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LMArena Secures $100M in Seed Funding to Bring Scientific Rigor to AI Reliability

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SAN FRANCISCO, May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — LMArena, the open community platform for evaluating the best AI models, has secured $100 million in seed funding led by a16z and UC Investments (University of California) with participation from Lightspeed, Laude Ventures, Felicis, Kleiner Perkins and The House Fund. The funding coincides with the relaunch of LMArena happening next week—a faster, sharper, fully rebuilt platform designed to make AI evaluation more rigorous, transparent, and human-centered.

In a space moving at breakneck speed, LMArena is building something foundational: a neutral, reproducible, community-driven layer of infrastructure that allows researchers, developers, and users to understand how models actually perform in the real world. Over four hundred model evaluations have already been made on the platform, with over 3 millions votes cast, helping shape both proprietary and open-source models across the industry, including those from Google, OpenAI, Meta, and xAI.

“In a world racing to build ever-bigger models, the hard question is no longer what can AI do. Rather, it’s how well can it do it for specific use cases, and for whom,” said Anastasios N. Angelopoulos, co-founder and CEO at LMArena. “We’re building the infrastructure to answer these critical questions.”

The new LMArena next week reflects months of feedback from the community and includes: a rebuilt UI, mobile-first design, lower latency, and new features like saved chat history and endless chat. The legacy site will remain live for a while, but all future innovation is happening on lmarena.ai.

“AI evaluation has often lagged behind model development,” said Ion Stoica, co-founder at LMArena and UC Berkeley professor. “LMArena closes that gap by putting rigorous, community-driven science at the center. It’s refreshing to be part of a team that leads with long-term integrity in a space moving this fast.”

Backers say what makes LMArena different is not just the product, but the principles behind it. Evaluation is open, the leaderboard mechanics are published, and all models are tested with diverse, real-world prompts. This approach makes it possible to explore in-depth how AI performs across a range of use cases.

“Our mission has always been to make AI evaluation open, scientific, and grounded in how people actually use these models. As we expand into new modalities and deepen our evaluation tools, we’re building infrastructure that doesn’t just evaluate AI, it helps shape it” said Wei-Lin Chiang, co-founder and CTO of LMArena. “We’re here to ensure AI is reliably measured through real-world use.”

LMArena is already working with model providers to help them uncover performance trends, gather human preference data, and test updates in real-world conditions. The company’s long-term business model centers on trust: as they look to develop advanced analytics and enterprise services while keeping core participation free and open to all.

“We invested in LMArena because the future of AI depends on reliability,” said Anjney Midha, General Partner at a16z. “And reliability requires transparent, scientific, community-led evaluation. LMArena is building that backbone.” Jagdeep Singh Bachher, chief investment officer at UC Investments, added, “We’re excited to see open AI research translated into real-world impact through platforms like LMArena. Supporting innovation from university labs such as those at UC Berkeley is essential for building technologies that responsibly serve the public and advance the field.”

The relaunch of LMArena next week is a significant step forward, but it’s far from the finish line. The team is actively shipping new features, refining the platform, and working closely with the community to shape what comes next.

About LMArena: 
LMArena is an open platform where everyone has access to leading AI models and can contribute to their progress through real-world voting and feedback. Built with scientific rigor and transparency at its core, LMArena enables developers, researchers, and users to compare model outputs, uncover performance differences, and advance the reliability of AI systems. With a commitment to open access, reproducible methods, and diverse human judgment, LMArena is shaping the infrastructure layer AI needs to earn long-term trust. Learn more at lmarena.ai.

Press Contact:
Cherry Park
cherry@lmarena.ai

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lmarena-secures-100m-in-seed-funding-to-bring-scientific-rigor-to-ai-reliability-302462025.html

SOURCE LMArena

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DCCM Acquires Dynamic Solutions, LLC Expanding Water Resources Expertise

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DCCM has acquired Dynamic Solutions, LLC, a consulting firm recognized for advanced water resources, hydraulic, and hydrodynamic modeling. Dynamic Solutions expands DCCM’s technical capabilities in water and environmental modeling to better serve complex infrastructure and water-related client needs. Dynamic Solutions, founded in 1996 and offering services including watershed/hydrology studies, sediment transport, water quality, and ecological modeling, will continue operating with its existing leadership and team.

HOUSTON, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — DCCM, a national provider of design, consulting, and program and construction management professional services, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Dynamic Solutions, LLC, a specialized consulting firm known for advanced water resources, hydraulic, and hydrodynamic modeling.

