Rounded Weekly – Daily Edition: 23 May 2024
The daily edition of Rounded Weekly for the 23 May 2024. A round-up of the top 10 closed startup rounds for the day, with the day's top news at the bottom.
Hello hello,
It’s been a few weeks, and I’ve been hard at work to get Rounded Weekly back up to scratch. I’ve implemented all of the changes I wanted to after announcing the newsletter was coming back in February. It may have taken a while, but I’m confident that it will be worthwhile. Feb 23rd’s edition was definitely jumping the gun a little. But consider it a taster of the newsletter.
Or at least… the new version. My goal with Rounded Weekly is to bring you the hottest rounds still, but with more regularity and detail. Think of it as a personalised Crunchbase, but I bring the information to you… you don’t have to go and find it.
You’re reading the first of the daily edition of Rounded Weekly. It’s exactly what you’d expect from the newsletter, just daily. An edition of the newsletter is going to hit your inbox every day with the day’s top rounds instead of the week. For each company, I’ll add a snippet about what I like about them. I’ll also add a few news items at the bottom that cherry-pick some top events from the day. Then, you’ll receive the typical weekly edition you’d expect at the end of every week. It’s going to keep you more in the loop of the rounds you should care about. But we need to decide something as a collective, do I rename the newsletter to Rounded Daily?
In the coming weeks, I’ll be relaunching the newsletter on Product Hunt as a V2 to boost subscriber promotions. At this point, I’ll bring back the different versions of the newsletter on paid-for plans. I estimate this will take a few weeks, but it might be longer. I only want to do this after growing the newsletter organically, and committing to regular editions.
Without further ado, here’s the full list of today’s top closed rounds:
1. Swisscom
Funding Type: Debt Financing
Amount Raised: $4 Billion USD
Swisscom is Switzerland’s leading telecom and one of the top IT companies in the country. With over 19,000 employees, Swisscom provides mobile, internet, and TV services to both private and business customers. It also has a strong presence in Italy through its subsidiary Fastweb. Swisscom is recognized for its innovation and sustainability, having been named the most sustainable telecom provider globally. The company is a market leader in mobile, internet, and digital TV in Switzerland.
Something I like about them: Swisscom’s commitment to sustainability and innovation is impressive, making it not only a market leader but also a responsible corporate entity focusing on future technologies and environmental care.
2. Vanke
Funding Type: Post-IPO Debt
Amount Raised: $2.82 Billion USD
Vanke is a major real estate developer in China, with a vast portfolio that includes residential, commercial, and logistics properties. Founded in 1984, Vanke has been at the forefront of urban development, focusing on creating high-quality living environments and innovative urban spaces. The company is also committed to sustainability, integrating green practices into its projects to promote a healthier urban ecosystem.
Something I like about them: Vanke’s dedication to creating sustainable urban developments ensures that their projects are environmentally friendly, contributing positively to the communities they serve.
3. Recurrent Energy
Funding Type: Debt Financing
Amount Raised: $1.41 Billion USD
Recurrent Energy is a leading solar project developer in North America, known for its commitment to renewable energy. The company develops utility-scale solar projects, providing clean energy solutions to meet the growing demand for sustainable power. Recurrent Energy focuses on large-scale installations that contribute significantly to reducing carbon emissions and promoting green energy.
Something I like about them: Recurrent Energy’s focus on large-scale solar projects helps to significantly reduce carbon footprints and promote renewable energy on a broad scale, making a substantial impact on the fight against climate change.
4. WEC Energy Group
Funding Type: Post-IPO Debt
Amount Raised: $750 Million USD
WEC Energy Group is one of the largest electric and natural gas delivery companies in the United States, serving 4.5 million customers across four states. The company is dedicated to delivering reliable energy while also focusing on sustainability and innovation. WEC Energy Group invests heavily in renewable energy projects and infrastructure improvements to ensure a sustainable future.
