Top Startup and Tech Funding News – April 28 2025

It’s Tuesday, April 28, 2026, and we’re back with today’s top startup and tech funding news. Today’s rounds highlight a continued shift from AI hype to real-world deployment, with capital flowing into platforms that automate legal work, hiring, cybersecurity, and financial infrastructure. Investors are leaning into systems that reduce labor, increase efficiency, and operate at scale across both digital and physical industries.

Large and mid-sized rounds point to growing conviction in applied AI, fintech infrastructure, and industrial innovation—from AI-powered legal assistants and recruiting agents to IoT chips and battery recycling technologies. At the same time, early-stage bets show continued interest in healthcare automation and next-gen enterprise tools. Today’s deals span AI, fintech, cybersecurity, clean energy, and trading platforms—signaling a broader push toward software that directly impacts operations, not just experimentation.

Tech Funding News

Funding Highlights

• Manifest OS raises $60M Series A to build AI-powered legal automation platform
• Snabbit raises $56M Series D to expand on-demand home services marketplace
• Altair Semiconductor secures $50M strategic round to advance IoT and 5G chips
• Liquid raises $18M Series A to build 24/7 leveraged trading platform
• Performativ raises €11.96M Series A to modernize wealth management infrastructure
• QuoIntelligence raises €7.3M Series A for AI-driven cyber threat intelligence
• Dex raises $5.3M seed to automate technical hiring with AI agents
• Renewable Metals raises $12M Series A for lithium-ion battery recycling tech
• TriFetch raises $1.9M pre-seed to automate specialty clinic workflows
• Noreja raises €1.1M seed to build next-gen enterprise software tools

Investor Activity

Today’s funding activity reflects steady investor interest in applied AI and infrastructure plays, with venture firms and strategic backers targeting platforms that streamline operations across industries. Capital continues to concentrate on automation in legal, hiring, and cybersecurity, while also supporting foundational technologies in semiconductors, energy, and fintech. Across stages, investors are prioritizing products with clear revenue pathways and real-world use cases, reinforcing a broader shift toward execution over experimentation.

Manifest OS Raises $60M in Series A Funding to Build an AI Legal Assistant

Manifest OS has secured a $60 million Series A round (at a $750 million valuation) to further develop its AI-driven software for the legal sector. The startup’s AI platform automates routine legal work – such as research and document drafting – to reduce billing hours and lower costs for lawyers. Founded by Dan Mishin (formerly in legal tech), Manifest OS is positioning its product as “ending the billable hour” in law by using AI to streamline attorney workflows.

The new funding, led by Menlo Ventures and Kleiner Perkins with First Round and Quiet Capital participating, will be used to expand the team and enhance the platform’s capabilities. Legal firms increasingly face pressure to cut costs, and AI-driven solutions like Manifest’s promise faster, more cost-effective case handling.

Funding Details:

• Startup: Manifest OS
• Investors: Menlo Ventures, Kleiner Perkins, First Round Capital, Quiet Capital (lead)
• Amount Raised: $60 million
• Total Raised: $60 million (Series A is the first major round)
• Stage: Series A
• Funding Date: April 28, 2026

Snabbit Raises $56M in Series D Funding to Expand Home Services Platform

Indian on-demand services marketplace Snabbit raised $56 million in a Series D round, nearly doubling its valuation to about $350 million. The funding round was led by Warburg Pincus, with participation from existing backers including Accel and RTP Global. Snabbit will use the capital to expand its network of local service providers (cleaning, deliveries, home repairs) across India and Southeast Asia, aiming to capture the growing demand for gig-based services.

The round brings Snabbit’s total funding to roughly $112 million. The investment underscores investor confidence in South Asian digital marketplaces, even as the company faces stiff competition from rivals and large platforms. Snabbit says it has built a loyal user base by focusing on quality and reliability, and the new funding will accelerate hiring and technology to improve booking and matching.

