funding Archives

AppWizard

July 18, 2025

Crypto Messaging App Ephemera Bags $20M Series B at $300M Valuation

Ephemera, a blockchain-based messaging platform, secured million in a Series B funding round, co-led by Union Square Ventures, A16z Crypto, and Lightspeed Faction, achieving a valuation of 0 million. The round included participation from Coinbase, Sound Ventures, and actor Ashton Kutcher. The funding was structured as equity with token warrants, and Fred Wilson from Union Square Ventures joined Ephemera’s board. The platform is developed by the creators of XMTP, a decentralized messaging network utilizing IETF-standard Messaging Layer Security, which is trusted by companies like Mozilla, Google, Wire, and Cisco. XMTP aims to allow users to transfer conversations between different messaging apps, addressing concerns about centralization and user ownership of messages.

Tech Optimizer

July 16, 2025

ParadeDB Raises Funds, Challenges Elasticsearch with Postgres Integration

Postgres, an open-source database management system, is experiencing a revival due to its compatibility with AI applications and its ability to manage structured data effectively. Despite its strengths, Postgres lacks native high-performance full-text search and analytics capabilities, leading organizations to use separate systems like Elasticsearch, which complicates data management. ParadeDB, an open-source extension developed in 2023, addresses these limitations by enabling sophisticated data search and analytics directly within Postgres, eliminating the need for data transfers. ParadeDB has gained traction, securing its first enterprise customer by early 2024 and recently completing a funding round for platform enhancements. Its integration with Postgres simplifies workflows and reduces operational overhead, making it a compelling alternative to traditional search solutions.

Tech Optimizer

July 16, 2025

ParadeDB takes on Elasticsearch as interest in Postgres explodes amid AI boom

Open source database management system Postgres is nearing its 40th anniversary and has seen increased demand due to its compatibility with AI applications, although its search and analytics capabilities are limited. ParadeDB is an open source extension that enhances full-text search and analytics within Postgres, integrating with various data infrastructure tools like Google Cloud SQL, Azure Postgres, and Amazon RDS. Founded in 2023, ParadeDB released its first version the same year and gained Alibaba as its first customer in May 2024. The company recently secured a million Series A funding round led by Craft Ventures to expand its team and improve its platform. The growing popularity of Postgres is highlighted by recent acquisitions, such as Snowflake's acquisition of Crunchy Data and Databricks' purchase of Neon.

Winsage

July 14, 2025

Microsoft’s extra year of free Windows 10 security updates feels like a last-minute snooze button — while groups like “The Restart Project” still want to help users

Microsoft will officially cease support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Users are expressing dissatisfaction with Windows 11 due to its stringent system requirements and design flaws. The Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) has launched a petition against Microsoft's decision, warning it could lead to significant electronic waste and contradicts Microsoft's sustainability goals. Microsoft plans to extend security updates for Windows 10, but users must sync their settings with a Microsoft Account to receive them. Approximately 400 million Windows 10 PCs may not be able to upgrade to Windows 11. The Restart Project highlights that nearly half of all Windows computers still run on Windows 10 and is advocating for repair and the use of free and open-source operating systems. They have developed an 'End of Windows 10' toolkit for community repair groups. The Restart Project has called for stronger durability and repairability rules, economic changes to discourage disposable products, and increased efforts for reuse and repair of electronic waste. Windows 11 has surpassed Windows 10 in market share, with reports indicating 50.88% for Windows 11 compared to 46.2% for Windows 10. Microsoft claims that Windows 11 PCs are significantly faster than Windows 10 PCs, although this has been met with skepticism.

BetaBeacon

July 10, 2025

Epic Games Store: New free Android and iOS mobile game now available to download and keep forever

The company has secured new funding from investors to develop their product line and expand their market reach.

AppWizard

July 10, 2025

Chief Surgeon Simulator Announced For PC & Consoles

Indie game developer RingZero Game Studio has announced Chief Surgeon Simulator, a simulation game for PC and console where players act as a chief surgeon, performing surgeries and managing a hospital. The game features dual role gameplay, allowing players to engage in surgical operations and hospital management, with authentic procedures based on real-world insights. It includes two modes: a structured Story Mode and an open-ended Sandbox Mode. A reputation system rewards players for delivering exceptional care, impacting funding and hospital growth. A release date is not yet set, but it may be speculated for 2026.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

Romero Games asserts it has not closed

Developer Romero Games has confirmed it is still operational despite facing funding issues and the cancellation of its in-development project due to withdrawn funding. The studio is exploring new opportunities with other publishers and has reassured employees that it is not shutting down. They are evaluating several opportunities from interested publishers and are committed to preventing further disruptions.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

Romero Games is not closed: ‘We are doing everything in our power to ensure that it does not come to that’

Romero Games announced that funding for its first-person shooter, revealed in 2022, was withdrawn, coinciding with significant layoffs at Microsoft affecting 9,000 employees and leading to multiple project cancellations. The studio clarified on social media that it remains operational and is reassessing its staffing and operations amid concerns about its stability. While the publisher responsible for the funding withdrawal has not been disclosed due to confidentiality agreements, speculation arose regarding the timing of the decision. Former employees expressed fears of the studio shutting down or being sold. Romero Games hopes to attract interest from investors to support their ongoing development efforts.

AppWizard

July 7, 2025

Romero Games have “completely” closed doors, but there’s still hope for the Doom creator’s new FPS

Romero Games has ceased operations after funding for their first-person shooter was withdrawn, affecting approximately 100 employees. An anonymous employee described the situation as a "big shock," noting that discussions with a publisher occurred just a day before the closure. The project was reportedly well-developed and had received positive feedback, but is now completely closed while the studio seeks alternative funding. The unnamed FPS had generated significant interest, and the Chief Technical Officer is advocating for former staff on LinkedIn. The game was announced in 2022 and was being developed using Unreal Engine 5. Prior to this, Romero and Carmack worked on a canceled game called Blackroom in 2016.

AppWizard

July 6, 2025

Romero Games reportedly met with Microsoft just a day before the publisher pulled funding for the studio, and there was ‘no mention’ of the decision that put over 100 people out of work

Romero Games has officially closed due to the withdrawal of crucial funding from Microsoft for its first-person shooter project. Former employees reported that meetings with the publisher occurred just a day before the funding was pulled, leaving the studio's future uncertain. Despite the closure, efforts are being made to explore alternative funding for the in-development FPS project. The studio had recently increased its social media presence and engaged with the gaming community through a new "FPS Fridays" series on Twitch.