Here’s a look at what’s attracting early-stage capital in the US right now—and why it matters for your roadmap:

🚀 Comp AI ($2.6M Pre-Seed) – AI compensation analytics platform
✅ Why they got funded: AI-native use case with clear HR/talent ROI
✅ Investors: OSS Capital, Grand Ventures, David Cramer, Ben Tossell

🛡️ WiseBee ($2.5M Pre-Seed) – AI-driven cybersecurity startup
✅ Why they got funded: Security + AI remains one of the hottest and most active verticals
✅ Investors: Undisclosed (US–Bulgarian hybrid founding team)

🔍 Translucent AI ($7M Seed) – AI infrastructure for internal data search
✅ Why they got funded: Unlocking value from internal knowledge bases is a high-priority pain point
✅ Investors: NEA, Virtue, FPV, Redesign

⚡ Lava ($5.8M Seed) – Payments infrastructure for SaaS
✅ Why they got funded: B2B payments infrastructure continues to be under-optimized
✅ Investors: Fintech-focused VCs

💼 Menos AI ($5.2M Seed) – Enterprise AI ops tooling
✅ Why they got funded: Large-market opportunity + ops efficiency focus
✅ Investors: Silicon Valley family offices, early-stage funds

🔋 Wattch ($6M Seed) – Monitoring platform for solar installs
✅ Why they got funded: Clean tech + data = major tailwind
✅ Investors: Southeast-based climate investors

🧠 Nudge ($100M Series A) – Brain-computer interface technology
✅ Why they got funded: Deep IP and major category creation potential
✅ Investors: Thrive Capital, Greenoaks

🧬 Centivax ($45M Series A) – AI-based vaccine development
✅ Why they got funded: Biotech x AI is one of the most funded deep-tech crossovers
✅ Investors: Not disclosed

📊 Ambrook ($26.1M Series A) – Agri-finance platform for farmers
✅ Why they got funded: Niche vertical + accounting + SaaS = strong retention
✅ Investors: Multiple top-tier VCs

📈 Sundial ($23M Series A) – AI for data & analytics
✅ Why they got funded: Enterprise teams still struggle with decision intelligence
✅ Investors: GreatPoint Ventures

💬 Campfire ($35M Series A) – AI-powered social discovery network
✅ Why they got funded: High-growth user traction + vertical community opportunity
✅ Investors: Accel, Foundation Capital, Y Combinator

At this month’s AI roundtables, we dug into how CEOs are thinking about AI.

Here’s the surprising (and slightly concerning) reality:

You’d think AI would be all about expansion. But here’s what’s really happening:

But very few are asking: How do we use AI to make more money?

And even fewer are treating pricing as the strategic lever it is. If your product is priced by seat and your customers are shrinking headcount... you’re headed toward quiet churn unless you act now.

💡 Your move:
If you're not actively re-evaluating pricing models and identifying AI-native revenue plays, you're already behind the leaders.

Is in-person networking making a comeback?

We think yes.

Your edge used to be distribution. Now it’s increasingly access.

The real question for founders:
Are you visible where the real conversations are happening?

In our community, we’re seeing more:

If you’re not tracking your network-building as aggressively as you track pipeline, you may be falling behind.

🧭 Ask yourself:

Don’t let your org treat AI like just another “productivity initiative.” The fastest-growing companies are:

We’re running short 1:1 coaching sessions with founders who want to:

Reply with "AI REVENUE" and we’ll send you a link to book a personal CEO session.

Looking forward to connecting with you.

Apryl Syed

Founders Edge/ApetureCodex