Weekly Round Up: 7/31/20

At Greenspring we believe in venture capital's ability to propel innovation, job creation and positive societal change. We celebrate those who think differently, take measured risk and challenge perceptions. Here's what's trending in VC this week: 

Portfolio News

• CalypsoAi, which helps secure the automated future with AI and machine learning, raised $13 million in Series A financing with participation from Greenspring primary manager Lightspeed Venture Partners. 

• We have been proud to watch Greenspring portfolio company Outdoorsy do its part during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company recently launched its Healthcare Heroes program, gifting free road trips to healthcare heroes throughout North America so they can recuperate once the peak of the pandemic is behind us. Read more about the program here. #VCforGood

• Sharechat, a regional language social media platform, has raised $40 million in recent financing with participation from Greenspring primary manager Lightspeed Venture Partners.

• Chorus.ai, a conversation intelligence company, raised $45 million in Series C financing with participation from Greenspring primary manager Redpoint Ventures.

• Tempo, a home fitness platform, raised $60 million in Series B financing with participation from Greenspring primary manager Founders Fund.

• Kudo, a remote simultaneous interpreting platform, raised $6 million in recent financing led by Greenspring primary manager Felicis Ventures.

• Density, a startup that monitors headcount indoors, raised $51 million in Series C financing with participation from Greenspring primary manager Founders Fund.

• James Currier, Managing Partner at Greenspring manager NFX reveals six things VCs are looking for in your next pitch. Read more here.

Greenspring News

We are excited to share that we have joined The National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC), comprised of 90+ member firms representing over $150 billion in assets under management. Learn more about them here.

We are thrilled to welcome over 30 interns to Greenspring this summer and will be highlighting our new team members over the course of their time with us. Join us this week in welcoming Lindsay Lapinski, Melody Kuzu and Hiyori Yoshida. Lindsay is a rising junior at University of Pennsylvania where she is a member of UPENN’s Consulting Club and a member of the Club Field Hockey team. As part of the Portfolio Impact Team, Lindsay is excited to learn more about direct investments. Melody is an incoming MBA candidate at Loyola University Maryland where she is focusing her studies in Finance and Entrepreneurship. Hiyori is a rising senior at University of Pennsylvania where she is a member of the sustainability focused student organization, Eco-Reps. As part of the Investment Team, Hiyori is excited to learn more about the GA direct investments into sustainability.

Ecosystem News

Accelerate Baltimore is open for their 2020 applications! Accelerate Baltimore is focused on solving 5 major city issues and is designed to create a clear pathway for tech startups to bring their solutions to life with $50K in seed-funding from the Abell Foundation and a 13-week program with intensive mentorship, support and connections. Submit an application by August 1st, 2020 here. 

Check out Meredith Eggers’ virtual “Salon Series” with the Ron Brown Scholars Program focused on DEI considerations and issues, the most recent of which focuses on entrepreneurship and venture capital. Featuring John Thompson of Lightspeed Venture Partners and Peter Boyce (RBSP Alum) of General Catalyst, both Greenspring primary managers, it was a thoughtful and informed discussion on the issues faced by aspiring VCs and entrepreneurs of diverse backgrounds. Check it out here. 

The content here is for informational purposes only and should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice. It does NOT constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase any investment or a recommendation to buy or sell a security. In fact, the content is not directed to any investor or potential investor and may not be used to evaluate or make any investment.