US

Slack preparing to go public in early 2019: WSJ

Slack Technologies Inc, a provider of chat services for businesses, is preparing for an initial public offering in the first half of 2019, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the company’s plans.

SLAMcore picks up $5 mln

UK-based SLAMcore, a developer of spatial artificial intelligence algorithms for robots and drones, has raised $5 million in funding. Amadeus Capital Partners led the round with participation from Mirai Creation Fund, Toyota AI Ventures, MMC Ventures and Octopus Ventures.

Netradyne locks in $21 mln Series B

San Diego and India-based Netradyne, a provider of artificial intelligence technology focused on driver and fleet safety, has raised $21 million in Series B funding. The investors included Reliance Industries Limited, M12, Microsoft's corporate venture arm and Point72 Ventures.

Checkpoint Surgical nabs $8.8 mln

Cleveland, Ohio-based Checkpoint Surgical Inc, a medical device company, has raised $8.8 million in funding. Mutual Capital Partners led the round with participation from other investors that included First Analysis and the JumpStart NEXT Fund.

KSQ Therapeutics rakes in $80 mln Series C

Cambridge, Massachusetts-based drug developer KSQ Therapeutics has secured $80 million in Series C financing. The investors included Baillie Gifford, Cowen Healthcare Investments, Invus, Lilly Asia Ventures, Flagship Pioneering, Polaris Partners, ARCH Venture Partners and Alexandria Equities.

Softomotive lands $25 mln Series A

UK-based Softomotive, a provider of robotic process automation solutions, has raised $25 million in Series A financing. The investor was Grafton Capital.

LiveSafe snaps up $11 mln

Arlington, Virginia-based LiveSafe, a provider of a risk intelligence technology platform, has secured $11 million in funding. The investors included Hearst, Enterprise Investment Partners, IAC, Revolution's Rise of the Rest Seed Fund, GXPI and the Kilberg family.

SeventySix adds NBA Hall of Famer Sampson to athlete venture group

SeventySix Capital, a sports-focused venture firm, has added NBA Hall of Famer Ralph Sampson to its athlete venture group. In his new role, Sampson will work hands-on with the company’s current sports tech fund. During his career, Sampson played for the Houston Rockets.

Alexa Fund backs three voice startups

The Alexa Fund has made investments in three early-stage voice startups Bamboo Learning, Endel and Aiva, according to a post. No financial terms were disclosed. The Alexa Fund provides up to $100 million in venture funding for voice technology.

Global coding community SoloLearn rallies $5.6 mln

SoloLearn, a global coding community, has raised $5.6 million in funding. Naspers led the round with participation from return backer Learn Capital.