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Welcome to another edition of 🔍 Startup Researcher - North America, your essential digest delivering the latest news and premium insights on startups and venture capital across the region 🌎️
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📰 Important News
- OpenAIis hiring a Head of Preparedness to manage AI risks in computer security and mental health.
- United Launch Alliance CEO Tory Bruno stepped down after 12 years as competition intensified in the launch market.
- TikTok Shop launched digital gift cards in the U.S., expanding its e-commerce push amid regulatory uncertainty.
💸 Top Funding Rounds
- Kargo raised $42 million in a Series B round to expand global AI-powered warehouse deployments after achieving 3× ARR growth.
- Architect Financial Technologies secured $35 million in Series A funding to scale AX, its regulated perpetual futures exchange for traditional assets.
- Truemed landed $34 million in Series A to expand HSA and FSA spending on compliant preventive health solutions.
- Vyriad closed a $25 million Series B, bringing total funding to $85 million, to advance its in vivo CAR-T candidate into the clinic.
- Lemon Slice raised $10.5 million in seed funding from YC and Matrix to build AI avatar tech, adding video to chatbots.
💰️ IPO and M&A Watch
- Nvidia licensed Groq technology and hired CEO Jonathan Ross, reinforcing its dominance in AI chip design and talent.
- ServiceNow is acquiringIsraeli cybersecurity firm Armis for $7.75 billion, significantly expanding its security and risk solutions market opportunity.
- Motive filed for an IPO, reporting 23% YoY revenue growth to $115.8 million despite widening net losses.
- ClickUp acquired Codegen to power AI Super Agents and accelerate autonomous workplace workflows.
- Olo acquired Spendgo to integrate phone-based loyalty, unify guest profiles, and boost repeat visits for restaurants.
🏦 About Investors
- VC partner Midha is in talks to raise up to $10 billion to build a 1GW data center platform, signaling a major bet on AI-driven infrastructure demand.
- AP Partnersis moving to raise a $350–400 million third fund in 2026, up to double its 2022 fund, following strong recent exits and increased liquidity to scale investments.
- Flare Capital announced promotions: Margaret Malone to partner, Uma Veerappan to Vice President, Amanda DiTrolio to Vice President, and Caroline Glen to Vice President, recognizing their pivotal contributions to the firm.
🚀 Startup of the Week
Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆
Kargo
Kargo was founded in 2019 in San Francisco to solve one of logistics’ hardest problems, real-time visibility at the loading dock. Led by founder and CEO Sam Lurye, Kargo combines computer vision hardware and AI software to automate freight inspection, inventory verification, and dock operations without scans or manual workflows. The company closed a $42 million Series B led by Avenir, with Linse Capital, Hearst Ventures, Lightbank, and returning investors Matter Venture Partners and Sozo Ventures. Since its Series A, Kargo has scaled to 45+ enterprise customers, deployed 1,000+ AI towers, and partnered with Fortune 500 firms across food, pharma, and automotive. Its mission is to act as a universal interpreter for supply chains, turning physical freight into trusted digital data at scale.
💼 Investor of the Week
Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆
Flare Capital Partners
Flare Capital Partners, founded in 2013 in Boston by Michael Greeley and Bill Geary, is a venture capital firm focused on healthcare technology spanning care delivery, access, and cost reduction. Managing nearly $1 billion in assets and backing 70+ companies, Flare differentiates through deep operating partnerships and a strong platform approach. Flare closed 2025 with a strong signal of institutional depth by announcing four senior promotions. Margaret Malone was promoted to Partner, Uma Veerappan to Vice President, Amanda DiTrolio to Vice President of Marketing and Platform, and Caroline Glen to Vice President of Investor Relations. Alongside partners including Dan Gebremedhin, MD, the firm differentiates through deep operating support, corporate connectivity, and a platform-led model, positioning Flare as a long-term partner advancing durable healthcare innovation.
🤑 Opportunity Radar
Call for Applications: Hub71+ Life Sciences Health Innovation Program
Hub71+ Life Sciences in Abu Dhabi is now accepting applications for Cohort 19 with a deadline of February 1, 2026. Startups receive $70,000 cash via SAFE plus $70,000 in in-kind support, alongside mentorship, capital access, and corporate partnerships. Targeted at biotech, MedTech, and digital health founders, onboarding begins June 2026 with the program kicking off in September 2026. Apply now to scale with a global health innovation ecosystem behind you.
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