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Entrepreneur
a minute ago
- Entrepreneur
Cash Rush: Top Startup Funding Highlights (July 26–Aug 1)
From AI innovations to fintech powerhouses, these startups secured big investor bets this week. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. The startup ecosystem saw a vibrant week of funding activity, with a mix of AI-driven innovations, fintech disruptors, and specialised platforms securing capital to fuel their next growth phase. From cybersecurity and semiconductor intelligence to edtech and gaming communities, these ventures are redefining industries with technology-first approaches and strong investor backing. Here's a snapshot of the week's biggest deals. SAFE – Cybersecurity Risk Quantification SAFE offers cybersecurity risk quantification and management services, enabling organisations to measure, prioritise, and mitigate cyber threats across digital infrastructure. Formerly known as Lucideus, Safe Security safeguards Fortune 500 companies with continuous risk assessments and actionable insights. Inception: 2012 2012 Founder: Saket Modi Saket Modi Based-out: California California Funding Amount: USD 70 Million USD 70 Million Investors: Avataar Ventures, Susquehanna Asia Venture Capital, NextEquity Partners, Prosperity7 Ventures, Eight Roads, John Chambers, Sorenson Capital Navi Technologies – Tech-Led Financial Services Navi operates a digital-first financial services platform offering personal and home loans via its NBFC arm, Navi Finserv. Its offerings extend to mutual funds, health insurance, and UPI-based payment solutions, making it a comprehensive financial ecosystem for retail consumers. Inception: 2018 2018 Founders: Sachin Bansal, Ankit Agarwal Sachin Bansal, Ankit Agarwal Based-out: Bengaluru Bengaluru Funding Amount: USD 20 Million USD 20 Million Investors: PhillipCapital, NDX Finserve, Aarpee Group, Ambit Finvest, and others Metaforms – AI Agents for Market Research Metaforms develops AI-driven agents that streamline market research workflows. From automating survey programming to data processing and vendor coordination, the platform enables faster turnarounds and scalability for research agencies. Inception: 2022 2022 Founders: Akshat Tyagi, Arjun S Akshat Tyagi, Arjun S Based-out: Bengaluru Bengaluru Funding Amount: USD 9 Million USD 9 Million Investors: Peak XV Partners, Nexus Venture Partners, Together Fund STAN – Social Platform for Gaming Creators STAN is a mobile-first platform empowering gaming creators, publishers, and communities through live audio, creator clubs, monetisation tools, and brand-led campaigns. It facilitates community building and engagement in gaming culture. Inception: 2022 2022 Founders: Parth Chadha, Rahul Singh, Nauman Mulla Parth Chadha, Rahul Singh, Nauman Mulla Based-out: Bengaluru Bengaluru Funding Amount: USD 8.5 Million USD 8.5 Million Investors: Google's AI Futures Fund, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Square Enix, Reazon Holdings, Aptos Labs, General Catalyst, GFR Fund, T-Accelerate Capital, Pix Capital SixSense – AI for Semiconductor Manufacturing SixSense uses AI to analyse semiconductor production data, detect critical defects, and predict process deviations. Its platform boosts throughput, reduces waste, and shifts manufacturing from reactive inspection to proactive control. Inception: 2018 2018 Founders: Akanksha Jagwani, Avni Agarwal Akanksha Jagwani, Avni Agarwal Based-out: Singapore Singapore Funding Amount: USD 8.5 Million USD 8.5 Million Investors: Peak XV's Surge, Alpha Intelligence Capital, Febe, and others Arivihan – AI-Powered Rural Learning Arivihan delivers personalised, AI-driven learning to students in smaller towns and rural areas. Its platform includes interactive lectures, instant doubt-solving, and tailored study plans for board and NEET exam preparation. Inception: 2024 2024 Founders: Ritesh Singh Chandel, Sonu Kumar, Rushabh Kothari Ritesh Singh Chandel, Sonu Kumar, Rushabh Kothari Based-out: Bengaluru Bengaluru Funding Amount: USD 4.17 Million USD 4.17 Million Investors: Prosus, Accel, GSF Investors – AI for Sales Performance provides a SaaS platform that boosts frontline sales productivity with personalised pitches, contextual coaching, and dynamic content. It serves major enterprises across BFSI, healthcare, consumer goods, and more. Inception: 2022 2022 Founders: Hanuman Kamma, Arun Subramanian Hanuman Kamma, Arun Subramanian Based-out: Mumbai Mumbai Funding Amount: USD 3.47 Million USD 3.47 Million Investors: Equentis Angel Fund These startups highlight how innovation and strategic funding continue to drive transformative solutions across industries.