“This acquisition expands DCCM’s technical capabilities in advanced water and environmental modeling while strengthening our ability to serve clients facing complex infrastructure and water-related challenges,” said James F. (Jim) Thompson, PE, Chairman and CEO of DCCM.

Founded in 1996, Dynamic Solutions is nationally recognized for its expertise in hydraulic and hydrodynamic modeling, watershed and hydrology studies, sediment transport, water quality, and ecological modeling. The firm supports clients across federal, state, and local markets, as well as select technical advisory engagements, delivering analytical solutions for complex water and environmental challenges.

Dynamic Solutions operates from offices in Knoxville, Tennessee; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Columbus, Mississippi; and Hamilton, Ohio, supporting projects nationwide.

“This acquisition expands DCCM’s technical capabilities in advanced water and environmental modeling while strengthening our ability to serve clients facing complex infrastructure and water-related challenges,” said James F. (Jim) Thompson, PE, Chairman and CEO of DCCM. “Dynamic Solutions brings a depth of expertise and a reputation for technical excellence that aligns well with our long-term growth strategy.”

Dynamic Solutions will continue to operate with its existing leadership and team, maintaining its specialized service offerings and longstanding client relationships.

“Joining DCCM allows us to build on the outstanding work our team is known for while gaining access to broader resources and a national platform,” said Julie Wallen of Dynamic Solutions. “We look forward to continuing to deliver the same high level of service to our clients as part of the DCCM organization.”

About Dynamic Solutions, LLC

Dynamic Solutions, LLC is a consulting firm specializing in hydraulic and hydrodynamic modeling, watershed and hydrology studies, sediment transport, water quality, and ecological modeling. Founded in 1996, the firm serves public sector and institutional clients across the United States.

About DCCM

DCCM is a provider of design, consulting, and program and construction management professional services focused on infrastructure across the public and private sectors. Through a national platform, DCCM serves a diverse range of end markets.

DCCM is a portfolio company of Court Square Capital Partners.

For more information, please visit www.dccm.com.

Media Contact

Jessica Steglich, DCCM, 1 7138749162, marketing@dccm.com, dccm.com

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/dccm-acquires-dynamic-solutions-llc-expanding-water-resources-expertise-302760882.html

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Modine to Participate in Upcoming Oppenheimer Virtual Conference on May 5, 2026

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RACINE, Wis., May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Modine (NYSE: MOD), a diversified global leader in thermal management technology and solutions, announced today that it will participate in the Oppenheimer 21st Annual Industrial Growth Conference on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

Neil D. Brinker, Modine President and Chief Executive Officer, and Michael B. (Mick) Lucareli, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will participate in a virtual fireside chat during the conference on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. Eastern time (12:30 p.m. Central Time).

Live webcasts of the event will be available in the Investor Relations section of Modine’s website www.modine.com. Recordings of the events will be available for 365 days following the webcast.

About Modine
For more than 100 years, Modine has solved the toughest thermal management challenges for mission-critical applications. Our purpose of Engineering a Cleaner, Healthier World™ means we are always evolving our portfolio of technologies to provide the latest heating, cooling, and ventilation solutions. Through the hard work of more than 11,000 employees worldwide, our Climate Solutions, Data Centers, and Performance Technologies segments advance our purpose with systems that improve air quality, reduce energy and water consumption, lower harmful emissions, and enable the transition to a more sustainable future. Modine is a global company headquartered in Racine, Wisconsin (U.S.), with operations in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. For more information about Modine, visit modine.com.

Investor Contact
Kathleen Powers
(262) 636-1687
kathleen.t.powers@modine.com

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SOURCE Modine

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Blaize and Winmate Sign Strategic Partnership Agreement to Bring AI to Rugged Systems for Defense and Critical Infrastructure

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Joint solutions combine Blaize’s energy-efficient and industrial-grade AI chips with Winmate’s rugged platforms – including drones, handhelds, vehicle-mounted units, and embedded edge devices used by defense, border security, maritime, and healthcare operators.

TAIPEI and EL DORADO HILLS, Calif., May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Blaize Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: BZAI, Nasdaq: BZAIW) (“Blaize,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”), and Winmate Inc., a publicly traded company in Taiwan, today announced they have signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement (“Agreement”) with an intent to close approximately $15 million in business during the first year. The two companies will integrate Blaize’s AI chips into Winmate’s rugged systems, including drones, handhelds, vehicle-mounted units, and embedded devices that have to keep working in the field, often in places where regular hardware can’t survive.

The companies expect the Agreement to be the start of a much larger, multi-year relationship.

