Top Startup and Tech Funding News – March 18, 2025

It’s Wednesday, March 18, 2026, and we’re back with today’s top startup and tech funding news. Today’s rounds highlight growing investor urgency around autonomous cybersecurity, cancer immunotherapy, and AI observability for agent-based systems. As AI-native infrastructure becomes critical to sectors from energy to real estate, funding is flowing into platforms that enable scale, resilience, and continuous intelligence.

Major Series A and B raises reinforce momentum behind predictive infrastructure delivery, financial automation in biotech, and deep immuno-oncology pipelines. At the same time, emerging categories—from agent tracing to sustainable electronics manufacturing—are attracting early backing to address new demands in both physical and digital environments. Today’s deals span AI security, climate tech, biosciences, and energy data—and signal investor alignment on core systems that shape how software and infrastructure operate at speed and scale.

Tech Funding News

Funding Highlights

• XBOW raises $120M Series C to power autonomous security
• Crossbow Therapeutics raises $77M Series B for next-gen cancer immunotherapies
• RunSybil raises $40M Seed to advance AI cybersecurity testing
• Elephantech raises ¥4B Series F to expand sustainable PCB manufacturing
• Foresight raises $25M Series A for AI infrastructure project delivery
• Condor Software raises $24M Series A for life sciences finance intelligence
• Halcyon raises $21M Series A for AI energy infrastructure platform
• VerbaFlo raises $7M Seed for AI real estate platform
• Respan raises $5M Seed for AI agent observability
• Laminar raises $3M Seed for AI agent tracing and debugging

Investor Activity

Today’s capital came from a mix of deep-tech VCs, corporate strategics, and specialized sector investors. Sequoia, DFJ Growth, and Khosla Ventures placed bets on AI-first security infrastructure, while Insight Partners and Macquarie Capital targeted platforms reshaping biotech finance and infrastructure execution. Mitsubishi Electric backed advanced manufacturing tools for sustainable electronics, and Anthropic, Y Combinator, and Gradient Ventures continued to back tools that enable AI agent reliability at scale. Across stages, investors concentrated on high-leverage platforms with long-term operational and computational relevance.

RunSybil Raises $40M in Seed Funding to Advance AI Cybersecurity Testing

RunSybil CEO and cofounder Ari Herbert-Voss (Credit: Paul Nguyen)

RunSybil, an AI cybersecurity startup founded by OpenAI’s first security lead Ari Herbert-Voss, has secured $40 million in new funding to advance cybersecurity testing. The Redwood City–based company’s platform uses an AI agent named Sybil to conduct continuous, automated penetration tests on live software systems – probing for vulnerabilities just like a hacker would. The latest round, led by Khosla Ventures, also included S32 Ventures, Anthropic’s Anthology Fund, Menlo Ventures, Conviction, Elad Gil, and other prominent tech investors.

RunSybil’s raise comes as organizations increasingly deploy AI agents and seek real-time security; by automating “ethical hacking,” the startup aims to embed continuous security testing into modern dev cycles. The new capital will expand the team and platform as regulated industries (finance, healthcare, etc.) look to shift security from periodic checks to an ongoing, AI-driven process.

• Startup: RunSybil (USA – AI cybersecurity agents)

• Investors: Khosla Ventures (lead), S32 Ventures, Anthropic’s Anthology Fund, Menlo Ventures, Conviction, Elad Gil, and other angels

• Amount Raised: $40 million

• Total Raised: $40 million (seed)

• Funding Stage: Seed

• Funding Date: Mar 18, 2026

Condor Software Raises $24M in Series A Funding for Life Sciences Finance Intelligence

San Diego’s Condor Software, developer of an AI-powered financial intelligence platform for biopharma, announced a $24 million in a Series A funding round. The round was led by Insight Partners, with participation from Felicis, 645 Ventures, Pamir Ventures, SNR Ventures, Prebys Ventures, and Bramalea Partners. Condor’s software automatically unifies clinical trial, operational, and accounting data – a major breakthrough for life sciences companies that spend an estimated $300 billion on R&D each year using fragmented spreadsheets and manual processes.

By giving clinical, finance, and FP&A teams real-time visibility into trial budgets and costs, Condor aims to prevent delays and cancellations caused by outdated financial data. Founder and CEO Jennifer Kyle, who built core pharma accounting workflows, said the Series A validates Condor’s vision of bringing “audit-grade” financial clarity to drug development. The new funds (bringing total funding to ~$36M) will accelerate product enhancements and hiring in engineering and sales to meet growing demand from large biopharma customers.

