Mr. Swickard’s investment supports Araceli’s work to replace animal testing with human cell science and grow Oregon’s technology industry

PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 12, 2026 — Araceli Biosciences, a developer of high-performance cellular imaging platforms for drug discovery, today announced that Jeff Swickard has joined the investors backing the company’s recently closed $4.5 million financing round, which is fueling record commercial momentum following two years of outsized growth, where Araceli’s revenue is projected to grow six-fold in 2026 from the same period two years ago. Mr. Swickard is excited to support Araceli’s work.

Mr. Swickard’s investment aligns with the broader shift Araceli has been enabling all year, as pharmaceutical companies move toward a tech-forward, AI-driven approach to drug discovery and adopt New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), modern methods that test whether a drug is safe and effective using human cell-based assays instead of animal models. Araceli’s Endeavor® platform makes NAMs practical at scale, helping researchers monitor how human cells respond to a drug compound and generate faster, more accurate data earlier in development, with less reliance on animal testing.

Araceli’s technology is trusted by leading pharmaceutical and life science companies, including 10 of the world’s top 20 pharmaceutical companies, with a strong presence in the Bay Area, Boston, London, and Berlin.

The investment also reflects Mr. Swickard’s commitment to growing Oregon’s technology and life sciences economy. Araceli, headquartered in Tigard, Oregon, is entering what it calls “phase two” of its commercialization: launching consumable products optimized for its growing installed base, with a broader rollout planned for 2027.

“We’re especially grateful to Jeff Swickard for his investment and for his commitment to making science more humane. His support reflects a belief that we share, which is that better science and more humane science go hand-in-hand. By helping researchers test potential drugs on human cell models earlier in development, our technology delivers faster, more accurate answers while reducing reliance on animal testing. Jeff’s investment strengthens our ability to bring that approach to more labs, and we’re proud to keep building it right here in Oregon,” said Shawn MacDonald, Araceli Biosciences Chief Financial Officer.

“We are excited to join an impressive group of investors in Araceli Biosciences, an innovative Oregon company developing technology with the potential to modernize scientific research and reduce the need for animal testing. We believe the future of science should be smarter, faster, and more humane. That future is already taking shape in Oregon, and we’re proud to be part of it,” said Jeff Swickard.

About Araceli Biosciences

Araceli Biosciences develops high-performance cellular imaging platforms designed to help researchers generate scalable, reproducible biological data for drug discovery and advanced screening applications. Founded in 2020 and spun out of Phoseon Technology in 2023, the company is headquartered in Tigard, Oregon, where most of its roughly 30 employees are based. Araceli’s Endeavor® platform and AI-driven analysis software are used by pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers across North America and Europe. Learn more at aracelibio.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements, including expectations for 2026 revenue. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Araceli Biosciences undertakes no obligation to update these statements except as required by law.

Araceli Biosciences Investor and Media Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE Araceli Biosciences

CodeWall is scaling its engineering team and autonomous attack platform with an ambition to make offensive security as fundamental as firewalls and endpoint protection.

LONDON, Nov. 12, 2026 — CodeWall is accelerating its expansion to make autonomous offensive security a permanent enterprise capability. Following its $4 million pre-seed round, the company is scaling engineering and expanding what its autonomous attack agents can investigate, today announcing former Orca Security VP of Engineering Peter Spellward as Chief Technology Officer to lead that effort.

Spellward brings experience building security technology and the organisations behind it. At cloud security unicorn Orca Security, he served as VP of Engineering, led UK research and development and helped scale its engineering organisation. He also co-founded Innovode, whose technology was acquired by CloudLock, subsequently acquired by Cisco.

“AI is giving attackers extraordinary speed and reach. We’re building to put that advantage in the hands of enterprise security teams,” said Paul Price, founder and CEO of CodeWall. “We intend to move aggressively: hire exceptional engineers, expand what our agents can take on and bring this capability to more enterprises. Peter brings experience building the products and engineering organisations that make that expansion possible.”

Spellward leads technology strategy and engineering, with a focus on accelerating delivery, broadening platform coverage and strengthening how agents coordinate complex investigations.

“The engineering challenge is to turn sophisticated attacker behaviour into a capability enterprises can depend on continuously,” said Peter Spellward, CTO of CodeWall. “That means agents that can safely reason through unfamiliar systems, build on each other’s discoveries and produce evidence defenders can trust. We’re building the team and architecture to deliver that at scale.”

CodeWall’s agents investigate enterprise environments from an external attacker’s perspective. They share discoveries and follow weaknesses across connected systems to establish what could actually be compromised, supporting continued investigation and retesting as customer environments change.

The company is already working with large banks and fintech firms, including Axos Financial, to deliver autonomous offensive testing and verified evidence of exploitable attack paths.

“Every enterprise will have an attacker working for it. It will be as essential as a firewall or endpoint protection,” added Price. “We intend to make CodeWall the standard. That’s the scale we’re hiring for, building for and going after.”

To learn more or explore open roles, visit codewall.ai.

About CodeWall

CodeWall builds autonomous offensive security technology for enterprises. Its agents investigate externally accessible systems, trace exploitable weaknesses and provide verified evidence to help defenders address their exposure. The platform supports sustained adversarial testing within customer-defined guardrails.

Media Contact:
[email protected]

SOURCE CodeWall

FORT WAYNE, Ind., Nov. 12, 2026 — VisionTech and NEI today announced the launch of the Northeast Indiana Angel Network, an angel investing initiative designed to strengthen the early-stage capital infrastructure of the region. The collaborative program advances investment and further enhances the region’s position as a destination for high-potential startups and investors.

Powered by VisionTech’s established operating model, the platform introduces disciplined deal sourcing, standardized due diligence, and rigorous governance. A key component is investor education, helping participants build capability and confidence.

“This partnership is about strengthening Northeast Indiana’s long-term economic foundation,” said Stéphane Frijia, NEI President and CEO. “By working with VisionTech, we are helping professionalize how early-stage investing is done in our region—creating clearer pathways for founders, reducing risk for individual investors, and positioning Northeast Indiana as a serious, credible place to start and grow a company.”

The collaboration aligns local capital with regional economic priorities, aiming to improve the quality and consistency of early-stage investments. Through the implementation of a repeatable platform, the initiative seeks to enhance the region’s ability to attract and retain founders.

“Northeast Indiana has the founders and it has the capital. What it hasn’t had is a system that connects them,” said Ben Pidgeon, Managing Director of VisionTech. “That’s what we’re building. Done right, this doesn’t just fund companies. It keeps them here.”

This collaboration reflects a broader shift toward the professionalization of angel investing, emphasizing the importance of governance and education in early-stage capital. For founders, the initiative signals a commitment to professional engagement and clearer expectations for growth, supporting a vibrant and resilient regional economy.