Washington Post
25 minutes ago
- Washington Post
How an alleged Ponzi scheme targeting Republicans left investors and politicians reeling
CEDARTOWN, Ga. — A federal receiver is on the hunt to recover $140 million lost in an alleged Ponzi scheme that benefited some Republicans in the top ranks of their party in Georgia and Alabama. He's looking to claw back funds, including almost 1,000 political donations totaling more than $1 million, that often backed far-right Republican insurgents. Some of these same politicians say they too lost money, but others left holding the bag for First Liberty Building & Loan are rank-and-file conservatives, swayed by talk show pundits who promoted it as an opportunity for Christians and 'America First MAGA patriots.' 'I worked my whole life to build up savings and have a little bit of retirement so I could just live comfortably,' said Michael Tinney, a 59-year-old real estate broker from Cedartown, Georgia. Tinney said he deposited $600,000 after hearing First Liberty pitched on shows hosted by conservatives including Erick Erickson, Hugh Hewitt and Charlie Kirk. First Liberty had promised returns up to 16% by making high-interest loans to businesses. Brant Frost IV, an evangelical powerbroker, touted 'Wall Street returns for Main Street investors.' But he skimmed $17 million for himself, his relatives and their affiliated companies, and loaned millions more that borrowers never repaid, a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission lawsuit claims. 'We've got retired teachers, we've got retired businessmen, we've got retired ministers who have been part of this program as well as doctors, lawyers, everyone else you can imagine,' his son, Brant Frost V, said in 2024 . Tinney said the younger Frost drove to his office to secure his investment. According to a July 21 report from court-appointed receiver S. Gregory Hays, assets now include just $1.2 million in cash along with some Frost family real estate. Hays told The Associated Press it's too early to estimate how much money is recoverable, but he's moving to foreclose on collateral pledged by borrowers who defaulted, including a failed South Carolina factory. Hays also seized and plans to auction Brant Frost IV's Aston Martin sports car. A social media post celebrating that 2022 purchase is particularly scorned by angry investors. But Hays doubts he can get everything back. 'The investors are going to have substantial losses here,' he said. Georgia and Alabama also are investigating. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger urged politicians to return campaign cash. Hays said he's already received $110,000, plus a returned $20,000 charitable donation. Frost said on July 11 that he takes 'full responsibility' and would 'spend the rest of my life trying to repay as much as I can to the many people I misled and let down.' But no criminal charges have been announced, and some Frost relatives retain influential positions in the Georgia Republican Party, whose chairman, Josh McKoon , has had the Frosts' political and financial support. McKoon said the party returned nearly $37,000 in Frost donations and he's 'profoundly saddened that members of our conservative movement' lost money. Campaign disclosures show First Liberty, the Frosts and associated companies contributed widely to Republican causes, including more than $700,000 in Georgia, $150,000 in Alabama and nearly $140,000 in Maine, where the Frosts spent $230,000 over multiple years renting a Kennebunkport vacation home. Georgia donations included $1,000 to former party chairman David Shafer's unsuccessful 2018 lieutenant governor campaign, and tens of thousands to the state party. Shafer pushed efforts to overturn President Donald Trump's 2020 defeat in Georgia — leading to an indictment — now stalled on pretrial appeal — against Shafer, Trump and others. A company run by Shafer — Springwood Capital — says in a July 10 lawsuit that it lost $200,000 invested in First Liberty. Its attorney, Brent Herrin, said the company is 'one of hundreds of defrauded investors.' Herrin declined to confirm Shafer owns the company, but financial disclosures show Shafer in 2017 owned at least part of Springwood Capital's parent company. McKoon, who received $4,500 in Frost donations, handled Springwood Capital's incorporation papers . McKoon said he didn't lose any money. Salleigh Grubbs, Georgia GOP first vice-chairman, said on a July 16 radio show that 'a lot of Republican members ... were heavily invested.' In Alabama, Republican state Auditor Andrew Sorrell says he and a political action committee he controls both lost money. He hasn't said how much he lost personally, but records show Alabama Christian Citizens PAC invested $29,000. 