Led · Seed · Aug 2026

Led by CEO Andy Ruben and based in San Francisco, Clarity Systems offers a retail fraud detection platform that combines diagnostic-grade X-ray intelligence with computer vision and AI to view inside returned and received products in three seconds or less. The platform compares items against their original manufacturer profiles to detect anomalies such as counterfeit goods, product swaps, and missing components. The company emphasizes rapid, nondestructive inspection at scale to address return fraud. Following the $4.4M Seed raise, Clarity Systems intends to expand operations and extend its business reach. The article does not disclose revenue, user counts, or prior funding rounds.

Participated · Seed · Jul 2026

Founded seven months ago by Kofi Asante, Bluecore Energy develops small modular reactors (SMRs) installed on floating barges intended to supply clean power to ports and nearby communities. The reactors heat water to produce steam that drives a turbine; the system is water-cooled in a closed loop and the company says refueling would be required only once every few years. Bluecore’s barges are designed to be relocatable by ship and can connect to the grid via subsea cables, with targets including powering the equivalent of approximately 15,000 homes or scaling to meet a major port’s needs. The startup has secured a port terminal, a barge and a test reactor pressure vessel to validate flow and cooling, and is combining hardware and software testing to verify its designs. The company is working with regulators and emphasizes multiple layers of safety and redundancy, including uranium clad in a thick steel pressure vessel with concrete shielding and steel lining. Financially, Bluecore announced a $10 million pre-seed raise led by Slauson & Co. to fund deployment and testing.

Led · Seed · Mar 2026

Ezra offers a voice AI interviewing platform that helps recruiting teams identify qualified candidates through structured voice conversations and integrates with existing ATS systems to automate initial screening. The platform emphasizes conversational screening to allow candidates to stand out beyond resume optimization. The company is led by CEO and founder Ophir Samson and is based in San Francisco, CA. Following its $3.2M Seed raise, Ezra plans to expand operations and accelerate development efforts using the new capital. The article does not disclose revenue, user counts, or a valuation.

Participated · Series A · Feb 2026

Chariot Defense develops the Amphora family of hybrid power systems, a modular hardware-plus-software platform that senses, prioritizes, and routes electric power across battlefield assets in real time. The technology lets warfighters run radios, drones, sensors, and other gear without interruption, detectable signature, or wasted capacity. Since emerging from stealth in July 2025, the company has secured sales and contracts with the U.S. Army, the Defense Innovation Unit’s Project GI, and several commercial customers, generating revenue within its first year of operations. Fresh capital will be used to ramp production, build an operating system for power command and control, and aggressively hire mechanical, electrical, and software engineers. Management frames power as the next critical constraint in defense and positions Amphora as a combat multiplier that extends operational independence. Founded in 2024 and backed by prominent national-security investors, Chariot has raised $41 million to date, including the newly announced Series A.

Participated · Seed · Jul 2025

Nevoya purchases electric trucks and provides carrier services to shippers, using AI to optimize routes, match and balance loads, and manage charging and batteries. The company says it is hauling freight for 10 different Fortune 500 companies and has achieved cost parity with similar-sized diesel trucks in California. Nevoya applies automation to dispatching and fleet orchestration to reduce cost per mile and maintenance. It is expanding beyond California into states like Texas, already hauling freight in Houston and Dallas. To enter markets with less charging infrastructure the company uses interim solutions such as passenger vehicle charging stations and school bus depots and plans to invest in dedicated charging infrastructure. Nevoya is also hiring general managers to run local operations like startups to accelerate growth. Nevoya operates a zero-emissions technology and trucking platform that exclusively fields electric trucks (currently Freightliner eCascadias) to carry goods for shippers. The company pairs its fleet with AI-driven software to optimize routing, truck usage, and charging to lower costs versus diesel. Nevoya says it already moves freight for undisclosed Fortune 500 customers in the Los Angeles area. The startup plans to build its own charging infrastructure over time and eventually expand into smaller-class trucks and new U.S. markets, beginning with Texas. Nevoya’s leadership combines automotive, autonomous-vehicle partnerships, and supply-chain analytics experience. The company is still working toward cost parity with diesel, and some customers currently pay a premium to decarbonize their Scope 3 emissions.