Prospective investors can learn more by visiting: https://neindiana.com/innovation/

About VisionTech
VisionTech is a group of individuals with a passion for investing who believe that trust, respect, and open-mindedness are essential to success. Focusing on technology-based companies in sectors such as advanced materials, agtech, AI, IoT, life sciences, and SaaS, VisionTech brings a disciplined, education-driven approach to angel investing.

SOURCE Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership (NEI)

• Angeführt wird die Runde von Valor Equity Partners und dem britischen National Wealth Fund (NWF). Auch der US-ukrainische Wiederaufbaufonds (URIF) beteiligt sich.
• Mit dem Kapital baut UFORCE seine Produktionskapazitäten in der Ukraine und in verbündeten Staaten aus. Damit trägt UFORCE zur Versorgung der Streitkräfte an der Front bei und stärkt die Verteidigungsfähigkeit der Bündnispartner.
• Angesichts einer sich verschärfenden Bedrohungslage bietet UFORCE kosteneffiziente, kampferprobte autonome Systeme für Verbündete in den USA, Europa, im asiatisch-pazifischen Raum und im Nahen Osten, die schon heute einsatzbereit sind.
• General a. D. Christopher G. Cavoli, ehemaliger NATO-Oberbefehlshaber in Europa (SACEUR) und Partner bei Valor Equity Partners, wird Mitglied des Board of Directors von UFORCE.

LONDON und KIEW, Ukraine und WASHINGTON, 12. November 2026 — UFORCE gibt heute eine Series-A-Finanzierungsrunde in Höhe von 700 Millionen US-Dollar bei einer Bewertung von 6 Milliarden US-Dollar bekannt. Das in der Ukraine gegründete Verteidigungstechnologie-Unternehmen hat seinen Hauptsitz in London, sowie weitere Kernstandorte in Kiew und Washington, D.C.

UFORCE entwickelt autonome, unbemannte Systeme für die Einsatzdomänen Land, See und Luft sowie KI-gestützte Software für deren Führung, Steuerung und Koordination. Das Ziel: Die Kosten der Verteidigung auf ein Hundertstel der Angriffskosten senken.

Angeführt wurde die Runde von Valor Equity Partners (Valor) und dem britischen National Wealth Fund (NWF). Daneben beteiligten sich der URIF sowie führende Investoren aus dem Silicon Valley, Europa und Asien, darunter Menlo Ventures, Xantium und Hiro Capital. Die Bestandsinvestoren, darunter Shield Capital, Ballistic Ventures, Lakestar und Squadra, haben ihre Beteiligungen aufgestockt.

Oleg Rogynskyy, CEO von UFORCE: „Der Krieg in der Ukraine hat gezeigt: In einer zunehmend unberechenbaren Welt braucht es wirksame Verteidigungssysteme, die mit neuen Bedrohungen Schritt halten. Regierungen und die Technologiebranche müssen gemeinsam kosteneffiziente, interoperable und autonome Systeme entwickeln, die heute einsatzbereit sind und sich an die Anforderungen von morgen anpassen lassen. Unsere Investoren leisten mit ihrem Engagement einen entscheidenden Beitrag dazu. Wir werden unsere Produktion für die Ukraine ausbauen und westlichen Verbündeten Lösungen bieten, die sie so schnell beschaffen, integrieren und einsetzen können, wie es die moderne Kriegsführung erfordert. UFORCE und unsere Investoren eint ein gemeinsames Ziel: Aggression darf sich nicht lohnen.”

Von der Front in der Ukraine zur weltweiten Skalierung

UFORCE plant mit dem frischen Kapital den Aufbau und Ausbau von Produktionskapazitäten in den USA, in Europa, im asiatisch-pazifischen Raum und im Nahen Osten. Gefertigt wird dort, wo die Systeme gebraucht werden. Zugleich unterstützt UFORCE verbündete Staaten beim Aufbau eigener Fertigungskapazitäten.

Dank der verteilten Produktion kann UFORCE auch unter anhaltendem russischem Beschuss durchgehend fertigen und die Streitkräfte an der Front zuverlässig mit unbemannten Systemen versorgen. Darüber hinaus fließt das Kapital in Forschung und Entwicklung sowie in den Produktionshochlauf der Produktfamilien MAGURA (unbemanntes Überwasserfahrzeug), NEMESIS (Drohne), LIUT (unbemanntes Bodenfahrzeug) und PREDATOR (Waffenstation).

UFORCE baut dabei die Zusammenarbeit mit westlichen Bündnispartnern weiter aus. Dazu gehört auch, bestehende Kapazitäten im Schiffbau und in der Automobilindustrie für den Verteidigungsbedarf zu nutzen. Erst kürzlich hat UFORCE eine Partnerschaft mit ReconCraft zur Serienfertigung von MAGURA in den USA bekanntgegeben. Damit wird die kampferprobte maritime Technologie auch international verfügbar. Die Finanzierung stärkt zudem die Rolle von UFORCE als Gründungsmitglied der EU-Ukraine Drone Alliance und ermöglicht den Ausbau der Partnerschaften innerhalb der NATO und der Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF).

Internationale Investoren setzen auf UFORCE – für mehr Sicherheit im Bündnis

Oliver Holbourn, CEO des National Wealth Fund: „Die heutige Investition unterstreicht die enge Verbundenheit zwischen Großbritannien und der Ukraine. Mit der Unterstützung des National Wealth Fund holt UFORCE Produktion, Entwicklung und Einsatz kampferprobter autonomer Systeme nach Großbritannien. Das schafft hochqualifizierte Arbeitsplätze, stärkt heimische Lieferketten und festigt die Position Großbritanniens als führender Innovationsstandort für Technologien, die für die nationale Sicherheit und die wirtschaftliche Widerstandsfähigkeit immer wichtiger werden.”

General a. D. Christopher G. Cavoli, ehemaliger Oberbefehlshaber der NATO-Streitkräfte in Europa und Partner bei Valor Equity Partners: „Die Ukraine hat der Welt gezeigt, wie schnell Innovationen im Krieg vorangetrieben werden können, wenn Ingenieure eng mit den Menschen zusammenarbeiten, die im Einsatz auf ihre Systeme angewiesen sind. UFORCE lässt die unter härtesten Bedingungen an der Front gewonnenen Erfahrungen sowohl in die Entwicklung unbemannter Systeme als auch in das operative Know-how für deren wirksamen Einsatz einfließen. Ich bin stolz darauf, dem Board of Directors beizutreten, und freue mich darauf, das Team dabei zu unterstützen, die Verteidigungsfähigkeit der Ukraine und ihrer Verbündeten weiter zu stärken.”

