Southeast Roundup: January 2026
It's the January Edition of the Southeast Roundup, where we recap what happened in the Southeast startup and venture scene this month.
Welcome to the first Southeast Roundup of 2026! We hope you are staying warm amidst the recent winter storms across the Southeast and are enjoying a energized start to the year. Thanks for checking out our January Southeast Roundup - as always, if you have reactions or feedback, suggestions for future newsletters, or want to get in touch, email ryan@buildinse.com.
The region wasted no time jumping back into action, with January delivering some of the largest funding headlines we’ve seen in recent months—including a massive $250M round in Miami, a $140M raise in Tennessee, and a $40M Series B in Virginia. From new ecosystem infrastructure in Alabama and Kentucky to major grant cycles opening in the Carolinas, the momentum is already building. Dive in for this month’s highlights.
From Build In SE
We are kicking off the year by updating our 2025 Southeast Capital Landscape database to ensure founders have the most accurate information on active investors in the region. If you missed the launch last month, you can access the full report and database here.
Additionally, we are deep in planning mode for our 2026 programming slate. Do you want us at your event? Or do you want to partner on bringing an event to life? Reach out to us at ryan@buildinse.com and we would love to connect!
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Funding & M&A
OpenEvidence (Miami, FL) raised a massive $250M Series D co-led by Thrive Capital and DST Global to scale its AI-powered medical search engine, which is already used by physicians at over 10,000 institutions. (The SaaS News)
Standard Nuclear (Knoxville, TN) secured $140M in new funding to accelerate the production of advanced nuclear reactor fuel, positioning the company as a key player in the nation’s clean energy supply chain. (NucNet)
AnswersNow (Richmond, VA) raised a $40M Series B led by HealthQuest Capital to double its clinician headcount and expand its virtual autism therapy services. (HLTH)
Thread Bank (Nashville, TN) secured $30.5M in funding led by Portage Ventures, with participation from Rockmont Partners, to continue scaling its embedded banking platform for small businesses and vertical SaaS companies. (SuperbCrew)
Biller Genie (Orlando, FL) secured a $22M Series B led by Radian Capital to accelerate the global expansion of its accounts receivable automation platform. (SuperbCrew)
Interos (Arlington, VA) raised $20M in new funding from Blue Owl Capital and Structural Capital to enhance its AI-powered supply chain risk management platform, bringing its total funding to over $300M. (Technical.ly)
Gridline (Atlanta, GA) raised an $18.5M Series A led by FINTOP Capital to expand its alternative investment platform, which simplifies access to private market funds for wealth managers and their clients. (LinkedIn)
Definity (Covington, KY) secured a $14M venture round to scale its SaaS platform, further solidifying Northern Kentucky’s reputation as a growing hub for enterprise software. (Hypepotamus)
One to One Health (Chattanooga, TN) received a $12M investment from Frist Cressey Ventures to scale its AI-enabled primary care platform for employers. (Business Wire)
MATERIAL (Miami, FL) raised $7.1M in Seed funding co-led by Outlander Ventures and Harpoon Ventures to revolutionize battery manufacturing with its 3D printing technology. (Refresh Miami)
Pull Logic (Atlanta, GA) landed a $3.3M Seed round to help manufacturers and retailers reduce lost sales through its AI-driven inventory optimization platform. (Pull Logic LinkedIn)
Titl (Miami, FL) raised a $2.5M Seed round led by Cofounders Capital and FIT Ventures to modernize property title verification using AI and blockchain technology. (Mann Publications)
Simparo Surgical (Mobile, AL) raised a $1M Seed round to advance the development of its novel surgical devices, marking a significant win for the Alabama medical device sector. (PitchBook)
Cloud Guidant (Lawrenceville, GA) closed a $500K Seed round to continue building its cloud computing solutions for enterprise clients. (Hypepotamus)
Pump for Joy (Davidson, NC) received an anchor $50K seed investment from Winston-Salem-based Equilibrium Impact Ventures via WeFunder. Pump for Joy is a mission-driven company developing biodegradable, single-use breast milk collection kits for working parents. (Equilibrium Impact Ventures)
Shappi (Chattanooga, TN) acquired Comparto Mi Maleta to solidify its position in the cross-border logistics market between the U.S. and Latin America. (Teknovation)
New & Notable Funds
Arlington Economic Development (Arlington, VA) announced its 2026 strategy for the Arlington Innovation Fund (AIF), focusing on scaling the region’s defense and dual-use technology ecosystem through targeted grants and ecosystem building. (Arlington Economic Development)
Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (Virginia) is launching its 2026 CCI+A funding cycle, offering “Catapult” and “Ascend” grants to help university researchers and early-stage startups commercialize cybersecurity innovations. (Virginia Tech)
Riley Capital announced the launch of its new venture fund, targeting early-stage healthcare ventures emerging from academic medical centers and research universities across the Carolinas. (Riley Capital LinkedIn)
Startup & Ecosystem Milestones
EcoLyfe (Atlanta, GA), a Georgia Tech student-founded startup, is partnering with utility providers in The Bahamas to deploy its smart grid technology, helping integrate renewables and reduce reliance on diesel. (Hypepotamus)
Whitecoat (Nashville, TN) announced significant momentum, landing contracts with the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association and securing $1.6M in total funding to scale its clinical workforce platform. (Teknovation)
BE NKY Growth Partnership (Northern KY) released its 2025 annual report, revealing that the region secured 15 major projects representing $425.5M in capital investment and nearly 2,000 new jobs last year. (NKyTribune)
