Participated · Seed · Jun 2026

Skillmaker develops XR- and AI-powered immersive training programs aimed at shortening time-to-competency for skilled-trades workers. Its NAPA Autotech Xccelerator program, developed with NAPA Auto Care, has been commercially deployed in over 20 states and carries a five-year distribution agreement with Genuine Parts Company and NAPA. The company says its program can reduce training time for entry-level auto technicians from two years to 25 days. Skillmaker has also launched pilots with partners such as Black’s Tire & Auto Service and Southeastern Community College using AI-powered smart glasses. Founded in 2024 and based in Carolina Beach, Skillmaker has won regional awards including a Coastal Entrepreneur Award and a CED Venture Connect pitch contest in AI and machine learning. Following the seed round, the company plans to expand its platform into additional trades and grow its team.

Led · Series B · Mar 2026

Lucid Bots designs, manufactures and supports autonomous exterior cleaning systems including the Sherpa exterior cleaning drone and the Lavo AI autonomous pressure washing robot. It offers Lucid Refresh, a subscription RaaS platform that bundles hardware, Lucid Command software, training, job intelligence and equipment coverage. The company serves customers ranging from independent operators to enterprise accounts such as Disney, Sunbelt Rentals and commercial facilities managers. Lucid manufactures its products domestically and plans to expand its Charlotte, NC manufacturing capacity. It is a member of the NVIDIA Inception Program and is developing AI and autonomy capabilities in partnership with NVIDIA. The company is led by CEO and Founder Andrew Ashur and has raised a total of $34M to date.

Participated · Series A · Nov 2025

Founded in 2019, Charlottesville-based Poppy Flowers operates a technology-driven marketplace that matches couples with local floral designers whose style, budget, and vision align with their needs. The company has already served more than 6,000 couples nationwide, positioning itself as a fast-growing player in the $71 billion U.S. floral industry. Poppy’s platform streamlines the traditionally fragmented wedding-florist experience by handling design matching, logistics, and fulfillment. With fresh capital, the team plans to accelerate an expansion into business-to-business offerings, roll out new technology features, and hire key leadership roles. Management believes these moves will widen its customer base beyond consumer weddings and deepen engagement with professional florists. Investors cite the company’s clear category leadership and scalable model as reasons for continued support. Financial details beyond the most recent and prior capital raises were not disclosed in the article.

Participated · Equity · Apr 2024

Keep Company offers a tech-driven, coach-led “third space” benefit with custom curriculum and interactive sessions that sit between therapy and social time to support working parents and caregivers. Launched in 2022 and based in Bethesda, Md., the company reports 6x year-over-year growth and has worked with hundreds of employees across professional services. Members resign at a rate five times less than the industry average; 95% of members report feeling less alone after the core 12-week program and 89% report taking better care of themselves. The company received a patent on its underlying gathering technology and is launching three new products, including a Care Census to anonymously quantify working parents and caregivers on staff. The recent financing enabled expansion of the executive team with the hire of CTO Zvi Band and is intended to help serve more people with improved technology.

Participated · Series A · Sep 2023

Cognota develops learning operations (LearnOps) software that lets corporate learning-and-development teams manage training intake, project planning, resource allocation, and ROI measurement from a single system. By centralizing these workflows, the platform helps enterprises better align learning initiatives with overall business strategy and improve operational efficiency. Customers gain visibility into demand for training, staffing needs, and the effectiveness of learning programs. Founded by Ryan Austin and headquartered in Toronto, the company positions itself as the business-side operating system for L&D departments. With the newest capital, Cognota plans to accelerate development of AI agents and an intelligence layer that will further automate and optimize learning operations. The firm has now secured a $5.75 million Series B round to fund these product enhancements and drive growth.