Given the holiday season, the last two months of the year are typically slower for funding news. That said, some businesses still raise capital.
In December a few dozen Colorado companies raised venture capital funding. The five largest rounds as of Dec. 27 raked in a collective $114.85 million with most funds coming in as seed rounds. One company, however, pulled in a large Series B.
Xiant Technologies — $2.85 million
Greeley-based agtech startup Xiant Technologies raised $2.85 million as part of a $5 million round, according to a Form D filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Dec. 26. Xiant is known for its growing lamps that help maximize agricultural production for plants and poultry. The startup also raised a nearly $8 million round in 2022 and a $2.5 million one in 2019.
Polaris Electro-Optics — $3 million
Polaris Electro-Optics develops energy-efficient integrated photonics products for computing and communications industries that are intended to solve acute data transfer bottlenecks. The Broomfield-based business pulled in a $3 million seed round led by Rhapsody Venture Partners. The round included participation from Buff Gold Ventures, a VC firm that invests in entrepreneurs from the University of Colorado.
ACI Learning — $4 million
Founded in 2020, ACI Learning trains people in cybersecurity, audit and information technology. It offers on-demand learning and in-person and virtual, instructor-led courses. The Centennial-based startup raised $4 million in equity from two investors, according to a Form D filed with the SEC on Dec. 19. Earlier in the month, ACI Learning acquired Maryland-based Infosec Learning, which specialized in cybersecurity, software and cyber ranges training.
Sindri — $5 million
Denver-based Sindri offers a serverless solution for developers to verify data with zero-knowledge (ZK) proof, which can be used for blockchain platforms and applications. The platform is used by blockchain developers, ZK researchers and ZK coprocessors. The company raised a $5 million seed round led by CoinFund in December. The funds will help Sindri grow its team and developer network.
True Anomaly — $100 million
Raising the largest round of the month, True Anomaly pulled in a $100 million Series B to significantly ramp up its hiring efforts. The Centennial-based space defense company is building spaceflight tech for the U.S. Space Force. The 18-month-old company said it plans to hire dozens of software and hardware employees over the next year and grow from a team of 107 people to 190 by the end of 2024. The Series B was led by Riot Ventures, who participated in True Anomaly’s other round announced in April.