Funding Details:

• Startup: Snabbit
• Investors: Warburg Pincus (lead), Accel, RTP Global, existing backers
• Amount Raised: $56 million
• Total Raised: ~$112 million (post-round)
• Stage: Series D
• Funding Date: April 27, 2026

Altair Semiconductor Secures $50M in Strategic Funding Round Post-Spinoff

Altair Semiconductor, an Israeli IoT chipmaker spun out of Sony Semiconductor, has secured $50 million in funding from Pitango Group. This capital infusion comes as Altair re-establishes its independence to focus on 5G-enabled IoT connectivity chips. The funding will support the development of its next-generation low-power LTE CAT-M and NB-IoT modems and AI-capable sensor processors. Even after the spinout, Sony remains a major shareholder, signaling long-term support.

Altair’s chips target markets like smart meters, wearables, and asset trackers; the fresh round enables the company to scale production and R&D as the global IoT market expands.

Funding Details:

• Startup: Altair Semiconductor
• Investors: Pitango Venture Capital (lead), Sony (existing shareholder)
• Amount Raised: $50 million
• Total Raised: Not disclosed (this is a fresh funding post-spinoff)
• Stage: Strategic Growth Round (post-spinoff)
• Funding Date: April 27, 2026

Liquid Raises $18M in Series A Funding to Build 24/7 Leveraged Trading App

Liquid (formerly HYCM), a blockchain-based trading exchange, raised $18 million in a Series A to expand its leveraged trading platform. Co-led by crypto-focused Neo Global Capital and Left Lane Capital, the round will fund the launch of a unified app for retail traders, enabling trading in stocks, crypto, commodities, prediction markets, and private securities – all with up to 200x leverage.

Liquid had earlier raised $7.6 million in seed funding (led by Paradigm) in late 2025; the fresh capital will help hire developers and comply with global regulations as it expands its multi-asset offering. CEO Franklyn Wang says the goal is to break down barriers between crypto and traditional assets, creating a seamless 24/7 interface. The funding and product expansion come amid broader convergence between crypto exchanges and mainstream trading platforms.

Funding Details:

• Startup: Liquid (crypto exchange)
• Investors: Neo Global Capital, Left Lane Capital (co-leads), Haun Ventures, K5 Global, SV Angel, AntiFund, Sunflower Capital
• Amount Raised: $18 million
• Total Raised: $25.6 million (including $7.6M seed)
• Stage: Series A
• Funding Date: April 28, 2026

Performativ Raises €11.9M Series A to Modernize Wealth Management Tech

Copenhagen’s Performativ, which builds an AI-native “operating system” for wealth management firms, closed a €11.96 million (~$14 million) Series A led by Deutsche Börse Group. The startup integrates portfolio management, analytics, reporting, and trading in a single platform, using embedded AI to automate back-office tasks. Performativ will use the funding to expand its customer base beyond small fund managers to include large private banks and institutions across Europe, deepening partnerships with buyers such as Deutsche Börse.

The round also included participation from Rabo Investments (Rabobank’s VC arm) and FinTech Collective, among others. By unifying fragmented legacy systems, Performativ aims to speed up operations and transparency for advisers. The raise reflects demand for modern, data-driven infrastructure in the $63 trillion wealth management industry.

Funding Details:

• Startup: Performativ
• Investors: Deutsche Börse Group (lead), Rabo Investments (Rabobank VC), Jacob Dahl (McKinsey alum), FinTech Collective, EIFO, others
• Amount Raised: €11.96 million (≈$14 million)
• Total Raised: ~€17 million (including previous €5.5M seed)
• Stage: Series A
• Funding Date: April 28, 2026

QuoIntelligence Raises €7.3M in Series A Funding for AI Threat Intelligence

Frankfurt-based QuoIntelligence raised €7.3 million in a Series A round to expand its AI-powered threat intelligence platform. The startup delivers “finished” cyber threat intelligence (analyzed and contextualized alerts) to European companies, complying with strict data sovereignty rules. Elevator Ventures (Raiffeisen Bank’s VC arm) led the round, with co-lead BMH Hessen and participation from earlier backer eCAPITAL.

