John H. N. Fisher

Excited to finally share what we’ve been building over the past year. Today we’re announcing the first investment from ARKITEKT EQUITY. Over the past year, we have been closely observing the structural shifts occurring within semiconductor ecosystems. As manufacturing systems become more complex, the infrastructure enabling those systems becomes increasingly strategic. These environments demand operational clarity, coordination, and long-term alignment. ARKITEKT was built around a simple idea: durable value is created where frontier technology meets pragmatic execution. Our investment in BBTech reflects this conviction. This is just the beginning of what we aim to build at ARKITEKT EQUITY. Stay tuned! https://lnkd.in/g_pQiBZY

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I’m lucky to work alongside colleagues like Richard Fruehauf, who constantly push my thinking. His latest piece unpacks why U.S. robotics and drone manufacturing faces uphill economics, and how public policy can help turn the tide. One key takeaway: 232 tariffs on robotics imports could help reset the economics that are holding back U.S. investment and production. It’s a sharp perspective on how policy can shape the future of advanced tech here at home. Well worth a read: https://lnkd.in/edMPTQPQ Richard Fruehauf, Robert J. Szczerba, Michael Lutzky, Edward Ovando, Karl Sanchack, Herman Herman, Jeff Legault, Phil English, Richard Fruehauf, Ryan Aument, Michael Guido, Sheila Fitzgerald Sterrett, David McCormick

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EnerTech Expands its Innovation Platform Through a Partnership with Restructuring Company Steinberg Advisory “We are thrilled to have Steinberg Advisory as a partner on our expanded services platform. Howard and I have known one another for over 25 years and worked together at RBC Capital Partners earlier in our careers. Howard and his team have developed a platform of core services that will be a valuable resource for both our firm and our broader network of Corporate LPs and co-investors,” said Wally Hunter, Managing Partner at EnerTech Capital.

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Some very welcome news for VC and PE firms, as well as other entities investing in startup and emerging growth companies. The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) has announced the suspension of the implementation and enforcement of the data collection and reporting regime imposed by the Fair Investment Practices by Venture Capital Companies Law (FIPVCC). This decision comes pending the completion of a rule-making process initiated by the DFPI in response to feedback from stakeholders affected by the regime. As a result, the DFPI will not require covered entities to submit further registrations or file reports by the April 1, 2026 deadline. For more information, visit the DFPI website: https://lnkd.in/eqjJbSFz

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Exciting to see Prediction Guard backed by WaterStone Impact Fund and others as they bring secure, private AI to organizations with the highest standards for security and governance.

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The announcement of Lila Sciences’ $235M Series A and $1B+ valuation marks a significant milestone, and it’s only the beginning. Lila is building a new model for discovery by combining AI and automated labs to accelerate breakthroughs in life sciences, chemistry, and materials. They are tackling some of the most significant opportunities in science and technology, and I couldn’t be more confident in Geoff and his team as they scale what’s ahead. I have had the privilege of knowing Geoffrey von Maltzahn for many years, and backing him once again through March Capital is both a professional and personal highlight. His leadership, vision, and ability to execute on transformational science give us great conviction in Lila’s future. Congratulations to Geoff and the entire Lila team on reaching this next chapter. I am honored to continue this partnership and look forward to what’s to come. Read more about Lila here: https://lnkd.in/gQfk6msT

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From the beginning, we believed Lumana was building much more than a smarter surveillance tool. Lumana's platform reflects the next evolution in video intelligence — physical AI. This approach enables systems to go beyond basic detection capabilities to understanding context, infer intent, and deliver real-time insights that improve safety and operations at scale. Further, we decided to take the longer and more difficult direction of building a whole new generation and fully featured Video Management System (VMS). With the company’s $40M Series A, led by our friend Peter Wagner from Wing Venture Capital and our seed partners from SCAPITALVC, we’re doubling down on a platform that’s already proving its value in the real world. We are serving now close to ten thousands enterprise cameras in production! Founders like Sagi Ben Moshe bring a rare mix of vision and execution to the table. From our earliest conversations as an EIR at Norwest, it was clear that Lumana had the potential to reshape how organizations use video. Congratulations to the team on this well-deserved milestone. https://lnkd.in/gwHdaGPZ

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Wealth professionals looking to introduce private market investments into client portfolios are finding that client education is essential. Managing Director James Martin shares a key insight from our Global Private Wealth Survey that highlights how stronger education equips clients to confidently embrace private markets.

