💸 Liu Jiang's Sunflower Capital Launches $250M Funds
FemWealth Issue #207
Hi FemWealth Friends,
In the Spotlight 💸
Founded by Liu Jiang, a former Sequoia Capital partner, Sunflower Capital is a US-based early-stage venture firm. It announced the closure of its first two funds with $250 million in capital commitments. The firm will back companies building foundations for modern enterprises, critical industries, and the physical world.
The firm’s institutional LPs include Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Children’s Health, Pathstone, California State Teachers’ Retirement System, and fund-of-funds managers Industry Ventures and Screendoor.
Read more: Sunflower Capital, Led by Sequoia Alum, Collects $150 Million (The WSJ $)
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Startups: Nutrition counseling startup Nourish clinches $70M to expand services - Co-founded by Stephanie Liu, Nourish connects patients with registered dietitians virtually to help manage nutrition-related conditions. The New York City-based startup secured $70 million in Series B funding. J.P. Morgan Growth Equity Partners led the round, with Thrive Capital, Index Ventures, Y Combinator, Maverick Ventures, BoxGroup, Atomico, G Squared, and Pinegrove also joining.
Thrive-backed Fora has raised $60 million for a travel agent platform that can withstand a recession - Co-founded and led by Henley Vazquez, Fora is a travel platform powering the next generation of travel advisors. The New York City-based company announced $60 million across two funding rounds. Thrive and Insight Partners led the $40 million Series C round, joined by existing investors Forerunner and Heartcore Capital. Insight Partners led the $20 million Series B raised in 2023, with additional support from Forerunner and Heartcore Capital.
Summit Partners Backs Grant-Management Company Instrumentl - Co-founded by Angela Braren, Instrumentl is an AI-powered platform that helps nonprofits and universities find and manage grants. The Oakland, California-based company raised a $55 million round led by Summit Partners.
Northwood raises $30 million to establish ground station network - Co-founded and led by former actress Bridgit Mendler, Northwood builds and operates satellite ground stations. The El Segundo, California-based company closed $30 million in Series A funding co-led by Alpine Space Ventures and a16z and joined by Also Capital, Founders Fund, Box Group, Balerion, Banter Capital, and Humba Ventures.
Texas-Based Insurtech Steadily Secures $30M Series C Round - Co-founded by Datha Santomieri, Steadily provides landlord insurance. The Austin, Texas-based company raised $30 million in Series C funding led by Two Sigma Ventures and joined by Zigg Capital, Clocktower Technology Ventures, Belfer Investment Partners, Nine Four Ventures, and Matrix Partners.
OKAPI:Orbits secures €13M to build the future of space traffic management - Co-founded and led by Kristina Nikolaus, OKAPI:Orbits provides end-to-end solutions designed to support space missions. The German startup raised €13 million in Seed funding led by Ventech and joined by Matterwave Ventures and Amadeus APEX Technology Fund.
Khloe Kardashian launches consumer brand backed by Serena Ventures, WME - Co-founded by Khloé Kardashian and Kris Jenner, Khloud is a snack brand aiming to offer more nutritious alternatives made from “clean” ingredients. The US company raised $12 million from K5 Global, Serena Ventures, WME, and Shrug Capital.
ROH Raises $9M in New Funding Led by Highgate Technology Ventures and Acrew Capital - Founded and led by Jess Levin Conroy, ROH is a payments management platform for hospitality. The New York startup raised a $9.2 million round co-led by Highgate Technology Ventures and Acrew Capital.
Fertility Startup Ovo Labs Secures £4M to Transform IVF Success Rates for Women Over 35 - Co-founded by Professor Melina Schuh and Dr. Agata Zielinska, Ovo Labs is a fertility technology company aiming to improve egg quality in women over 35. The Germany-based startup secured £4 million in Seed funding co-led by LocalGlobe and Creator Fund, with additional contributions from Blue Wire Capital, Ahren Innovation Capital, and Antonio Pellicer, founder of the world’s largest chain of IVF clinics.
“Ovo Labs’ mission is to make the dream of parenthood a reality for millions of couples who struggle to conceive. By helping to increase the number of viable eggs, we aim to extend the reproductive window, empowering more couples to have children at a time that feels right to them." - Professor Melina Schuh, Co-Founder & Scientific Advisor at Ovo Labs
Coologics Secures $3M for Drug-Free Vaginal Infection Treatment Device - Founded and led by Dr. Kim Langdon, Coologics aims to revolutionize women’s health by restoring the vaginal environment to a healthy state without chemicals. The US-based clinical-stage medical device company closed an oversubscribed $3 million Seed funding round led by Prevail and Dream Ventures.
Reusables.com raises funds to reduce packaging waste - Co-founded by Anastasia Kiku, Reusables develops recycling software for food-service providers. The Vancouver, Canada-based company raised a C$2.6 million Seed round co-led by StandUp Ventures and Amplify Capital and joined by Sandpiper Ventures and Emend Vision Fund.
Long-life startup NiaHealth exits stealth with $2.5 million in pre-seed funding - Co-founded by Tanya ter Keurs, NP, NiaHealth aims to reduce disease through preventative health testing. The Edmonton, Canada-based startup raised C$2.5 million in Pre-Seed funding led by Version One Ventures, with support from Garage Capital and Union Capital.
Digital Health Company Amara Therapeutics, Launches US Clinical Trial for Overactive Bladder Treatment Following €1.8M Funding Round - Co-founded by Dr. Emma Carr, Amara Therapeutics offers a digital therapeutic solution for overactive bladder (OAB) in women. The Irish medtech company announced the launch of its US clinical trial for overactive bladder treatment and a €1.8 million funding round from Enterprise Ireland.
Dutch Workplace Benefits Company Pro Parents Raises €1M to Support Working Parents - Founded and led by Joyce Knappe, Pro Parents focuses on workplace wellbeing and family health benefits. The Netherlands-based company raised a €1 million funding round from Quantum Leap Capital, Oost NL, Peakfijn, and others.
Cacto Health Secures €400K to Advance Home-Based Lymphedema Detection for Breast Cancer Survivors - Co-founded by Ida Grønborgand and Greta Butkus, Cacto Health is developing technology for early detection of lymphedema, a chronic condition affecting one in five breast cancer survivors. The Aarhus, Denmark-based company raised 3 million DKK (€400,000) from Business Angels, EIFO Match Loans, and an Innobooster grant.
VC: KOMPAS VC closes €150M Fund II to back sustainability and prouctivity-focused industrialtech - Co-founded and co-led by Talia Rafaeli, Copenhagen, Denmark-based early-stage venture firm KOMPAS VC announced the €150 million closing of its second fund to back industrial technology startups across Europe, the US, and Israel.
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Until next Sunday,
Anamaria
Founder & Writer of FemWealth