Every day, Global University Venturing rounds up the smaller investments from across the university innovation ecosystem in its deal net.
Rein4ced, a Belgium-based spinout of KU Leuven that manufactures carbon and steel fibre bicycle frames, has completed €7m ($8.5m) in a series B round led by Capricorn Partners, with participation from university venture fund Gemma Frisius Fund, Finindus and Innovation Fund. Capricorn invested through its Sustainable Chemistry Fund and Quest for Growth vehicles. Gemma Frisius Fund, Finidus and Innovation Fund made their first investment as part of a round of undisclosed size in December 2017. Further funding details could not be ascertained.
Podchaser, a US-based podcast database operator, has closed a $4m funding round with participation from IU Angel Network, the angel syndicate set up by Indiana University’s IU Ventures. The round was led by Greycroft and also featured High Alpha and Connectic Ventures. This capital has been allocated to driving business growth.
Hearby.com, a US-based live music discovery platform co-founded by Massachusetts Institute of Technology faculty, received $1.5m in seed funding last month, it revealed on Wednesday. The company has now raised $3m altogether from investors including Namier Capital and private investor Simon Murdoch. The company is looking to strengthen its market position across North America and Europe, anticipating a return to live events post-pandemic.
Qumulex, a US-based commercial security technology developer, has attracted an unspecified amount of capital from IU Philanthropic Venture Fund, a vehicle managed by Indiana University’s IU Ventures. The company had already secured $250,000 of seed financing from IU Philanthropic Venture Fund in 2019.
Maxwell Biosciences, a US-based anti-infective developer spun out of ETH Zurich, has attracted an undisclosed amount of funding from serial entrepreneur David Evans Shaw. Maxwell previously closed a $4.5m series A round four months ago featuring microsensor producer Sensirion Holding, as well as unnamed existing and individual investors.