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🚀Initiation of Coverage Agility Robotics 🚀 We’ve initiated coverage on Agility Robotics for IPO CLUB’s flagship fund, America2030, within the robotics sector covered by me, with the help of Helen Zhou. Headquartered in Corvallis, Oregon, the company builds bipedal humanoid robots designed to operate in human-centric environments. Its mission is to solve labor shortages and automate dull, dirty, and dangerous tasks across logistics and manufacturing. 🔍Why we like Agility Robotics Commercial first-mover advantage: Achieved the industry’s first revenue-generating humanoid deployment with GXO Logistics, Inc., proving real-world value while competitors remain in pilot mode. Differentiated biomimetic technology: The Digit platform uses dynamic bipedal locomotion, passive dynamics, and a unique backward-leg design for efficient, human-like mobility across stairs, cables, and uneven terrain. Manufacturing scale readiness: The RoboFab facility in Salem— the world’s first dedicated humanoid robot factory—gives Agility a production runway toward 10,000 units/year, a 12–18 month lead over peers. 💡Notable Investors DCVC, Playground Global, WP Global Partners, Amazon, Schaeffler,Sony, SoftBank Investment Advisers, MFV Partners, TDK Ventures ⚔️ Competitive Landscape Primary competitors include Figure, Tesla, Apptronik, Boston Boston Dynamics, and Sanctuary AI. Agility differentiates through logistics-first commercialization, proven deployments, and factory-scale readiness, while others emphasize demos, internal R&D, or general-purpose manipulation capabilities. 🌍 With hundreds of robots planned for production in 2025 and RoboFab scaling toward 10,000 units annually, Agility is emerging as one of the most commercially advanced humanoid companies globally. By focusing on brownfield automation and real-world logistics workflows, it is building the backbone of next-generation warehouse automation and mobile manipulation. #Robotics #Automation #Humanoids #LogisticsTech #DeepTech #VentureCapital #America2030

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I spoke with Christien Louviere of BDE Capital about his journey from a $330mm exit to becoming an independent sponsor. Christien shared excellent insights for folks looking to partner with business owners, rather than buy sellers out completely. Below are a few of the topics we covered: - Why he moved from “zero-to-one” startups to a buy-then-build strategy - How Christien's background shaped a focus on growth vs. cost-cutting - Why 20–40% rolled equity is central to his deal structures—and how it builds trust with sellers - Using scenario analysis with AI tools to evaluate management teams and uncover hidden key-person risks - How to identify when a $3–5M EBITDA company truly has a middle management layer—or is still founder-reliant For anyone investing in or buying small businesses, Christien’s approach provides a fresh lens on growth, alignment, and deal structuring. 🎥 Watch the full interview here → https://lnkd.in/ekfkaiej 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/e86Agx6V

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We believe in more than just funding—we believe in fueling breakthroughs. In this short video, discover how ReX Capital partners with companies that fuse hardware, software, and AI to solve global challenges. These aren’t just ideas—they’re real solutions with traction, IP, and untapped potential. 📽️ What you'll see: ✔️ What makes a Hard Tech company fundable ✔️ Our role as a refueling catalyst for growth ✔️ How we bring more than capital—offering strategic expertise and meaningful connections If you’re part of a visionary team ready to scale but stuck at a capital crossroads, we might be the catalyst you're looking for. 📩 Let’s connect and build something game-changing. 📥 info@rex-cap.com

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🚨NEW EPISODE: Recorded live at FUTURE TITANS 2026 - Jeff Perry of Carta sat down with the iconic Seth Levine, co-founder of Foundry. Seth has been in venture for 25 years, built Foundry from scratch as an emerging manager himself, and has backed about 50 emerging manager funds through his fund of funds. He has genuinely seen every side of this table. They went deep on building Foundry, why VCs are in the influence business, not the decision business, and why the concentration problem in venture is not only bad for LPs, but also for the innovation ecosystem overall. And why Seth's new book, Capital Evolution, is so important for the future of America. 🎧 Links to listen... Apple: https://lnkd.in/ehQUQ2EM Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eU4FExpg

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We’re excited to announce that KUnicorn Investment has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with TEDCO (Maryland Technology Development Corporation), a leading US-based innovation investment organization. Under this partnership, we will jointly: -Identify and evaluate technology-based startups -Pursue co-investment and fund linkage opportunities -Review technology valuation and commercialization feasibility -Collaborate on government/public R&D programmes -Support the global market entry of tech companies from Korea and the U.S. This collaboration opens up a bridge between Korea’s dynamic tech-startup ecosystem and the U.S. innovation infrastructure, providing a platform for accelerated growth and global expansion. We look forward to working with TEDCO and our portfolio companies to create transnational value and unleash innovation without borders. https://lnkd.in/gPDpmDtV https://lnkd.in/guXKbANS https://lnkd.in/g7_UMaPC https://lnkd.in/gtPwC3Zu