Conor Coleman, Head of Investments der U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, im Namen des U.S.–Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund: „Diese Transaktion ist die bislang größte Investition des URIF im Bereich der Zukunftstechnologien. Sie ist ein bedeutender Schritt, um Investitionen zu mobilisieren, welche die wirtschaftliche Widerstandskraft der Ukraine stärken, ihre Sicherheit festigen und ihren langfristigen Wiederaufbau beschleunigen. UFORCE ist genau die Art von mutigem, innovativem ukrainischem Unternehmen, für deren Förderung der URIF geschaffen wurde – ein Unternehmen, das dazu beiträgt, die Resilienz und den Einfallsreichtum der Ukraine in dauerhafte wirtschaftliche und strategische Stärke für die USA, die Ukraine und unsere Verbündeten zu verwandeln.”

Oleg Rogynskyy, CEO von UFORCE zu Deutschland: „Deutschland investiert so stark wie nie in seine Verteidigung. Jetzt kommt es vor allem auf Tempo und Struktur an. Wir bringen Technologie mit, die sich im Einsatz in der Ukraine bewährt hat, und die Methode, sie in wenigen Wochen weiterzuentwickeln. Deutschland hat eine der stärksten Industrie- und Ingenieurskulturen der Welt. Gemeinsam können wir etwas bieten, das kaum jemand sonst kann.”

Medienanfragen:

[email protected]

[email protected]

ÜBER UFORCE

UFORCE ist ein in der Ukraine gegründetes Verteidigungstechnologie-Unternehmen mit Hauptsitzen in London, Kiew und Washington, D.C. Das Unternehmen ist in Europa, den USA und Asien tätig. UFORCE entwickelt unbemannte Systeme für die Einsatzdomänen Land, See und Luft. Dazu kommen KI-Software und die Führungs- und Steuerungsebene (Command and Control, C2), über die diese Systeme betrieben werden. Zum Portfolio gehören die MAGURA-Familie unbemannter Überwasserfahrzeuge, die NEMESIS-Familie von Angriffsdrohnen, die LIUT-Familie unbemannter Bodenfahrzeuge, die PREDATOR-Waffenstationen zur Drohnenabwehr sowie die C2-Software zu deren Steuerung. Die MAGURA-Familie war an der Zerstörung von mehr als einem Dutzend russischer Kriegsschiffe im Schwarzen Meer beteiligt. Im Kampf hat sie zudem mehrere Hubschrauber und Kampfflugzeuge abgeschossen. Die ukrainischen Streitkräfte nutzen MAGURA als mobile maritime Plattform für Operationen über mehrere Einsatzbereiche hinweg. Von dieser starten sie NEMESIS-Drohnen für weitreichende Schläge, etwa gegen Luftverteidigungssysteme. Die schweren Angriffsdrohnen der NEMESIS-Klasse 1 gibt es als wiederverwendbare Variante und als Einweg-Angriffsdrohne. Sie zählen zu den am häufigsten eingesetzten Bomber- und Angriffsdrohnen auf dem ukrainischen Gefechtsfeld. Bisher haben sie mehr als 330.000 Einsätze geflogen und werden von 165 Einheiten genutzt.

Weitere Informationen: uforce.com

ÜBER VALOR EQUITY PARTNERS

Valor Equity Partners ist eine Investmentgesellschaft, die Wachstumsunternehmen in verschiedenen Entwicklungsphasen finanziert und sie im operativen Geschäft unterstützt. Seit Jahrzehnten hilft Valor seinen Beteiligungen mit besonderer Expertise dabei, die Herausforderungen von Wachstum und Skalierung zu bewältigen. Valor arbeitet mit führenden Unternehmen und Gründern zusammen, die höchste Ansprüche an sich stellen und den Mut haben, ihre Branchen zu verändern.

Weitere Informationen: valorep.com

ÜBER DEN BRITISH NATIONAL WEALTH FUND

Der National Wealth Fund ist eine vom britischen Staat getragene öffentliche Finanzierungsinstitution. Sein Auftrag ist es, Kapital in großem Umfang bereitzustellen und Investitionen anzustoßen. Diese sollen die Wachstums- und Klimaziele der Regierung unterstützen und zugleich die Sicherheit und Widerstandsfähigkeit Großbritanniens stärken. Die Investitionen sollen eine Rendite für die Steuerzahler erwirtschaften und zusätzlich privates Kapital für diese Ziele mobilisieren. Der Fonds hat seinen Sitz in Leeds und verfügt über 43,2 Milliarden Pfund. Sein Team aus Investmentexperten kann über die gesamte Kapitalstruktur hinweg investieren, etwa über Kredite, Eigenkapitalbeteiligungen und Garantien. Darüber hinaus berät der Fonds Kommunen in ganz Großbritannien zu wirtschaftlichen und finanziellen Fragen und vergibt Kredite an sie zu marktführenden Konditionen. Der National Wealth Fund gehört vollständig dem britischen Finanzministerium (HM Treasury), arbeitet aber unabhängig von der Regierung.

Weitere Informationen: nationalwealthfund.org.uk

ÜBER URIF

Der U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund ist ein gemeinsamer US-ukrainischer Investmentfonds. Er wurde gegründet, um Kapital zu mobilisieren und Investitionen für den Wiederaufbau, die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung und die strategischen Sektoren der Ukraine zu gewinnen. Der Fonds konzentriert sich unter anderem auf Projekte, die zur Erholung der Ukraine beitragen, Lieferketten stärken und die gemeinsame wirtschaftliche Sicherheit und den gemeinsamen Wohlstand der Ukraine und der USA fördern.

Weitere informationen: urifinvest.com

• UFORCE raises $700 million at a $6 billion valuation, co-led by Valor Equity Partners and the UK National Wealth Fund, and with participation from the U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund.
• The investment supports continuous manufacturing in Ukraine and allied nations to supply front-line troops, while scaling partnerships and strengthening defence capabilities globally.
• Amid escalating security threats, UFORCE provides cost-effective combat-proven autonomous platforms that are ready now, to equip allied nations across the U.S., Europe, Asia-Pacific and Middle East.
• General (Ret.) Christopher G. Cavoli, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Partner at Valor Equity Partners, joins the UFORCE board.

LONDON and KYIV, Ukraine and WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2026 — UFORCE, a defence-technology company founded in Ukraine and headquartered in London, with major hubs in Kyiv and Washington, DC, today announced a $700 million Series A financing round at a valuation of $6 billion.

UFORCE builds autonomous uncrewed platforms across sea, land and air, and the AI software, orchestration, and command-and-control (C2) layer that operates them. Its goal is to make defence a hundred times cheaper than offensive operations.  