• Startup: Condor Software (USA – financial intelligence platform for life sciences)

• Investors: Insight Partners (lead); Felicis, 645 Ventures, Pamir Ventures, SNR Ventures, Prebys Ventures, Bramalea Partners

• Amount Raised: $24 million

• Total Raised: ~$36 million

• Funding Stage: Series A

• Funding Date: Mar 18, 2026

Crossbow Therapeutics Raises $77M in Series B Funding for Next-Gen Cancer Immunotherapies

Crossbow Therapeutics, a Cambridge, MA biotech developing novel T-cell engager antibodies, closed a $77 million Series B round for next-gen cancer immunotherapies. The financing was co-led by Taiho Ventures and Arkin Bio Capital, with new investor Sixty Degree Capital, Hamilton Square Partners, LifeLink Ventures, Libbs Ventures, and the Blood Cancer United TAP program joining, alongside existing backers MPM BioImpact, Pfizer Ventures, BVF Partners, Polaris, Lilly, and Mirae Asset.

Crossbow’s proprietary T-Bolt™ platform engineers antibodies that mimic T-cell receptors to target cancers by their peptide-HLA markers. The Series B proceeds will fund completion of a Phase 1 trial for Crossbow’s lead candidate CBX-250 (a T-Bolt engager for myeloid leukemia) and launch a first-in-human study of CBX-663 (targeting telomerase-derived markers in solid and blood cancers). CEO Dr. Briggs Morrison said the funding accelerates the mission to bring next-generation immunotherapies to patients beyond the reach of today’s treatments.

• Startup: Crossbow Therapeutics (USA – TCR-mimetic antibody cancer therapies)

• Investors: Taiho Ventures, Arkin Bio Capital (co-leads); also Sixty Degree Capital, Hamilton Square, LifeLink Ventures, Libbs Ventures, Blood Cancer United (TAP), MPM BioImpact, Pfizer Ventures, BVF Partners, Polaris, Lilly, Mirae Asset

• Amount Raised: $77 million

• Total Raised: $77 million (Series B)

• Funding Stage: Series B

• Funding Date: Mar 18, 2026

Elephantech Raises ¥4B in Series F Funding to Expand Sustainable PCB Manufacturing

Elephantech, a Tokyo-based startup pioneering inkjet-printed circuit boards, announced a ¥4.0 billion Series F. The round was led by Mitsubishi Electric, which also formalized a strategic partnership to co-develop Elephantech’s metal inkjet printing equipment. Elephantech’s “SustainaCircuits” process uses copper nano-inkjet printing to create PCB layers only where needed, dramatically cutting resource use – for example, reducing CO2 emissions by ~75%, water usage by 95%, and copper usage by 70% compared to traditional board fabrication.

With this funding, Elephantech plans to refine its inkjet machines and advanced materials and leverage Mitsubishi Electric’s manufacturing network for commercialization. The partnership aims to accelerate the adoption of the eco-friendly PCB technology in mainstream electronics manufacturing.

• Startup: Elephantech (Japan – sustainable PCB manufacturing via inkjet printing)

• Investors: Mitsubishi Electric (lead); co-investment/partnership with Mitsubishi Electric on technology development

• Amount Raised: ¥4.0 billion (≈$28 million)

• Total Raised: ¥4.0 billion (Series F)

• Funding Stage: Series F

• Funding Date: Mar 18, 2026

Halcyon Raises $21M in Series A Funding for AI Energy Infrastructure Platform

Halcyon, a venture that applies AI to U.S. energy regulatory data, announced a $21 million Series A round today. The raise was led by Energize Capital, with participation from climate-focused VCs Zero Infinity Partners, Congruent Ventures, Obvious Ventures, and Sabanci Climate Ventures. Halcyon’s software ingests and normalizes the most comprehensive catalog of U.S. energy data – including all 50 state public utility filings, every regional grid operator (ISO/RTO), and FERC dockets – enabling utilities, data-center operators, and developers to query and monitor this information in natural language.

This comes as trillions in new energy and data center investments drive demand for faster project approvals; Halcyon’s investors say the AI platform addresses the industry’s fragmented, opaque information challenge. Energize partner Tyler Lancaster will join Halcyon’s board as part of the deal. Halcyon plans to use the funds to expand its data capabilities and meet growing demand for energy project intelligence.

• Startup: Halcyon (USA – AI-driven energy regulatory data platform)

• Investors: Energize Capital (lead); Zero Infinity Partners, Congruent Ventures, Obvious Ventures, Sabanci Climate Ventures

• Amount Raised: $21 million

• Total Raised: $21 million (Series A)

• Funding Stage: Series A

• Funding Date: Mar 18, 2026

Respan Raises $5M in Seed Funding for AI Agent Observability

RespAN (formerly Keywords AI), an AI observability startup, announced a $5 million seed round. Backers include Gradient Ventures, Y Combinator, Hat-Trick Capital, Xiaoxiao Fund, Antigravity Capital, Alpen Capital, and other prominent angel investors. Respan’s platform adds a continuous evaluation agent that monitors AI agents in production, automatically analyzing failure cases and sending alerts or fix recommendations when hallucinations or errors occur.

Co-founder Andy Li says most existing tools stop at tracing past executions, whereas Respan aims to proactively surface regressions and root causes in AI-driven workflows. The new funding will support hiring and infrastructure as Respan scales its service, which already integrates with customers’ existing AI frameworks, to handle more agent-driven applications.

