FUELING THE FUTURE: Torch.AI raises $30M; Robot delivery funding; Disruptel raises seed funding

  • Michigan Technological University has landed a $4.5M grant from the Department of Energy for self-driving vehicle research and development. The research will be led by the university in partnership with General Motors, the American Center of Mobility, and Stellantis.
  • Self-driving robot delivery startup Refraction AI has raised $4.2 million in seed funding led by Pillar VC. The fund will be used for customer acquisition, product development, and geographic expansion.
  • Disruptel, a St. Louis-based startup, has raised $1.1 million in seed funding to build a voice assistant that can provide detailed information about what’s happening on your TV screen.