Latest news with #MassMutualVentures
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Business Standard
21-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
EduFund secures $6 million in Series A round to expand beyond metro cities
Education-focused investing platform EduFund on Monday announced it has raised $6 million in a Series A round led by Cercano Management and MassMutual Ventures. In total, the company has so far raised $12 million. With the new investment, EduFund plans to expand beyond metropolitan areas to deepen its reach in Tier-I and Tier-II cities, launch AI-powered tools to personalise education planning, and broaden loan offerings with a focus on the underserved undergraduate segment. Founded by Eela Dubey and Arindam Sengupta in 2020, the platform offers a comprehensive roadmap for funding education, including goal-based investment portfolios, affordable education loans, visa and forex support, and on-demand expert counselling. The company has onboarded more than 250,000 families on its platform and built a partner network of over 40 asset-management firms and more than 15 lending institutions (public- and private-sector banks, non-banking financial companies, and international lenders). "Education is a consumer staple in India, and parents already spend about 30 per cent of their earnings on it. With costs rising at home and abroad, the middle-class Indian parent faces a major challenge. Backed by a community of 250,000 families, we are more committed than ever to solving this problem, and this Series A fundraise is a testament to that commitment," said Eela Dubey, co-founder and chief executive officer of EduFund. Commenting on the development, Danika Ariadna, vice president of Cercano Management, said, "We are excited to join EduFund in its journey to become the end-to-end education-financing and preparation partner for Indian families. Higher education is getting costlier and less accessible worldwide, so parents need a platform that helps them start planning early."
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MassMutual Ventures and Crane Venture Partners announce expanded partnership
A bold step forward: Crane to oversee $450 million in Europe and Asia-Pacific funds, strengthening global support for early-stage founders BOSTON, LONDON and SINGAPORE, July 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MassMutual Ventures (MMV) and Crane Venture Partners announced today that they have entered into an agreement for Crane to administer MMV's Europe and Asia-Pacific (APAC) funds, totaling $450 million and including 40 portfolio companies. MassMutual Ventures has been a minority investor in Crane since 2018 as well as an anchor investor in all Crane funds. 'This agreement marks the next evolution in MassMutual Ventures' longstanding relationship with the Crane team that was established seven years ago,' said Doug Russell, Managing Director and Head of MassMutual Ventures. 'Crane's unwavering focus on founders and vast network and expertise will be invaluable for both current and future portfolio companies in Europe and APAC. We look forward to continuing to work with Crane in this new capacity, leveraging the strengths and capabilities of both of our organizations.' MMV will continue to manage its existing portfolio of over 60 companies based in North America and Israel and invest in new companies through its Boston-based MMV US and MMV Climate Tech Fund teams. 'We've always believed that early conviction and long-term commitment are the keys to venture success. This expanded partnership is a massive vote of confidence in our approach—and in the founders we have and will continue to back,' said Krishna Visvanathan, Co-founder and Partner at Crane. 'We're proud to take the next step with MassMutual Ventures and build an even stronger bridge for global ambition across Europe and Asia-Pacific.' As part of the transaction, which is expected to close later this year pending satisfactory completion of customary conditions, Crane Venture Partners will oversee all existing Europe and APAC investments as well as manage all new Europe and APAC investments, with MMV continuing to hold positions in all existing portfolio companies. About MassMutual VenturesMassMutual Ventures (MMV) is a multistage venture capital firm investing globally in financial technology, enterprise SaaS, healthtech, climate technology and cybersecurity companies. We help accelerate the growth of the companies we partner with by providing capital, connections and advice. With our deep expertise and extensive network, MMV helps entrepreneurs build compelling and scalable companies of value. For more information, visit About Crane Venture Partners Crane makes high-conviction investments in foundational technologies at the earliest