Teachers — and VCs — actually like this AI edtech

Plus, will other SaaS unicorns follow as Klaviyo trots onto the public markets?

September 21, 2023 Hi, Agen. When ChatGPT burst onto the scene last fall, students were among the biggest early adopters, prompting a lot of hand-wringing from educators and parents concerned about kids cheating — or maybe just not learning anything. But lately, amid a surge in AI-related venture funding, startups focused on educator-friendly use cases like streamlining lesson-planning and personalizing instruction are drawing investor attention and hundreds of millions in venture funding. Plus, marketing automation firm Klaviyo is now a public company, after its NYSE debut made it only the second major VC-backed IPO this year. 📝 Edtech catches a ride on AI funding bandwagon Even though edtech funding has plunged, startups in the sector that include an AI element have raised hundreds of millions of venture dollars in the past couple of years. Using Crunchbase data, we look at the funded companies that add artificial intelligence to their platforms in an effort to help educators stay ahead of the curve. Related Crunchbase Pro list: Edtech- And AI-Related Funded Companies 🦄 Will other SaaS unicorns follow Klaviyo to the public markets? Data automation unicorn Klaviyo became the first VC-backed SaaS company to go public and only the second major startup IPO this year when it landed on the New York Stock Exchange yesterday. Will its debut encourage the long list of other unicorn startups to finally test out the public markets? Related Crunchbase Pro list: Startup IPOs of 2023 🤝 3 tips for VCs who want to help their struggling companies A slower funding environment generally results in higher than usual startup failures, and saving a struggling portfolio startup can be a daunting, but worthy, task for venture investors. Flint Capital founder Dmitry Smirnov shares three pieces of advice that will help investors navigate the rescue of their struggling portfolio companies. 📉 Why startups are buying fewer startups This year is on pace to be one of the slowest ever for VC-backed startups buying other similarly backed startups, Crunchbase data shows. So far in 2023, startups have consummated just over 200 such transactions, putting this year on pace for the lowest number of deals since 2017 and just below 2018 and 2020 numbers. We look at what’s driving the slowdown — and what startups would need to see to start opening their pocketbooks again. Related Crunchbase Pro list: Startups Buying Startups Recent Investments Mapbox $280M / Series E Mapbox powers navigation for people, packages, and vehicles. Categories: Business Intelligence • Fleet Management • Logistics • Mapping Services • SaaS Founders: Bonnie Bogle, Eric Gundersen, Will White, Young Hahn Investors: SoftBank (Lead) Cato Networks $238M / Venture Round Cato Networks is a provider of a SASE platform that offers a secure enterprise network connection to locations, people, and data. Categories: Cloud Computing • Information Technology • Network Security • Software Founders: Gur Shatz, Shlomo Kramer Investors: Lightspeed Venture Partners (Lead), Adams Street Partners, Singtel Innov8 + 2 more AeroVironment $109M / Post-IPO Equity AeroVironment is a technology company specializing in unmanned aircraft systems and electric vehicle charging solutions. Categories: Aerospace • Air Transportation • Drones • Electric Vehicle • Electronics • Energy • Government • Manufacturing Founders: Paul B. MacCready, Jr More Fundings Company Amount / Round Lead Investor HiddenLayer $50M / Series A M12 - Microsoft's Venture Fund Aquagga $1.2M / Grant - All Recent Funding Activity Recent Acquisitions Eastern Insurance Group Pending acquisition by Cambridge Trust Company for $528M More Acquisitions Company Acquired By Amount Bionic CrowdStrike $350M All Recent Acquisition Activity Discover innovative companies and the people behind them. 564 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94104 © 2023 Crunchbase Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service Unsubscribe from Crunchbase Daily.