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2015 and based in San Francisco, California. The firm specializes in seed-stage investments, targeting technology startups across various sectors, including communications, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and more. With a focus on pre-seed and seed-stage companies, Liquid 2 Ventures aims to support early-stage entrepreneurs in the United States as they develop innovative solutions and grow their businesses. The firm was established by Joe Montana, Mike Miller, and Michael Ma, bringing together their expertise to foster technological advancements and drive economic growth in the tech industry.

Sensory is a developer of advanced technologies focused on machine learning and embedded AI, with over 25 years of experience in creating applications that have become integral to everyday devices. The company specializes in edge-based speech recognition, natural language understanding, wake words, sound identification, biometric recognition, and computer vision. Sensory pioneered always-listening speech recognition and offers flexible wake word and vocabulary options, enhancing the functionality of voice-enabled devices. Its biometric technologies facilitate secure user authentication and device unlocking, making interactions faster and more convenient. Sensory's solutions are widely utilized across various sectors, including automotive, home appliances, IoT, mobile devices, and wearables, with its technologies deployed in over two billion units of consumer products and software applications, ensuring privacy and efficiency without relying on Wi-Fi.

Flint Capital is a venture capital firm founded in 2013 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, with additional offices in Tel Aviv, Palo Alto, and London. The firm specializes in seed and early-stage investments, primarily targeting sectors such as fintech, cybersecurity, educational technologies, and information technology. Flint Capital seeks to invest between $0.5 million and $2 million in companies with global ambitions, particularly those expanding from Israel and Europe into the U.S. market. The firm employs a strategic approach that leverages its extensive network of entrepreneurs and industry experts to identify high-quality investment opportunities. Flint Capital typically exits its investments through mergers and acquisitions or initial public offerings, positioning itself as a key player in the venture capital landscape.

The Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) is a seed-stage acceleration program founded in 2012 at the Rotman School of Management in Toronto, Canada. It is dedicated to supporting massively scalable, science- and technology-based ventures by providing a unique coaching process focused on specific objectives. CDL connects startups with experienced entrepreneurs and leading scientists across various sectors, including artificial intelligence, healthcare, quantum computing, blockchain, energy, and cleantech. The program has expanded its reach, operating in six cities: Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, and New York City, and emphasizes the commercialization of scientific and technological advancements.

The EIC pilot supports top-class innovators, entrepreneurs, small companies and scientists with bright ideas and the ambition to scale up internationally. It brings together the parts of Horizon 2020 that provide funding, advice and networking opportunities for those at cutting edge of innovation.

TandemLaunch is an accelerator based in Montreal, Canada, founded in 2010. It specializes in scouting, accelerating, and commercializing early-stage technologies from leading universities, collaborating closely with major consumer electronics brands. The organization works with innovative entrepreneurs and technologists to transform initial concepts into high-quality startup ventures. Its incubation program offers mentorship, engineering and business resources, and seed financing of up to $800,000. Graduates of the program can access additional funding through TandemLaunch Ventures, which focuses on investing in early-stage technology companies, particularly within the information technology sector, and aims to support around 20 companies.

SV Angel is a San Francisco-based seed fund founded by Ron Conway, specializing in early-stage investments primarily in the Internet software sector. Established in 1992, the firm distinguishes itself from traditional venture capital by adopting a portfolio approach, investing in a larger number of companies while refraining from taking board seats. This allows SV Angel to focus on providing extensive business development, financing, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic advice to its portfolio companies. Over the years, SV Angel has supported numerous high-profile startups, including Facebook, Google, and Airbnb. The firm continues to leverage its extensive network to facilitate growth and innovation within the companies it invests in, aiming to foster a thriving startup ecosystem across the United States.

Sony Innovation Fund is the venture capital arm of Sony Corporation, established in 2016 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The fund specializes in investing in early-stage technology startups, with a particular focus on sectors such as entertainment, fintech, healthcare, the internet of things, mobility, deep tech, and sensor technologies. In addition to providing financial support, the fund aims to foster business creation by offering access to Sony's extensive global network and resources. Through collaboration with startups, Sony Innovation Fund seeks to catalyze innovation and growth in areas aligned with Sony's strategic interests.

Suzhou Oriza Holdings Co., Ltd., established in 2001 and based in Suzhou, China, is an investment firm that focuses on a range of investment stages, including startup, seed, early stage, growth stage, and mature stage investments. The company specializes in various sectors such as information technology, healthcare, biotechnology, energy-saving environmental protection, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and semiconductors. Oriza Holdings also engages in private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and fund of funds investments, primarily within the China region. Oriza Prior, a division of Oriza Holdings, serves as a professional platform for mergers and acquisitions and large project management, aiming to integrate investment and industrial resources to enhance investment returns. The firm is dedicated to maximizing asset appreciation and providing financial support to innovative companies across diverse industries.

