Latest news with #IVP
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
How Bold Marketing Is Helping VC-Backed Startups Stand Out And Scale
A stylized rocket launching in an abstract environment, surrounded by vibrant colors. As the rocket ... More takes off, it emits pink smoke and spheres against a contrasting purple background. The rocket signifies the initiation and progress of startups, emerging cryptocurrencies, and new business establishments, representing the concept of growth and the potential of innovative ideas. The world of venture-backed startups is fast-paced, high-pressure, and often unpredictable. Founders and teams juggle everything from fundraising and investor meetings to product pivots and relentless execution—often with little sleep and even less certainty. But beyond the spreadsheets and pitch decks lies a powerful (and often underrated) force: creativity. Some of today's most innovative startups aren't just disrupting industries with their products—they're also pushing boundaries in how they market themselves. From bold brand storytelling to guerrilla marketing, these recent campaigns by VC-backed startups prove that smart, edgy marketing can be very impactful. These three companies show that while traditional campaigns may feel outdated to some, in the right hands, they can become extraordinary. 'We didn't want to add to the AI noise. We wanted to make people laugh.' In an era where AI startups flood the market with technical jargon and indistinguishable messaging, Tennr — an AI-powered platform automating referral-based care — chose a refreshingly bold path: humor. 'Marketing is critical for tech companies today, especially given the AI boom we're experiencing. 'AI-powered' and 'Agentic AI' startups are saturating the market, and every company is starting to sound the same. We didn't want to contribute to that noise,' says Mia Vandermeer, Content & Brand Marketing Manager at Tennr. Fresh off a $101 million Series C led by IVP, with backing from Andreessen Horowitz, Lightspeed, GV, ICONIQ, Foundation Capital, and Frank Slootman, the company has tripled its revenue since its Series B and processed millions of patients through its referral orchestration platform. But instead of leaning into AI buzzwords, Tennr launched its first-ever ad campaign with an unlikely star — the fax machine. Cheekily titled Fax It, the campaign embraces the legacy of fax in healthcare with wit and self-awareness: 'If you can't beat the fax, embrace it — and make it smarter.' 'We didn't want to add to the AI noise. We wanted to make people laugh,' says Vandermeer. The campaign, intentionally crafted without generative AI, relied on human creativity to build emotional connection and brand personality — rebellious, self-deprecating, approachable, and fun. The result? 'It worked,' Mia shares. 'The campaign sparked organic buzz, resonated with healthcare professionals, and helped Tennr stand out in a crowded B2B environment often criticized for being dry.' Kegs for Pregs from Liquid Death Just over a year ago, Liquid Death — a canned water company known for its rebellious branding — closed a $67 million funding round at a $1.4 billion valuation, bringing its total venture backing to more than $267 million. Notably, this success comes in a category many investors tend to avoid: beverages. With that kind of complexity, you have no choice but to stand out — and that's where marketing comes in. The company's bold strategy recently took shape in a campaign that turned heads and defied norms. 'It started with a true insight — hydration is even more important during pregnancy,' explains Dan Murphy, SVP of Marketing at Liquid Death. The 'Kegs for Pregs' campaign concept focused on promoting hydration during pregnancy by featuring visibly pregnant influencer Kylie Kelce — creator and host of the Not Gonna Lie podcast — in a playful Irish pub setting, accompanied by a festive soundtrack. The campaign was timed to launch around St. Patrick's Day for maximum cultural relevance and impact. 'At the time of filming, Kylie was actually seven months pregnant and a genuine, big fan of our mountain water,' Murphy says. 'Ultimately, the campaign's more than 3 billion earned media impressions, along with exclusivity on her podcast, did a great job hitting our goal of informing head-of-household moms about Liquid Death.' Give Us the Finger with Oura Ring Oura, the Finnish health tech company known for the Oura Ring—a smart ring used to track sleep and physical activity—has emerged as a category-defining force in wearable wellness. In 2024, the company reached a $5.2 billion valuation following a $200 million Series D funding round, with participation from major investors including Fidelity Management and Dexcom. Now, Oura is pushing beyond performance metrics and into cultural conversation with its latest brand campaign and national TV spot. 'Aging isn't the enemy—it's the aspiration,' says Doug Sweeny, Chief Marketing Officer at Oura. The campaign challenges conventional narratives by reframing aging not as a decline, but as something to strive for. 'This campaign invites people into a thoughtful conversation around health—empowering them to take proactive ownership of their wellbeing at every stage of life,' Sweeny adds. Celebrating both the iconic design of the Oura Ring and its precise placement on the index finger, the campaign is an invitation to wear your commitment—to live fully, age intentionally, and take control of your health across every chapter. Why This Matters In a world where attention is currency and brand trust drives adoption, storytelling is a strategic asset. These campaigns show a different approach—one where creativity isn't an afterthought, it's a differentiator. Each of these brands harnessed marketing not just to promote a product, but to articulate a worldview. In doing so, they didn't just earn impressions—they earned emotional equity. For founders, the message is clear: what you build matters, but how you communicate it might matter even more. Companies that can craft a compelling narrative—and make people feel something—are more likely to rise above the noise, win loyalty, and own the category conversation.