Events & Programming
Upcoming
757 Build Weekend (Norfolk, VA) is returning on February 2-4 to bring together developers, designers, and creatives for a weekend of rapid prototyping and pitch competitions. (757 Collab)
Growth and Innovation Leaders Summit (Tuscaloosa, AL) will convene on February 6, bringing together C-level executives and leadership teams for a data-driven workshop. Designed as an executive education experience rather than a traditional conference, the one-day summit leverages new research, student consulting projects, and expert insights to help leaders drive growth within their organizations. (University of Alabama)
Florida Venture Capital Conference (Miami, FL) will be held February 23-25, 2026, bringing together over 1,000 attendees and 250+ investors for one of the largest venture gatherings in the Southeast. (Florida Venture Forum)
CED Venture Connect (Durham, NC) is set for March 24-25, 2026, offering a premier summit to connect high-growth companies with institutional capital. (CED NC)
Seed the South (Charlotte, NC) is set to take place May 18-19, 2026. The expanded two-day event will feature programming at Bank of America Stadium, bringing together the region’s top founders and investors. The event will feature the “Big Pitch” competition, and selected startups will compete for up to $100,000 in investment prizes from The Charlotte Fund; applications to pitch are open now. (Seed the South)
Completed
Startup Weekend Tuscaloosa (Tuscaloosa, AL) wrapped up on January 25, bringing together students and community members for a 54-hour sprint to build and pitch new business concepts at The EDGE. (The Crimson White)
Opportunities
RevTech Labs (Charlotte, NC) is accepting applications for its Class 24 Fintech & Insurtech accelerator. This 12-week hybrid program offers founders up to $120K in capital, a customized growth roadmap, and deep connections to Charlotte’s banking and insurance leaders. The program is tailored for post-revenue startups looking to scale through mentorship and strategic partnerships. The deadline to apply is January 30. (RevTech Labs)
Square One Startup School opened applications for its virtual pre-accelerator program, and is prioritizing pre-seed tech startups based in the U.S. Southeast. The 10-week, virtual-first program is designed to help early-stage tech founders build their first product, land their first customers, and secure their first investment. Founders have until February 13 to apply. (Square One)
NC IDEA has opened applications for its Spring 2026 Grant Cycle, including the MICRO ($10K) and SEED ($50K) grants. These non-dilutive grants are a critical source of early capital for North Carolina founders. Applications are open until February 23. (NC IDEA)
Startup Virginia (Richmond, VA) is accepting applications for its Idea Factory, a six-week program designed to help early-stage founders validate their business concepts through rigorous customer discovery. The hybrid program, running from March 16 to April 28, combines interactive workshops, mentorship, and real-world assignments to ensure solutions are grounded in actual customer insights rather than assumptions. Applications are due February 20. (Startup Virginia)
gener8tor (Huntsville, AL) is accepting applications for its SPARK program, a free, seven-week virtual accelerator designed to help early-stage founders validate their ideas and build their first product. The Spring 2026 cohort will run from March 10 through April 28, offering workshops, mentorship, and a clear pathway to future funding opportunities. Applications are due February 8. (gener8tor)
The University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL) is partnering with Techstars to host two “Founder Catalyst” programs in 2026, focusing on water tech and sustainability, further integrating the university with the global venture network. (The Crimson White)
Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (Virginia) is accepting proposals for its commercialization funds. Researchers and founders in the cybersecurity space can apply for funding to move their technologies from the lab to the market. (Virginia Tech)
Resources & Reads
Nashville has been named the fastest-growing startup ecosystem in the world by PitchBook, ranking #1 globally for ecosystem growth between 2019 and 2025. According to the Q4 2025 Global VC Ecosystem Rankings, Nashville achieved a growth score of 68.2, outpacing international hubs and other U.S. contenders like Sacramento and Austin. This top ranking reflects the Music City’s surge in deal count, deal value, and exit momentum over the past six years, cementing its status as a premier destination for high-growth ventures. (Teknovation)
WilmingtonBiz published a thought-provoking piece on whether Wilmington can become the “Silicon Valley of the East Coast,” emphasizing the need for sustainable growth. (WilmingtonBiz)
Inc. Magazine highlighted how Alabama is fueling its startup boom through community-led initiatives and strategic investment, showcasing the state’s model for public-private partnership. (Inc.)
Virginia Economic Development Partnership spotlighted the Commonwealth’s efforts to become “America’s top state for talent”, citing its leading concentration of tech workers and education system. (VEDP)
Arlington Economic Development published “Building What’s Next,” a look at how the Arlington Innovation Fund will evolve in 2026 to better support founders in the defense and tech sectors. (Arlington Economic Development)
Carta’s Peter Walker continues to examine startup fundraising trends and geographic breakdowns, as highlighted in two new posts:
Startup Ecosystem Rankings 2025, examining city-by-city capital investments overall and by sector
Startup Ecosystem Maturity 2025, assessing capital raised by state overall and by sector
Thanks for reading! If you have reactions or feedback, suggestions for future newsletters, or want to get in touch, email ryan@buildinse.com.