Alumni Ventures Group, LLC is a venture capital firm founded in 2013 and based in Manchester, New Hampshire, with additional offices in major cities across North America. The firm specializes in seed, early-stage, and late-stage pre-IPO investments, focusing on companies with an alumni connection and supported by established institutional lead investors. Alumni Ventures aims to provide accredited investors, particularly alumni from top entrepreneurial schools, with access to diversified venture portfolios that span various sectors and geographic regions. The firm typically invests between $0.01 million and $3 million and does not require board or observer seats in its portfolio companies. Through its managed fund families, Alumni Ventures enables investors to participate in a collaborative investment approach, fostering connections among alumni while facilitating investment opportunities in innovative ventures.

Precursor Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2015 and based in San Francisco, California. Specializing in pre-seed and seed-stage investments, the firm focuses on early-stage companies primarily in the consumer, digital health, education, fintech, marketplace, and software sectors. Precursor Ventures emphasizes investing in B2B and B2C applications, including hardware, and prefers to target opportunities within the San Francisco Bay Area, New York, and Toronto, while remaining open to other regions. The firm typically invests between $0.1 million and $0.25 million per company. Precursor Ventures prioritizes investing in people over products, reflecting its commitment to supporting entrepreneurs at the earliest stages of their journeys.

E14 Fund is a venture capital firm affiliated with MIT, established in 2013 and located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The firm focuses on transforming innovative ideas from MIT into scalable businesses, covering a wide range of sectors including biotechnology, smart cities, consumer electronics, and information technology. E14 Fund invests between $0.5 million and $1 million in early-stage companies, particularly those involved in applied artificial intelligence, enterprise software, fintech, and health, among others. The firm emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in fostering innovation, with a significant portion of its portfolio comprising companies founded by women and international entrepreneurs. Through a robust network of advisors, including industry experts and investors, E14 Fund helps its portfolio companies transition from prototypes to market-ready products, facilitating further investment and growth.

Intel Corporation is a leading global designer and manufacturer of essential technologies for cloud computing, smart devices, and connected systems. The company operates through various segments, including Data Center Group, Internet of Things Group, Mobileye, and Client Computing Group, offering a wide range of products such as microprocessors, chipsets, system-on-chip solutions, and memory products. Intel's innovations extend to high-performance computing for targeted industries, as well as technologies for computer vision and machine learning applications. The firm serves original equipment manufacturers, design manufacturers, and cloud service providers. Founded in 1968 and headquartered in Santa Clara, California, Intel also invests through Intel Capital, which has supported numerous startups in areas like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, advancing new technologies and solutions. Intel has consistently led the semiconductor market, driven by its commitment to innovation and the development of transformative products that enhance performance, connectivity, and data utilization across various sectors, including automotive and the Internet of Things.

F Prime, Inc. is a venture capital firm based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with additional offices in San Francisco and London. Founded in 1969, it has a strong legacy rooted in Fidelity Investments, which has been a significant player in asset management since 1946. F Prime focuses on early-stage investments in North America and Europe, primarily in the healthcare, life sciences, technology, therapeutics, fashion, medtech, and health information technology sectors. The firm operates several funds, including those dedicated to healthcare, oncology, life sciences, and health technology services. F Prime Capital Partners emphasizes supporting entrepreneurs without the pressure of external fundraising, allowing them to concentrate on identifying and nurturing promising companies.

DN Capital is a London-based venture capital and private equity firm established in 2000. It specializes in early-stage investments, including seed and Series A rounds, primarily targeting startups in Europe and North America. The firm focuses on sectors such as enterprise software, fintech, consumer internet, marketplaces, digital health, and e-commerce. DN Capital aims to invest in companies that aspire to operate internationally, particularly those based in Northern Europe, Scandinavia, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, as well as in Silicon Valley. Investment amounts typically range from €0.25 million to €10 million per company, with potential co-investments increasing this to €15 million. The firm generally opts for minority stakes or joint control and often seeks a board seat in its portfolio companies. DN Capital has a history of successful investments, having backed notable companies like Endeca, Shazam, and Auto1.

Lerer Hippeau, founded in 2010 by Ken Lerer, Ben Lerer, and Eric Hippeau, is an early-stage venture capital firm based in New York City. The firm is known for being one of the most active venture capital funds in the region, with a portfolio that includes over 250 companies in various sectors, particularly in consumer and enterprise markets. Lerer Hippeau focuses on seed to later-stage investments and has backed notable companies such as Allbirds, Bowery Farming, K Health, and Zipline. The firm aims to partner with founders who demonstrate strong product vision and customer insight, emphasizing the importance of brand building. Additionally, Lerer Hippeau has adopted the Diversity Term Sheet Rider to promote inclusivity within its investment practices.

True Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Palo Alto, California, founded in 2005. The firm specializes in early-stage technology investments, focusing on seed and Series A funding for startups across various sectors, including consumer internet, software, hardware, health, and emerging technologies. True Ventures manages over $2.8 billion in capital and has supported more than 300 companies, contributing to the creation of over 25,000 jobs globally. The firm's investment strategy typically involves contributions ranging from $0.25 million to $3 million, aiming for ownership stakes between 20 and 25 percent. True Ventures is recognized for its commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and providing a supportive environment for founders, emphasizing personal and professional growth through its True Platform. The firm has achieved notable exits, including investments in companies that have been acquired by major corporations or gone public.

Wing is a venture capital firm based in Palo Alto, California, founded in 2013 by two industry veterans. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage companies within the technology sector, focusing on areas such as information technology, software as a service (SaaS), cybersecurity, big data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Wing is dedicated to long-term engagement with its portfolio companies, aiming to foster leadership in business technology markets through transformative innovations. The firm's experienced team has a proven track record, having contributed to the growth of numerous companies, 16 of which have successfully gone public with market capitalizations exceeding $1 billion. Notable past investments include companies like FireEye, MobileIron, and Nimble Storage.

SAP is a technology company that specializes in developing enterprise application software for a wide range of industries and sectors. Founded in 1972 and headquartered in Walldorf, Germany, SAP offers solutions that encompass various business functions, including finance, human resources, supply chain management, and analytics. Its flagship product, SAP HANA, integrates database and application platform capabilities, facilitating application development and data processing. The company also provides cloud services, custom applications, and comprehensive consulting and support services to enhance its clients' operational efficiency. Additionally, SAP.iO, its strategic business unit, focuses on fostering innovation by supporting startups and internal ventures, thereby enabling thousands of customers to access cutting-edge solutions. With a commitment to delivering value across sectors such as manufacturing, financial services, and public services, SAP continues to play a significant role in the enterprise software market.

Microsoft Corporation is a leading American multinational technology company based in Redmond, Washington, that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a diverse range of software products and services. Its offerings include the Windows operating system, Microsoft Office suite, and a variety of enterprise solutions through Microsoft Dynamics, which encompasses customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. Additionally, Microsoft provides gaming hardware like Xbox consoles, as well as cloud services via Microsoft Azure. The company also runs several global accelerator programs, such as those in London, Seattle, Beijing, and Paris, aimed at nurturing startups by providing mentorship, technical support, and resources to foster growth and innovation. With a commitment to empowering entrepreneurs, Microsoft for Startups offers free access to its cloud services and facilitates connections with its extensive partner ecosystem. Founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975, Microsoft has established itself as a pivotal player in the technology sector, serving both consumer and commercial markets worldwide.

Soulmates Ventures, founded in 2019 and based in Prague, Czech Republic, is an accelerator focused on addressing pressing environmental challenges through innovative solutions. The firm aims to reverse detrimental trends by supporting bold and transformative green innovations. Soulmates Ventures primarily invests in companies across various sectors, including air, water, food, healthcare, mobility, and education, emphasizing the need for forward-thinking approaches to ensure a sustainable future for society and the planet.

Horizon Ventures is a Hong Kong-based venture capital firm established in 2002, specializing in technology-focused investments across various sectors. With a global presence, the firm targets seed, early-stage, and late-stage opportunities, particularly in artificial intelligence, machine learning, fintech, healthcare technology, and software as a service (SaaS). Horizon Ventures is known for its disruptive investment strategy, having achieved notable exits in successful companies such as Skype, Siri, Facebook, Summly, and Waze. Through its strategic investments, the firm aims to support innovative startups that have the potential to reshape their respective industries.

Kakao Ventures, founded in 2012 and based in Seongnam-si, South Korea, is an early-stage venture capital firm that specializes in investing in tech-enabled startups. The firm focuses on seed to growth-stage companies, particularly in advanced technology, deep tech, mobile, service, and gaming sectors. Kakao Ventures is committed to supporting smart entrepreneurs and aims to back startups with a competitive edge that address real-world challenges. By providing access to a network of portfolio companies, Kakao Ventures fosters a collaborative environment that encourages innovation and growth among its invested startups.

Sierra Ventures is a venture capital firm based in San Mateo, California, founded in 1982. The firm specializes in early-stage investments, focusing on Next Generation Enterprise and Emerging Technologies. With over $2 billion in assets under management, Sierra Ventures invests primarily in Seed and Series A rounds, often leading these investment rounds and reserving capital for follow-on investments. The firm targets a range of sectors, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, fintech, health technology, IoT, cloud solutions, and emerging technologies such as 5G and blockchain. Initial investments typically range from $500,000 to $7 million, with total commitments reaching between $500,000 and $15 million over the investment's lifespan. Sierra Ventures has built a significant network of entrepreneurs and industry experts, enhancing its ability to support portfolio companies globally, with a current emphasis on North America.

