SHERIDAN, WYOMING, USA. May 11th, 2025 – Markopolo.ai, the company building AI marketing employees for consumer businesses, has raised $2 million in a seed funding round led by Joa Capital, a Saudi-based venture capital firm focused on high-growth tech ventures across the GCC. The round also saw participation from Team Ignite Partners and a group of strategic angel investors.

Founded in 2022, Markopolo.ai is pioneering a shift from fragmented marketing toolkits to AI-powered, unified platforms. The company’s vision is to build AI employees that work alongside marketing and sales teams, automating repetitive tasks and enabling teams to focus on high-impact, strategic work.

Powering consumer growth through AI agents, Markopolo.ai provides a modular AI agent suite purpose-built for modern consumer businesses. The product lineup includes Mark: A media buying agent that can enhance marketing teams by autonomously running and optimizing campaigns across Meta, Google, TikTok, and Yahoo Japan; Nabiq: A scalable AI sales agent capable of executing millions of personalized, cross-channel conversational campaigns; and DeepDive: A real-time social listening and engagement engine that interprets public consumer data to activate relevant outreach. Together, these agents deliver an integrated solution that empowers brands to drive growth, optimize engagement, and unlock actionable insights.

Strengthening Roots in Saudi Arabia

Markopolo.ai has made strategic moves to anchor itself in the Kingdom. The company was supported by the Kingdom’s National Technology Development Program (NTDP) to relocate its HQ to the Kingdom (under the ‘Relocate Program’) and has been accepted into Taqadam Cohort 8 2025 by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), receiving a $140,000 grant. In addition, the company also won the AI Oasis Hackathon at LEAP 2024 in Riyadh.

These steps reflect Markopolo.ai’s commitment to contributing to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals, particularly in digital transformation, AI, and innovation for consumer sectors.

In previous funding rounds, the company received investment from Accelerating Asia, Startup Bangladesh and DIVC.

Tasfia Tasbin, CEO and Co-founder of Markopolo.ai, said: “At Markopolo.ai, we’re not just building software, we’re engineering AI employees built to think, act, and scale like your best marketing minds. This seed round is more than capital; it’s a battle cry. We’re going full throttle across the MENA region to empower thousands of businesses to outsmart, outcreate, and outgrow the competition. Our mission is to automate growth and redefine scale. With Markopolo, your company doesn’t just grow, it takes off. We’re here to put company growth on autopilot.”

Yousef Alyousefi CEO of Joa Capital, commented: “Markopolo.ai is building precisely the kind of company we look to back – globally scalable, deeply technical, and solving a real pain point in how consumer brands grow.

“Their AI-first platform reflects the future of marketing and sales enablement, and their rapid traction across multiple markets validates their approach. We’re proud to support their global expansion and excited to anchor that journey in Saudi Arabia, where innovation and AI adoption are accelerating in line with the Kingdom’s strategic priorities.”

ENDS

CORK, IRELAND, March 05, 2024 – Applied Biopharm Consulting Ltd has been awarded a grant from the Local Enterprise Office Cork North and West to fund a feasibility study, as part of an office-based assessment, to engineer viral capsids and other molecules using artificial intelligence and advanced computational tools. The grant will also be used for software licenses and computing infrastructure. 

The company aims to optimise the development of biomolecules, including engineered adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors using molecular screening techniques, which will improve the efficiency of delivering therapeutic genes to target cells. This is especially important for treating challenging medical conditions where traditional treatments may be limited.

At the core of Applied Biopharm’s innovation is the application of computer based techniques that use advanced methods to analyse large datasets of established protein structures. This allows the prediction of protein folding and interaction, aiding in the creation of novel gene therapies with better tissue specificity, improved delivery, and increased efficacy. Importantly, the technology’s flexibility allows Applied Biopharm to potentially apply these advanced techniques to develop other innovative therapies beyond AAV vectors.

Dr. Anthony Newcombe, Managing Director at Applied Biopharm Consulting Ltd. said: “Our goal is to develop applications to advance biopharmaceutical development by combining artificial intelligence, computational tools and molecular simulations to engineer AAV vectors and other biomolecules with improved precision.”