Something I like about them: WEC Energy Group’s commitment to renewable energy and infrastructure improvement underscores their dedication to a sustainable and reliable energy future for their customers.
5. Bicycle Therapeutics
Funding Type: Post-IPO Equity
Amount Raised: $555 Million USD
Bicycle Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel cancer treatments. The company’s proprietary technology platform utilizes synthetic short peptides to create new therapeutic modalities, known as Bicycles, that can target disease pathways more effectively. Bicycle Therapeutics is at the forefront of oncology research, working on innovative treatments for difficult-to-treat cancers.
Something I like about them: Bicycle Therapeutics’ innovative approach to cancer treatment using synthetic peptides offers promising new avenues for effectively targeting and treating various forms of cancer.
6. American Tower
Funding Type: Post-IPO Debt
Amount Raised: $541.52 Million USD
American Tower is a global leader in wireless communications infrastructure, operating a portfolio of over 180,000 communications sites. The company provides vital infrastructure for wireless communications, ensuring reliable connectivity across the globe. American Tower’s extensive network supports the growing demand for mobile data and communications, playing a crucial role in the digital age.
Something I like about them: American Tower’s expansive network of communication sites is essential for ensuring global connectivity, supporting the ever-growing demand for mobile data and digital communications.
7. Grupo SURA
Funding Type: Post-IPO Debt
Amount Raised: $500 Million USD
Grupo SURA is a prominent financial services company in Latin America, offering a range of services including insurance, pensions, savings, and investment management. The company is known for its strong financial performance and commitment to sustainable business practices. Grupo SURA plays a significant role in the economic development of the region through its comprehensive financial solutions.
Something I like about them: Grupo SURA’s dedication to sustainability and comprehensive financial solutions significantly contributes to the economic growth and stability of the Latin American region.
8. RioCan
Funding Type: Post-IPO Debt
Amount Raised: $219.27 Million USD
RioCan is one of Canada’s largest real estate investment trusts, focusing on retail real estate properties. The company owns, manages, and develops retail-focused properties across Canada, aiming to create vibrant, community-oriented spaces. RioCan is committed to sustainable development and enhancing the communities in which it operates.
Something I like about them: RioCan’s focus on community-oriented retail developments ensures that their properties not only serve commercial purposes but also enhance the quality of life in the communities they are part of.
9. MYOB
Funding Type: Debt Financing
Amount Raised: $132.88 Million USD
MYOB is a leading provider of business management solutions in Australia and New Zealand. The company offers a range of software and services designed to simplify accounting, payroll, and other business processes for small and medium-sized enterprises. MYOB’s innovative solutions help businesses improve efficiency and manage their operations more effectively.
Something I like about them: MYOB’s comprehensive suite of business management solutions empowers small and medium-sized enterprises to operate more efficiently, driving economic growth and innovation.
10. Syre
Funding Type: Series A
Amount Raised: $100 Million USD
Syre is an emerging technology company specializing in AI-driven solutions for various industries. The company’s cutting-edge technology platforms leverage artificial intelligence to provide innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency and decision-making processes. Syre is at the forefront of AI innovation, driving advancements in multiple sectors.
Something I like about them: Syre’s commitment to leveraging AI for operational efficiency and decision-making processes positions them as a leader in technological innovation, making significant contributions across various industries.
Today’s Top News
The Daylight DC1 is a $729 attempt to build a calmer computer
OpenAI reportedly didn't intend to copy Scarlett Johansson's voice
Arc Search’s new Call Arc feature lets you ask questions by ‘making a phone call’
That's my selection of the top 10 rounds from today, and we’ve got some very big ticket companies on this list. Congratulations to all the teams behind these startups for their achievements! Be sure to check out their websites if you want to learn more.
You’ll notice the company logos are gone. Do you like this, or shall I bring them back?
Be sure to follow me on Twitter/X @connorjewiss, so you don’t miss any updates, news, or insights. I hope you’ll stick with the newsletter now that I’ve worked out exactly what I want it to be.
See you tomorrow 👋