QuoIntelligence combines AI and human analysts to monitor risks and address EU mandates such as NIS2, which require proactive cyber defense. The funding will accelerate product development (including its conversational AI analyst “KARLA”) and support hiring as demand rises for local alternatives to US-dominated threat intel providers.

Funding Details:

• Startup: QuoIntelligence
• Investors: Elevator Ventures (RBI VC, lead), BMH Beteiligungsmanagement (co-lead), eCAPITAL Entrepreneurial Partners, Mercurius Private Equity
• Amount Raised: €7.3 million
• Total Raised: ~€7.3 million (Series A is the first institutional round)
• Stage: Series A
• Funding Date: April 27, 2026

Dex Raises $5.3M Seed Funding to Automate Technical Hiring

London-based Dex raised $5.3 million in seed funding for its AI-powered recruiting platform. Dex is an “AI talent agent” that automates hiring for hard-to-fill tech roles (AI/ML engineers, developers, etc.). The round was led by Notion Capital, with participation from a16z Speedrun, Concept Ventures, and angels from OpenAI and others. The seed brings Dex’s total capital to $8.4 million (including a $3.1M pre-seed last year).

Founded by Paddy Lambros (ex-Atomico), Dex uses conversational AI to vet candidates, benchmark compensation, and match them to jobs, charging a placement fee similar to an agency. The startup reports 15,000 registered engineers and has already generated revenue with major tech clients. The funding will go toward product development and scaling the team to meet demand in the burgeoning “HR automation” market.

Funding Details:

• Startup: Dex (AI recruiting)
• Investors: Notion Capital (lead), a16z Speedrun, Concept Ventures, angel investors from OpenAI and others
• Amount Raised: $5.3 million
• Total Raised: $8.4 million (including $3.1M pre-seed)
• Stage: Seed
• Funding Date: April 28, 2026

Renewable Metals Raises $12M Series A for Battery Recycling

Sydney’s Renewable Metals closed a $12 million Series A, upsized from $8M, to commercialize its advanced lithium-ion battery recycling technology. The round was led by Australia’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation (via Virescent Ventures) with participation from existing investors EMR, Neglected Climate Opportunities and new backer Climate Tech Partners. Renewable Metals has developed a modular, low-cost hydrometallurgical process that recovers lithium, cobalt, nickel and other critical minerals from battery waste with >95% efficiency. The funding will help build pilot plants in Australia, the U.S. and Europe to meet rising demand for domestic battery material supply. The raise reflects growing investment in clean energy infrastructure – as EV adoption accelerates, securing local battery recycling is seen as key for supply-chain security and sustainability.

Funding Details:

• Startup: Renewable Metals
• Investors: CEFC/Virescent Ventures (lead), EMR, Neglected Climate Opportunities, Investible, Climate Tech Partners
• Amount Raised: $12 million
• Total Raised: >$38 million (including prior grants and equity)
• Stage: Series A
• Funding Date: April 27, 2026

TriFetch Raises $1.9M Pre-Seed for AI in Specialty Clinics

San Francisco-based TriFetch raised $1.9 million in a pre-seed round led by Nexus Venture Partners. The startup offers an AI-powered automation platform for independent specialty clinics, tackling workflows that typically burden staff (patient scheduling calls, referral processing, prior authorizations). TriFetch’s software includes an AI voice agent that answers calls and books appointments, plus systems to route referrals and verify insurance authorizations. The new funding (with support from angel investors from Google, Mercor, Hippocratic AI and MIT) will help TriFetch finalize its product and go to market. TriFetch launched in 2024 and plans to use the capital to hire talent and expand beyond its initial focus, addressing the millions of administrative hours wasted in U.S. clinics.

Funding Details:

• Startup: TriFetch
• Investors: Nexus Venture Partners (lead), angel investors from Google, Mercor, Hippocratic AI, MIT
• Amount Raised: $1.9 million
• Total Raised: $1.9 million (pre-seed)
• Stage: Pre-seed
• Funding Date: April 27, 2026

TECH FUNDING SUMMARY TABLE