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GrayMatter Raises $45M Series B to Accelerate its Unique AI-Powered Robotics Solutions for Manufacturing’s Hardest Problems and Unique Challenges

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In a $2.5+ trillion industry, GrayMatter continues to set new standards with a 2~4x improvement in production line productivity, 30% or more reduction in consumable waste, and a system availability of over 95%.GrayMatter has a growing customer base across industries including aerospace & defense, specialty vehicles, maritime, metal fabrication, and consumer products such as sports equipment. Led by Wellington Management, with participation from NGP Capital, Euclidean Capital, B Capital, and other existing investors, the new Series B funding brings the total amount raised to date to $70.4M.

LOS ANGELES, June 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — GrayMatter Robotics, an AI-powered robotics leader empowering humans with intelligent automation, today announced $45 million in Series B funding. Wellington Management led the round, which also included NGP Capital, Euclidean Capital, Advance Venture Partners, SQN Venture Partners, and other existing investors 3M Ventures, B Capital, Bow Capital, Calibrate Ventures, OCA Ventures, and Swift Ventures.

The $2.5 trillion U.S. manufacturing industry is grappling with a growing backlog of unfilled orders due to a severe labor shortage. Many of these roles are hazardous and demand extensive training, leading to a critical gap of 3.8 million unfilled jobs. With nearly half of these manufacturers’ orders on hold waiting to be fulfilled, GrayMatter’s solutions are crucial in addressing these challenges.

GrayMatter’s smart robotic cells are future-proofing high-mix, high-variability manufacturers’ businesses by increasing productivity, enhancing quality consistency, and reducing costs. They autonomously handle complex tasks such as sanding, polishing, grinding, coating, and finishing—traditionally labor-intensive and ergonomically challenging jobs—allowing businesses to meet global demand while significantly improving the quality of life for shop-floor workers.

“We founded GrayMatter to enhance productivity while prioritizing workforce well-being,” said Ariyan Kabir, co-founder and CEO. “With our physics-based AI-powered systems, we are fulfilling our mission while unlocking new levels of efficiency and productivity. With our investors’ support, we are making a real difference for shop workers and addressing the critical labor shortages in manufacturing today.”

With the new capital, GrayMatter, founded in 2020 by SK Gupta, Ariyan Kabir, and Brual Shah, is actively hiring for a wide range of roles to meet customer demands, expanding its Los Angeles headquarters, and accelerating the development and deployment of its next-generation AI-powered robotic solutions.

“GrayMatter is driving a pivotal transformation in manufacturing with their advanced AI solutions,” said Sean Petersen, sector lead for private climate investing, Wellington Management. “Their ability to enhance productivity, energy efficiency and safety while managing costs, positions them uniquely in the market. We are excited to support their journey towards scaling these innovative technologies across various industries.”

GrayMatter’s technological advancements continue to set new industry standards. Its proprietary GMR-AI™ technology enables robots to self-program and adapt to high-mix manufacturing environments, providing consistent quality and reducing cycle times. Over the past two years, GrayMatter Robotics has deployed robots across North America in aerospace, defense, specialty vehicles, marine, recreation, and general manufacturing industries, processed over 7.5 million square feet of product surface area, and holds ten patents.

“The combination of AI-driven technology and depth of domain expertise in the GrayMatter solution blew us away”, said Debjit Mukerji, Partner at NGP Capital. “It is incredibly challenging to develop high-performance and ultra-reliable robots for such difficult manufacturing conditions. We are thrilled to help the company execute on its impressive commercial trajectory.”

“We are excited to partner with GrayMatter Robotics, as their AI-driven robotic solutions have enabled us to more efficiently address major demand growth in our operations stemming from increased football participation and market share gains, ensuring consistent quality and throughput despite workforce staffing challenges,” said Drew Dixon, Director Of Distribution and Strategy at Riddell. “Collaborating with GrayMatter Robotics underscores Riddell’s ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence in both its manufacturing operations as well as the protective equipment it delivers to the field.”

GrayMatter Robotics’ solutions work 2-4x faster than manual operation, and training that usually takes six months for humans now only takes less than a day. The robot helps businesses address sustainability goals, resulting in a 30% or more reduction in consumable waste and reduced energy consumption than traditional methods. Manufacturers have nearly uninterrupted operations with a system availability of 95~98%, and most of the contingencies can be resolved in under five minutes. Representative products includes Scan&Sand™, Scan&Polish™, Scan&Buff™, and Scan&Grind™.

