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Factorial Raises $150M Series D, Reaches $2.5 Billion Valuation to Become One of the Most Valuable AI Scale-Ups in Europe

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General Catalyst leads $150M equity investment, its first equity stake in Factorial as part of Series D round that values the company at over $2.5 billion, becoming one of the most valuable AI scale-ups in EuropeGeneral Catalyst simultaneously commits an additional $540M through its Customer Value Fund, funding Factorial’s sales and marketing investment with no additional dilution enabling sustainable growth without cash burn, as the company has been doing for the past yearsFunding accelerates Factorial’s reset from a SaaS company to an AI Workforce Operations Platform positioned to become the single agentic infrastructure for European companies, and deepens penetration in European markets, with a special focus on Germany

BARCELONA, Spain, June 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Factorial, Europe’s leading AI Workforce Operations Platform, today announced the closing of a $150 million Series D funding round at a valuation of $2.5 billion, making it one of the most valuable Spanish and European scale-ups. The round is led by General Catalyst, which is making its first equity investment in Factorial, joined by other investors including Atomico and Four Rivers. Alongside the equity round, General Catalyst is doubling down on its prior investment, committing up to an additional $540 million through its Customer Value Fund, bringing total capital committed to over $700 million, securing Factorial’s growth during the following years.

One of Europe’s Most Valuable Scale-Ups

With this round, Factorial crosses the $2.5 billion valuation mark, surpassing many Spanish scale-ups and entering the top 20 within the European Union. The milestone reflects ten years of accelerated growth, a loyal and expanding customer base of over 16,000 businesses across 90+ countries, and a product strategy that continues to win in competitive European markets being the only company in the sector that has successfully internationalized across these markets.

Jordi Romero, CEO and co-founder of Factorial commented; “Ten years ago we built Factorial as a SaaS company. Today we are an AI-first company, building agents for our customers, and we are doing it for over 16,000 businesses, from Europe, with the discipline that has defined our first decade. We have reset the product, the architecture, and the way our customers run their work around AI agents. General Catalyst’s partnership gives us the conviction and the capital to turn that reset into a category-defining business. This round does not close a chapter. It opens the one that matters.”

General Catalyst’s First Equity Stake in Factorial

General Catalyst’s equity investment marks its first direct ownership stake in Factorial, following the firm’s earlier engagement through its Customer Value Fund. The company’s strong performance on its unit economics as demonstrated by the CVF investment allows General Catalyst to build the conviction in Factorial’s long-term trajectory from its product innovation to its financial discipline and European market leadership. This equity investment comes at the same time that Factorial has transformed its business model from a SaaS company to a human-first AI Workforce Operations Platform.

Pranav Singhvi, Partner at General Catalyst commented; “The next decade of enterprise software will belong to the companies that rebuild themselves around AI, not the ones that bolt it on. Factorial is doing exactly that, and doing it with a level of product horizontality and an ambitious growth at scale that is rare anywhere in the world. That combination is why we are deepening our partnership across both equity and our Customer Value Fund.”

“At General Catalyst, our goal is to be the first and last source of capital for the world’s most ambitious companies. Factorial is the perfect example.” Hemant Taneja, CEO of General Catalyst added.

A New Model for Growth: $700M Through General Catalyst’s Customer Value Fund

In addition to the equity round, General Catalyst is committing up to an additional $540 million through its Customer Value Fund, bringing total capital committed to over $700 million, securing Factorial’s growth during the following years. Under this structure, General Catalyst’s returns are tied exclusively to the customer value created by that spend and capped at a fixed amount. This approach gives Factorial the financial firepower to expand aggressively across Europe while preserving its equity.

From SaaS Company to AI Workforce Operations Platform
The investment comes at a pivotal moment in Factorial’s product evolution. After ten years building one of Europe’s largest systems of record for HR, Finance and IT, the company has reset its product around AI, moving from a fixed set of screens and workflows to an agent-driven platform that learns each customer’s policies, executes against them, and adapts as the business changes.

At the center of that architecture is Factorial One, the platform’s unified workspace, built around a deliberately simple two-agent model. One agent represents the organisation, holding and applying the policies a company defines across HR, finance and IT. The other represents the individual employee, multiplying what each person can do within those policies, drafting work, surfacing what they need, and executing tasks on their behalf with full accountability to the person it serves.

Where much of the market is racing to deploy hundreds or thousands of specialized agents, Factorial’s bet is that companies want fewer agents, clearer accountability, and a single source of truth for how their business runs. That shift positions Factorial to capture a significantly larger share of the business operations software market, well beyond HR.

