Still, early-stage rounds accounted for nearly half of all deals in the quarter. This points to continued investor interest in emerging tech solutions focused on optimizing product development and reducing costs as companies grapple with ongoing supply chain disruptions.

Using CB Insights data, we assess the advanced manufacturing tech landscape in Q1’23, including:

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The post The State of Advanced Manufacturing Tech in 7 charts: Funding hits its lowest point since Q2’20 appeared first on CB Insights Research.

For example, the growing popularity of EVs has also increased demand for high-performing semiconductors like silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN), which can handle high-power applications more efficiently than traditional silicon chips — useful for increasing the driving range of EVs. Bosch, one of the leading automotive parts suppliers globally, recently doubled down on the silicon carbide space by acquiring TSI Semiconductors and announcing plans to invest $1.5B in upgrading one of its facilities to produce SiC semiconductors.

This trend towards efficient and high-performing semiconductors in the EV industry is likely to continue as automakers seek ways to improve vehicle performance and range.

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Smart grids, which rely on new technologies like smart meters and distributed energy resources to optimize energy flows and utility operations, are designed to be more resilient, efficient, and secure than traditional electrical grids. They allow utilities to better monitor and manage electricity flows, detect outages, and respond to restore power.

They are also a key part of transitioning toward a low-carbon economy, helping move away from fossil fuels while still providing reliable electricity services to households and businesses around the world.

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But the company’s interests extend far beyond aerospace — and many of its focus areas cut across industries. For instance, Lockheed has invested heavily in developing advanced manufacturing capabilities and is also quickly expanding its space-based communications offerings. Meanwhile, advances in AI and leveraging next-gen computer chips are also set to play key roles across many of its business lines.

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The post Analyzing Lockheed Martin’s growth strategy: How the aerospace giant is spearheading advances in AI, manufacturing, and defense tech appeared first on CB Insights Research.

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This achievement is partly attributed to its pioneering work in accelerated computing, which uses specialty hardware to complete demanding software tasks much faster than previously possible.

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The post Analyzing NVIDIA’s growth strategy: How the semiconductor leader is powering generative AI and the future of computing appeared first on CB Insights Research.

Field intelligence platforms, also known as farm management software, use sensors and artificial intelligence (AI) to collect, map, and analyze field and orchard data. Data sources include drones and satellites, soil/water/air sensors, weather stations, irrigation systems, and tractor-mounted sensors and cameras.

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Weeding robots allow farmers to mechanize and automate weeding, which helps reduce labor needs as well as pesticide and herbicide usage. These robots leverage artificial intelligence, machine learning, machine vision, lasers, and other technology to accurately locate and pluck out weeds.

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Gone are the days when governments were the only players involved in space exploration. In the last decade, private companies like Elon Musk-led SpaceX have driven dramatic declines in launch costs, fueling an explosion of activity: 2022 saw a record 180 rockets launch into orbit, with 61 coming from SpaceX.

Innovation and cost reduction in space tech have also unleashed new opportunities on Earth, from expanding internet access to redefining military operations. Competition is heating up, not only between aerospace players, but also from non-traditional players like Amazon, which recently got the green light from the FCC for its Project Kuiper satellite constellation.

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The post Analyzing SpaceX’s growth strategy: How the space leader is reshaping space exploration, telecom, national security, and beyond appeared first on CB Insights Research.

Its portfolio includes several high-valued tech companies, such as Mindbody, Pluralsight, and Ping Identity.

Since the beginning of 2022, Vista Equity Partners has been involved in numerous transactions and has participated in multiple mega-rounds (deals worth $100M+). The firm has also taken several companies private at billion-dollar valuations.

Using CB Insights data, we mapped how Vista Equity Partners has spread its investments and acquisitions since 2022 across categories like cybersecurity, financial services, enterprise tech, and more.

CB Insights clients can dig deeper into all 21 deals listed above using this CB Insights platform search.

The post Analyzing Vista Equity Partner’s investment strategy: Where the PE firm is betting big across key industries appeared first on CB Insights Research.

The tech is already delivering time and cost savings in a range of business functions, from R&D to product design. For instance, generative AI could reduce design timelines by up to 90% for infrastructure projects and slash raw material use by upwards of 95% in industrial design. 