The funding round was co-led by Valor Equity Partners (Valor) and the UK National Wealth Fund (NWF), with participation from the U.S.–Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund (URIF). URIF’s investment will support UFORCE’s operations in Ukraine, including staffing, research and development, and new product development. The round also drew leading investors from across Silicon Valley, Europe, and Asia, including Menlo Ventures, Xantium, and Hiro Capital. Existing investors, including Shield Capital, Ballistic Ventures, Lakestar, and Squadra, also increased their stakes in UFORCE.

Oleg Rogynskyy, Chief Executive Officer of UFORCE, said: “The war in Ukraine has shown that in an increasingly volatile world, effective defence requires systems that can keep improving as threats change. Governments and the technology ecosystem need to come together to develop cost-effective, interoperable, and autonomous platforms that are ready to fight now, and can evolve to meet future needs. They are doing that by investing in UFORCE. This investment will help us scale production for Ukraine and bring to allies solutions they can field, integrate and sustain at the speed of modern combat. UFORCE and our investors are united in our determination to make aggression unaffordable.”

From the Ukrainian Front Line to the Global Production Line

The funding round will empower UFORCE to expand and distribute its production capacity across the US, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, manufacturing its platforms close to the theaters where they are needed while helping allied nations expand their sovereign manufacturing capabilities.

This distributed capacity will enable UFORCE to maintain continuous production and supply front-line troops with uncrewed systems despite continued attacks in Ukraine, while bringing advanced capabilities to the battlefield. The newly raised capital will also support expanded R&D and increased production of the MAGURA USV, NEMESIS UAV, LIUT UGV and PREDATOR turret families.

UFORCE will continue to work with partners in allied nations, including for example converting existing maritime and automotive manufacturing capacity to support defense needs. It recently announced a partnership with ReconCraft to scale U.S. manufacturing of MAGURA USVs, giving global markets access to combat-proven maritime capabilities. The round also lets UFORCE deepen its role as a founding member of the EU-Ukraine Drone Alliance, and build on the partnerships it has developed within NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) networks.

Global Investors Back UFORCE to Strengthen Allied Security

General (Ret.) Christopher G. Cavoli, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Partner at Valor Equity Partners: “Ukraine has shown the world how quickly battlefield innovation can move when engineers work side by side with the people who rely on their systems. UFORCE turns that hard-won frontline experience into both unmanned systems and the operational know-how to use them effectively. I’m proud to join the board and look forward to supporting the team as it strengthens Ukraine’s defense and that of its allies.”

Oliver Holbourn, Chief Executive Officer of the UK National Wealth Fund, said: “Today’s investment is a testament to the special relationship that the UK and Ukraine have fostered. Through the National Wealth Fund’s support, UFORCE’s expansion is bringing the production, engineering and application of combat tested autonomous systems to the UK. It will help create high-skilled jobs, strengthen domestic supply chains and reinforce the UK’s position as a leading centre for innovation in technologies that are increasingly important to national security and economic resilience.”

Conor Coleman, Head of Investments of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation on Behalf of the U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, said: “This deal is URIF’s largest investment in the emerging technology sector to date and a significant step toward mobilizing investment that strengthens Ukraine’s economic fortitude, reinforces its security, and accelerates its long-term recovery. UFORCE reflects the kind of bold, innovative Ukrainian company URIF is built to support, one helping turn Ukraine’s resilience and ingenuity into lasting economic and strategic strength for the United States, Ukraine, and our allies.”

Media Inquiries:

[email protected] 

[email protected]

ABOUT UFORCE

Founded in Ukraine and headquartered in London, with major hubs in Kyiv and Washington, DC, UFORCE is a defence-technology company. It has operations across Europe, the United States and Asia. UFORCE builds uncrewed platforms for air, land and sea, AI software, as well as command-and-control (C2) layer that operates them. Its products include the MAGURA family of uncrewed surface vessels, the NEMESIS family of strike platforms, the LIUT family of ground robotic platforms, PREDATOR turret family counter-UAS systems, and C2, the software to control them. The MAGURA Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) family has contributed to the destruction of more than a dozen Russian warships in the Black Sea and has shot down multiple helicopters and fighter aircraft in combat. The Ukrainian armed forces have used MAGURAs as a mobile maritime base for multi-domain operations, launching NEMESIS UAVs for long-range strikes against targets like air defence systems. NEMESIS Class 1 heavy strike UAV platforms, both multi-use and one-way attack, are among the most widely deployed bombers and strike UAVs on the Ukrainian battlefield, with more than 300,000 combat flights and adopted across 100+ units.

More information: uforce.com 

ABOUT VALOR EQUITY PARTNERS

Valor Equity Partners is an operational growth investment firm focused on investing in high-growth companies across various stages of development. For decades, Valor has served its companies with unique expertise to solve the challenges of growth and scale. Valor partners with leading companies and entrepreneurs who are committed to the highest standards of excellence and the courage to transform their industries.

More information: valorep.com

ABOUT THE NATIONAL WEALTH FUND

The National Wealth Fund is a UK-backed public finance institution charged with deploying capital at scale, driving investment to support the Government’s growth and clean energy ambitions, while bolstering the UK’s security and resilience. Its investments aim to generate a return for the taxpayer and crowd in private capital in support of these missions. The Fund is based in Leeds and has £43.2 billion of finance to deploy. It has a team of investment professionals with expertise to invest across the capital structure, including loans, equity investments and guarantees. The Fund also provides commercial and financial advisory services and market leading lending to local authorities across the UK. The Fund is wholly owned by HM Treasury but is operationally independent from the government.

More information: nationalwealthfund.org.uk

ABOUT URIF

The US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund is a joint US-Ukraine investment fund established to mobilize capital and attract investment into Ukraine’s reconstruction, economic development and strategic sectors. The fund focuses, among other things, on projects that contribute to Ukraine’s recovery, strengthen supply chains, and support the shared economic security and prosperity of Ukraine and the United States.

More information: urifinvest.com

HAMBURG, Duitsland, 12 november 2026 — H.I.G. Capital (“H.I.G.”), een toonaangevende wereldwijde investeerder in private capital met 76 miljard dollar aan beheerd kapitaal, maakt met genoegen bekend dat een gelieerde onderneming een definitieve overeenkomst heeft gesloten voor de verwerving van een meerderheidsbelang in go asia (“go asia” of de “onderneming”), de grootste winkelketen voor Aziatische levensmiddelen in Duitsland. De financiële voorwaarden van de transactie zijn niet bekendgemaakt. De transactie staat onder voorbehoud van de gebruikelijke goedkeuringen van toezichthouders.

go asia, opgericht in 2008 en gevestigd in Berlijn, heeft meer dan 70 winkels in ruim 30 steden in Duitsland. Met een assortiment van meer dan 10.000 producten uit heel Azië en ruim 1.600 medewerkers speelt de onderneming in op de groeiende vraag naar de authentieke Aziatische keuken onder een brede en gevarieerde klantenkring.