Forbes
09-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
AI Startup LangChain Is In Talks To Raise $100 Million
Programming with ChatGPT dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images L angChain, whose AI software helps developers build applications using models like OpenAI's GPT-4, has raised $100 million in funding at a $1.1 billion valuation, four sources familiar with the deal told Forbes . VC outfit IVP is leading the round, the sources said. The company, which was on the 2025 Forbes AI 50 list and on the 2024 Forbes Next Billion Dollar Startups List, has about $16 million in annualized revenue, two of the source said. LangChain did not respond to Forbes' request for comment. IVP declined to comment. The funding amount has not been previously reported. TechCrunch first broke news of the deal. Cofounders Harrison Chase and Ankush Goyal started LangChain in 2023 as an open source software that helped engineers quickly spin up AI-powered apps with as little as a few dozen lines of code. The platform has been used to build generative AI-based tools that can do everything from legal document review to retail refund processing. The company's first product LangSmith helps developers evaluate, monitor and debug code, helping businesses quickly ship products while ensuring the models perform accurately and provide relevant answers. It is used by some 40,000 teams at tech giants like Uber and LinkedIn as well as buzzy AI startups like Mercor and Lovable. In early 2024, the company introduced a new tool called LangGraph to help businesses build AI 'agents' capable of performing specific tasks on their own. The tools have more than 20 million monthly downloads, according to the company's website. The round follows a $20 million Series A round in February 2024 led by Sequoia at a $200 million valuation. Langchain's other backers include top VCs like Benchmark, Conviction and Lux Capital. As more AI startups dedicate resources to creating apps or features that target sectors like healthcare, engineering or finance, LangChain is well positioned to sell its suite of tools to developers. But it'll have to watch out for AI coding tools like Cursor and Windsurf and website development apps like Lovable that help companies save time and money while automating the process of integrating AI into everything they do. Forbes Legal AI Startup Legora In Talks To Raise New Funding At A $675 Million Valuation By Rashi Shrivastava Forbes AI Startup Decagon In Talks To Raise $100 Million At A $1.5 Billion Valuation By Rashi Shrivastava Forbes Two Y Combinator Partners Are Leaving To Start A New Series A Fund By Richard Nieva
The Hindu
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Innovation Voucher Programme rolled out in NIFT-TEA College of Knitwear Fashion in Tiruppur
Innovation Voucher Programme (IVP), a State Government initiative to foster research, development and innovation among Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMES) and startups across key sectors, has been rolled out in the NIFT-TEA College of Knitwear Fashion, Tiruppur. Under the programme entailing providing financial grants to transform ideas into market-ready solutions through structured support, startups promoted by the Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) attached to NIFT-TEA was sanctioned funding. Innovative ideas with grants up to ₹2 lakh is provided under Voucher A for converting ideas into working prototype and up to ₹5 lakh under Voucher B for commercialisation support. The IVP encourages MSMEs and startups to utilise the services of a knowledge partner for furthering their innovative enterprises at the stage of pre-development and product or process development activities. Funding of ₹5 lakh each was extended to Water Might Technologies India Pvt Ltd, and Retro Wovens Pvt Ltd, while Endless Innovus Solution and Sri Balu Tex received ₹2 lakh respectively for their startups. The funding followed a Memorandum of Understanding signed between NIFT-TEA and Entrepreneurship Development and Innovation Institute, Government of Tamil Nadu, earlier this month. Addressing an awareness programme on the occasion, R. Ambalavanan, Director, EDII-TN, urged students to embrace entrepreneurial ventures. Mr. Ambalavanan joined the Institution Dean V.R. Sampath, Academic Chairman P. Moghan, and Chief Mentor Raja Shanmugam in highlighting the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation in shaping young minds. Mr. Ambalavanan advocated the Five E concept - Economy, Efficiency, Effectiveness, Environment, and Ethics as a guiding framework for successful entrepreneurship, and urged prospective entrepreneurs to utilise the AIC for make successful forays in developing startups. C. Shaunmugaraj, State Programme Manager of EDII, dwelt on leadership qualities and entrepreneurship, and elaborated on schemes fostering entrepreneurship among young minds. The MoU, alongside fostering a culture of entrepreneurship among students, will equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their chosen field, Principal of NIFT-TEA P.P. Gopalakrishnan said.
