Paladin Backs AI Security Startup Dam Secure in $6.1 Million Seed Round
AI security startup Dam Secure has raised $6.1 million in Seed funding in a round led by cybersecurity-focused investment firm Paladin Capital Group, marking a significant early milestone for the young company as demand grows for tools that can safeguard AI-assisted software development.
Dam Secure is building an AI-native security platform designed to detect and prevent vulnerabilities introduced through modern coding practices, particularly those involving generative AI tools. As developers increasingly rely on AI to generate and modify code, security experts have warned that traditional scanning methods are often too slow or too limited to catch emerging risks. Dam Secure aims to close that gap by embedding security controls directly into the development workflow.
The company’s platform allows organizations to define security requirements in plain language and automatically translate them into enforceable rules across codebases. This approach enables engineering teams to maintain speed while ensuring compliance with internal and regulatory security standards. By shifting security checks earlier into the development cycle, the startup seeks to reduce costly fixes and breaches later on.
Paladin Capital Group, known for backing cybersecurity and advanced technology ventures, said the investment reflects growing concern around AI-driven software risks and the need for purpose-built protection tools. As part of the deal, a Paladin representative will join Dam Secure’s board to support strategic growth and market expansion.
Founded by experienced technology and product leaders, Dam Secure plans to use the new funding to expand its engineering team, enhance product capabilities, and accelerate customer acquisition across enterprise and regulated sectors. The company is also expected to invest in partnerships and integrations with developer platforms.
With AI adoption accelerating across industries, investors are increasingly focusing on security-first infrastructure providers. Dam Secure’s latest raise positions it among a new wave of startups working to secure the next generation of AI-powered software development.
Legal Work AI Agent Checkbox Raises $33 Million Series A to Scale Enterprise Legal Automation
Legal technology company Checkbox has secured $33 million in Series A funding to expand its AI-powered platform designed to automate and manage legal work for in-house legal teams. The investment marks a major growth milestone for the company and reflects rising demand for AI agents that can streamline legal operations across large organizations.
Checkbox develops AI-driven workflow and intake systems that act as a central entry point for legal requests inside enterprises. Its platform uses intelligent agents to receive, categorize, and process legal queries coming from business units through email, chat tools, and internal portals. By automatically routing requests and handling routine tasks, the system reduces manual triage and administrative burden on legal departments.
The company’s technology is aimed at corporate legal teams that face increasing workloads without proportional staff growth. Common use cases include contract generation, compliance questionnaires, approval workflows, and policy guidance. More complex or sensitive matters are escalated to lawyers, while repetitive requests are resolved through automated processes and guided self-service tools.
Company leadership said the new funding will be used to advance its agentic AI capabilities, expand product integrations with enterprise software platforms, and accelerate global go-to-market efforts. Hiring across engineering, product, and customer success teams is also expected to increase as adoption grows.
Investors backing the round pointed to a broader shift in enterprise software, where AI agents are moving beyond chat interfaces to become operational systems embedded directly into business workflows. Legal departments, in particular, are seen as strong candidates for automation due to their structured processes and high volume of repeatable requests.
Founded in Australia and now serving multinational customers, Checkbox has positioned itself as a legal operations infrastructure provider rather than a simple document automation tool. With fresh capital and growing enterprise interest, the company aims to become a core technology layer for modern, AI-enabled legal service delivery.
Free Feminine Hygiene Startup Raises $1.7 Million Seed Round to Tackle Period Poverty
A startup dedicated to providing free feminine hygiene products has raised $1.7 million in a Seed funding round to expand its mission of improving menstrual equity and access to essential care products. The funding will support the company’s plans to grow distribution networks, strengthen partnerships, and scale technology that helps deliver supplies where they are needed most.
Founded with a social-impact focus, the startup works to eliminate barriers to menstrual products by supplying free pads, tampons, and related essentials through schools, nonprofits, shelters, and public facilities. Its model combines sponsored product placement, institutional partnerships, and community-led distribution to ensure consistent and stigma-free access.
Company leaders say demand has risen sharply as more institutions recognize that lack of access to menstrual hygiene products affects attendance, productivity, and health outcomes. Schools and workplaces, in particular, have increasingly sought structured programs that make products freely available in restrooms and health centers.