H.I.G. en de oprichtersfamilie, onder leiding van Wengui Ye, zijn overeengekomen een partnerschap aan te gaan om de volgende groeifase van de onderneming te versnellen. H.I.G. zal zijn expertise op het gebied van detailhandel en de consumentensector, zijn internationale netwerk en zijn financiële middelen inzetten om de dynamische uitbreiding van het winkelnetwerk van go asia in Duitsland en Europa te ondersteunen. De oprichtersfamilie zal herinvesteren en een aanzienlijk belang in de onderneming behouden. Oprichter Wengui Ye en het managementteam van de onderneming blijven actief betrokken bij de verdere ontwikkeling van go asia.

Wengui Ye, oprichter van go asia, verklaarde: “Toen ik in 2009 onze eerste winkel in Berlijn opende, was mijn visie om authentieke Aziatische keuken naar Duitse huishoudens te brengen. Vandaag ben ik er trots op dat go asia de grootste retailer voor Aziatische levensmiddelen in Duitsland is. Tegelijkertijd zien we nog aanzienlijke onbenutte groeimogelijkheden, niet alleen in Duitsland, maar vooral ook in heel Europa. Met zijn ruime ervaring in de detailhandel, sterke internationale netwerk en samenwerkingsgerichte, operationele aanpak is H.I.G. de ideale partner voor onze volgende groeifase. Mijn familie en ik blijven aanzienlijk geïnvesteerd in de onderneming. Ik kijk ernaar uit om samen met H.I.G. en ons uitstekende team verder vorm te geven aan de toekomst van go asia.”

Christian Kraul-von Renner, Managing Director bij H.I.G., verklaarde: “go asia is een indrukwekkend succesverhaal dat onder leiding van de oprichter tot stand is gekomen. Wengui Ye en zijn team hebben de grootste retailer voor Aziatische levensmiddelen in Duitsland opgebouwd, met een authentiek productassortiment en een onderscheidend, schaalbaar winkelconcept. We zien aanzienlijke mogelijkheden om het winkelnetwerk in Duitsland uit te breiden en daarnaast andere Europese markten te betreden. Samen met de familie Ye en het managementteam kijken we ernaar uit om de volgende groeifase van go asia te versnellen.”

Over go asia

go asia werd in 2008 door Wengui Ye in Berlijn opgericht en opende in 2009 zijn eerste winkel in de Berlijnse wijk Charlottenburg. Inmiddels is go asia met meer dan 70 winkels in ruim 30 steden en meer dan 1.600 medewerkers de grootste winkelketen voor Aziatische levensmiddelen in Duitsland. De winkels bevinden zich voornamelijk in stadscentra, winkelcentra en vervoersknooppunten. Daarnaast beschikt go asia over een webwinkel. Het assortiment van de onderneming omvat meer dan 10.000 producten uit heel Azië, van rijst, noedels, sauzen en specerijen tot diepvriesproducten en verse producten, dranken en keukengerei. Meer informatie vindt u op de website van go asia: goasia.net.

Over H.I.G. Capital

H.I.G. is een toonaangevende wereldwijde investeerder in private capital met 76 miljard dollar aan beheerd kapitaal.* H.I.G. is gevestigd in Miami en heeft kantoren in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco en Stamford in de Verenigde Staten, evenals internationale kantoren van gelieerde ondernemingen in Hamburg, Londen, Luxemburg, Madrid, Milaan, Parijs, Bogotá, Rio de Janeiro, Dubai en Hongkong. H.I.G. is gespecialiseerd in het verstrekken van zowel schuld- als aandelenkapitaal aan middelgrote ondernemingen en hanteert daarbij een flexibele, operationeel gerichte en waardetoevoegende aanpak:

• De aandelenfondsen van H.I.G. investeren in management buy-outs, herkapitalisaties en corporate carve-outs van zowel winstgevende als ondermaats presterende productie- en dienstverlenende ondernemingen.
• De schuldfondsen van H.I.G. investeren in senior-, unitranche- en juniorfinanciering aan ondernemingen van uiteenlopende omvang, zowel via rechtstreekse kredietverstrekking op de primaire markt als via de secundaire markten.
• De vastgoedfondsen van H.I.G. investeren in value-added vastgoed dat baat kan hebben bij verbeterd assetmanagement.
• H.I.G. Infrastructure richt zich op value-add- en core-plusinvesteringen in de infrastructuursector.

Sinds de oprichting in 1993 heeft H.I.G. wereldwijd in meer dan 400 ondernemingen geïnvesteerd en deze beheerd. De huidige portefeuille van H.I.G. omvat meer dan 100 ondernemingen met een gezamenlijke omzet van meer dan 53 miljard dollar. Meer informatie vindt u op de website van H.I.G. hig.com.

*Op basis van het totale kapitaal dat H.I.G. Capital en zijn gelieerde ondernemingen hebben aangetrokken.

Contact:

Christian Kraul-von Renner
Managing Director
[email protected]

H.I.G. European Capital Partners GmbH
Warburgstrasse 50
20354 Hamburg
Duitsland
Tel.: +49 40 41 33 06 100
hig.com

HANGZHOU, China, Nov. 11, 2026 — Hangzhou Eli Radiopharma Co., Ltd. (“Eli Radiopharma”, or “the Company”), an innovative radiopharmaceutical company focused on integrated diagnostics and therapeutics for oncology and neurological diseases, today announced the completion of a Series A financing round of nearly RMB 400 million. The round was led by Huagai Capital, with Bayland Capital as co-lead investor, and participation from Boyu Ventures, Delian Capital, InnoPinnacle Fund, Haibang Venture, Bairui Capital, Shenzhen Angel FOF Management, and Grand Flight Investment. Existing shareholders CSPC & Growth Bio Fund, Huaige Capital, KHK Fund, Longfeng Venture, Hongsheng Capital, Bioclub Fund, and Skyfield Capital also participated in the round.

The proceeds will primarily support the advancement of the Company’s core innovative pipeline toward clinical development. Funding will be directed toward preclinical research, clinical trial applications, and early-stage clinical development, alongside further investment in R&D platforms, talent acquisition, and the Company’s clinical and business development. The financing will provide strong support for the continued advancement of the Company’s pipeline and its long-term growth. To date, the Company has advanced multiple programs targeting novel molecular targets through lead discovery and in vitro and in vivo validation, with promising target specificity and drug development potential. Several programs are approaching IND submission.