Industrials incumbents are moving quickly to take advantage. Hyundai, for instance, has used Autodesk’s generative design software to figure out how to efficiently make parts for new vehicle modalities. IBM, meanwhile, is using generative AI to identify and test computer chip materials. 

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But powering these centers is no small feat. Data centers already represent around 1% of global electricity consumption and account for nearly 1% of greenhouse gas emissions. Now energy-intensive new technology like generative AI and large language models (LLMs) are gaining momentum, and they’re driving up energy consumption and costs even further.

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The company’s portfolio includes some of the most iconic and successful companies in the world, like SolarWinds, Blue Coat, Stamps.com, and SailPoint.

Thoma Bravo has participated in 27 transactions since 2022. The firm also invested in 5 mega-round ($100M+) deals and took multiple companies private at billion-dollar valuations during that time frame.

Using CB Insights data, we mapped how Thoma Bravo spread its investments and acquisitions since 2022 across categories like cybersecurity, financial services, enterprise software, and more.

CB Insights clients can dig deeper into all 27 deals listed above using this CB Insights platform search.

The post Analyzing Thoma Bravo’s investment strategy: Where the PE firm is betting big across key industries appeared first on CB Insights Research.

The company’s nuclear power plants make up approximately 60% of its power generation portfolio. Through strategic partnerships with companies like Westinghouse Electric and General Electric, Exelon is using data analytics to improve efficiency at nuclear facilities and other power plants.

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After decades of expanding into new verticals like security and healthcare, the company has recently divested of those spaces and is returning its focus to its core businesses of handheld tools and power equipment. Stanley Black & Decker is aggressively acquiring companies and investing billions of dollars in these areas with an industrial focus, helping reduce its exposure to the consumer market.

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The post Analyzing Stanley Black & Decker’s growth strategy: How the industrial giant is digitizing the job site of the future appeared first on CB Insights Research.

• Virtual power plants to increase grid flexibility during peak demand and reduce the need for distant, centralized power stations
• Microgrids to increase power reliability and security
• Remote drone monitoring to reduce operational costs for maintaining grid assets such as power lines and substations
• Grid storage to increase grid sustainability and reliability by storing renewable energy until it is needed
• Blockchain technology to help track renewable energy credits and facilitate peer-to-peer energy trading

Below, we dive into these technologies: how they work, who has an edge, and how they’re shaping the future of the power grid.

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The post The Future of the Grid: How technology is making the power grid more efficient, reliable, and sustainable appeared first on CB Insights Research.

Under pressure from consumers and investors, more and more companies are announcing goals of reaching net-zero carbon output. Meanwhile, earnings call discussions mentioning sustainability topics have become much more common in the last few years.

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The post What is Microsoft doing to optimize energy use & reduce emissions? appeared first on CB Insights Research.

Thanks to these new technologies, carbon emissions from the electric power sector in the US have fallen by almost a third in the past decade or so. This occurred despite a similar amount of electricity generation and no increase in the inflation-adjusted real price of electricity.

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The post Prioritizing 10 technologies helping utility companies transform the power grid appeared first on CB Insights Research.

However, the company’s recent rebrand from Total to TotalEnergies reflects a change in strategy to include more sustainable business segments. As part of the transition, the company is focused on vehicle electrification (both the infrastructure and charging solutions to optimize the flow of energy) as well as EV battery tech. 

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However, as the shift toward autonomous and electric vehicles accelerates, automotive suppliers like Bosch are ramping up their investment in next-generation automotive technologies — such as advanced electronics and semiconductors — as well as establishing more collaborative relationships with other manufacturers.

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Automakers are shifting away from traditional technologies like internal combustion engines and moving toward a future of autonomous vehicles, electrification, and increased connectivity.

This transformation also extends beyond the vehicle and into the factory, where automation and robotics play an increasing role in the assembly line.

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The post Unbundling ABB: How the industrial robotics giant is being disrupted appeared first on CB Insights Research.

Companies in carbon offset marketplaces offer carbon trading software that mediates carbon offset sales between providers, such as forest developers, wetland restorers, and regenerative farmers, and buyers. This category also includes companies creating tools that validate the physical progress from offset projects, such as tracking forest and crop growth via satellites.