Kevin Curran, Head of Enterprise from the Local Enterprise Office Cork North and West said: “We are delighted to provide a feasibility study grant to Applied Biopharm Consulting Ltd and we look forward to seeing the positive impact of their research.”

The grant underscores Applied Biopharm’s dedication to advancing innovative solutions within the biopharmaceutical industry, while the core focus on consulting services continues to drive success for their clients in achieving manufacturing and compliance goals and bringing lifesaving products to market.

ENDS

Opportunity to invest in a producing and operational oil and gas field near the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana.

SAN FRANCISCO, MARCH 2022 – US Capital Global Securities LLC, an affiliate of US Capital, is offering eligible investors an investment opportunity of up to $54 million in Viceroy Petroleum LP’s (“Viceroy”) Field Development Project (FDP) in the Cote Blanche Island (CBI) Louisiana offshore oil and gas field. Viceroy is a family-owned independent producer involved exclusively in the drilling, exploration, and production of oil and gas. The company integrates advanced technology and optimized operation practices from expertise built up over 35 years, having operated over 120 onshore and offshore wells in Central and South Texas and Louisiana.

US Capital is a full-service private financial group with an established track record in investment banking, asset management, and capital formation services. The firm provides sophisticated debt, equity, and investment products to lower middle market companies and investors. All securities are offered by the group through its FINRA-member, SEC-registered broker-dealer affiliate, US Capital Global Securities LLC.

Viceroy is focused on unlocking proven, mature, developed fields by continuously acquiring and developing matured assets, while applying its own production and drilling operations. In 2020, the company acquired an offshore producing mature field, CBI, near the high-profile Gulf of Mexico waters covering 4,970 net acres. The shallow water field, located one mile off the coast of Louisiana, is a thoroughly mapped geologic profile with 10 wellbores and 30 additional unplugged wellbores available for sidetracking along with operational production, processing, and transportation facilities. It has over 50 reservoirs to target with legacy drilling data available from previous operations, such as by Texaco/Chevron.

“We have launched this equity raise to finance the expansion and further development of our CBI field,” said Matt Ferguson, President at Viceroy. “Since November 2020, the CBI field has been producing an average of 250 bpd of oil and 500 mcf/pd of gas. CBI production is fully secured with 100% of the crude oil produced being purchased by Shell Trading since December 2020. Our uniquely operational and economically structured project strategically focuses on drilling 22 wells, targeting proven oil and gas primary and secondary reserves to increase production to 3000 bpd of oil by Q3 2022. FDP will be completed in three phases over a three-year period with each well drilled bringing instantaneous production of oil and gas via our operational field production and transportation facilities. We are proud to have drilled our first project well in February this year following up on the proof of concept two wells drilled in 2021.”

“Viceroy has a sustainable business model that has delivered proven results over the last three decades,” said Charles Towle, CEO at US Capital Global Securities. “Viceroy’s President, Matt Ferguson, has grown the company from 40 production wells to 350 production wells across Texas and Louisiana and the company’s current CBI Project is well under way with the first milestone completed through the commencement of drilling operations this year and Phase 1 to commence in March this year. We believe the CBI field holds tremendous potential and offshore projects are forecasted to reach new record highs over the next five years, with mid-sized independent producers like Viceroy seeing the largest production increases, estimated at 49%. If you’re interested in Viceroy’s CBI project, the opportunity to participate in this $54 million equity offering is now open to eligible investors.”

Viceroy Petroleum LP (“Viceroy”) is a family-owned independent producer involved exclusively in the exploration, drilling operations, and production of oil and gas. The company integrates advanced science and technology with optimized operation practices from expertise built up over 35 years, having operated over 120 wells in Central and South Texas, and Louisiana. Viceroy owns and operates the Cote Blanche Island field and its production, processing and transportation facility, a 4,970-acre offshore producing mature field on the Louisiana shallow waters coast near the high-profile Gulf of Mexico waters.