“The completion of this financing round marks an important milestone in Eli Radiopharma’s development and reflects our investors’ confidence in our R&D strategy, technological capabilities, and long-term vision,” stated Dr. Feng Yu, Founder and CEO of Eli Radiopharma. “Moving our pipeline toward the clinic is a critical next step in translating our research into meaningful advances for patients. This financing will support our efforts to advance our lead programs through preclinical development and regulatory milestones, bringing differentiated radiopharmaceutical candidates closer to clinical evaluation. We remain focused on addressing unmet clinical needs and strengthening our R&D and clinical development capabilities, with the goal of delivering precision diagnostic and therapeutic options for patients with cancer and neurological diseases.”

Cynix Wang, Chief Investment Officer of Healthcare at Huagai Capital, said, “Radiopharmaceuticals represent an exciting area of innovation at the intersection of molecular targeting, radionuclide technology, and precision theranostics. As the field continues to advance, expanding clinical applications, progress in therapeutic radionuclides, and the development of novel targets and differentiated pipelines are creating new opportunities for the radiopharmaceutical industry. The two BD deals in 2026 involving multinational pharmaceutical companies and Chinese radiopharmaceutical innovators further underscore the growing global recognition of China’s innovation capabilities and the significant potential for international partnerships. We are encouraged by Eli Radiopharma’s focused approach to radiopharmaceutical R&D and its ability to advance novel candidates into clinical development. Our investment reflects our confidence in the Company’s scientific capabilities and long-term potential. We look forward to supporting the advancement of its pipeline and helping translate promising science into clinical applications, while contributing to the broader advancement of the radiopharmaceutical field.”

Xi Zou, Director and Project Lead at Bayland Capital, commented: “Bayland Capital has long been closely following innovations in the global radiopharmaceutical sector and strongly recognizes the clinical value and growth potential of radioligand therapy (RLT). We believe that, as more innovative therapies gain regulatory approval, RLT will play an increasingly important role in the treatment of a broad range of solid tumors. Eli Radiopharma has demonstrated distinct competitive strengths in its R&D strategy, innovation capabilities, and development efficiency. The company continues to expand its team, strengthen its technology and development capabilities, and steadily advance its global strategy. We are confident in Eli Radiopharma’s potential to build a globally competitive pipeline of innovative radiopharmaceuticals and deliver meaningful clinical value in international markets, including the US and Europe. Bayland Capital is delighted to co-lead this financing round. Looking ahead, we will continue to support Eli Radiopharma in expanding its technology platforms, accelerating the clinical development of its lead programs, and advancing differentiated, globally competitive radiopharmaceuticals, helping bring China-originated innovation to patients worldwide.”

Yilun LIU, Partner of Boyu Ventures, said, “Radiopharmaceuticals hold significant potential to advance precision diagnostics and therapeutics. Eli Radiopharma is building a differentiated pipeline targeting oncology and neurological diseases with a clear focus on addressing unmet clinical needs. We believe the Company’s scientific expertise and R&D capabilities provide a strong foundation for advancing its pipeline toward clinical development. We look forward to seeing Eli Radiopharma progress its innovative programs and translate its research into meaningful clinical value for patients.”

About Huagai Capital

Huagai Capital was founded in 2012 as a private equity investment firm jointly established by a group of professionals from leading investment institutions in China and overseas. With the vision of “becoming the most trusted capital partner for entrepreneurs and investors”, the firm focuses on the two major sectors of healthcare and technology and is committed to helping small and medium-sized enterprises grow into industry leaders. Its cumulative assets under management stand at approximately RMB 35 billion, and it has successfully cultivated 34 listed companies.

About Bayland Capital

Established in 2019 and backed by Pharmaron, Bayland Capital is a life sciences-focused investment firm with a global investment perspective. Leveraging Pharmaron’s industry expertise and the team’s extensive experience in scientific research, business management, and capital markets, Bayland Capital invests in leading life sciences R&D service providers, innovative technology platforms, biotechnology companies, and medical device companies worldwide. Bayland Capital is committed to serving as a bridge connecting life sciences innovation, the healthcare industry, and capital, and to being a trusted long-term partner in advancing healthcare innovation.

About Boyu Ventures

Boyu Ventures was co-founded by Boyu Capital together with young entrepreneurs and seasoned investors, with a focus on early-stage investments in frontier technology and life sciences. Drawing fully on Boyu’s strengths in capital, industry expertise, insight, and organizational capability, Boyu Ventures brings together resources to empower its portfolio companies, standing alongside founders as they navigate fast-changing markets and build for long-term success. Boyu Ventures firmly believes that a diverse team sparks fresh thinking and brings complementary strengths, enabling it to uncover the most compelling investment opportunities in an ever-changing world. The firm is dedicated to discovering entrepreneurs with a genuine capacity for original innovation, and to partnering with them as they grow into cornerstones of the new economy.

About Delian Capital

Founded in 2011, Delian Capital has consistently focused on investments in technology and innovative healthcare. The firm targets key sectors such as Intelligent Equipment, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Semiconductors, Energy Technology, Innovative Drugs, Medical Technology (MedTech), and Neuroscience.Delian Capital has invested in over 100 projects，including Rokae Robotics, Mech-Mind, X-Square, DIFY.AI, Silicontent, ARCHIWAVE, Macrotest , Zendure, VelaVigo, AMUNIX, Venus Medtech, Core Medical, Mindtrix, and BCI-SONICS.

About InnoPinnacle Fund

Started in 2021, InnoPinnacle Fund is a specialist biotech VC fund established by Innovent Biologics, a leading biopharmaceutical company listed on Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX. 01801). InnoPinnacle focuses on high-growth opportunities in the biotech sector. We aim to accelerate groundbreaking innovations in life sciences to improve human health, while establishing ourselves as the premier global biotech-focused investor.

About Haibang Venture

Connecting Global Talent with Opportunities to Build and Innovate. Haibang Venture founded in 2011, is China’s first venture capital firm dedicated to supporting entrepreneurship among overseas-returned talent. Haibang Venture manages nearly 40 funds with approximately RMB 8 billion in assets under management. It has invested in over 160 companies, nearly 100 of which were founded by high-caliber talent, with 29 achieving IPOs or M&A exits. Guided by its “Talent + Technology” investment philosophy, Haibang Venture focuses on life sciences and healthcare, information technology, and advanced materials and high-end manufacturing, investing primarily in hard-tech ventures founded by outstanding talent from China and abroad and aligned with China’s strategic emerging industries.

About Shenzhen Angel FOF Management

Shenzhen Angel FOF Management Co., Ltd. (“Shenzhen Angel FOF Management”) was jointly established by Shenzhen Investment Holdings Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen Capital Group Co., Ltd. Guided by its mission to “invest early, invest small, and invest in hard technology,” Shenzhen Angel FOF Management embraces long-termism and fosters patient capital, operating three core business lines: sub-fund investment, direct investment, and innovation ecosystem development. It manages the largest angel investment government guidance fund in China, with over 100 sub-funds launched and more than 1,000 technology companies empowered.

