Seed funding
Voice communication company Cord Project has closed a $1.8 million seed round, led by Metamorphic Ventures and Lerer Hippeau Ventures. Google Ventures and Greycroft also participated. Cord Project aims to bring back the power of voice on today’s devices.“We’ve never had more technology to communicate, but ironically we talk to each other less and less” said Thomas Gayno, Cord Project co-founder and CEO. “It’s incredible how much more information you get from hearing the voice of someone you love, instead of reading a text.” The company is building an app which allows users to send voice messages instead of text messages.
Series A
Conservis, a software provider for the farming industry, has raised a $10 million Series A round led by Cultivan Sandbox Ventures. Heartland Farms and Middleland Capital also participated. “There’s a dramatic change happening on every farm in the world,” said Patrick Christie, Conservis, founder and chief executive officer. “It’s the big data revolution and it’s absolutely bearing down on agriculture. The big questions are, ‘Who will control the data?’ and ‘How can producers harness this transformation?’ We start with the farmer, not the technology.” The company, founded in 2008, will use the new funds to expand geographically and for technological development. Conservis currently operates in 26 U.S. states and in Canada, Australia and Russia.
Series B
Avogy, a power systems company, has secured $40 million in Series B funding in a round led by Intel Capital with participation from existing investor Khosla Ventures. Avogy will use the latest funds to continue developing its semiconductor and systems technology and to build out its market strategy. “Power systems have to evolve to meet the needs of an increasingly mobile workforce which utilizes multiple devices. We are radically changing the way these devices will be powered,” said Dinesh Ramanathan, President and CEO, Avogy. “Intel has opened up opportunities for Avogy products in the consumer marketplace. We expect to add new strategic partners to proliferate Avogy products in other market segments.”
BLiNQ Networks, a wireless service company, has raised $15.1 million in Series B funding in a round led by WIN Fund LP. Existing investors BDC Capital, New Venture Partners and Summerhill Venture Partners and new investor Kensington Global Private Equity Fund also participated in the round.“We have partnered with several large operators at various stages of qualification trials and the feedback has been very positive on the automated adaptive capability and performance of BLiNQ’s solution as well as the low total cost of ownership,” said Mickey Miller, Co-Founder and CEO at BLiNQ Networks. “This funding will help continue to support these efforts and enable us to scale our sales and support efforts worldwide.”