Tech roundup: MIT’s The Engine reveals first 7 investments, HubSpot makes third AI acquisition and more

by Justine Hofherr
September 20, 2017
hubspot
Photo via HubSpot

HubSpot acquires Chicago-based AI startup

HubSpot made its third acquisition of an AI startup this week, buying a Chicago startup that creates artificial intelligence chatbots for businesses. The Cambridge-based company announced Wednesday that it has agreed to acquire Motion AI, a software startup that launched in 2015, which makes it easy for brands to launch their own chatbot service. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Earlier this year, HubSpot bought Kemvi and Evolve. [BostInno]

 

mit
Photo via Shutterstock

MIT’s The Engine unveils first 7 startups in $200M fund

MIT's startup accelerator The Engine announced the first seven companies in its program this week, launching its unique investing experiment in “tough tech,” or physical technologies, often with a software component. The startups are diverse: one is focused on the genetic engineering of cells, while another, C2Sense, is building a digital olfactory sensor that transforms smell into real-time data that can be accessed remotely. The tough tech these startups focus on means they may take a long time to commercialize, which makes them unappealing investments for some venture capital firms. [Boston Business Journal]

 

threat stack
Photo via Threat Stack

Threat Stack raises $45M Series C, plans to double headcount by end of 2018

Boston’s cybersecurity market is getting pretty crowded, but with a fresh $45 million Series C investment, Threat Stack is well on its way to making a name for itself in the space. The round, which was announced Tuesday, was led by two different venture capital arms of Fidelity Investments — F-Prime Capital, Fidelity's venture arm in the U.S. and Europe, and Eight Roads Ventures, its venture arm focused on other countries. Threat Stack, which recently moved into new offices in Downtown Crossing, doubled its headcount this year to 100 employees. The company said it plans on doubling that number again by the end of 2018, and will double the size of its headquarters at 55 Summer Street to 21,000 square feet. [Built In Boston]

 

humatics
Photo via Humatics

Humatics reels in $18M to help people and robots collaborate

Humatics, a startup that makes “microlocation” products, raised a fresh $18 million Series A round this week. The round was led by Fontinalis Partners, a venture capital firm focused on next-generation mobility technologies. The company will use the financing to develop and commercialize its high-precision microlocation system and analytics software — a spatial intelligence platform that aims to revolutionize how people and machines locate, navigate and collaborate. [Built In Boston]

 

cargurus
Photo via CarGurus

CarGurus becomes first tech company in Mass. to file for IPO in 2017

CarGurus, an online car marketplace, has filed plans for its initial public offering, potentially becoming the first local tech company to go public in 2017. The Cambridge-based company is looking to raise up to $100 million in its IPO, according to a form filed Friday with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The company plans to be listed on the Nasdaq exchange under the symbol “CARG.” Its underwriters are Goldman Sachs, Allen & Company, RBC Capital Markets, JMP Securities and Raymond James William Blair. [Built In Boston]

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