BU engineers invent noise-cancelling tech
Do your upstairs neighbors own a herd of elephants? Is your open office space an orchestra of sneezes during allergy season? If you answered ‘yes,’ fear not. A team of Boston University mechanical engineers have the solution to your most agitating noise problems. The group has created an “acoustic meta-material” object that essentially blocks sound from traveling. The potential uses are endless — we’re talking soundproof invisible walls or quieting the noise inside MRI machines. The technology could also be a game-changer for e-commerce delivery by eliminating controversial delivery drone noises. [Fast Company]
ezCater and Launch Academy create new job opportunities for Boston’s budding engineers
ezCater, an online marketplace for business catering, has partnered with coding bootcamp Launch Academy to train Boston's budding engineers. The company plans to hire 10 entry-level engineers graduating college this school year. The new hires will be compensated as full-time employees with the added bonus of splitting their time between the two groups to accelerate their skills. For the first two months, the engineers will go through a Launch Academy course to learn how to build web apps and other skills. The program is a win-win for recent grads — landing a full-time job while learning new skills. The duo plans to fill the coveted spots by early May. Interested applicants can apply here. [ezCater]
WiTricity expands global footprint following Qualcomm Halo acquisition
Electric vehicle charging company WiTricity is spreading its global wings. The company is adding a new product development center near Zurich, Switzerland. The team, which formerly belonged to Qualcomm Halo, is coming to bat with 50 years of experience in electric vehicle wireless charging. The growth doesn’t stop there. The company also extended its relationship with the University of Auckland in New Zealand, home to its wireless charging research labs. “The EV wireless charging industry is ready to go,” said WiTricity CEO Alex Gruzen. “The progress we have made at WiTricity with global automakers, coupled with our acquisition of Qualcomm Halo and this new global expansion creates a clear path for automakers and tier one’s to bring wireless EV charging to market.” [WiTricity]
LinkSquares raises $4.8M, plans to advance AI tech for automated legal contract review
LinkSquares, a contract analytics cloud for legal and finance teams, raised $4.8 million in a round led by Hyperplane Venture Capital and MassMutual Ventures. The company’s artificial intelligence technology eliminates the need for manual contract review. The recent funding brings the company’s total fundings to a grand total of $6.9 million. LinkSquares plans to continue growing its team, advancing its AI-fueled technology, and zeroing in on a customer-centric go-to market plan. Their customer lineup includes VMWare, DraftKings, Kensho and Carbonite. [Business Wire]
TriNetX secures $40M boost in Series D round, improving clinical trial process
TriNetX also had a big week. The data analytics platform provider raised $40 million in a Series D round, led by Merck Global Health Innovation Fund. The latest round brings the company to a total of $102 million in funding. Their customers include names like Novartis, Sanofi, and Pfizer. With the added boost, the company will continue advancing its technology, which provides on-demand longitudinal data for pharma companies during the clinical trial process. [Built In Boston]