Why this partnership matters

Most AI today runs in large data centers rather than at the edge, where decisions must be made in real time. This model is often impractical for soldiers at remote posts, Coast Guard crew at sea, or medics in field clinics. They often don’t have a reliable network connection, and even when they do, they can’t afford to wait for an application to respond from halfway across the globe.

That’s the gap Blaize and Winmate intend to address through this partnership. Blaize’s chips were designed to industrial grade specifications and run AI directly on the device, with no cloud dependency. Winmate’s systems are purpose-built to perform in extreme environments, including heat, cold, dust, vibration, and rough handling. Together, they deliver real-time AI capabilities exactly where it’s needed, whether in drones, field units, the patrol vehicles, or diagnostic devices.

A fast-growing market

Demand for on-device AI is accelerating. According to BCC Research[1], the global edge AI market is projected to grow from $11.8 billion in 2025 to $56.8 billion by 2030, a 36.9% compound annual growth rate. Defense agencies, governments, hospitals, ports, and critical infrastructure operators all demand AI that can run securely on their equipment, without sending sensitive data over public networks.

From the leaders

“Our customers can’t wait, and they often can’t rely on the cloud. They need AI that runs where the work happens. Winmate makes some of the most capable rugged systems in the industry, and our chips are designed to run AI inside exactly those kinds of devices. This partnership turns a years-long vision into a practical, deployable answer for defense and critical infrastructure operators,” said Dinakar Munagala, CEO of Blaize, Inc.

“Our platforms are deployed on naval vessels, in border outposts, on industrial sites, and in disaster zones – environments where most hardware fails. With Blaize, we can now deliver those same systems with on-device AI built in, giving customers real-time intelligence wherever they operate,” said Ken Lu, Chairman and CEO of Winmate Inc.

Target applications

Border security and surveillance: Real-time threat detection and perimeter monitoringMobile command and control: On-site intelligence and situational awareness for field teamsDrones and unmanned systems: Autonomous navigation and mission execution for UAVs and ground vehiclesCritical infrastructure: Continuous monitoring and predictive analytics for power, ports, and transportationMaritime domain awareness: Vessel tracking and anomaly detection at seaField healthcare: Portable diagnostics and decision support in remote and disaster environments

Deal at a glance

First-year revenue: the parties intend to work in good faith to close approximately $15 million in business, expected to scale meaningfully in subsequent yearsTerm: Three-year initial term, with automatic renewalNext steps: Joint engineering, sales, and marketing execution to bring integrated systems to market, with additional opportunities to be added through follow-on programs

[1] BCC Research, “Global Edge AI Market,” October 2025

About Blaize, Inc.

Blaize delivers a programmable AI platform, purpose-built for AI inference workloads in real-world environments. Its Hybrid AI architecture combines the Blaize GSP (Graph Streaming Processor) with GPU-based infrastructure, enabling AI inference workloads to run across edge, cloud, and data center. Blaize solutions support computer vision, multimodal AI, and sensor-driven applications across smart cities, industrial automation, telecommunications, retail, logistics, and defense. Blaize is headquartered in El Dorado Hills, California, with a global presence across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Visit www.blaize.com or follow us on LinkedIn @blaizeinc.

About Winmate Inc.

Winmate Inc. is a publicly traded global leader in rugged computing systems, delivering industrial-grade platforms – including handhelds, tablets, vehicle-mounted units, panel PCs, and embedded modules – for demanding environments across defense, transportation, energy, healthcare, and industrial markets.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) that are based on beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to Blaize, including expectations and scope of customer contracts, including the Strategic Partnership Agreement with Winmate, the potential value and the timing of revenue pursuant to such contracts, preliminary estimates of results of operations and guidance on results for future periods, the industry in which Blaize operates, market opportunities, and product offerings. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing,” “target,” “seek” or the negative or plural of these words, or other similar expressions that are predictions or indicate future events or prospects, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this document, including but not limited to those factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 24, 2026, and other documents filed by Blaize from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Blaize assumes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law, including the securities laws of the United States and the rules and regulations of the SEC. Blaize does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations.

Blaize Contact

press@blaize.com
www.blaize.com 

Investors

ir@blaize.com
www.blaize.com 

Winmate Inc.

Liu, Chih-Yuan
Tel: +886-2-8511-0288
Email: spokesman1@winmate.com.tw
https://www.winmate.com/ 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/blaize-and-winmate-sign-strategic-partnership-agreement-to-bring-ai-to-rugged-systems-for-defense-and-critical-infrastructure-302761250.html

SOURCE Blaize Inc.

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