About Bairui Capital

Bairui Capital is an early-stage venture capital dedicated to backing disruptive innovation with a long-term investment vision. We invest in frontier technology sectors, including AIGC & infrastructure, embodied intelligence, and AI-powered life sciences. We seek to identify and capture the most consequential technological shifts of our time, with a particular focus on emerging computing paradigms that are fundamentally reshaping both software and hardware.

About Grand Flight Investment

Grand Flight Investment is an alternative investment platform sponsored principally by Far East Horizon (HKEX: 3360) and managed by a dedicated team of investment professionals. Guided by its core investment philosophy — “Finance Empowers Growth, Industry Creates Value” — the firm invests in high-quality, growth-stage companies in China, focusing on healthcare, commercial aerospace, and embodied AI. Post-investment, it works closely with portfolio companies to connect them with the financial and industry resources they need to create value.

About Eli Radiopharma

Eli Radiopharma, founded in 2024, is a radiopharmaceutical company focused on the innovation and development of next-generation radiopharmaceuticals and advanced technology applications. Driven by its core value of “innovation-driven precision medicine”, Eli Radiopharma is dedicated to delivering theranostic solutions for oncology and neurological diseases. By combining molecular targeting with radionuclide technology, the Company is committed to developing safe and cutting-edge radiopharmaceuticals to enable precise diagnostics and effective treatments, ultimately improving the health and longevity of patients worldwide.

SOURCE Hangzhou Eli Radiopharma Co., Ltd.

HAMBURG, Deutschland, 11. November 2026 — H.I.G. Capital („H.I.G.”), eine weltweit führende Gesellschaft für alternative Anlagen mit einem verwalteten Kapital von 76 Milliarden US-Dollar, freut sich bekannt zu geben, dass eines ihrer verbundenen Unternehmen eine endgültige Vereinbarung zum Erwerb einer Mehrheitsbeteiligung an go asia („go asia” oder das „Unternehmen”), Deutschlands größter Einzelhandelskette für asiatische Lebensmittel, unterzeichnet hat. Die finanziellen Bedingungen der Transaktion wurden nicht bekannt gegeben. Die Transaktion unterliegt den üblichen behördlichen Genehmigungen.

go asia wurde 2008 gegründet, hat seinen Hauptsitz in Berlin und betreibt über 70 Filialen in mehr als 30 Städten in ganz Deutschland. Mit einem Sortiment von über 10 000 Produkten aus ganz Asien und mehr als 1600 Beschäftigten bedient das Unternehmen die wachsende Nachfrage einer breit gefächerten Kundschaft nach authentischer asiatischer Küche.

H.I.G. und die Gründerfamilie unter der Führung von Wengui Ye haben eine Partnerschaft vereinbart, um die nächste Wachstumsphase des Unternehmens zu beschleunigen. H.I.G. wird sein Fachwissen im Einzelhandel und Konsumgüterbereich, sein internationales Netzwerk sowie seine finanziellen Mittel einbringen, um den dynamischen Ausbau des Filialnetzes von go asia in Deutschland und Europa zu unterstützen. Die Gründerfamilie wird erneut in das Unternehmen investieren sowie weiterhin eine bedeutende Beteiligung daran halten und Gründer Wengui Ye sowie das Führungsteam des Unternehmens werden die Zukunft von go asia auch künftig aktiv mitgestalten.

Wengui Ye, Gründer von go asia, kommentierte: „Als ich 2009 unseren ersten Laden in Berlin eröffnete, war es meine Vision, authentische asiatische Küche in deutsche Haushalte zu bringen. Heute bin ich stolz darauf, dass go asia Deutschlands größter Einzelhändler für asiatische Lebensmittel ist – und wir sehen weiterhin erhebliches ungenutztes Wachstumspotenzial in Deutschland sowie insbesondere in ganz Europa. Mit seiner umfassenden Erfahrung im Einzelhandel, seinem starken internationalen Netzwerk sowie seinem partnerschaftlichen und praxisorientierten Ansatz ist H.I.G. der ideale Partner für unsere nächste Wachstumsphase. Meine Familie und ich werden weiterhin in erheblichem Umfang am Unternehmen beteiligt sein, und ich freue mich darauf, die Zukunft von go asia gemeinsam mit H.I.G. sowie unserem hervorragenden Team auch künftig mitzugestalten.”

Christian Kraul-von Renner, geschäftsführender Leiter bei H.I.G., erklärte: „go asia steht für eine beeindruckende Erfolgsgeschichte unter der Führung seines Gründers. Wengui Ye und sein Team haben mit einem authentischen Sortiment und einem unverwechselbaren, skalierbaren Filialkonzept Deutschlands größte Einzelhandelskette für asiatische Lebensmittel aufgebaut. Wir sehen erhebliches Potenzial für den Ausbau des Filialnetzes in Deutschland sowie für den Eintritt in andere europäische Märkte. Gemeinsam mit der Familie Ye und dem Führungsteam freuen wir uns darauf, die nächste Wachstumsphase von go asia zu beschleunigen.”

Informationen zu go asia

go asia wurde 2008 von Wengui Ye in Berlin gegründet und eröffnete 2009 seine erste Filiale in Berlin-Charlottenburg. Heute ist go asia mit über 70 Filialen in mehr als 30 Städten und über 1600 Beschäftigten Deutschlands größte Einzelhandelskette für asiatische Lebensmittel. Die Filialen befinden sich überwiegend in Stadtzentren und Einkaufszentren sowie an Verkehrsknotenpunkten, wobei das Filialnetz durch einen Online-Shop ergänzt wird. Das Sortiment des Unternehmens umfasst über 10 000 Produkte aus ganz Asien, von Reis, Nudeln, Soßen und Gewürzen bis hin zu Tiefkühl- und Frischprodukten, Getränken sowie Küchenutensilien. Weitere Informationen finden Sie auf der Website von go asia goasia.net.