Doubling Down on Germany – New Munich Office and Aggressive Market Push
A significant share of the new capital will be deployed in Germany, which Factorial is naming as its number one international growth market. The company is opening a new office in Munich to anchor its presence in Germany, complementing its existing operations and bringing Factorial closer to the mid-market customers, partners, and talent that are driving the company’s strongest growth outside Spain.

Hiring will scale aggressively across Germany over the next 12 months, including sales, customer success, product, marketing, and engineering roles based in Munich and across the country, as Factorial moves to take market share in a region that has historically been served by a small number of incumbent providers. Germany already represents one of Factorial’s fastest-growing customer bases, and the new capital is designed to compound that momentum: more local product capability, more local language and compliance depth, and a German team large enough to win against any competitor in the market.

“Germany is our most important market in Europe, and it has been underserved for too long. We are putting our team, our capital, and our product roadmap behind it. Munich is just the start.” said Jordi Romero, CEO and co-founder of Factorial.

Beyond Germany, Factorial will continue to accelerate across France, Italy and Portugal, which are already among the company’s fastest-growing markets, while expanding its team globally at up to 50 new hires per week.

For more information visit – factorialhr.co
For contact – factorialspain@teamlewis.com

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Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2993361/Factorial_Logo.jpg

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SOURCE Team Lewis Barcelona

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Purina Films Docuseries A Different Breed Earns Three Daytime Emmy® Award Nominations

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Emmy®-nominated series celebrates the extraordinary bond between people and pets through the world of canine competition

ST. LOUIS, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — When pet lovers see the human-pet bond in action, it creates connection and deepens the appreciation they have for the animals in their own lives. That connection recently led Purina to dive deeper into the world of canine competition through a docuseries that is now receiving critical acclaim. Today, Purina is celebrating three Daytime Emmy® Award nominations for A Different Breed, its original nine-episode documentary series produced through Purina Films in partnership with InkBlot Narratives and WPP Media, including recognition for Outstanding Lifestyle Program, Outstanding Editing and Outstanding Directing.

The Daytime Emmy® Awards recognize excellence in daytime television and streaming programming across lifestyle, documentary, instructional, travel, culinary and children’s content. A Different Breed is nominated alongside productions from some of the entertainment industry’s leading studios, networks and streaming platforms.

Streaming on Prime Video, A Different Breed follows 18 teams on the road to the Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge National Finals, putting the spotlight on the competitors, their dogs and the extraordinary relationships that drive them. The series marks an intentional shift from traditional brand-led content toward storytelling that entertains, inspires and fosters meaningful connections – all in new channels and formats that resonate with the viewing habits of today’s consumer.

“The way people discover and engage with content continues to evolve, and we’re evolving with them,” said Andrea Faccio, President and Chief Growth Officer at Purina. “At Purina, we’ve always believed the bond between people and pets is full of inspiring stories. A Different Breed gave us the opportunity to share those stories in a way people actively choose to experience, and we’re incredibly proud to see them recognized alongside some of the industry’s most celebrated programs.”

Through Purina Films, Purina is evolving how it connects with pet lovers taking a more entertainment-led approach to storytelling, creating premium content that highlights the meaningful role pets play in people’s lives. By inviting viewers behind the scenes of the Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge and into competitors’ lives and homes, A Different Breed tells the kinds of emotionally rich stories today’s audiences actively seek out.

The backdrop of the series is the Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge, a premier canine performance sports competition that has showcased extraordinary canine athletes and their handlers for nearly 30 years. The competition features a variety of events, including high-flying disc routines, agility courses, weave pole racing and diving dog competitions.

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences will announce the winners of the Daytime Emmy Awards on October 30, 2026.

All nine episodes of A Different Breed are available to stream exclusively on Prime Video in the U.S. at no additional cost with a Prime membership. The second season of the Emmy®-nominated series is in production, continuing Purina’s commitment to bring audiences authentic stories that celebrate the incredible bond between people and pets.

About Nestlé Purina PetCare 
Nestlé Purina PetCare creates richer lives for pets and the people who love them. Founded in 1894, Purina has helped dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives by offering scientifically based nutritional innovations.

Purina manufactures some of the world’s most trusted and popular pet care products, including Dog Chow, Purina ONE, Pro Plan, Friskies and Tidy Cats. Our more than 11,000 U.S. associates take pride in our trusted pet food, treat and litter brands that feed 46 million dogs and 68 million cats every year. Nearly 500 Purina scientists, veterinarians, and pet care experts ensure our commitment to unsurpassed quality and nutrition.

