Southeast Roundup: February 2026
It's the February Edition of the Southeast Roundup, where we recap what happened in the Southeast startup and venture scene this month.
Welcome to the February Edition of the Southeast Roundup! It has been an incredibly active month across the region, highlighted by new regionally-focused funds, opportunities and events, and hundreds of millions of dollars deployed across healthcare, infrastructure, and AI startups. Let’s dive into this month’s highlights.
From Build In SE
We are continuing our mission to support and spotlight the organizations and individuals building the future in the Southeast. In our latest episode of the Builder’s Blueprint podcast, Build In SE’s Ryan Pellegrino sat down with Dan Roselli, co-founder of RevTech Labs and Packard Place in Charlotte. In this wide-ranging conversation, Dan shares his transition from the corporate world to startup investing, highlighting the critical role of storytelling for technical founding teams. He also unpacks Charlotte’s evolution from a pure banking town into a diverse, world-class tech ecosystem, his perspective on AI as a mechanism rather than a standalone solution, and the unique framing of entrepreneurship as an economic development “risk mitigation” strategy. Listen to the full interview here, or click the link below.
Builder's Blueprint: Dan Roselli
In this episode of Builder’s Blueprint, Build In SE team member Ryan Pellegrino interviewed Dan Roselli, a fixture of the Charlotte innovation community. Dan is co-founder of RevTech Labs, the first and oldest startup incubator program in Charlotte. He is also a co-founder of Packard Place, an innovation community hub in the city, and previously founded…
Funding & M&A
Honest Medical Group (Nashville, TN) raised $140M to advance value-based care solutions for health systems, equipping them with tools and financial models to improve clinical outcomes for Medicare populations. Honest Medical Group
Slate Medicines (Raleigh, NC) secured a $130M Series A led by RA Capital Management, Forbion, and Foresite Capital to develop novel pharmacological treatments for migraines and headache disorders. Axios
ILiAD Biotechnologies (Weston, FL) closed a $115M Series B led by RA Capital Management to further its development of advanced whooping cough vaccines. Fierce Biotech
Ubicquia (Fort Lauderdale, FL) raised a $106M Series D led by 67 Capital and Marunouchi Innovation Partners to expand its smart city and digital infrastructure platforms. Axios
SynthBee (Fort Lauderdale, FL) raised a $100M round led by Crosspoint Capital Partners to build out its collaborative intelligence platform aimed at enterprise innovation. PR Newswire
Urban SDK (Jacksonville, FL) raised a $65M Growth round from Riverwood to expand its civil analytics and mobility software for local governments. LinkedIn
DG Matrix (Morrisville, NC) secured a $60M Series A led by Engine Ventures to scale its solid-state transformer solutions for electrification and data centers. TechCrunch
GenLogs (Arlington, VA) landed a $60M Series B led by Battery Ventures to scale its freight intelligence and supply chain visibility platform. FreightWaves
Matia (Miami, FL) closed a $21M Series A led by Red Dot Capital Partners to enhance its unified data operations platform. Axios
Linq (Birmingham, AL) raised a $20M Series A led by TQ Ventures. Founded by former Shipt executives, the company is pivoting to provide AI messaging infrastructure for businesses via iMessage, SMS, and RCS. TechCrunch
Payra (Nashville, TN) announced a $15M growth investment from Edison Partners to modernize accounts receivable and ERP-native payments for construction and blue-collar suppliers. Business Wire
Croissant (Nashville, TN) raised $14M from Portage, Third Prime, and George Roberts to grow its fashion-focused fintech platform, which guarantees resale value for shoppers at checkout. WWD
Qualytics (Orlando, FL) secured an oversubscribed $10M Series A led by BMW i Ventures to meet surging enterprise demand for its AI-powered, augmented data quality platform. PR Newswire
Neural Earth (Miami, FL) landed a $9.3M Seed round to continue building its geospatial risk intelligence platform for defense and commercial sectors. Finsmes
ConnectMusic (Memphis, TN) announced an oversubscribed $7M Series A led by Rockmont Partners to scale its music rights monetization technology for independent creators. Memphis Business Journal
Dono (Palm Beach, FL) raised $6.5M in Seed funding led by Link Ventures to streamline and automate real estate workflows using its property records platform. Axios
Synply (Wilmington, NC) closed a Seed round and announced a strategic acquisition to fuel the growth of its fintech platform tailored to niche lending. Wilmington Biz
Maestro AI (Parkland, FL) secured $1.2M in Pre-Seed funding led by New Stack Ventures to build a vertical AI-powered platform for mortgage origination.
