💡Buckle Up, 2025: The Road to Innovation Starts Now

We’re excited to start the year supporting founders reshaping mobility. With bold innovations ahead, 2025 promises progress, collaboration, and lasting impact. Let’s build the future together!

Jan 23, 2025

Welcome to The Paddock, your go-to place for the latest insights and trends revolutionizing the mobility sector globally. 🚗

— Curated by Rodolfo, Enrique, Gastón, Cecy, and Bernardo: the Proeza Ventures team. 💪

📌 Do you know a startup reshaping mobility by being more efficient, safer and environmentally friendly? We want to meet them! 📩

🏁 Check our investment thesis and learn more about our Portfolio Co.

🏆 Our PortCos News

🔋 Congratulations to Electric Era on an Exciting Milestone!

A huge shoutout to Electric Era for launching their newest EV charging station in Water Valley, Mississippi! This achievement marks their first site in the state, the first municipally-owned charging station they've deployed, and their second grant-funded site within the Tennessee Valley Authority's jurisdiction.

With 11 sites launched and counting, Electric Era is setting the standard for expanding access to EV charging in underserved areas. This milestone reflects their relentless commitment to innovation, sustainability, and creating a stellar experience for EV drivers.

We’re proud to support founders like Quincy Lee and the Electric Era team as they continue reshaping the future of mobility. Here’s to even more success in 2025! 🚀

Discover how Electric Era is accelerating EV infrastructure with Skycharger, a game-changing solution for faster, cost-effective charging station deployment.

🔗 [Read the full case study here]

🚛 Unlocking Logistics Innovation with Cargado’s CEO and Founder

On Decemeber’s Manifest Insights, Matt Silver, CEO and Founder of Cargado, shares invaluable perspectives on the future of logistics. From Forager’s cross-border acquisition by Arrive Logistics to raising nearly $10M for Cargado, Matt’s journey is a masterclass in growth, M&A, and innovation.

Discover how Cargado is driving efficiency and simplifying cross-border operations. Don’t miss this insightful conversation—click here to watch!

🚀 Autonomous Vehicles to the Rescue!

We’re thrilled to see DriveU sharing valuable insights on how autonomous vehicles are revolutionizing supply chains. Their latest post, which you can check out here, dives into real-world examples and data, showcasing the incredible impact AVs are having across industries.

We invite our audience to explore this thought-provoking post and join the conversation. Swipe through their insights and discover the full article linked in their comments.

🚗💨 Bliq Expands to Cologne!

Exciting news from Bliq—ride-hailing is now live in Cologne! To celebrate this milestone, they’re offering a special deal: enjoy a ride around the city for just 5 euros!

We invite our audience to try the Bliq app and experience the convenience of their service firsthand. Don’t miss out on this great offer—download the app and start exploring Cologne today!

🤖 What’s the buzz in the Automotive and Mobility sector according to CES 2025?

As the world shifts towards digital transformation, the automotive industry is following suit. The once hardlines of traditional vehicles are now being replaced by software-defined ecosystems where the car is no longer just a machine, but a smart, connected space. The 2025 outlook from CES gives us a glimpse of what’s to come, with trends that are reshaping the way we think about mobility.

Democratizing EV’s

One of the most exciting shifts is the rise of electric vehicles (EVs), which are competing on an entirely new level. Gone are the days when a vehicle’s value was measured only by its design or engine power. Now, the conversation is moving toward software, AI, and the complete digital experience. For many, Tesla set the stage with its unique integration of chips, computing platforms, and over-the-air updates, making the car as much about the experience inside as the drive itself. But the competition is catching up fast. With shorter development cycles and a commitment to higher quality, new players are entering the market with cutting-edge EVs that promise not just speed, but seamless, futuristic experiences.

