Boston tech startups raised funding last week to improve video capabilities for hybrid workplaces and to ease supply chain bottlenecks with artificial intelligence-powered solutions. Keep reading to find out what you missed. This is the Built In Boston Weekly Refresh.
More than 30 Boston-area tech companies made Deloitte’s 2022 Technology Fast 500. The list ranks the fastest-growing technology and life sciences companies in North America based on their fiscal year revenue growth between 2018 and 2021. The fastest-growing Boston company is Takeoff Technologies, which helps grocers create automated fulfillment centers. Other local companies on the list include Moderna, Corvus Insurance, Numerated and Wasabi Technologies. [Built In Boston]
ISEE pulled in $40M. ISEE has developed self-driving trucks that can help ease supply chain bottlenecks by helping out in logistics yards. The company’s proprietary AI technology is based on advanced cognitive modeling, game theory and deep learning. The Series B funding round was led by Founders Fund and brings ISEE’s total funding to $70 million. [Business Wire]
Pickle Robots picked up $26M. Pickle Robots has developed AI-enabled robotic automation systems that use advanced sensors and computer vision to unload trucks. In addition to its Series A raise, the company also announced that it has live pilot programs underway in the greater Los Angeles area, where the company’s robots are unloading tens of thousands of packages per month. Pickle Robots will use the funding to fuel go-to-market activities and deploy its products. [Globe Newswire]
Boston Tech Quote of the Week
Owl Labs landed $25M. The company will use the new funding to support product development and global adoption for its video conferencing solutions. Owl Labs recently launched Meeting Owl 3, the latest iteration of its flagship Meeting Owl product line. The device is an AI-powered, 360-degree camera, microphone and speaker that automatically zooms in on whoever is speaking. The Series C funding was led by HP Tech Ventures, the venture capital arm of HP. Owl Labs also entered into a strategic partnership with HP. [Business Wire]
Health Haven Rx was featured in Built In’s Future 5 series. Health Haven Rx has developed an API that allows digital health startups to offer pharmacy services to its customers. The white-labeled platform allows doctors to have increased visibility into the pharmaceutical marketplace and choose the most affordable medication for low-income customers. Health Haven is able to deliver prescription medication anywhere in the U.S. because founder Yinka Ojutalayo spent two to three years obtaining pharmacy licenses in all 50 states. [Built In Boston]
Upstart Power scored $17M. Upstart Power develops solid oxide fuel cell, or SOFC, power systems that convert propane or natural gas into electricity, providing on-demand backup power and distributed generation for residential, small industrial and remote power applications. The Series C funding round was led by ITOCHU, which entered into an agreement to manufacture and sell Upstart’s SOFC products in Japan. The new funds will be used to commercialize Upstart’s SOFC generators. The Southborough-based company is also hiring a handful of engineers. [Business Wire]