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We covered all of these developments and many more across the food & beverage space to help affected players make informed tech-buying decisions.

For example, grocery retailers focused on omnichannel enablement can discover relevant tech solutions in our omnichannel enablement market map for grocery leaders, determine which markets to prioritize with our corresponding MVP framework, and decide which companies are ideal for partnerships or investments using our market-specific ESP Vendor Rankings, including this one covering grocery microfulfillment. 

Our predictions for the upcoming year include:

• Companies will continue to invest in AI and robotics to increase customer engagement as well as address both labor shortages and increased labor costs. For example, these technologies will help fast food chains leverage automation to make kitchen operations more efficient and cost-effective.
• Restaurants, food & beverage brands, and grocery retailers will shift more of their focus toward managing costly food waste and meeting their climate goals. Expect these players to turn to tech such as food monitoring hardware, surplus food marketplaces, and more.
• To build more resilient food supply chains, farmers will likely continue to deploy easy-to-install precision agriculture tech, like farm management software, which improves farm efficiency at a relatively low capital cost.

To kick off 2023, we brought together our top food & beverage research in the curated list below.

GROCERY RETAIL TECH

• The Future of the Supermarket: How technology is making grocery shopping more personalized, efficient, and sustainable
• [Client Research] 157 companies helping grocery leaders adapt to the omnichannel shopper journey
• [Client Research] How grocery retailers should prioritize these 11 technologies supporting omnichannel enablement
• [Client Research] What are Walmart, Kroger, and Albertsons doing in microfulfillment?
• [Client Research] Analyzing Ocado’s growth strategy: How the grocery tech giant is shaping the future of the supermarket
• [Client Research] What this $37B grocery giant is doing to optimize its inventory management
• [Client Research] Tech Market Map Report: Supply Chain Optimization in Grocery
• [Client Research] MVP Technology Framework: Supply Chain Optimization for Grocery Retailers
• [Client Research] Analyzing Carrefour’s growth strategy: How the retailer is digitizing its operations to improve profitability

RESTAURANT TECH

• Unbundling McDonald’s: How the traditional fast food industry is being disrupted
• The Future of Fast Food: How robot chefs, virtual ordering, and autonomous delivery will feed us in 2030
• How restaurants can increase profitability and reduce food waste using robotic food preparation
• How restaurants can reduce the cost of R&D using AI tongues and social listening
• How restaurants can increase check size using conversational AI and AI-powered recommendation engines
• How restaurants can capture high-value customers using NFT loyalty programs
• How restaurant chains can use the metaverse to create a new digital channel for orders
• How restaurants can reduce reliance on gig workers using autonomous delivery
• [Client Research] 160 companies helping food service leaders to automate and digitize their restaurants
• [Client Research] Prioritizing the 12 technologies automating and digitizing the restaurant and food service industry

SUSTAINABILITY & FOOD WASTE MANAGEMENT

• [Client Research] 88 companies reducing food waste across the supply chain
• [Client Research] Analyzing Nestlé’s growth strategy: How the company is prioritizing health & sustainability across its portfolio
• [Client Research] Analyzing Danone’s growth strategy: How the CPG giant is creating a more sustainable food supply chain
• [Client Research] Analyzing PepsiCo’s growth strategy: How the CPG giant is improving supply chain sustainability and reducing emissions

FOOD & MEAL DELIVERY

• [Client Research] Analyzing DoorDash’s operational strategy: How the delivery leader is investing in local commerce
• [Client Research] 60+ early-stage companies reshaping food & meal delivery
• [Client Research] 40+ early-stage companies transforming food & beverage product development and distribution

AGTECH

• [Client Research] The Future of the Farm: How technology is making farms more connected, efficient, and sustainable
• [Client Research] 107 companies developing precision agriculture tech to enhance farm operations and environmental impact
• [Client Research] Prioritizing 12 precision agriculture technologies streamlining farm operations
• [Client Research] Analyzing John Deere’s growth strategy: How the American manufacturing giant is betting on agtech

The post Our top food & beverage research and trends to watch appeared first on CB Insights Research.

In fact, 4 out of 5 construction firms consistently report having a hard time filling some or all positions, according to the Associated General Contractors of America. With 40% of US construction workers expected to retire within the next decade, this labor challenge is expected to get even more difficult. 

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