Software-Defined Vehicles

This is where the software-defined vehicle (SDV) comes into play. Automakers are no longer just creating cars—they are creating platforms that can evolve over time. The digital cockpit, once a novelty, is now a standard, enabling drivers to interact with the vehicle like never before. Health and wellness features are being integrated into the driving experience, helping drivers stay alert, relaxed, and engaged. In fact, some manufacturers are even exploring ways to provide personalized subscription-based services through the software, unlocking new possibilities for monetization.

Electrical and Electronic Architecture

The backbone of this transformation is the evolution of Electrical and Electronic architecture. The shift to zonal systems is enabling automakers to streamline their operations, making it easier to update and innovate vehicles quickly. As cars become smarter, the potential to update features like lighting, climate control, and even the driving experience itself is vast. This opens up a new world of opportunities for automakers to keep their vehicles fresh and dynamic long after the initial sale.

Of course, AI and Cloud Computing

But the journey isn’t just about creating smarter cars—it’s about how the ecosystem around them evolves. Cloud computing giants like Amazon and Microsoft are key players in this shift, providing the infrastructure that enables faster development of these software-driven platforms. Through AI-powered solutions, manufacturers can accelerate vehicle development, cutting down timelines and costs. Synthetic data and virtual simulation are playing a pivotal role in training autonomous systems, allowing manufacturers to test and refine their technologies early-on, as well as AI and ML playing a key role in quickly and efficiently verifying and validating (V&V) real-world driven data to make sure the systems are working according to specifications.

User experience at the front-center

As AI becomes more embedded into the automotive industry, it’s not just about automating tasks but enhancing the user experience. From personalized assistants that understand the driver’s habits to autonomous driving systems that offer safer and more intuitive experiences, AI is quickly becoming the heart of the vehicle experience. Still, the key to success lies in how well these technologies adapt to the user’s needs—after all, it’s not about the machine, but how it can make life easier and more enjoyable.

Augmented Reality and other Smart Features

We’re also seeing the rise of augmented reality in vehicles, which is set to add a new layer to the driving experience. Imagine navigation instructions that feel as though they’re floating in front of you, or safety features that highlight potential hazards before you see them. AR is making its way into the mainstream, and soon it won’t be just a futuristic concept but an essential part of every vehicle.

Even the way we approach EV charging is evolving. With innovative solutions making charging smarter and more personalized, the experience is transforming from a basic necessity into a seamless part of the driver’s lifestyle. Charging stations are now aligning more closely with drivers' needs, offering features like battery health insights, charging time estimates, and recommendations for optimal charging moments.

In summary, while CES 2025 might have been quieter than expected in terms of OEM participation, the innovation and transformation on display were clear. The automotive industry is on the brink of a new era where software, AI, and connectivity take center stage. As we move forward, the future of mobility will be defined not by the cars themselves, but by the ever-evolving digital ecosystem that surrounds them.

📯 Hot Deals

🚀 Bolt.Earth, a Bangalore, India-based electric vehicle charging solutions provider, raised $5 million in Series A+ funding. Version One Ventures led the round and was joined by existing investors Union Square Ventures and Prime Venture Partners. (19.Jan.2025)

🚀 Gridware, a San Francisco-based power grid monitoring solution provider announced its Series A funding of $26.4 million led by Sequoia Capital. The funds will empower to further scale production of Gridscope™ devices and the Gridware monitoring and analytics service. (08.Jan.2025)

🚀 Harbinger, a California-based medium-duty electric vehicle (EV) company announced it has raised $100 million in Series B funds. Harbinger will use the funds to substantially accelerate its growth by deploying higher volume production capacity for its purpose-built electric platform. The funding round was co-led by Capricorn's Technology Impact Fund. (14.Jan.2025)

🚀 Lyteflo, a Toronto-based electric vehicle sales solution provider, raised $3 million in seed funding. Diagram led the round and was joined by Whitecap Venture Partners and Amplify Capital. (15.Jan.2025)

🚀 Moment Energy, a Vancouver startup that repurposes retired electric vehicle batteries into energy storage systems for commercial customers looking to store renewable energy, lower electricity costs, or maintain power backup for their operations, raised a $15 million Series A round co-led by Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund and Voyager Ventures. (16.Jan.2025)