Padda Health is a venture capital firm founded in 2008 and based in Milan, Italy. The firm specializes in investing in healthcare startups, aiming to support innovative solutions within the healthcare sector. By focusing on emerging companies, Padda Health seeks to foster advancements that can improve health outcomes and enhance the overall efficiency of healthcare delivery.

Anhui USTC iFLYTEK Science and Technology Co., Ltd. is a China-based software enterprise specializing in intelligent speech and language technologies. The company focuses on the development of software and chip products, speech information services, and the integration of e-government systems. It is recognized as a key supplier in the field of intelligent speech technologies, leveraging extensive research experience to achieve notable advancements in areas such as speech synthesis, speech recognition, and spoken language evaluation. In addition to these core competencies, iFLYTEK offers intelligent application systems, software for voice and speech recognition, and various IT services, including computer software design and programming.

SOSV is a global venture capital firm founded in 1995 and headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey. Specializing in seed-to-growth stage investments, SOSV operates multiple accelerator programs worldwide, including HAX for hardware, IndieBio and RebelBio for life sciences, Chinaccelerator and MOX for cross-border internet ventures, Food-X for innovative food solutions, and dlab for blockchain technology. The firm focuses on investments in revolutionary deep technologies aimed at improving human and planetary health, as well as cross-border markets, particularly in Asia. SOSV invests in approximately 150 startups annually, providing support through its resources to accelerate product development and scaling. Over its two-decade history, SOSV has established a strong reputation, consistently ranking among the top venture capital firms globally.

The Alexa Fund, established in 2015 and based in Seattle, is a corporate venture capital fund operated by Amazon. It focuses on investing in early-stage companies that are innovating in areas such as artificial intelligence, voice technology, robotics, machine learning, and the Internet of Things, across various sectors including consumer, enterprise, and healthcare. In addition to its investment activities, the Alexa Fund sponsors the Alexa Accelerator, a startup program powered by Techstars. This 13-week accelerator invites selected companies to collaborate with Amazon and Techstars' technologists and product leaders, emphasizing the transformative potential of voice-powered technology in enhancing customer and business interactions. The fund aims to support builders worldwide who are passionate about leveraging voice technology to improve user experiences.

AppTek specializes in advanced human language technology, focusing on automatic speech recognition, machine translation, and natural language understanding. The company serves a diverse range of sectors, including media, entertainment, call centers, and government, delivering solutions that enhance communication and data processing capabilities. Employing advanced artificial intelligence and deep neural networks, AppTek's platform offers real-time streaming and batch processing of speech technology, which can be deployed in the cloud or on-premise. Its offerings support a variety of languages and dialects, allowing organizations to transcribe, translate, and synthesize speech from text data effectively. The team behind AppTek comprises highly skilled scientists and engineers recognized for their expertise in the field.

Descript, Inc. is a software company that specializes in audio and video editing and transcription. Founded in 2017 and based in San Francisco, the company offers an innovative audio word processing platform that allows users, including podcasters, journalists, and musicians, to edit sound files by manipulating text instead of conventional waveforms. This user-friendly approach enables creators to edit audio clips as easily as they would edit a document, streamlining the production process. Descript's technology is powered by advanced speech recognition, ensuring high transcription accuracy and allowing audio to be synced with text. Features such as screen recording, remote recording, podcasting, overdubbing, and subtitle generation further enhance the platform, making it a versatile tool for media creation.

Kleiner Perkins is a prominent American venture capital firm founded in 1972 and headquartered in Menlo Park, California. The firm specializes in early-stage, growth, and incubation investments across various industries, including healthcare, consumer products, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and life sciences. Kleiner Perkins focuses on partnering with innovative founders, supporting them from the inception of their ideas through to initial public offerings. The firm is known for its commitment to investing in a wide range of sectors, such as information technology, financial services, and cybersecurity, while maintaining a global investment approach that includes markets in North America, the Middle East, and Mainland China. As a Registered Investment Adviser, Kleiner Perkins aims to maximize the potential of the companies it invests in, fostering bold ideas that have the capacity to create significant impact across industries and continents.

Vertex Ventures Israel is a venture capital firm established in 1997 and located in Tel Aviv. The firm specializes in early-stage investments, focusing on companies from Seed to Series B rounds that aim to disrupt large markets across various sectors, including enterprise and vertical software-as-a-service, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, finance technology, and more. Over its 22 years, Vertex Ventures has backed more than 120 Israeli tech companies and has overseen over 40 successful exits, including early investments in notable companies like Waze, CyberArk, and SolarEdge. In addition to its activities in Israel, Vertex Ventures is part of a global network that extends to regions such as Silicon Valley, China, Singapore, and India, providing portfolio companies with valuable resources and expertise to enhance their growth potential.