This monthly column highlights five startup funding deals that may have flown under the radar. This month’s companies are working across robotics, space technology, cement production, gaming and carbon removal. The deals reflect investment in physical AI , satellite infrastructure and climate-focused technologies.
Santa Clara, California-based Maxinsights announced a $30 million seed round led by Peak XV Partners, with participation from Tola Capital, South Park Commons, Ince Capital and Alumni Ventures. The company pays people to wear cameras while performing everyday tasks, then uses its hardware and AI-powered software to collect, label and organize footage for robotics models. Maxinsights says it has captured more than 2 million hours of human activity, with 1.5 million hours ready for AI training, and is developing a sensor-equipped MaxGlove. Its customers include Genesis AI and Dyna Robotics.
London-based Foundational emerged from stealth with £8.2 million, around $11 million, in pre-seed funding led by Inflection, with participation from Type One Ventures, Final Frontier, Backed VC and Adjacent. The company uses satellite laser ranging to calculate satellite positions with millimeter-level accuracy. Its Origin software platform combines automated ground stations, satellite-mounted hardware and positioning data, while the company says its stations cost roughly 30 times less than legacy systems. The raise comes as space and satellite startups had attracted $20.3 billion globally by late August, according to Crunchbase data.
Calgary-based Cura Climate raised $10 million led by Zacua Ventures, with participation from Sandpiper Ventures, Amplify Capital and Vantage Futures. The company is developing an electrochemical process that uses electricity to separate carbon dioxide from limestone before it enters the kiln. Cura says the process could cut cement-related emissions by up to 85% and integrate with existing cement plants. The funding will support an Alberta pilot plant producing 100 metric tons annually and engineering work for a planned 30,000-metric-ton commercial demonstration facility.
Cyprus-based Mika Games raised $10 million led by Flint Capital to help early-stage gaming studios turn promising titles into commercial successes. Founded by Wargaming co-founder Nick Katselapov, Mika combines equity investments in game development with separate financing for early marketing campaigns. The company says it has five studios in its portfolio, including the developers of Legendale and Punko. Gaming startups had raised around $2 billion globally in 2026 as of late September, already exceeding the full-year 2025 total.
Zurich-based Cotierra raised $3 million co-led by PINC, the venture arm of Paulig, and Carbon Removal Partners. The company is developing decentralized reactors that turn agricultural waste into biochar close to where the waste is generated, while software monitors production and verifies environmental benefits. Cotierra has initially focused on Colombia’s coffee-growing regions and says its technology has been tested on coffee farms. The company plans to expand into cocoa, cotton and citrus production, while agriculture and farming startup funding totaled $2.8 billion through the third quarter of 2026.