Participated · Series A · Jan 2023

Worlds Enterprises has created a 4D infrastructure and AI platform for the Industrial Metaverse that brings AI-based automation into ground-floor operations of large industrial companies. The platform integrates IoT sensors, people, and processes into live digital twins organizations use to measure, analyze, and reimagine operations. Worlds focuses on supply-chain sectors including manufacturing, distribution and logistics, transportation, energy, and national defense. The company launched its market offering in August 2021 and counts clients such as Chevron, PETRONAS, and Hillwood Development Company. Worlds reported remarkable growth in 2022, increasing ARR by more than 400% year over year and initiating multiple client expansions that will continue through 2023. The company plans to use new funding to continue investing in its AI platform, expand key go-to-market partnerships, and drive broader adoption of its technology among industrial customers. Worlds provides a Spatial AI Platform that combines deep learning and IoT inside of a 4D environment to allow organizations to observe their physical space and analyze and learn from their surroundings. The company was spun out of Hypergiant Sensory Sciences and is based in Dallas, TX. Worlds is led by CEO Dave Copps and COO Chris Rohde. In June 2020 the company raised $10M in a Series A funding round. Worlds intends to use the funds to continue to advance its development efforts. The platform-focus and recent Series A suggest the company is prioritizing further product development and engineering.

Led · Equity · Nov 2018

Hypergiant Sensory Sciences is a Dallas-based startup that uses sensor networks and deep learning to help companies understand and monitor their physical environments. Its core product applies visual analysis and AI to track objects and patterns across sites, with an initial focus on security for critical infrastructure such as oil and gas properties. Use cases described include automatically tracking sand trucks entering and leaving well sites, assessing load fullness, observing operational patterns, and issuing predictive alerts when unusual activity is detected. The company says it aims to augment human perception by providing a unified, learning approach that transfers insights across many sites and alerts operators proactively rather than relying on post-event review. Hypergiant Sensory Sciences was launched within the Hypergiant Industries syndicate and was cofounded by Dave Copps, Chris Rohde, and Ben Lamm. The startup announced a first round totaling more than $5 million and will be supported by the syndicate’s broader resources, which include Hypergiant Space Age Solutions—an affiliate reporting significantly more than $10 million in revenue.

Led · Series A · Sep 2017

ClearBlade is an Austin, TX–based Internet of Things company that provides IoT, Edge, and AI software. The company is led by founder and CEO Eric Simone. Its software has been used by some of the largest companies in North America across transportation, energy, industrial products, and manufacturing. ClearBlade received an investment from Sumitomo Corporation of Americas; the amount and instrument were not disclosed. The investment is intended to help the company expand its operations internationally and provide SCOA and affiliated companies access to ClearBlade’s software. The article includes no operating metrics or further financial details. ClearBlade is an Austin, Texas–based IoT software company that provides platforms enabling companies to build IoT solutions that connect devices to enterprise applications. Its core products are the ClearBlade Cloud Platform and ClearBlade Edge Platform, engineered to securely and flexibly deploy across any cloud, on-premise infrastructure or industrial gateways. The platforms support use cases including smart buildings, smart factories, connected job sites, connected assets, products-as-a-service, and embedded OEM. The company completed a $3.0M Series A funding round led by Align Capital. ClearBlade plans to use the funds to accelerate expansion of its engineering and sales teams. Lisa Harris of Align Capital will join the ClearBlade board; other investors in the round include Capital Factory, Jan Lindelow, Jim Schneider, Brett Hurt, Andrew Busey and Ben Lamm.

Led · Series A · May 2016

eyeQ, founded in 2012 and based in Austin, TX, offers a SaaS shopper-responsive technology that personalizes the in-store shopping experience. Its devices make digital displays respond to age, gender, location, frequency of visit and emotion, and the platform recognizes and responds to emotion. The system delivers real-time intelligence to stores and manufacturers so they can learn and iterate on customer experiences. eyeQ is a showcase company for IBM, building its solution with BlueMix and utilizing Watson cognitive computing. The company closed a $3.5M Series A led by Align Capital and intends to use proceeds for continued technology development, product enhancement and revenue pursuit. Lisa Harris of Align Capital joined eyeQ’s board as part of the financing, and existing investors also participated in the round. eyeQ develops a suite that enables brick-and-mortar retailers to leverage e-commerce intelligence to create a hybrid in-person/online shopping experience. Its platform provides shoppers with ratings, reviews and suggested offerings to help them decide and buy on the spot. The company plans to use recent funding to expand its business by adding new customers and increasing engagements with existing brands. eyeQ was founded in 2012 by CEO Michael Garel and is based in Austin, Texas. It is a member of the Austin Technology Incubator and a 2014 graduate of DreamIt Ventures.