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🚀 Exciting News from APEX Ventures! 🚀 We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Golnaz Borghei as a new Principal at APEX Ventures. At APEX Ventures, we believe that evaluating and backing transformative deep tech companies requires more than just financial acumen; it requires a team of scientists and engineers who truly understand the science behind the innovation. Successful deep tech investing, in our view, comes from combining: → 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗵 — the ability to scrutinize frontier technologies at their core → 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁 — connecting breakthroughs across physics, engineering, life sciences, and digital technologies → 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀-𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 — experience in taking startups from lab bench or prototype to market and scale → 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 — networks that connect technology, capital, and industry across borders Golnaz embodies this rare blend. 🔬 With a Ph.D. in Biotechnology from the University of Cambridge (and a postdoc in Physiology & Neuroscience), paired with an Executive MBA from the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, she unites world-class scientific expertise with sharp business strategy. 💡 At PWC Germany , Golnaz built the firm’s first Corporate Venture Capital unit, scaling it to 24 portfolio companies and multiple fund investments, creating joint ventures, and forging a thriving innovation ecosystem. 🌍 Her prior work at Ventac Partners in the Nordics, co-building biotech companies valued at more than $1B (including IPOs and exits to Roche and Qiagen), as well as her advisory roles with family offices and startups worldwide, further highlight her ability to navigate both science and markets with precision. Welcoming Golnaz to APEX Ventures is another step in building a team where science, engineering, and venture expertise come together. Her unique background further reinforces our belief that only by combining these strengths can we truly unlock the potential of deep tech founders. Please join us in giving her a warm welcome! 🎉 Andreas Riegler,Wolfgang Neubert, Stefan Haubner, Ion Hauer, Tim Hos, Vera Kunz, Hannah Stein, Sandra Lager, Hermann Hauser, Anne Margaret Glover

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Layer is tackling one of the most overlooked pain points for SMBs: accounting. They’re gaining real traction doing so. Emergence is leading their seed round to bring embedded, AI-powered accounting to the SMB software stack. Kevin Spain highlights what makes this team and product so compelling. 

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Magnetic Ventures is thrilled to share our first deal of 2026 and Fund III. Today Proxima announced an over-subscribed $80M seed funding round led by DCVC. Proxima’s mission is to comprehensively map and structurally characterize protein-protein interactions to unlock proximity-based medicines including molecular glues, PROTACS, and emerging approaches including inducers, modulators and blockers.. The round was led by DCVC, whom we have partnered with previously on Relation along with NVIDIA’s NVentures, also a Relation investor. This funding will accelerate Proxima’s data-driven approaches to pioneer next generation AI-driven drug discovery for proximity therapeutics. We look forward to working with Zachary Carpenter, Luca Naef, Zak Kanter and the entire Proxima team as well as Jason Pontin, Zachary Bogue John Wesley, Braidwell, Roivant, AIX Ventures, Yosemite, Alexandria Venture Investments, @ModiVentures. #Proxima #MagneticVentures #techbio #drugdiscovery #proximitytherapeutics #molecularglues

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We are pleased to announce that Six Stone Capital has successfully closed a ₹101 crore fundraise for Vervesemi, a fast-growing semiconductor design company. The round was led by Ashish Kacholia , MAIQ Capital , Caprize, and Unicorn Ventures — a strong vote of confidence in India’s deep-tech and semiconductor ecosystem. Pratap Narayan and Rakesh Malik are among the most capable and forward-looking founders I’ve had the privilege to work with. Their technical depth, execution capability, and long-term vision position Vervesemi to contribute meaningfully to India’s semiconductor ambitions. We also acknowledge the efforts of Ashwini Vaishnaw and the Government of India for their decisive push toward semiconductor self-reliance through the DLI Scheme. Policy support combined with private capital is creating real momentum in this sector. Proud of the Six Stone Capital team for executing this mandate. #Semiconductors #Fundraising #InvestmentBanking #DeepTech #IndiaGrowth #DLI #StartupEcosystem

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Santa Barbara Venture Partners has raised a $25M second fund to invest into software and AI, as covered in The Wall Street Journal Pro, Axios Pro Rata, and here in Pacific Coast Business Times. Fund II builds on the success of six successful exits (full and partial) in five years, Fund I’s top quartile performance, and a major competitive advantage in offering extensive customer acquisition and marketing expertise to SBVP portfolio companies. Fund II extends the firm’s unique strategy of generating continuous returns for investors in an asset class otherwise plagued by illiquidity challenges. Five years in, all fourteen SBVP portfolio companies are performing well. SBVP generally invests in companies with $2M to $50M in recurring revenue which are growing 75-200%+ that have outstanding client retention metrics. The firm typically participates in Series A through C rounds, or SBVP buys stock directly from existing founders or other shareholders. Many of SBVP’s 150+ fund investors (from across two funds and fourteen SPVs) are top marketing and sales executives from leading tech firms. They provide the portfolio with expertise in over 25 different marketing and customer acquisition channels and methods to accelerate revenue growth. Limited Partners include leaders from Adobe, Google, Procore Technologies, AppFolio, Snowflake, Salesforce, Zoom, RingCentral, CBS, Pinterest, and various other top firms. LPs work with portfolio companies on demand generation, sales, and marketing, and accelerate product marketing, revops, audio/TV marketing, content, social media, SEM, media buying, account-based marketing, customer success, sales enablement, branding, strategic alliances, trade show marketing, and other areas. https://lnkd.in/gkwaxivz

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