Spring has arrived, bringing a fresh wave of startups securing significant funding. This month’s standout companies range from robotic massage technology to pet-friendly rental solutions, as well as advancements in healthcare and climate innovation. Let’s explore some of the most intriguing funding rounds.
AI-Powered Massage Therapy
While robotics investments usually focus on warehouse automation and hazardous tasks, New York-based Aescape is taking a different approach—AI-driven robotic massages.
The company, which calls itself a “lifestyle robotics” startup, secured an $83 million round led by Valor Equity Partners. The funding round even attracted NBA star Kevin Love as an investor.
Launched in partnership with Equinox Fitness, Aescape’s robotic massage service is expanding from select New York locations to 60 Equinox centers nationwide. Founded in 2017, the company has now raised $128 million to date.
Pet-Friendly Rental Solutions
For pet owners, finding a rental can be a challenge. Property owners, meanwhile, need to balance tenant needs with building policies. PetScreening addresses this issue with an innovative pet policy management platform.
The North Carolina-based startup raised an $80 million Series B led by Guidepost Growth Equity and Volition Capital.
PetScreening allows renters to submit pet information for risk assessment, helping property owners apply pet policies fairly. Serving over 7 million rental units, the company also launched FidoAlert and TabbyAlert, free lost pet alert services.
AI-Powered Stroke Detection
With nearly 800,000 stroke cases occurring annually in the U.S., quick and accurate diagnosis is crucial. UK-based Brainomix, a spinoff from the University of Oxford, is tackling this issue with AI-driven imaging.
The company raised an $18 million Series C, co-led by Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund and Parkwalk Advisors.
Brainomix’s 360 Stroke platform automates imaging analysis to improve stroke diagnosis and treatment decisions. Already deployed in 300+ hospitals and used for 1.5 million+ patients, the technology has been linked to a 50% increase in mechanical thrombectomy treatments, a procedure that can reduce stroke-related disabilities.
The company is now expanding its AI applications to lung disease diagnostics and accelerating its U.S. market entry with the new funding.
Carbon Removal Meets Water Recovery
While many startups focus on carbon capture or water treatment, Capture6 does both. The Berkeley-based company secured a $27.5 million Series A, led by private equity firm Tetrad Corp.
Capture6 transforms industrial brine waste—a byproduct of various industries—into a solvent that captures carbon dioxide while recovering freshwater.
With global freshwater demand projected to exceed supply by 40% by 2030, solutions like Capture6’s are critical. The company is partnering with the Palmdale Water District in Southern California to eliminate 100 acres of brine ponds, advancing its mission to combat water scarcity and climate change.
AI to Reduce Food Waste
Restaurant kitchens generate massive amounts of waste, but Topanga.io aims to change that with AI-driven waste reduction technology.
The Los Angeles-based startup raised an $8 million Series A, led by Blue Bear Capital, to scale its operations.
Topanga.io’s smart platform helps commercial kitchens reduce overproduction by 70% using AI-powered waste tracking, menu planning insights, and reusable packaging systems. Currently operating in 430+ kitchens, the company is tackling an industry that loses $27 billion annually due to excess food waste.
These startups highlight the diversity of innovation in March—from robotics and AI to sustainability and pet-friendly housing solutions. With funding pouring into these sectors, the future looks promising for tech-driven problem-solving.