stages, backing ambitious founders from inception through seed. Our commitment extends beyond initial funding—we remain deeply involved as trusted partners, offering hands-on support through critical company-building moments and helping founders refine go-to-market strategies and scale globally. Since 2015, we've backed category-defining companies across post-quantum security, robotics, infrastructure software, developer tools, and AI systems. With a global perspective spanning the UK, Europe, the US, Israel and Asia-Pacific, we help exceptional founders build companies that redefine what's possible. First to believe. Last to leave. For more, visit CONTACT: Media Contacts: MassMutual Ventures: Chelsea Haraty chelseaharaty@ Crane Venture Partners: David Oro david@
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MassMutual Ventures and Crane Venture Partners announce expanded partnership
A bold step forward: Crane to oversee $450 million in Europe and Asia-Pacific funds, strengthening global support for early-stage founders BOSTON, LONDON and SINGAPORE, July 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MassMutual Ventures (MMV) and Crane Venture Partners announced today that they have entered into an agreement for Crane to administer MMV's Europe and Asia-Pacific (APAC) funds, totaling $450 million and including 40 portfolio companies. MassMutual Ventures has been a minority investor in Crane since 2018 as well as an anchor investor in all Crane funds. 'This agreement marks the next evolution in MassMutual Ventures' longstanding relationship with the Crane team that was established seven years ago,' said Doug Russell, Managing Director and Head of MassMutual Ventures. 'Crane's unwavering focus on founders and vast network and expertise will be invaluable for both current and future portfolio companies in Europe and APAC. We look forward to continuing to work with Crane in this new capacity, leveraging the strengths and capabilities of both of our organizations.' MMV will continue to manage its existing portfolio of over 60 companies based in North America and Israel and invest in new companies through its Boston-based MMV US and MMV Climate Tech Fund teams. 'We've always believed that early conviction and long-term commitment are the keys to venture success. This expanded partnership is a massive vote of confidence in our approach—and in the founders we have and will continue to back,' said Krishna Visvanathan, Co-founder and Partner at Crane. 'We're proud to take the next step with MassMutual Ventures and build an even stronger bridge for global ambition across Europe and Asia-Pacific.' As part of the transaction, which is expected to close later this year pending satisfactory completion of customary conditions, Crane Venture Partners will oversee all existing Europe and APAC investments as well as manage all new Europe and APAC investments, with MMV continuing to hold positions in all existing portfolio companies. About MassMutual VenturesMassMutual Ventures (MMV) is a multistage venture capital firm investing globally in financial technology, enterprise SaaS, healthtech, climate technology and cybersecurity companies. We help accelerate the growth of the companies we partner with by providing capital, connections and advice. With our deep expertise and extensive network, MMV helps entrepreneurs build compelling and scalable companies of value. For more information, visit About Crane Venture Partners Crane makes high-conviction investments in foundational technologies at the earliest stages, backing ambitious founders from inception through seed. Our commitment extends beyond initial funding—we remain deeply involved as trusted partners, offering hands-on support through critical company-building moments and helping founders refine go-to-market strategies and scale globally. Since 2015, we've backed category-defining companies across post-quantum security, robotics, infrastructure software, developer tools, and AI systems. With a global perspective spanning the UK, Europe, the US, Israel and Asia-Pacific, we help exceptional founders build companies that redefine what's possible. First to believe. Last to leave. For more, visit CONTACT: Media Contacts: MassMutual Ventures: Chelsea Haraty chelseaharaty@ Crane Venture Partners: David Oro david@ in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CloudSEK secures $19m to advance AI-driven cyber threat intelligence