Informationen zu H.I.G. Capital

H.I.G. ist eine weltweit führende Gesellschaft für alternative Anlagen mit einem verwalteten Kapital von 76 Milliarden US-Dollar.* Mit Hauptsitz in Miami und Niederlassungen in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco sowie Stamford in den Vereinigten Staaten und Büros verbundener Unternehmen in Hamburg, London, Luxemburg, Madrid, Mailand, Paris, Bogotá, Rio de Janeiro, Dubai sowie Hongkong ist H.I.G. auf die Bereitstellung von Fremd- und Eigenkapital für mittelständische Unternehmen spezialisiert und verfolgt dabei einen flexiblen Ansatz, der auf betriebliche Verbesserungen sowie Wertsteigerung ausgerichtet ist:

• Die Eigenkapitalfonds von H.I.G. investieren in Management-Buy-outs, Rekapitalisierungen und Ausgliederungen von profitablen sowie leistungsschwachen Produktions- und Dienstleistungsunternehmen.
• Die Fremdkapitalfonds von H.I.G. investieren in vorrangige, Unitranche- und nachrangige Fremdfinanzierungen für Unternehmen unterschiedlicher Größenklassen, sowohl im Primärmarkt (direkte Kreditvergabe) als auch an den Sekundärmärkten.
• Die Immobilienfonds von H.I.G. investieren in Aufwertungsobjekte, die von verbesserten Asset-Management-Verfahren profitieren können.
• H.I.G. Infrastructure konzentriert sich auf Investitionen mit Wertsteigerungspotenzial sowie Core-Plus-Investitionen im Infrastruktursektor.

Seit der Gründung im Jahr 1993 hat H.I.G. weltweit in mehr als 400 Unternehmen investiert und diese betreut. Das aktuelle Portfolio der Gesellschaft umfasst mehr als 100 Unternehmen mit einem Gesamtumsatz von über 53 Milliarden US-Dollar. Weitere Informationen finden Sie auf der H.I.G.-Website hig.com.

*Basierend auf dem gesamten von H.I.G. Capital und seinen verbundenen Unternehmen eingeworbenen Kapital.

Kontakt:

Christian Kraul-von Renner
Geschäftsführender Leiter
[email protected]

H.I.G. European Capital Partners GmbH
Warburgstraße 50
20354 Hamburg
Deutschland
Tel.: +49 40 41 33 06 100
hig.com

Helix accurately detect bots and predict age using voice samples in under four seconds

Helix advisors include Dag Kittlaus, co-creator and CEO of Siri

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 11, 2026 — Helix, a voice-powered human verification platform, today announced it has raised $6.2 million in funding and is now live with its first partners. Helix offers biometric-based identity and age verification in under four seconds, with no data ever leaving the user’s phone.  The round was led by Chicago Ventures, with participation from BAM Ventures, Aglaé Ventures, Corazon Capital, Tusk Ventures, Yonder Ventures, Rule30, Press On Ventures, and Brown Angel Group.

“We built Helix to restore trust in every digital interaction. Right now, consumers are scared of having their personal information stolen online, while platforms fight a losing battle against AI to prove whether an account is a real adult or a synthetic agent,” said Alex Oberg, CEO and co-founder of Helix. “The traditional approach has been to collect reams of sensitive data, ranging from uploaded driver’s licenses to video selfies, which is both cumbersome for customers and puts their privacy at risk. Helix solves these problems by using voice to verify identity and doing so entirely on-device. As we confront a new era of AI fakes and agent proliferation, we are eager to introduce our patented solution and contribute to a safer, more human-powered internet.”

“We’ve spent years teaching machines to understand words. Helix is teaching them to understand the person speaking — and to do it in a way people can trust,” said Dag Kittlaus, cofounder and CEO of Siri, cofounder and CEO of Viv.

The Problem Helix is Built to Solve: According to Cloudflare, bots now make up more than 57% of all web traffic. As agents have increased, so too have stories of agents acting without human authorization, from hacking critical websites to accessing customer bank accounts. Generative AI has increased the frequency and sophistication of romance scams, identity theft, and underage access to age-restricted platforms, with generative AI-enabled fraud costing U.S. companies more than $40 billion by 2027. In response, companies have been forced to choose between lower friction, but lower effectiveness solutions like CAPTCHA and SMS or expensive and cumbersome solutions like video selfies — both of which still fall short of stopping today’s fraud capabilities.

Helix’s Cutting-Edge Solution: Helix verifies that users are human through a simple, four number voice challenge, providing biometric-level security with the low cost and friction of SMS multi-factor authentication. Helix offers their Biometric MFA and Age Assurance entirely on device, without storing any biometric data or other personally identifiable information (PII) on any server. The unique zero-PII architecture can be deployed across verticals ranging from ticketing, to dating, gaming, gambling and fintech. Platforms can integrate with Helix through either a software development kit (SDK) or via a single line in Claude Code or OpenAI Codex deployments.

The External Standards and Certifications Secured by Helix: Helix is also one of the only audio companies in the world that meets the stringent ISO/IEC 27566-1:2025, an international standard for age assurance systems, and is fully accredited by the Age Check Certification Scheme (ACCS), a rigorous, independent, third-party auditor. Helix is also one of the first companies certified under the IEEE Online Age Verification Certification Program, which is the framework used by New York’s SAFE for Kids Act, taking effect January 2027. This new law requires independently certified, highly effective age assurance and at least one option that does not require a government ID for all platforms with an algorithmically driven feed. Helix’s approach, voice, fits that exactly.

Helix’s Launch Partner: Helix is currently in beta with early partners, such as Zeel, a leading in-home health and wellness platform, as an additional measure for their verification processes.

“The Trust and Safety landscape is changing quickly, particularly as AI creates new challenges around identity and verification,” said Samer Hamadeh, founder and CEO of Zeel. “At Zeel, we believe it’s important to continually evaluate new approaches to strengthening trust. Helix is one of the technologies we’re exploring as we think about how Trust and Safety needs to evolve for the AI era.”

“Combatting bots has remained one of the biggest and toughest challenges facing the ticketing industry. In spite of the myriad of tools and defenses we employed at Ticketmaster, it remained a continuous arms race that will require new approaches in AI era. The voice-powered capabilities being employed by Helix are one of the most unique and effective approaches I’ve seen to make a real improvement for people and platforms in all sectors online,” said Jared Smith, former President and Global Chairman at Ticketmaster and Helix board member and investor. 

“AI has fundamentally changed the landscape of fraud and impersonation, exposing the limitations of legacy approaches to identity and human verification. Helix is redefining human verification through voice – seamless for consumers, privacy-first, and purpose-built for the AI era. Alex and the team bring deep expertise solving identity and trust challenges at scale, and we believe Helix is building critical infrastructure for digital trust,” said Eric Duboe, Partner at Chicago Ventures.

ABOUT HELIX

Helix is a voice-enabled human verification company created for the AI era. Through one SDK integration, Helix offers Bot Management, Biometric MFA, and Age Assurance, all built on the same privacy-by-architecture principles where zero data ever leaves a user’s device. Founded by engineers from Ticketmaster, Tinder, and Zillow, Helix’s mission is to restore trust in every digital interaction. Helix is backed by Chicago Ventures, BAM Ventures, Aglaé Ventures, Corazon Capital, Tusk Ventures, Yonder Ventures, Rule30, Press On Ventures and Brown Angel Group. For more information, visit https://helix.id/.

SOURCE Helix