Every week we highlight new funding successes from companies bringing about change in their industries.  We amplify the voice of companies delivering on tech innovation whilst also utilising remote work, or being clear on the importance of D&I to their brand. All ingredients that talent.ai focus on when selecting the best of the last 7 days, this week spearheaded by EV and AI startups. 

We see these journeys as an inspiration, offering insights to other founders, startups and innovators looking to evolve their stories into something extraordinary.  We know the hard work behind these accomplishments and always seek to recognise and applaud those involved from leadership and founders and their entire teams. 

Congratulations to all the founders and teams! 

Seed 

Metatime

CEO & Co-Founder – Yusuf Sevim 

CTO & Co-Founder – Hys Sahin 

Metatime is a fintech company in the blockchain sphere that offers a single distributed ecosystem for blockchain allowing users to manage everything from one screen. Incredibly useful considering how fragmented the blockchain ecosystem can be. 

Istanbul-based Metatime closed an $11 Million seed raise last week adding to a total of $21 Million in funding. The seed round was led by investors Yıldız Tekno GSYO Inc and will fund the company’s plan to expand its Web 3 product offering. 

Metatime is still moving fast, already having started its next private MetaCoin (MTC) sales process which is expected to last until November 2023. As the crypto market begins to stabilise, after a few rocky months, growth in the niche is returning. Let’s see how far Metatime can cash in. 

Series A 

Deepdrive

Managing Director, Business & Operations & Co-Founder – Stefan Ender

Managing Director, Strategy & Finance & Co-Founder – Felix Poernbacher

DeepDrive is an electric vehicle high-tech innovator and developer creating revolutionary drive units for EVs. Its signature technology the DeeDribe Dual Rotor can increase vehicle range by up to 20%, driving down costs and allowing for cheaper and more sustainable eclectic vehicles.

Munich-based DeepDrive secured a €15m Series A led by BMW i Ventures and GmbH last week. The German company is already working with 8 of the top 10 automakers in the world on various EV development projects. 

DeepDrive highly compacted and torque-dense drive units can be integrated with the wheels or central drive, and are optimized for large-scale and low-cost production while delivering performance. Having the support of automotive giant BMW is a green light signal for DeepDrive and one that will put it at the front of the race in its niche!

Revolv 

CEO – Scott Davidson 

Revolv is an EV transformation full-service provider helping commercial fleets adopt EV technology. The company provides commercial-scale plans for electrification through its next-generation fleet solution turn-key electric fells. 

San Francisco-based Revolv secured last week a $15 Million Series A investment led by an affiliated fund of Greenbacker Capital Management LLC (“Greenbacker”), a fund that focuses on green energy initiatives.

New funds will help Revolv expand its presence across the US. The company is already on track to deliver over 100 vehicles from Class 2 through Class 8 by the end of the year. Electric vehicle transformation is one of the rapidly expanding niches in the EV ecosystem with fleets and commercial entities being on the EV adoption trend. 

HT Materials Science

CEO – Tom Grizzetti 

HT Material Science is a developer and innovator of nanoparticle-based products. Its signature technology Maxwell™ is a heat transfer nanofluid additive that can reduce energy consumption on commercial heating and cooling systems by up to 15%. An innovative product with incredible potential. 

Dublin-based HT Materials Science completed a Series A raise of $15 Million led by Barclays Sustainable Impact Capital, Aramco Ventures and participation from other funds. The funds will spearhead the global deployment of its signature technology Maxwell™. 

For CEO, Tom Grizzetti “This support from major industry innovators serves as a strong endorsement for our technology and vision.” he commented in the press release. Adding that he expects Maxwell™ to “have a material impact on energy usage and the carbon footprint of a broad range of industries and sectors.”

Series B

Workera

CEO & Co-Founder – Kian Katanforoosh

COO & Co-Founder – James Lee 

Workera is an AI-powered upskilling platform providing technological skilling solutions for enterprises, governments, and individuals. Covering a wide range of skill sets in the most in-demand fields like data science, and artificial intelligence. 

Palo Alto-based Workera added a $23.5 Million Series B raise to its resources, the round was led by Jump Capital with participation from Sozo Ventures and existing investors NEA, Owl Ventures and AI Fund. New funds will be used to increase platform development and continue adding new skills. 

Workera just released an update with soft skills development and will continue to develop its AI-driven mentorship tech. The skills gap and the need for tech talent will be a huge driver for transformation that not only helps companies but can change and improve individual lives. Workera is hoping to get an A on its course to success! 

Piclo

CEO & Co-Founder – James Johnston

CTO & Co-Founder – Andy Kilner

Piclo Flex is a marketplace that simplifies energy sourcing for System Operators (SO)  and Flexible Service Providers (FSP). Piclo’s independent marketplace creates smart, flexible and sustainable energy grids, supporting end-to-end processes for SOs

London-based Piclo closed a €9.4 Million Series B round led by Future Energy Ventures and Clean Growth Fund. The Pico Flex marketplace includes renewables, batteries, EVs and more clean and sustainable technology. 

New funds will be used to strengthen and expand Piclo’s market positioning in the UK and Europe, international growth in the US and Asia, plus add talent to its teams. The company’s mission accelerates grid decarbonization is taking off with increasing support and a steady pace. On this and (almost) all fronts, green and clean tech is an electrifying ecosystem to be in at the moment!