🚀 Moonrider, an Indian startup that develops heavy-duty electric tractors, raised a $2.2 million seed round. AdvantEdge Founders and Micelio Technology Fund were the co-leads. (07.Jan.2025)

🚀 Netradyne, a San Diego company that uses advanced cameras and sensors to monitor driving behavior, road conditions, and vehicle performance in real-time, raised a $90 million at a $1.35 billion pre-money valuation. Point72 Private Investments was the deal lead, with support from Qualcomm Ventures andPavilion Capital. (16.Jan.2025)

🚀 Overland AI, a Seattle startup that develops autonomous driving technology tailored for off-road environments, primarily serving defense sector clients such as the U.S. Army and the Marine Corps, raised a $32 million Series A round led by 8VC, with Point72 Ventures, Overmatch Ventures, Shasta Ventures, Ascend, Osage University Partners, and Caprock also piling on. (13.Jan.2025)

🚀 RoboForce, a California-based “Robo-Labor” provider raised $10M in early stage funding. Backers include Nobel Laureate Myron Scholes, co-founder of Softbank VC (SBVC) Gary Rieschel, and Carnegie Mellon University. (06.Jan.2025)

🚀 Sereact, a German developer of AI software for autonomous robotics, raised a €25 million Series A led by Creandum. (19.Jan.2025)

🚀 Serve Robotics, a San Francisco-based autonomous delivery company raised $86 million in funding from undisclosed investors. Since its spinout from Uber in 2021, the Company has secured approximately $220 million in total funding (06.Jan.2025)

🚀 Shippeo, a Paris-based multimodal transportation visibility company, raised $30 million in funding. Woven Capital led the round and was joined by existing investors Battery Ventures, Partech, NGP Capital, and others. (15.Jan.2025)

🚀 SureCam, a St. Louis, MO, startup that provides connected dash cameras and fleet management services for small and mid-size businesses, raised a $12.5 million Series B round led by Lewis & Clark Capital. It also secured $23.5 million in debt. (06.Jan.2025)

🚀 Synthavo, a Stuttgar-based AI-driven solution for spare part identification, targeting the industries of automotive and logistics raised $4.2 million in seed funding to double its workforce, expand in Europe, and prepare for US market entry. Samaipata and Senovo led the round. (17.Dec.2024)

🚀 TripWip, a Uruguayan peer-to-peer car rental platform, announced that it has received an injection of ~$1 million, which will be used for its expansion and arrival in the Mexican market. (06.Jan.2025)

📗 Interesting Reads

🇲🇽 The Olinia Project: A New Chapter for Mexico’s Automotive Industry

Mexico is driving into the future with Olinia, the country’s first fully electric vehicle brand, designed and assembled entirely on home soil. Aiming to democratize sustainable mobility, Olinia offers affordable electric cars starting at just 90,000 pesos or $4,400 USD. This bold initiative combines cutting-edge technology, local innovation, and a vision to position Mexico as a leader in the global transition to electromobility. With its first models expected to debut during the 2026 World Cup, Olinia is shaping the future of urban mobility.

👉 Check the full note here.

🔧 Revolutionizing Automotive Service: How Robotics is Boosting Efficiency and Scaling Dealerships Smarter

In a recent CDG Industry Spotlight episode, Sam D'Arc spoke with Finley Ewing IV, CEO of Ewing Automotive Group, and Phil Zheng, COO of Richtech Robotics, about how robotics is reshaping the automotive service department. Robots are boosting efficiency by saving time, reducing technician downtime, and handling heavy tasks, allowing employees to focus on more valuable work. These robots aren't replacing workers but enhancing their roles, with technicians eager for more help. The episode also covers how leadership, smart hiring, and small workflow adjustments are enabling dealerships to scale smarter, improving both customer satisfaction and employee retention.

👉 Check out the full episode here.