Global News
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Global News
Auto theft claims soar in Alberta as insurance industry calls on province for help
The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) claims the cost of auto theft in Alberta has jumped by 65 per cent over the past three years and it is calling on the provincial government to do more to help combat the crime. New data released Thursday by the IBC shows that insurance claims for stolen vehicles in Alberta totalled $110.3 million in 2024. That's a huge jump over 2021 when claims totalled $67 million. Over the longer term, IBC said, in the decade between 2014 and 2024, the cost of auto theft increased by 161 per cent. 2:08 9 of the top 10 most stolen vehicles in Alberta are pickup trucks The province's two biggest cities are where most of the vehicles are stolen, including more than $37 million in claims for stolen vehicles in Calgary in 2024 and close to $29 million in Edmonton. Story continues below advertisement They join Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray and Medicine Hat on the list of the top five Alberta cities for auto theft claims. View image in full screen Calgary with more than $37 million in auto theft claims and Edmonton with more than $28 million are the top cities on the list of 5 Alberta communities where most vehicles are stolen. Insurance Bureau of Canada IBC vice-president Aaron Sutherland credited the Alberta government for announcing a series of reforms to auto insurance last year, which the province claims will make insurance more affordable. However, Sutherland is also calling on the province to do more to help reduce the number of stolen vehicles. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Addressing the auto theft crisis requires urgent action on multiple fronts,' said Sutherland. The actions the insurance industry is asking the province to take include: Prohibit the vehicle information number (VIN) override function at registries, making it more difficult to change vehicle information for the purpose of fraud or theft; Update and standardize bills of sale for vehicles, making it more difficult to sell stolen or reVINed vehicles; Restrict third-party vehicle registrations to dealerships; and, Implement an insurance validation program (IVP), making it easier for law enforcement and auto registries to confirm that a vehicle has active insurance. 'It's extremely concerning that as other provinces, like Ontario, have taken action to make it more difficult for car thieves to operate and have seen a reduction in auto theft as a result while we continue to see the opposite trend here in Alberta,' said Sutherland. Story continues below advertisement Police forces in Alberta have blamed the sophisticated techniques used by organized crime for a recent decline in the number of stolen vehicles that are recovered in Alberta. 'We're likely seeing organized crime move westward,' said Sutherland, 'driving up auto theft in Alberta, adding costs and pressure to insurance premiums.' In a written response to an inquiry from Global News, the office of Nate Horner, minister of treasury board and finance, said 'Alberta is cracking down on auto theft.' 'Alberta's government is adding more boots on the ground with historic investments to hire hundreds of new police officers and expand law enforcement resources in high-crime areas….Alberta's government will continue working with law enforcement and industry to strengthen protections against auto theft and fraud. 'We will continue to review the IBC's report moving forward.'