“GrayMatter helps us replace some of our more taxing manual labor. We are proud to partner with GrayMatter in an effort to provide longevity in the workforce. We’re constantly working toward a healthier work-life balance, with a focus on working to live rather than living to work,” said Melanie Protti-Lawrence, President of Lawrence Brothers Inc. “Their robots are not just tools but enablers of growth. They allow our workers to engage in more meaningful and less physically taxing tasks, contributing to a healthier and more productive work environment.”

“Going to market with GrayMatter Robotics aligns with our mission to foster innovative solutions that drive efficiency and sustainability in manufacturing,” said Adi Leviatan, President, 3M Abrasives Division. “This technology addresses critical industry challenges and delivers significant value to our customers.”

GrayMatter Robotics’ solutions are used by a diverse range of industries, including aerospace & defense, specialty vehicles, maritime, metal fabrication, and consumer products. By providing turnkey solutions in a Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) format, GrayMatter Robotics helps manufacturers improve productivity, enhance production capacity, and reduce costs associated with scrap, repair, and rework.

About GrayMatter Robotics
GrayMatter Robotics is an AI and advanced robotics company delivering autonomous robotic solutions for tedious and ergonomically challenging tasks. It bundles its proprietary AI technologies with off-the-shelf robots, sensors, and tools and provides application-specific turnkey solutions to customers in a Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) format. GrayMatter Robotics is helping manufacturers improve the quality of life of shop floor workers, enhance production capacity, and reduce scrap, repair, and rework costs.

About Wellington Management
Wellington Management is one of the world’s largest independent investment management firms, serving as a trusted adviser to over 2,500 clients in more than 60 countries. The firm manages more than US$1.2 trillion for clients, including pensions, endowments and foundations, insurers, and global wealth managers. Wellington offers investment solutions that span global equity, fixed income, currency, commodity, alternatives, and private markets. Wellington’s Private Investing platform has raised more than US$8.5 billion in global assets and invests in venture capital and private credit across multiple sectors (consumer, technology, health care, financial services, biotechnology, energy, industrials, climate technology, and real estate) and geographies (Asia, Europe, and the Americas). The Private Investing Team leverages Wellington’s 1,000+ investment professionals around the world, combining deep private market experience with public market expertise, extensive networks, and robust research to benefit both investors and entrepreneurs. For more on Wellington’s Private Investing platform, please visit wellington.com/privateinvesting.

Media Contact: 
Natalie Bartels
VSC for GrayMatter Robotics
graymatter@vsc.co

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SOURCE GrayMatter Robotics Inc.

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SoftwareOne named a Leader in the 2026 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for SAM Managed Services

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Empowering clients with proven SAM excellence

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SoftwareOne (SIX: SWON), a leading global software and cloud solutions provider, today announced that it has been named a Leader in the 2026 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for SAM Managed Services for the seventh consecutive year.

SoftwareOne believes this recognition reflects its commitment to helping clients achieve measurable value from their cloud, software and AI investments as licensing models continue to shift.

Software asset management (SAM) gives organizations visibility and control over their on-premises IT, cloud and SaaS estates. SoftwareOne helps customers simplify these portfolios, improving financial control and managing licensing and audit risks, so they can direct resources towards business priorities and innovation.

“Seven consecutive years as a Leader matters to us because we believe that consistency is what our customers actually buy. The technology landscape continues to grow more complex as organizations navigate an ever-expanding mix of software licensing, cloud consumption, and AI-driven business models,” says Raphael Erb, CEO, SoftwareOne. “Our customers need a partner whose judgement holds up through all of it. We see this recognition as validation of the expertise, commitment, and customer focus that our teams bring to every engagement, every day.”

Gartner delivers actionable, objective insight to executives and their teams. Its expert guidance and tools enable faster, smarter decisions and stronger performance on an organization’s mission-critical priorities.

The Gartner Magic Quadrant evaluates vendors based on their Ability to Execute and Completeness of Vision. We are honored to be included among the recognized vendors in this important report. Learn more about the Magic Quadrant.

Helping clients unlock value from IT portfolios

SoftwareOne’s ITAM and FinOps portfolio brings together software asset management, FinOps and AI optimization, SaaS management, IT sustainability advisory and vendor management. These services help clients cut waste, manage audit risks and go into publisher negotiations, with a clear picture of what technology they use and what it all costs.

