US

Automated customer service Ada nabs C$19 mln in Series A

Toronto-based automated customer service Ada has raised C$19 million in a Series A financing. The round was led by FirstMark Capital. It was joined by Leaders Fund and Burst Capital, as well as Bessemer Venture Partners, Version One Ventures and Barney Pell, which backed last year’s C$2.5 million seed deal. Founded in 2016 by CEO Mike Murchison and Head of Design David Hariri, Ada’s platform allows customer service teams to build and manage artificial intelligence-enabled chatbots to automate interactions.

Cloudify grabs $7 mln

Israel-based Cloudify, a cloud management and orchestration company, has secured $7 million in financing. The investors included KPN Ventures, CreditEase Israel Innovation Fund, Claridge Israel, BRM Group and VMware.

Egypt-based CIB launches corporate venture firm CVentures

Commercial International Bank, an Egyptian financial institution, has launched CVentures, a corporate venture firm. CVentures will focus on investing in fintech startups.

Seismic nabs $100 mln Series E

San Diego-based Seismic, a provider of sales and marketing solutions, has raised $100 million in Series E funding. Lightspeed Venture Partners and funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates led the round with participation from return backers General Atlantic, JMI Equity and Jackson Square Ventures. In addition to the funding, John W. Thompson, a venture partner at Lightspeed and chairman at Microsoft, will join Seismic's board of directors.

Silas Capital invests in ILIA Beauty

ILIA Beauty, a maker of cosmetics, has secured funding from Silas Capital. No financial terms were disclosed.

AI chipmaker Graphcore racks up $200 mln

UK-based Graphcore, an AI chipmaker, has secured $200 million in funding which values the company at $1.7 billion. The company's investors include BMW i Ventures and Microsoft.

Entrada Therapeutics scores $59 mln Series A

Boston-based Entrada Therapeutics, a biotechnology company, has raised $59 million in Series A financing. The lead investors were 5AM Ventures and MPM Capital. Other participants in the round were Roche Venture Fund, MRL Ventures Fund and Agent Capital.

Cancer drug developer Erasca picks up $42 mln Series A

San Diego-based Erasca, a creator of oncology drugs, has raised $42 million in Series A financing. City Hill Ventures and Cormorant Asset Management led the round.

Drug developer Aristea Therapeutics rakes in $15 mln Series A

San Diego-based Aristea Therapeutics, a drug developer, has secured $15 million in Series A funding. The investor was Novo Holdings A/S. In connection with the financing, Dr. Tiba Aynechi and Dr. Ken Harrison from Novo Ventures (US) have been named to Aristea's board of directors.

Digital health company Triduum snags $9.5 mln Series B

Tridiuum, a digital health company, has secured $9.5 million in Series B financing. The lead investor was Sopris Capital. Other participants in the round included Fresenius Medical Care Ventures, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania and Martinson Ventures.