• Startup: Respan (USA – AI agent observability)

• Investors: Gradient Ventures, Y Combinator, Hat-Trick Capital, Xiaoxiao Fund, Antigravity Capital, Alpen Capital, and other AI-focused angels

• Amount Raised: $5 million

• Total Raised: $5 million (seed)

• Funding Stage: Seed

• Funding Date: Mar 18, 2026

XBOW Raises $120M in Series C Funding to Power Autonomous Security

XBOW (Xbow), a California startup in autonomous offensive security, closed a $120 million Series C funding round. The round was led by DFJ Growth and Northzone, with new investors Sofina and Alkeon Capital joining existing backers Altimeter, NFDG Ventures, and Sequoia Capital. XBOW’s AI-driven platform continuously emulates attackers at machine speed, probing software releases and environments to uncover deep vulnerabilities that manual pen-testing might miss.

Founder Oege de Moor noted that, with cyberattacks now powered by AI, defenders must match that pace; this funding will help XBOW scale its enterprise deployments and expand its automated testing capabilities across industries. Investors say XBOW is emerging as a category leader in bringing an “autonomous hacker” to security teams, reflecting a shift toward 24/7 AI-based testing amid rapidly changing threats.

• Startup: XBOW (USA – autonomous offensive security)

• Investors: DFJ Growth, Northzone (co-leads); Sofina, Alkeon Capital; existing backers Altimeter, NFDG Ventures, Sequoia Capital

• Amount Raised: $120 million

• Total Raised: $120 million (Series C)

• Funding Stage: Series C

• Funding Date: Mar 18, 2026

VerbaFlo Raises $7M in Seed Funding for AI Real Estate Platform

VerbaFlo, an AI conversational assistant for residential real estate, announced a $7 million seed funding round. The funding was led by London-based Pi Labs and included participation from UK VC Haatch, Navigate Ventures, Old College Capital (University of Edinburgh), and several family offices. With this round, VerbaFlo’s total funding reaches about $9 million.

The startup’s platform integrates with property management systems to automate leasing, operations, and tenant communications via chat and voice AI. Customers include housing operators across the UK and Europe, and VerbaFlo has recently expanded into the US and beyond. Founder Sayantan Biswas said the funds will fuel U.S. and global expansion, enhance product capabilities, and grow the team as VerbaFlo scales its AI platform for the fragmented real estate market.

• Startup: VerbaFlo (UK/India – AI conversational assistant for real estate)

• Investors: Pi Labs (lead), Haatch, Navigate Ventures, Old College Capital, and other strategic investors

• Amount Raised: $7 million

• Total Raised: ~$9 million

• Funding Stage: Seed

• Funding Date: Mar 18, 2026

Foresight Raises $25M Series A for AI Infrastructure Project Delivery

Foresight, a startup whose AI platform streamlines large-scale infrastructure projects, announced a $25 million Series A today. The round was led by Macquarie Capital Venture Capital, with participation from Creandum, ISAI Build (Bouygues group VC), i2bf Global Ventures and Somersault Ventures. Foresight’s “Predictive Project Delivery” software creates a unified AI-driven control plane for complex programs – rapidly establishing baseline schedules, integrating real-time execution data and forecasting risks to prevent compounding delays. In an era where data center, energy and industrial builds are ballooning in scale (often running over budget and behind schedule), Foresight aims to close the execution gap that traditional tools miss. CEO Igor Shifrin said the Series A funds will accelerate product development and help the team expand globally as demand grows across defense, energy, manufacturing and tech.

• Startup: Foresight (UK – AI-driven infrastructure project delivery platform)

• Investors: Macquarie Capital VC (lead); Creandum, ISAI Build (Bouygues), i2bf Global Ventures, Somersault Ventures

• Amount Raised: $25 million

• Total Raised: $25 million (Series A)

• Funding Stage: Series A

• Funding Date: Mar 18, 2026

Laminar Raises $3M in Seed Funding for AI Agent Observability

Laminar, a San Francisco startup building observability tools for AI agents, announced a $3 million seed round for AI Agent observability. The raise was led by Atlantic.vc, with participation from Y Combinator, AAL.vc, and angels including Ben Sigelman (OpenTelemetry co-creator) and Ant Wilson (Supabase CTO). Laminar’s platform automatically instruments AI workflows and captures detailed traces of agent reasoning and actions. Instead of leaving teams to sift through raw spans and logs, Laminar presents traces as a clean, chronological feed, even enabling natural-language queries to identify failure causes.

This approach addresses the difficulty of debugging long-running multi-step agents. The new funding will be used to hire engineers and scale Laminar’s infrastructure as companies increasingly deploy complex AI agents that require tight feedback loops for debugging and improvement.

• Startup: Laminar (USA – AI agent observability and tracing)

• Investors: Atlantic.vc (lead), Y Combinator, AAL.vc; angel investors including Ben Sigelman and Ant Wilson

• Amount Raised: $3 million

• Total Raised: $3 million (seed)

• Funding Stage: Seed

• Funding Date: Mar 18, 2026

Tech Funding Summary Table