Over the past five years, Purina has contributed more than $150 million towards organizations that bring, and keep, people and pets together, as well as those that help our communities and environment thrive.

Purina is part of Nestlé, a global leader in Nutrition, Health and Wellness. For more information, visit purina.com or subscribe here to get the latest Purina news.

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SOURCE Purina

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Toy Foundation Partners with Build-A-Bear & Chuck E. Cheese to Raise $100,000 for Children in Need

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The International Day of Play-themed cause marketing campaigns engaged consumers through promotions, exclusive product, & pin pad donations.

NEW YORK, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Toy Foundation™, the philanthropic arm of The Toy Association™, celebrated the United Nation’s International Day of Play (June 11) with two cause marketing campaigns with Build-A-Bear Foundation and Chuck E. Cheese. Together, the campaigns raised over $100,000, as families across the country and around the world supported The Toy Foundation’s mission to deliver the power of play to children in need.

The Toy Foundation’s partnership with Chuck E. Cheese included a three-part fundraising campaign throughout the month of June. At nearly 500 Chuck E. Cheese locations, families who donated $5 at checkout received 500 tickets to use toward prizes, turning a charitable gift into extra fun. Families also had the option to make a $1 or $3 donation directly at the pin pad, powered by FreedomPay’s Gateway to Giving™ — a charitable program that enables seamless giving at the point of sale, creating another opportunity to support a child in need. At select fun centers, families could also purchase a Chuck E. Cheese x Crazy Aaron’s Limited-Edition Thinking Putty, with one hundred percent of the purchase price benefitting The Toy Foundation.

“Partnering with The Toy Foundation this International Day of Play allowed us to make a real difference through the power of play,” said Scott Drake, CEO of CEC Entertainment. “Play is at the heart of everything we do, and we are deeply grateful to the families that joined us in supporting this great cause. Together, we are giving back in a meaningful way that inspires pride across our entire community.”

Build-A-Bear brought its signature warmth to workshops across the U.S. and the UK with a weeklong fundraising campaign held June 8 to 12. Shoppers made donations in amounts of their choosing at checkout, both in stores and online, with every dollar supporting The Toy Foundation’s work to deliver play to children in need.

“Build-A-Bear Foundation is proud to partner with The Toy Foundation in advancing the shared belief that play has the power to positively impact children’s lives,” said David Henderson, president of Build-A-Bear Foundation. “From toy donations and sponsorship support to this International Day of Play fundraising campaign, we are committed to helping create more moments of joy for children and families in need. We are so grateful to our guests and partners whose generosity continues to make that impact possible.”

These fundraising campaigns complimented The Toy Foundation’s International Day of Play toy collection initiative, which resulted in nearly 20 companies donating $5.7 million in toys. The toy donations are being distributed to more than 450,000 children in under-resourced communities, schools, and hospitals around the world.

“We are grateful to Build-A-Bear Foundation and Chuck E. Cheese for their support, collaboration, and partnership in hosting two successful cause marketing campaigns, and to the companies that generously donated toys in honor of International Day of Play,” said Pam Mastrota, executive director of The Toy Foundation. “Together, we are making a lasting impact, transforming children’s lives with the power of play.”

The Toy Foundation partners with companies and retailers to create tailored cause marketing campaigns that engage consumers and support children through play.

Campaign opportunities include:

Retail campaigns that donate a portion of proceeds from select productsPoint-of-sale donation campaignsCo-branded products featuring cause-related messagingCustomized campaigns tailored to a company’s goals

To learn more and get involved in advancing the toy industry’s collective impact, visit toyfoundation.org or contact The Toy Foundation team.

About The Toy Foundation™ www.toyfoundation.org
The Toy Foundation™ is a 501(c)(3) children’s charity and philanthropic arm of The Toy Association. The uniting force for the collective philanthropy of the toy industry, The Toy Foundation is dedicated to creating a world where every child experiences the comfort, joy, and extraordinary benefits of play. The Toy Foundation works toward this vision through two program areas, Toy Chest, a toy distribution initiative, and Play Fund, a grant distribution initiative. By working together, The Toy Foundation has delivered the power of play to 38 million children in need worldwide. To learn more about The Toy Foundation, visit toyfoundation.org.

About Build‑A‑Bear Workshop, Inc.
Founded in 1997, Build‑A‑Bear is a leading global retailtainment brand on a mission to add a little more heart to life. At Build-A-Bear, guests are invited to create personalized furry friends through a unique stuffing, dressing, accessorizing and naming process, accentuated by a memorable “heart ceremony” that creates moments of connection for people of all ages.