With global delivery at scale, SoftwareOne helps organizations optimize and simplify AI cloud and software investments across hybrid environments. AI-enabled automation powers licensing intelligence, compliance and cost control, so clients can reduce spend and make confident decisions about where to reinvest.

Positioned alongside SoftwareOne in the Magic Quadrantii as A Leader is Anglepoint, an independent company that is majority-owned by SoftwareOne. 

About the Gartner Magic Quadrant

The Gartner Magic Quadrant evaluates providers on Completeness of Vision and Ability to Execute. Leaders execute well against their current vision and are well positioned for tomorrow. SoftwareOne views its recognition as a reflection of the consistency of its SAM managed services and the work of its delivery teams.

Source

Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Software Asset Management Managed Services, By Yolanda Harris, Jaswant Kalay, and Rob Schafer. October 2026

Gartner disclaimers and trademarks

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, and Magic Quadrant is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally, and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

About SoftwareOne

SoftwareOne is a global software and cloud solutions provider and distributor. With a presence in over 70 countries and a team of about 12,000 professionals, we combine global scale and local expertise to help partners and customers optimize costs, source, and procure, accelerate growth, and navigate complex IT environments with confidence. Leveraging deep capabilities in cloud, software, and data and AI, the company empowers organizations to modernize, innovate, and unlock the full value of their technology investments. Headquartered in Switzerland, SoftwareOne is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and Euronext Oslo Børs under the ticker symbol SWON. Visit us at www.softwareone.com

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TrueLoyal® Appoints Erica Thompson as Head of Loyalty

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Longtime retail and loyalty expert will lead loyalty strategy and program services for TrueLoyal’s brand partners

SAN ANTONIO, Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TrueLoyal®, the loyalty and advocacy platform for consumer brands, today announced the appointment of Erica Thompson as Head of Loyalty. Thompson will lead TrueLoyal’s loyalty strategy, customer retention architecture, and lifecycle engagement work as the company continues to help brands turn consumer loyalty into a dynamic growth engine.

TrueLoyal® names longtime retail and loyalty expert Erica Thompson as Head of Loyalty.

Thompson brings more than 20 years of leadership in customer relationship management (CRM), brand loyalty, and digital marketing strategy. Throughout her career, she has led data-driven loyalty programs and omnichannel customer experiences for leading consumer brands, including serving as a retail Chief Marketing Officer and as Senior Vice President at Stride Rite. She also advised retail clients as a consultant with loyalty agency Kobie Marketing, has advised brands through her firm, ACIRE Consulting Group, and held senior marketing roles at PetSmart, New York & Company, and HSN. Her background in behavioral analytics, tiered reward structures, and customer lifecycle engagement strengthens TrueLoyal’s ability to help brands design and run programs that perform.

“Brands have to earn loyalty through compelling, continuous experiences, and points and discounts alone won’t get them there,” said Jacek Materna, CEO of TrueLoyal. “Erica’s proven ability to build scalable loyalty engines and translate customer insights into genuine brand devotion makes her the perfect leader for our next chapter.”

“I’ve spent my career on the brand side of loyalty, and the programs I’m proudest of were the ones built around what customers actually cared about,” said Thompson. “That’s the work I want to keep doing. I’m here to roll up my sleeves with our brands, understand what their customers need, and help them build loyalty that’s worth something to both sides.”

At TrueLoyal, Thompson will lead the company’s enterprise loyalty frameworks, its Program Strategy and managed loyalty services, and cross-functional alignment across product and client strategy. Her appointment reflects TrueLoyal’s continued investment in loyalty expertise as the company grows with CPG and D2C hybrid brands.

About TrueLoyal

TrueLoyal® is a loyalty and advocacy platform that helps brands turn the customer experience into repeat purchases and long-term growth. Brands use Rewards to run their loyalty program and Fan Club™ to bring community and user-generated content together, all connected to the commerce systems they already use. TrueLoyal also offers services that range from Program Strategy to fully managed loyalty operations. Learn more at trueloyal.com.

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THE POWER HOUR™ LAUNCHED FROM TIKTOK HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK CITY WITH A BOLD MISSION: MOVE THE WORLD FOR ONE HOUR

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The Power Play Impact Fund and The Power Hour™ Began a 365-Day Global Countdown to an October 2027 Guinness World Records Attempt Turning Movement Into Impact for the Next Generation

NEW YORK, Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What could happen if, for one hour, the world moved together?

