Freeplay AI Announces New Funding and General Release

We are thrilled to share two exciting pieces of news for Freeplay AI! They announced $5.6M in new funding and the full general availability launch of Freeplay, including their new free tier. Now anyone can access the same powerful tools for prompt management, experimentation, evaluation, observability, and data review that have become mission-critical to leading tech companies ranging from top startups to the Fortune 100.

We’re Thrilled to Welcome Nicole Glaros as a Venture Partner at Matchstick Ventures

We are excited to announce that long time startup leader, investor and friend Nicole Glaros has joined Matchstick Ventures. Nicole brings deep expertise, sharp instincts, and a founder-first mindset that aligns perfectly with our values. Please join us in welcoming Nicole to the team. We couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead.
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Kipsu Acquires Leading Hotel Operations Software to Enhance Guest Experience and Operational Efficiency

We are excited to share the news that Kipsu, a leader in frontline customer experience software, has announced the acquisition of Lodgistics, a cutting-edge hotel operations software that revolutionizes the way hoteliers manage day-to-day operations, streamline workflows, and enhance guest services.

Branch named “Best Payment Enablement Platform” by FinTech Breakthrough Awards

Congrats to the Branch team for being named “Best Payment Enablement Platform” by the FinTech Breakthrough Awards 2025. This achievement recognizes their commitment to delivering fast, seamless payments experiences for workforces across industries.

Inspectorio CEO Chirag Patel Honored as a 2025 “Pro to Know” by Supply & Demand Chain Executive

We are thrilled to share that Chirag Patel was honored in the Leaders in Excellence category for his outstanding contributions to the supply chain and logistics industry.

Intelligems Closes $9 Million Series A
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Congratulations to the Intelligems team on raising a $9 million series A led by Stage 2 Capital! Over the last few years they’ve evolved from price testing to a profit growth platform. We are excited to see their mission to allow ecommerce companies to make profit-maximizing decisions across every touch point on their site — be it pricing, discounting, shipping, merchandising, or customer experience take flight.
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Broadlume acquired by Cyncly

We are thrilled to congratulate Broadlume (Matchstick Fund I)Â on joining forces with Cyncly to accelerate the development of an all-in-one software platform for the flooring industry. We believe this strategic acquisition will streamline operations, unlock new growth opportunities, and build more profitable flooring businesses.Â

Warmly Closes $17 million in Series A

Matchstick Ventures is proud to support Warmly as they secure an additional $6 million in their Series A+ funding round, led by RTP Global, bringing their total Series A funding to $17 million. We are confident that Warmly's AI-fueled pipeline acceleration platform will continue to empower SMB-sized B2B companies to identify and engage their warmest leads, driving significant revenue gains.

Delfina Raises $17M to Revolutionize Maternal Health with AI-Powered Care

The maternal health crisis in the United States is alarming, demanding innovation, determination, and a commitment to equitable care solutions. Delfina has stepped up to this challenge with its mission to transform maternal health outcomes with AI-powered care. Today, we proudly announce our $17 million Series A, led by US Venture Partners (USVP). This milestone represents a pivotal moment in our mission to create a safer, healthier future for expecting parents and their babies.

Precog Raises Series A led by Venture Guides

I’m thrilled to announce a transformative milestone for Precog: the successful close of our investment round, led by Boston-based Venture Guides. This partnership marks a pivotal step in their mission to solve the data integration problem once and for all. Venture Guides is the ideal partner for Precog, and we couldn’t be more excited about what lies ahead.

Fast 50: Software firm debuts on The List at No. 29

Minneapolis software firm Kipsu Inc. debuts on the Business Journal's 2024 Fast 50 list at No. 29. The company reported 2023 revenue of nearly $13.7 million, representing an increase of 66.12% from 2021.

Branch featured in Power Partner Awards 2024

Introducing the Businesses Proven to Help Other Companies Succeed
Every one of the 359 companies on this list offers a best-in-class product and service and will make running your business easier and better.

Top 10 US Cities for Startup Ecosystems

Are you an entrepreneur looking for the perfect place to launch your startup? While Silicon Valley and the East Coast have long been the go-to destinations for new businesses, times are changing. Today, exciting opportunities are popping up all across the United States.
Let’s explore some of the best cities for startups in 2024, focusing on locations outside the traditional tech hubs.
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In Detroit, Creating a New Hub for Innovation

Entrepreneurs once flocked to Motor City to build cars. Now, they’re building its mobility future.

This Female Founder Has Raised $53 Million–but It Hasn’t Come Easy

Soona is changing the game for how brands create visual assets, but CEO Liz Giorgi has faced her fair share of challenges–and made her fair share of mistakes.
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