US Capital Global Securities LLC (USCGS) is the FINRA-member broker-dealer division of US Capital that acts as placement agent for growth-stage companies, projects, and investment funds. Since 1998, US Capital has been committed to providing lower middle market businesses and investors with sophisticated debt, equity, and investment opportunities usually available only to larger middle market companies and institutional investors, using the latest FinTech and RegTech innovation. US Capital entities manage direct investment funds and provide wealth management and capital raise services. USCGS or its affiliates may provide advice to, be compensated by, may have other business relationships with, or may from time to time acquire, hold, or sell a position in the securities of the issuers mentioned herein. Any such offer or solicitation shall be made only pursuant to the confidential private placement memorandum. View USCGS’ Form CRS at www.uscapglobalsecurities.com/crs.html.

To learn more about US Capital, email Frank Villarreal, Senior Vice President, at fvillarreal@uscapglobal.com or call +1 415-889-1047.

Source: https://www.uscapital.com/news/us-capital-global-securities-launches-usd-54-million-equity-offering-for-viceroy-petroleum-cbi-field-development-project.html

KOTHAGUDA, INDIA, September 30 2022 – Appalla Saikiran the Founder & CEO of SCOPE is being Named as one of the Richest Teenage Entrepreneur’s in the global start-up ecosystem .

Appalla Saikiran, Founder and CEO of SCOPE, a new-age holistic platform for budding entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, investors, and industry experts, has bagged a place in Glantor X Nation Choice Awards for top 100 most powerful personalities.In addition to being named one of India’s 11 most successful teenage entrepreneurs by The Big Red Group, he has also been named the International Partner for India at the World Business Angel Investment Forum (WBAF). During the next Grand Assembly, Appalla will represent India at the largest equity investment forum in the world.

He oversees the core application and personifies the company’s development plans as well as spearheading the company’s strategic and business segments. He is also accountable for developing the platform’s marketing strategies and bringing stakeholders together on a single table.

SCOPE has onboarded some of the most prominent entrepreneurs & investors of the which includes the Founder of Tesla . Appalla will be making the Upcoming funding announcement in Palo Alto with the Board Members of SCOPE & with this Upcoming Funding Round SCOPE will be touching a Billion Dollar Valuation .

https://linktr.ee/Saikiran_appalla

Published and distributed by PR FIRE (www.prfire.co.uk) 

ThreatMark, provider of the most advanced online fraud prevention solution in the market, has completed a new $3M funding round led by Springtide Ventures, and also strengthened its executive leadership in order to continue expansion throughout Europe and North American markets.

Major online businesses impacted by digital fraud, such as those in the Financial Services Industry, benefit from ThreatMark’s AI-powered behavior profiling technology to enable secure customer experiences across all digital channels. This technology leverages innovative fraud prevention & threat detection, combining advanced behavioral biometrics, real-time transaction risk monitoring & analysis, and comprehensive cybersecurity expertise.

ThreatMark’s new CEO & President Daniel Rawlings commented on the news: “The increasingly sophisticated nature of modern threats and fraud require innovative solutions like ThreatMark. I’m impressed by ThreatMark’s track record of helping customers solve their fraud & compliance challenges. It’s an honor to lead such a great company and I look forward to expanding upon our successes and more globally deliver ThreatMark’s advanced fraud prevention solutions into the market, with an initial emphasis on Europe and North America.”

Michal Tresner, ThreatMark’s co-founder, who continues with the company as Chairman of the Board and also assumes the position of Chief Product Officer & Head of Solution Strategy, said: “Dan’s appointment is the result of an extensive global talent search we conducted to find just the right person, and I am delighted to have Dan join the company. The experience, industry expertise and relationship network that Dan brings to ThreatMark is a big step forward for us. Now we’re stronger and better equipped to help our customers around the world succeed in preventing digital fraud both today and in the future.”

“Building an innovative, scalable & high-performance fraud prevention solution that covers a broad variety of online fraud in the rapidly-evolving digital landscape has always been at the heart of our solution vision,” said Kryštof Hilar, ThreatMark’s co-founder and CTO, “Dan’s leadership and the additional resources will enable us to do just that.”