Recently in New York City, The Power Hour™ and Power Play Impact Fund officially launched an ambitious global movement built around a remarkably simple idea: invite people everywhere to dedicate one hour to physical movement and turn that collective action into meaningful impact for youth and communities.

The announcement was made during an exclusive gathering hosted at TikTok Headquarters in New York City on the opening day of Advertising Week New York, bringing together professional athletes, business leaders, Family Offices, health and wellness leaders, innovators, and changemakers.

October 5 was day one of a 365-day global countdown. In October 2027, The Power Hour™ will bring people across countries, communities, companies, and cultures together for 60 synchronized minutes of physical movement as part of an ambitious Guinness World Records attempt. Think walk, run, dance, yoga: move the way you want. It is being built as an inclusive global movement rather than a traditional fitness event. Participation in the global movement is FREE, removing one of the barriers to joining.

The Founder and Visionary behind The Power Hour™and Power Play Impact Fund is Angella Goran. A former professional cyclist and world-class multi-sport athlete, she has built a career spanning entrepreneurship, technology, financial innovation, sport, and social impact. Her experience as an athlete and her belief in the lifelong opportunities created through sport, wellness, and community became the foundation for The Power Hour™.

“I’ve always believed that one hour of collective action can become the starting point for something that lasts far longer,” said Goran. “When millions of people around the world move together for 60 minutes, we create more than a record. We create lasting impact for youth and communities across physical, mental, nutritional and financial wellness.”

The Power Hour™is excited to partner alongside some incredible athletes such as:

Jerome Williams, former NBA Player, founder of Shooting for PeaceAngela Ruggiero, 4x Olympic Medalist, Founder of Sports Innovation Lab & Women’s Sports Club (acquired by GENIUS in 2026)The Gasol Foundation, Founded by Pau Gasol (6x NBA All-Star, 2x NBA Championship Winner, 3x OLY and Chair of IOC Athletes’ Commission)Dr. Jen Welter (1st NFL Female Coach/Player, 2x Gold Medalist Team USA, Founder of Grrridiron Girls Foundation & “The Day in the Life Of” event series)

The vision is to harness technology, social platforms, connected fitness, and community activations to transform millions of individual actions into one extraordinary collective moment. But breaking a record isn’t the ultimate goal. Creating impact is.

At the heart of The Power Hour™ is the Power Play Impact Fund, created to help raise awareness and funding for youth and community initiatives across four interconnected areas of wellness: physical, mental, nutritional, and financial. The Power Hour™ believes that movement belongs to everyone. There is no qualifying time. No required sport. No expectation of athletic ability.

The Uptown Agency in Dallas has partnered with The Power Hour™ to provide support on communications and other projects.

Just move.
ONE WORLD. ONE HOUR. ONE MOVEMENT.
The countdown starts now.

ABOUT THE POWER HOUR™

The Power Hour™ is a global movement and social-impact initiative created to unite people through 60 minutes of physical movement. Through sport, technology, community and collective action, The Power Hour™ aims to connect individuals, athletes, businesses and communities around the world while creating meaningful impact for the next generation. The inaugural global event is planned for October 2027 and will pursue a Guinness World Records attempt through synchronized participation around the world. To learn more, please visit https://www.powerhour.world/.

ABOUT POWER PLAY IMPACT FUND

The Power Play Impact Fund is the impact engine behind The Power Hour™, supporting a mission focused on investing in and donating to youth and community initiatives for physical, mental, nutritional, and financial wellness. Through partnerships, charitable giving, fundraising, and The Power Hour™ global movement, the initiative seeks to direct attention and resources toward programs that create greater opportunity, well-being, and accessibility for youth and communities. The Power Play Impact Fund operates with LOHAS as its fiscal sponsor administrator.

ABOUT THE UPTOWN AGENCY

The Uptown Agency is an award-winning, full-service marketing and branding partner dedicated to engineering differentiation through creative excellence and data-driven strategy. Recognized as a leader in brand growth, the agency combines industry-leading expertise in brand strategy, creative development, digital marketing, web development, and PR to deliver bespoke solutions that activate audiences and drive measurable results. The Uptown Agency is a true extension of client teams, prioritizing deep business understanding over templated approaches. Their work spans strategic brand overhauls, custom-coded web experiences, and high-impact campaigns that blend cultural relevance with technical precision. Explore their work at www.theuptownagency.com.

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SOURCE The Power Hour

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