The Seed capital will be used to expand into new regions, increase manufacturing and procurement capacity, and build logistics systems to track usage and restocking needs. The startup also plans to invest in product innovation, including more sustainable and environmentally friendly materials, as well as discreet and durable dispensing solutions.
In addition to physical distribution, the company is developing educational and awareness initiatives focused on menstrual health and stigma reduction. These programs are designed to work alongside product access, helping communities normalize conversations around menstruation and hygiene.
Investors backing the round highlighted the startup’s blend of measurable social impact and scalable infrastructure. They noted that menstrual equity is increasingly viewed as a public health and economic participation issue, not just a charitable cause.
With fresh funding and growing institutional interest, the startup aims to broaden its footprint and push for a future where access to feminine hygiene products is treated as a basic standard, not a privilege.
Airbnb Property Management Platform Lands $19 Million Debt and Equity Deal to Drive Expansion
A technology-driven property management platform focused on Airbnb and short-term rentals has secured a $19 million financing package combining debt and equity, positioning the company for accelerated expansion and product development in the fast-growing vacation rental market.
The platform provides end-to-end management services for short-stay property owners, handling operations such as listing optimization, guest communication, pricing, cleaning coordination, and maintenance. By pairing software tools with on-the-ground service networks, the company enables hosts and investors to run rental portfolios more efficiently while improving occupancy rates and guest experience.
Company executives said the blended financing structure allows the business to raise growth capital while maintaining operational flexibility. The equity portion will support technology upgrades and team expansion, while the debt facility will be used to scale operations, invest in local service capacity, and pursue selective acquisitions in new markets.
The short-term rental sector has become increasingly competitive as more individual hosts and professional operators enter the space. Property owners are seeking turnkey management solutions that reduce hands-on workload while maximizing revenue. Platforms that combine automation with standardized service delivery have gained traction as a result.
The company reports steady growth in managed properties and booking volumes over the past year, driven by travel demand recovery and increased investor participation in short-stay real estate. Its roadmap includes enhanced dynamic pricing tools, deeper channel integrations, and expanded analytics for hosts and property investors.
Investors involved in the deal said the sector remains attractive despite regulatory and market variability, pointing to continued consumer preference for flexible accommodation options and the professionalization of short-term rental management.
With fresh capital in place, the platform plans to enter additional cities, strengthen partnerships with property owners and developers, and invest further in its technology stack. Leadership says the goal is to become a full-service infrastructure layer for the next generation of Airbnb and vacation rental operators.
Autonomous Industrial EV Platform Drives $57 Million Series B to Scale Automation
An autonomous industrial electric vehicle (EV) technology company has closed a $57 million Series B funding round to accelerate deployment of its self-driving solutions across warehouse, logistics, and manufacturing environments. The investment will support product development, global market expansion, and increased production of its autonomous EV platforms designed to transform material handling operations.
The startup’s technology combines electric propulsion with advanced autonomy software to create industrial vehicles capable of navigating dynamic workspaces without human drivers. These platforms are engineered for tasks such as indoor transport, inventory movement, yard operations, and repetitive logistics workflows where efficiency, safety, and cost reduction are critical. By integrating sensors, AI navigation, and fleet orchestration tools, the company aims to help enterprises replace manual labor for routine tasks while improving throughput and reducing workplace injuries.
Leadership says the new capital will be used to scale engineering efforts, enhance autonomy capabilities, and expand manufacturing partnerships to meet rising enterprise demand. The funds will also support expanded customer onboarding and service infrastructure to ensure deployments run smoothly across diverse industrial settings.
Investors in the round include strategic backers focused on robotics, logistics, and next-generation mobility, reflecting confidence in the broader transition toward electrified and autonomous industrial systems. The company has demonstrated early traction with pilot programs and initial commercial deployments with major third-party logistics providers and manufacturing firms seeking to modernize operations.
The industrial EV autonomy sector is gaining attention as supply chain and warehouse operators look to drive productivity while addressing labor shortages and rising costs. Autonomous electric platforms are seen as a key lever for digital transformation in these environments, offering lower operating costs and improved sustainability compared to conventional internal combustion equipment.
With fresh capital and growing market interest, the startup aims to accelerate commercialization of its technology, expand into new geographic markets, and continue building out a comprehensive suite of autonomous industrial EV solutions. The company’s vision is to become a core provider of the infrastructure powering next-generation logistics and material handling operations.