David Marek from Springtide Ventures commented: “Solving digital fraud is critical for the financial services industry and other online businesses globally. ThreatMark is perfectly positioned to lead the market with their advanced solution. We are pleased to welcome Dan to the ThreatMark team and stand firmly behind them to help enable their planned expansion and growth.”

About ThreatMark

Founded in 2015, ThreatMark brings trust in the digital world through advanced fraud prevention solution built on extensive cybersecurity know-how and the latest advancements in AI & Data Analytics. ThreatMark’s Anti-Fraud Suite processes a comprehensive set of data to continuously monitor user identities & their intentions while providing protection from sophisticated digital fraud.

To learn more about ThreatMark visit www.threatmark.com.

About Daniel Rawlings

Daniel is an experienced business leader and C-level executive in the software & technology industry, with a proven track record of delivering outstanding growth, customer success & winning culture. In his 20+ years of executive leadership roles, including CEO, CRO, and CCO, Dan has helped companies large & small to rapidly achieve new levels of growth and success.

To learn more about Dan visit – www.linkedin.com/in/danielrawlings1

About Springtide Ventures

Springtide Ventures focuses on supporting companies with global ambitions, whose services and products are based on or closely related to information technology (IT), especially in the areas of Cloud infrastructure, Cybersecurity and Big Data. So far, the fund has invested in more than ten Czech and Israeli companies. The fund holds stakes in Cognni, PlainID, ThreatMark and others.

LONDON, UK, 14TH MARCH 2023 – UK-based Legislate today announced it has added $3.6M in funding in a round led by Parkwalk Advisors, with participation from Oxford Capital and several high-profile angel investors. Using its patented knowledge graph technology, Legislate provides companies with ontologies of legal terms, allowing anyone in the business to semantically search for information across an entire database of contracts. The company, which until now has focused on creating a solution for startups and scaleups, is using the funds to double down on UK sales and prepare for international expansion in 2023.

“For scaling companies, keeping track of terms across hundreds or thousands of contracts is a challenge that creeps up on you. Searching for basic information like contract start and end dates, or nuances in confidentiality terms across entire databases of contracts is painfully manual, or impossible. Before working with us, we know that some of our customers would spend weeks doing this” said Charles Brecque, Legislate’s founder.  

“By allowing companies to create their own ontologies of terms and making them semantically searchable, we enable anyone in that business to search for information in contracts, even if they don’t have a legal background. That’s incredibly powerful for scaling companies where business teams need to review terms across hundreds of contracts quickly to understand exposure to risks”, he continued. 

With Legislate’s technology, contracts are first made machine-readable, this subsequently allows all business users to easily compare, create, query, and sign every contract without the need for outside legal involvement. 

In 2022 the company announced it had been granted its second US patent for semantic document generation, further enhancing its patented knowledge graph technology – ultimately benefiting Legislate’s customers. Customers primarily use Legislate for employment, consultancy, internal contracts, and terms of business agreements.

 

“We are delighted to have secured additional funding capable of helping us continue to drive innovation in this sector. The grant of our second patent last year has put our technology in an extremely strong position coming into 2023 – we’re making it easier for businesses of all sizes to create and manage complex contracts quickly and in a way that allows them to extract and aggregate data afterwards. We’re looking forward to what we can achieve this year as we focus on our sales capability”, commented Charles Brecque, Founder and CEO of Legislate.

 

“Legislate has developed a unique solution to simplify contracting for SMEs and mid-market businesses in a way that scales. We’re confident that they are well-positioned to take a significant portion of the market. Their focus on making contracts machine-readable is particularly impressive and we believe it has the potential to be a game-changer in the industry,” commented Claire Pardo from Parkwalk Advisors.

 

“We are proud to back Charles and the team in their mission to use tech to revolutionise contract creation and management. Investing in Legislate is investing in the future of machine-readable contracts. Their patented Knowledge Graph system sets them apart from other technologies and makes it simple for people without legal training to access contracts created by lawyers and manage them effectively,” commented Stephen Hampson, Investment Director at Oxford Capital.

 

For more information about Legislate, visit their website at https://legislate.ai/