Although there were a handful of nine-figure rounds this week, funding news, in general, seemed quiet. No round topped $200 million, and even one of the large rounds was a down round. Quite the change from last week, which saw the biggest venture investment ever and 11 rounds hit $100 million or more. 1. Base Power, $200M, energy: Battery startup Base Power raised a $200 million Series B as the startup looks to expand nationally. The round was led by Addition. The Austin, Texas-based startup installs residential backup power systems ' designed to charge batteries specifically when electric prices are low. Founded in 2023, the company has raised $268 million, per Crunchbase. 2. Caris Life Sciences, $168M, biotech: The intersection of AI and biotech is big right now and this week gave another example of how big. Irving, Texas-based Caris Life Sciences, which is developing medicine through molecular profiling and the application of advanced AI and machine learning algorithms, raised a $168 million growth round led by Braidwell. Founded in 2018, the company has raised $1.9 billion, per Crunchbase....

The MIT Health and Life Sciences Collaborative (MIT HEALS) has announced the establishment of the Hood Pediatric Innovation Hub, an ambitious effort designed to drive cutting-edge innovation in children's health care. Launched in collaboration with the Charles H. Hood Foundation, the hub will focus on addressing unmet needs in pediatric medicine by developing technologies and treatments tailored specifically for children. Leveraging the Institute's strengths in the life sciences, the hub will provide seed funding and strategic support for bold, high-impact research projects with the potential to transform health care for children. It will also act as a springboard for emerging scientific leaders, empowering them to help shape the future of pediatric health. 'The Hood Pediatric Innovation Hub represents an extraordinary opportunity to create meaningful and lasting change in the lives of children,' says Anantha Chandrakasan, dean of the MIT School of Engineering, MIT's chief innovation and strategy officer, and head of MIT HEALS. 'By collaborating with the Charles H. Hood Foundation, we're harnessing MIT's interdisciplinary strengths to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in pediatric health care.'...

Waterland-supported Ipsilon has acquired 100% of NLO's shares, while the twelve partners of NLO have made a significant reinvestment in the newly formed group. The combined firm now boasts over 400 professionals and operates from multiple offices across seven countries, including France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and Luxembourg. The private equity-backed deal reflects a growing trend of sponsor-led consolidation in the European legal and intellectual property services market. While PE firms have historically been active in adjacent legal sectors, such as tax consultancy, IP remains a comparatively untapped space. Valerie Feray, founder and CEO of Ipsilon, said the merger marks a transformative step towards building the leading European player in intellectual property. 'By combining complementary cultures, strategies, and a shared focus on high-growth technology sectors, we are pushing the frontiers of IP,' she said. NLO, known for its strength in life sciences, digital communications, and chemical technologies, brings an extensive client base that includes Samsung, Heineken, Essity, and Danone. Ipsilon has long been recognised in France for its capabilities in mechanics, electronics, and process engineering, with clients such as L'Oreal, Renault, and CEA....

Despite KKR's exit, Warburg Pincus is reportedly continuing efforts to complete a deal independently. Gerresheimer disclosed in February that it had entered early-stage, informal discussions with private equity investors regarding a potential sale. However, no binding agreement has been reached to date. The deal, if revived, would mark a notable transaction in the European healthcare and life sciences space, a sector that remains of high interest to private equity investors amid continued consolidation and innovation in pharmaceutical infrastructure. Subscribe to our Newsletter to increase your edge. Don't worry about the news anymore, through our newsletter you'll receive weekly access to what is happening. Join 120,000 other PE professionals today....