'The company had marketed itself through conservative channels as a 'patriotic' and 'Christian' investment opportunity,' Sorrell said, adding he learned a 'tough lesson.' But Sorrell, now running for Alabama Secretary of State, also benefited: He pocketed $55,000 for his campaigns, while Alabama Christian Citizens and Sorrell's federal-level U.S. Christian Citizens PAC each got $12,500. Erickson, an Atlanta-based syndicated radio host, once steered listeners to the Frosts. 'They're active in conservative politics ... good Christian family. I have known them for years. They are wonderful people,' he said in 2020. 'This is how we grow, this is how we fund our movement, and this is how we help out America First MAGA patriots,' radio host John Fredericks said during a June 2024 interview with Brant Frost V. Tinney said the hosts made First Liberty sound 'pretty credible.' Now he calls their warm endorsements a 'recipe for disaster,' and is still waiting for apologies. Fredericks did call the SEC complaint 'disturbing' and 'damning' during a July 16 show. 'I have talked to them many times, never had an inkling that any of that was going on,' Fredericks said, adding: 'They have to have their day to fight the charges.' Brant Frost V, accused Wednesday in a Georgia Ethics Commission complaint of illegally influencing elections , resigned from the state Republican committee Thursday and is resigning as Coweta County GOP chairman, McKoon said. Krista Frost, Brant Frost IV's wife, remains on the state committee and Brant Frost V's sister, Katie Frost, remains 3rd Congressional District GOP chair. McKoon and some allies won party elections in June after a nominating committee led by Katie Frost endorsed them. McKoon's vanquished rival, David Cross, is contesting those results to the Republican National Committee, saying McKoon and the Frosts engaged in skullduggery. Cross, a financial adviser, says he first reported First Liberty's possible misdeeds to state authorities in 2024. Georgia Republican National Committeewoman Amy Kremer, whose daughter was among those defeated, demanded the Frosts' ouster. 'We cannot claim to be the party of law and order while turning a blind eye to financial crimes committed under the banner of Republican leadership,' Kremer said . For his part, Tinney has something else in mind: 'My goal is justice at this point.'
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Graco (GGG): A Quiet Performer Worth a Buy and Hold Strategy
Graco Inc. (NYSE:GGG) is included among the 10 Best Dividend Stocks to Buy and Hold Forever. A technician in a factory controlling the production of fluid and powder materials. Graco Inc. (NYSE:GGG) is an American industrial firm that focuses on designing and producing fluid-handling systems and equipment. The company reported strong earnings in the second quarter of 2025. Its revenue came in at $571.8 million, which showed a 3.3% growth from the same period last year. However, Graco Inc. (NYSE:GGG) experienced a decline in organic sales within its Contractor segment, primarily due to weakness in the North American construction sector, cautious spending by distribution channels and contractors, and decreased customer traffic in home improvement stores. This downturn in organic revenue was largely concentrated in the Americas, while the EMEA and Asia Pacific regions reported volume growth. Meanwhile, sales of powder finishing equipment remained strong during the quarter, supported by increased activity in the Chinese market. Graco Inc. (NYSE:GGG)'s cash position for FY25 remained strong. YTD, the company generated an operating cash flow of $308 million, which was up by $50 million from the prior-year period. Due to this consistent cash position, GGG was able to raise its payouts for 24 consecutive years, which makes it one of the best dividend stocks to buy and hold. The company currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.275 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.31%, as of July 31. While we acknowledge the potential of GGG as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: and Disclosure: None.
