Cloud and network security startup Hilt has emerged from stealth with $4.2 million in seed funding led by Array Ventures. The round, which included participation from Verdict Capital, Base10 Partners, and others, brings total funding to $4.7 million. The company's platform monitors data flows at the kernel level across cloud infrastructure and networks, using graph neural networks to detect anomalous behaviour in real time. Hilt operates below the application layer to identify suspicious activity even when users have valid permissions. The startup has doubled its customer count and secured a six-figure upfront payment from a hedge fund. It is targeting high-frequency trading firms, neobanks, and healthcare companies handling sensitive data. The funding will support hiring and market expansion as the 11-person company relocates from San Francisco to Chattanooga, Tennessee.

MintNeuro, a semiconductor company developing specialised chips for neural devices, has raised $5 million to accelerate its commercial scale-up. The London-based firm's chips are designed for neural devices ranging from implants to wearables, offering better performance than generic components. Odyssey Ventures led the round, with participation from 33East, JSK Investments, Alumni Ventures, and returning investors including Empirical Ventures and Jumpspace Ventures. The funding will support product launches, expand silicon delivery to partners, and grow the company's international presence. MintNeuro has already delivered working silicon and reached integration milestones with partners including Motif Neurotech and Amber Therapeutics. Earlier this year, the company secured a multi-year commercial chip supply agreement with Motif for its minimally invasive neurostimulator targeting treatment-resistant depression. The Imperial College London spinout builds modular semiconductor platforms for neural sensing, signal processing, and stimulation in brain-computer interfaces, neuromodulation systems, and bioelectronic medicines.

Avarra has raised $17 million in Series A funding led by Duration Ventures, with participation from Lightspeed Venture Partners, Draper Associates, GTMfund, Alumni Ventures, and Zoom. The company's AI avatar platform helps sales teams master complex processes, reportedly cutting ramp time in half. The platform captures expertise from leaders and deploys AI avatars to train team members, assist in live deals, and engage customers. Customers including Elastic, Masimo, and Proofpoint use the system to scale sales playbooks across their organisations. Avarra reported 400% year-over-year ARR growth and 698% growth in contracted ARR from mid-market and enterprise customers. Sales teams complete over 10,000 AI coaching sessions weekly on the platform. The funding will support engineering and go-to-market hiring whilst expanding customer-facing platform capabilities.