Hardshell AI (Arlington, VA) announced a $1.1M Pre-Seed round from Blue Ventures, Front Porch Venture Partners, CAV Angels, Mojo Ventures, and others to scale its automated, AI-driven compliance and cybersecurity solutions. LinkedIn
New & Notable Funds
Frist Cressey Ventures (Nashville, TN) announced the oversubscribed close of its $425M Fund IV, pushing total AUM near $1B. Led by former Senator Bill Frist, the firm focuses on early-stage healthcare companies reshaping care delivery through tech and AI-native models. Backed by strategic LPs like The Cigna Group Ventures, MedStar Health, and OhioHealth, FCV also unveiled the fifth class of its “FCV Collective,” an executive network designed to support founder growth and navigate healthcare policy. PR Newswire
Cofounders Capital (Cary, NC) is raising a $50M+ fund specifically aimed at accelerating early-stage AI companies across North Carolina and the broader Southeast U.S. LinkedIn
NC Tweener Fund (Durham, NC) officially launched through a strategic partnership between NC IDEA and the Triangle Tweener Fund. The rebrand signals broader, statewide support for scaling “Tweener” stage startups. The $4 million five-year limited partner investment will enable the Fund to broaden its investment mandate to support companies statewide under the rebranded name “NC Tweener Fund, Powered by NC IDEA.” The NC Tweener Fund will continue to co-invest in early-stage companies in North Carolina using an index-style approach, emphasizing a highly diversified portfolio of approximately $50,000 per investment. NC IDEA
The Dry Dock (Nashville, TN) officially launched as a new deep tech foundry and startup studio through a radical collaboration with Vanderbilt University. The initiative is designed to accelerate dual-use technologies and fuel early-stage defense tech innovation across the region. LinkedIn
Community Equity Ventures (Knoxville, TN) was launched by Community Equity Partners to provide strategic capital and operational support to underserved startups and founders across the “Interior Innovation Corridor”, the region stretching from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast and from the Appalachians to the Plains. Teknovation
Startup Milestones
NextGEN (Greenville, SC) announced the launch of SC NEXUS eiX, a new venture creation engine designed to move deep tech and energy resilience ideas from concept to commercialization. Supported by SC Commerce and SCRA, and powered by FedTech, this structured 15-month accelerator pairs local entrepreneurs with breakthrough technologies from federal laboratories. Rather than a traditional short-term program or pitch competition, eiX serves as critical, long-term infrastructure to actively build, incorporate, and scale high-growth companies right in South Carolina. NextGEN
Palantir (Miami, FL) officially relocated its corporate headquarters from Denver to Miami, citing the region’s favorable business climate. The multibillion-dollar move adds immense weight to South Florida’s enterprise AI and defense tech sector, and brings additional tech talent to the region. CNBC
GRVTY (Fairfax County, VA), an emerging defense technology company, announced it will establish its new headquarters in Fairfax County. The move will bring additional defense tech innovation and localized investment to the Northern Virginia ecosystem. Fairfax County EDA
National Innovation Quarter (Arlington, VA) officially announced the founding of its new innovation district, designed to serve as a centralized hub for dual-use and defense technology in the DMV area. The district is strategically positioned to bridge the critical gap between national security needs and commercial tech innovation, bringing together early-stage startups, established defense contractors, academic institutions, and federal agencies. LinkedIn
Events & Programming
Upcoming Events
Venture Connect (Raleigh, NC) – March 24-25. Hosted by CED, this leading conference brings together tech and biotech founders, operators, and investors to scale startups and forge meaningful connections across the Southeast. Venture Connect
Super South (Atlanta, GA) – March 30-April 1. This summit unites global visionaries, innovators, and policymakers to showcase sustainable technologies, foster a circular economy, and accelerate climate action. Super South
Southeast Venture Showcase (Nashville, TN) – April 20-21. This exclusive showcase empowers research universities and federal labs across the Southeast to present their most promising, investable technology ventures to the nation’s venture community. Southeast Venture Showcase