Cision Canada
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Cision Canada
Auto Theft Claims Rise in Alberta, Deepening Strain on Insurance Market: IBC Urges Action
EDMONTON, AB, July 3, 2025 /CNW/ - Newly released data from Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) shows that the cost of auto theft continued to climb last year and is up dramatically over the past three years in Alberta. Auto theft claims costs were $110.3 million in 2024 compared to $67.0 million in 2021, an increase of 65%. The two cities hit hardest are Calgary and Edmonton, which saw auto theft claims cost increases of 81% and 79% between 2021 and 2024. Looking at the longer-term trend, since 2014, auto theft costs across the province have risen by 161%. "The auto theft crisis persists in Alberta at a time when the province's auto insurance system is already under tremendous strain from tariffs, inflation, growing legal costs, and rising vehicle repair and replacement costs," said Aaron Sutherland, Vice-President, Pacific and Western, IBC. "The provincial government took an important step last fall when announcing significant auto insurance reforms. But much more is needed, including more measures to curb auto theft." Auto theft disrupts lives and creates fear in communities across the province, with the province's city centres being hit the hardest. Top Five Alberta Cities by Increase in Auto Theft Claims Costs, 2021 to 2024 The Alberta government has begun to take steps to address the auto theft issue, including only allowing people with an Alberta driver's licence or ID to register a vehicle for someone else. This is a positive early step, but it is not enough. Alberta's auto insurers urge the Alberta government to take the following actions: Prohibit the vehicle information number (VIN) override function at registries. Currently, registry agents can override the VIN input system and enter an invalid or unconfirmed VIN, making it simple to change vehicle information for the purpose of fraud or theft. Alberta has seen an increase in reVINed vehicles and vehicles stolen for export, according to the 2024 Auto Theft Trend Report from Équité Association, a not-for-profit organization that helps insurers fight fraud. Update and standardize vehicle bills of sale. Updating policies to standardize vehicle bills of sale would make it more difficult to sell stolen or reVINed vehicles. Restrict third-party vehicle registrations to dealerships. The greater the number of people who can register a vehicle, the greater the fraud risk. Restricting this to licensed dealers helps prevent stolen or reVINed vehicles from entering the system. Implement an Insurance Validation Program (IVP). This would let law enforcement and provincial auto registries instantly confirm that a vehicle has active insurance, deterring uninsured driving. "Addressing the auto theft crisis requires urgent action on multiple fronts," said Sutherland. "By working together with governments, law enforcement, and other stakeholders, we can help ensure that Alberta's drivers are better protected against the scourge of auto theft." The rate cap aggravates the problem As auto theft and other pressures climb, the cost of providing auto insurance continues to grow, yet for the past three years, Alberta has frozen or capped auto insurance rates below the cost of providing coverage – the longest period of government interference in auto insurance in Canadian history. With premiums no longer reflecting the cost of providing auto insurance coverage, Alberta auto insurers paid out $1.17 in claims and expenses for every $1 they earned in premiums in 2024. This is not sustainable and, as Alberta auto insurance is becoming financially untenable, insurers have been forced to restrict the sale of coverage leaving many drivers facing challenges securing the coverage they need. Unless rates are permitted to reflect the actual cost of coverage, the ability of the Care-First model to deliver improved premiums will be placed in jeopardy. A new report from consulting firm MNP also found that the government's intention to maintain the ability to sue in Alberta's Care-First auto insurance model could add up to $136 to required premiums annually, further calling into question whether there will be any savings when the new system comes into place January 1, 2027. About Insurance Bureau of Canada Established in 1964, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, auto and business insurers. Its member companies make up the vast majority of Canada's highly competitive property and casualty (P&C) insurance market. As the leading advocate for Canada's private P&C insurers, IBC collaborates with governments, regulators and stakeholders to support a competitive environment for the P&C insurance industry to continue to help protect Canadians from the risks of today and tomorrow. IBC believes that Canadians value and deserve a responsive and resilient private P&C insurance industry that provides insurance solutions to both individuals and businesses. For media releases, IN Focus articles, or to book an interview with an IBC representative, visit Follow us on LinkedIn, X and Instagram, and like us on Facebook. If you have a question about home, auto or business insurance, contact IBC's Consumer Information Centre at 1-844-2ask-IBC. We're here to help.
