Dear Friend,

As mid-August 2025 unfolds, mobility witnesses significant platform consolidation and international expansion, with Ford's massive $5 billion investment in its Universal Electric Vehicle Platform signaling a strategic shift toward cost-efficient EV production, while India's electric two-wheeler market gains momentum through Ultraviolette Automotive's $22.2 million raise from TDK Ventures, Zoho Corporation, and Lingotto to accelerate production in the competitive Indian EV segment, and government support amplifies through Canada's $25 million allocation across 33 projects targeting EV charging infrastructure, advanced battery technology, and smart charging solutions nationwide.

The energy transition sector demonstrates strategic consolidation with Apollo Funds acquiring a majority stake in Germany-based Kelvion, a thermal management technology leader positioned to capitalize on accelerated growth in AI data centers, hydrogen infrastructure, electrification, and industrial decarbonization globally. This acquisition reflects the critical intersection of traditional energy infrastructure with emerging technologies requiring sophisticated thermal management solutions.

Physical AI experiences robust funding momentum with over $108 million in disclosed investments – highlighted by Mako's $8.5 million seed round led by M13 with backing from AMD and Tenstorrent to advance AI-powered GPU kernel generation and tuning for large-scale physical AI, robotics, and simulation systems, while EdgeCortix completes its Series B initial close with support from Yanmar Ventures and NTT Finance Corporation, bringing total funding to nearly $100 million for energy-efficient AI accelerators targeting robotics, industrial automation, aerospace, and defense applications.

Meanwhile, the mobility sector shows signs of market maturation as transport-tech company Via files for IPO after reporting significantly reduced losses for the six months ended June, suggesting investor confidence in the path to profitability for managed transportation platforms.

Stay sharp,

Mobility

1. Ultraviolette Automotive Raises ₹184 Cr (~$22.2 Million) for Electric Mobility
Bangalore-based Ultraviolette Automotive, a leader in performance electric two-wheelers, secured ₹184 crores in funding from TDK Ventures, Zoho Corporation, and Lingotto to accelerate production, innovation, and expansion in the competitive Indian EV segment.
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2. Ford Motor Company Invests $5 Billion in Universal Electric Vehicle Platform
Ford Motor Company announced a $5 billion investment to launch its new Universal Electric Vehicle Platform and Production System, aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing costs in its future EV offerings.
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3. Infracapital Buys German Rolling Stock Fleet for MAN Network
Infracapital completed the acquisition of a 19-strong rolling stock fleet for Germany’s MAN rail network, further consolidating its European transport assets.
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 4. Echo Global Acquires FreightSaver
Echo Global expands its managed transportation business by acquiring FreightSaver, increasing both operational capacity and geographic coverage.
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5. Via Files for IPO, Reports Narrowing Losses
Transport-tech company Via has publicly filed for an IPO after reporting significantly reduced losses for the six months ended June.
Read more

6. Canada Announces $25 Million for EV and Smart Mobility Projects
Canada allocated over $25 million in funding for 33 projects dedicated to expanding EV charging infrastructure, developing advanced battery tech, electrifying freight and fleets, and supporting smart charging solutions across Québec and nationwide.
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Energy Transition

1. Apollo Funds to Acquire Majority Stake in Kelvion, Boosting Data Center, Hydrogen, and Renewable Capabilities
Apollo will acquire a majority interest in Germany-based Kelvion, a thermal management technology leader for data centers and clean energy sectors, unlocking accelerated growth in AI, hydrogen, electrification, and industrial decarbonization globally.
Read more

2. Energy Vault secures $300 Million Preferred Equity for 1.5GW Grid-scale Storage Buildout
Energy Vault Holdings raised $300 million in preferred equity from a global infrastructure fund to launch Asset Vault, supporting over $1 billion in capex for 1.5GW battery storage projects across the US, Australia, and Europe; proceeds will expand its IPP “build-own-operate” strategy amid rising demand from renewables and AI data centers.
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3. Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners acquires 1 GWh Arizona Battery Storage
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), through its flagship fund CI V, acquired the 1 GWh Beehive Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Peoria, Arizona from EDF Power Solutions North America, further expanding its footprint in large-scale storage; the 250 MW, four-hour project is slated for commercial operation in 2026 under a 20-year tolling agreement with Arizona Public Service Company.
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4. Greenbacker Sells 51 MW Distributed Solar Portfolio to CleanCapital  
Greenbacker, a US-based renewable asset manager, sold a 51.2 MW portfolio of 64 operating distributed solar assets to CleanCapital, refocusing on larger-scale clean energy projects and re-investing proceeds into its pipeline of higher-impact utility-scale assets.
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Physical AI

1. Mako Raises $8.5 Million for AI-powered GPU Code Optimization
Mako, a New York-based startup, secured $8.5 million in seed funding led by M13, with support from AMD and Tenstorrent. The company’s AI platform automates GPU kernel generation and tuning, unlocking peak performance for large-scale physical AI, robotics, and simulation systems across diverse hardware.
Read more

2. Sola Solutions Raises $21 Million
Boston-based Sola Solutions, founded by two MIT dropouts, raised $21 million from Andreessen Horowitz and Sarah Guo to automate enterprise "grunt work" and replace traditional robotic process automation.
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3. EdgeCortix Completes Series B Initial Close
Tokyo-based EdgeCortix, specializing in energy-efficient AI processing for edge applications including robotics and industrial automation, completed the initial close of its Series B funding with investors including Yanmar Ventures and NTT Finance Corporation, driving total funding to nearly $100 million.
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4. North American Robotics Investment Shows Steady Growth
A3 reports North American companies ordered 17,635 robots valued at $1.094 billion in the first half of 2025, representing a 4.3% increase in units and 7.5% revenue growth compared to H1 2024, with automotive OEMs leading with 34% year-over-year growth.
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5. EdgeCortix Completes Initial Close of Series B, Nearly $100 Million Total Funding
TOKYO-headquartered EdgeCortix, a fabless semiconductor innovator for energy-efficient AI accelerators in robotics, industrial automation, aerospace, and defense, announced the initial close of its Series B round, bringing cumulative equity and government awards to nearly $100 million. 
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