Raleigh-Durham Startup Week (Raleigh-Durham, NC) – April 20-24. A five-day regional movement featuring over 50 sessions designed to connect, support, and celebrate the vibrant entrepreneurial community across the Triangle area. Raleigh-Durham Startup Week
Seed The South (Charlotte, NC) – May 18-19. Innovate Charlotte’s official capital summit returns to facilitate high-powered connections among founders, funders, and support organizations, empowering emerging talent across the region. Build In SE’s Monique Villa Capra will be a part of the event’s Selection Committee for the $100K pitch competition. Seed The South
Fintech + Insurtech Generations (Charlotte, NC) – June 10. Hosted by RevTech Labs as the anchor event of Charlotte Fintech Week, this premier conference connects entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate leaders shaping the future of finance and insurance. Build In SE subscribers can use code BUILDSE25 for a 25% discount on registration. Fintech + Insurtech Generations
Opportunities
gener8tor (Birmingham, AL) is accepting applications for two specialized healthtech programs: gBETA Prosper HealthTech, a free, seven-week, no-equity incubator for early-stage companies, and the Prosper HealthTech Investment Accelerator, a 12-week program offering a $100K investment. Both programs connect founders with targeted mentorship, corporate partners, and a national investor network. LinkedIn
Sloss.Tech/Ideas (Birmingham, AL) is accepting applications for its Southeast Pitch Competition. Startups can compete for $135,000 in prizes, with applications open through April 10, 2026. Apply Here
Singing River Trail Launch Tank (Florence, AL) is accepting applications for its fifth annual “Shark Tank”-style pitch competition. North Alabama entrepreneurs can compete for up to $25,000 in cash and prizes, along with mentorship and regional support. Applications close March 22, 2026. LinkedIn
Arlington Economic Development (Arlington, VA) is currently accepting applications for its latest seed funding and innovation programs. Early-stage tech founders building in AI, cybersecurity or dual-use solutions in Northern Virginia can apply for non-dilutive capital and strategic support to accelerate their growth. LinkedIn
VIPC Entrepreneur in Residence (Richmond, VA) applications are open, offering seasoned founders the chance to mentor emerging tech startups across the Commonwealth. The program embeds seasoned entrepreneurs within Virginia’s research universities to accelerate the commercialization of high-potential innovations.. VIPC
gener8tor North Alabama (Huntsville, AL) is calling all founders in the region to apply for its upcoming accelerator cohort, providing crucial early-stage capital and coaching. Applications close March 8. LinkedIn
Resources & Reads
Revolution (Washington, D.C.) released a comprehensive new report titled “Invest Local: The State of Intra-State Investing,” shedding light on the critical role that regional capital plays in sustaining emerging tech hubs. The analysis details how local limited partners and state-focused venture funds are increasingly anchoring early-stage ecosystems across the country. For founders and investors in the Southeast, the data underscores the growing importance of localized funding mechanisms in bridging the early-stage capital gap and keeping high-growth companies rooted in their home states. Revolution
First Avenue Ventures (Birmingham, AL) released its 2025 Birmingham Ecosystem Annual Assessment. Put together by Principal Mike Goodrich, the report analyzes the health of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, tracking 66 funded startups and drawing unique insights from a boots-on-the-ground perspective. First Avenue Ventures
Commercial Cafe released its 2026 ranking of the Best Southern Metros for Tech, highlighting the Southeast’s growing ecosystem dominance. Four North Carolina cities secured spots in the Top 20, with Raleigh at #3 overall; Huntsville, Atlanta, and Tampa also featured in the Top 10. Commercial Cafe
Overline VC (Atlanta, GA) Partner Sean O’Brien shared a compelling perspective on the Southeast venture landscape, emphasizing the region’s continued momentum, capital-efficient growth, and why the current market presents a unique opportunity for early-stage founders and investors. LinkedIn
Thanks for reading! If you have reactions or feedback, suggestions for future newsletters, or want to get in touch, email ryan@buildinse.com.