CloudSEK, an AI-powered cyber threat prediction and intelligence company, has secured $19m through its Series A2 and B1 funding rounds. The funding round saw contributions from India and US-based investors, including MassMutual Ventures, Inflexor Ventures, Prana Ventures, Tenacity Ventures, and strategic investors such as Commvault. CloudSEK's earlier backers, including Meeran Family (founders of Eastern Group), StartupXSeed, Neon Fund, and Exfinity Ventures, continue to lend their support to the company's vision. The company was established in 2015 by cybersecurity researcher-turned-entrepreneur Rahul Sasi, with a vision to build a safer digital future by predicting and mitigating cyber threats proactively. The company is claimed to have evolved into a trusted threat intelligence platform, serving over 250 enterprises across various sectors including banking, technology, and the public sector. The newly secured capital will facilitate CloudSEK's continued product innovation and global expansion. The company focuses on advancing its AI models and platform integrations to enhance its threat prediction capabilities. Unlike traditional tools, CloudSEK identifies initial attack vectors, such as leaked credentials and exposed APIs, to prevent breaches. CloudSEK co-founder & CEO Rahul Sasi said: 'We built CloudSEK to predict the initial attack vector and stop threats before they hit the headlines with the goal of preventing threats before they escalate.' 'Unlike conventional threat intelligence that focuses on indicators of compromise after an attack, our platform detects the earliest signals—leaked credentials, exposed APIs, compromised vendors—weeks before an incident unfolds. That's our version of threat intelligence: predictive, not forensic. 'Today, over 60% of our net new revenue comes from international markets, with the U.S. emerging as our fastest-growing region. We've achieved this scale while staying cash flow positive. This round—backed by top financial and strategic investors—not only validates our vision but reinforces what we've believed from day one: cybersecurity must be proactive, not reactive.' CloudSEK VP of Finance Kalyan Kumar Vattipalli said: 'CloudSEK has grown 3x in ARR over the last 24 months and continues to grow well above industry standards.' 'The round attracted significant interest from global financial investors, and we will soon be announcing Series B2 as an extension of B1, both to onboard new investors and to facilitate partial exits for some of our early backers.' "CloudSEK secures $19m to advance AI-driven cyber threat intelligence" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Mint
20-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Cybersecurity startup Cloudsek raises $19 million in funding
Cybersecurity firm CloudSEK has raised $19 million across Series A2 and B1 funding rounds, the startup said in a statement on 20 May. The latest round saw participation from a mix of India- and US-based investors, such as MassMutual Ventures, Inflexor Ventures, Prana Ventures, Tenacity Ventures, and select strategic investors, including Commvault. Notably, Meeran Family (founders of Eastern Group), StartupXSeed, Neon Fund, and Exfinity Ventures, the statement said. The company is expected to announce a Series B2 round as an extension to the current B1. It plans to bring new investors on board and facilitate partial exits for some of its early backers. Founded in 2015 by cybersecurity researcher-turned-entrepreneur Rahul Sasi, CloudSEK was created with a mission to build a safer digital future by proactively predicting and mitigating cyber threats. "What began as a research-driven initiative has since evolved into one of the industry's most trusted threat intelligence platforms—serving 250+ enterprises across banking, healthcare, technology, and the public sector, the statement said. The Bengaluru-based company previously raised $4.1 million and $7 million in 2023 and 2021, respectively, according to data from market intelligence platform Tracxn. The newly-raised capital will fuel CloudSEK's continued product innovation and global expansion, with a focus on advancing its AI models and platform integrations. Unlike traditional tools that respond after an incident, CloudSEK identifies Initial Attack Vectors (IAVs)—the earliest signs of a potential breach, such as leaked credentials, exposed APIs, or compromised vendors. 'We built CloudSEK to predict the initial attack vector and stop threats before they hit the headlines with the goal of preventing threats before they escalate.' said Rahul Sasi, Co-founder & CEO of CloudSEK. We built CloudSEK to predict the initial attack vector and stop threats before they hit the headlines with the goal of preventing threats before they escalate. CloudSEK serves more than 250 clients across segments such as banking, healthcare, technology and the public sector. 'With this funding and a strategic investor on board, CloudSEK is doubling down on its vision to make predictive threat intelligence a global cybersecurity standard for —empowering organizations to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated threat actors,' the statement said.