Over the years, Build‑A‑Bear has grown into a multi‑generational phenomenon, positioned at the intersection of pop‑culture trends. Beyond its signature retail experience, the brand also offers pre‑stuffed plush, gifting, partnerships with best‑in‑class licensed and collectible characters, and original storytelling through Build‑A‑Bear Entertainment, LLC. Build‑A‑Bear’s current brand platform and message, “The Stuff You Love,” crosses ages and cultures while celebrating nearly 30 years of helping people mark life’s meaningful moments.

Today, Build‑A‑Bear operates more than 650 company-owned, partner-operated and franchise experience locations across more than 30 countries, complemented by buildabear.com. Build‑A‑Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE: BBW) reported $529.8 million in total revenues for fiscal 2025, representing the company’s 5th consecutive year of record results. Learn more at the Investor Relations section of buildabear.com.

About Chuck E. Cheese
Chuck E. Cheese is where over 550,000 happy birthdays are celebrated every year. For nearly 50 years, Chuck E. Cheese has been the place Where A Kid Can Be A Kid®, making birthday kids the star of the show through its interactive experiences, arcade games and the beloved Chuck E. Cheese character. The brand operates more than 500 locations globally and remains committed to providing a fun, safe and inclusive environment through industry-leading programs such as Kid Check® and its partnership with Autism Speaks. As a strong advocate for local communities, Chuck E. Cheese has donated more than $24 million to schools and nonprofits through its fundraising programs. For more information, visit www.chuckecheese.com.

Contact: Erin Wright
The Toy Foundation
646.520.4851
ewright@toyfoundation.org

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SOURCE The Toy Foundation

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Play a Video Game Against a Dish of Living Neurons: Intactis Bio Launches “Biostack”

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Served from a rack mountable Biohybrid Processing Unit (BPU) to lower AI energy usage. 

SALT LAKE CITY, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Intactis Bio launched the Biostack Alpha, a video game in which allows anyone to compete against living human neurons grown in the lab. A player sits on one side of the web-browser. On the other is Biohybrid Intelligence: a small population of neurons in a dish that receives the game board as patterns of electrical stimulation. These neurons then answer, move by move, where to drop the next piece.

 

Play a video game against living neurons in rack mountable Biohybrid Processing Unit (BPU) to lower AI energy usage.

Biocomputation is a field focused on curbing the AI energy crises by replacing inefficient silicon chips with low energy biological processors. Biostack is the most tactile and publicly accessible demonstration yet to emerge from the field of biocomputation. Play today at play.intactis.bio. 

A biocomputer you can rack

Biostack runs on the Intactis BPU (Biohybrid Processing Unit), a biocomputer built into the same form factor as the GPUs widely distributed in data centers today. Living neurons at its core are wrapped in the cooling, life support, and signal hardware needed to keep the neurons healthy while they compute. The unit pairs the living substrate with silicon and rack mountable networking, which allows the systems to scale out using existing data center infrastructure.

The map that makes neurons playable

What makes the tissue controllable is a computational neuroscience model. Intactis ran a comprehensive screen to map how electrical stimulus drives neural outputs, cataloguing more than 150 statistically significant relationships and accounting for up to 96% of the tissue’s response. “Biocomputation is not a black box. We have the actual equation,” said Daniel Rodriguez-Granrose, PhD, Founder and CEO of Intactis Bio. This design space lets the company map neural responses onto specific game controls, so the biocomputer can directly learn the Biostack board state and ideal responses in a closed loop.

How a dish of neurons plays

Each turn, Biostack compresses the board (the current piece, the height of every column, and any gaps) into a compact code and delivers it to the tissue as a timed sequence of electrical pulses. The neurons respond, and the system reads their answer as a six-bit placement: four bits choose one of ten columns, two bits choose one of four rotations. Together this represents over 1000 unique electrical inputs to encode the board space and up to 40 possible destinations for every piece. Intactis has successfully transmitted this information to the neurons, and mapped their response back to the live game. In this demo, game performance held and even improved across overnight gaps between sessions. The living network is genuinely shaped by use.

Why a game matters

The stakes reach well beyond the screen. AI’s appetite for electricity is on track to outrun global electricity production. A supercomputer can draw on the order of 20 megawatts; a human brain runs on about 20 watts. The company projects energy-cost reductions around 95%, total-cost reductions around 90%, and data center footprint reductions around 88% versus exaflop-scale silicon.

From demo to business

Intactis sells the capability as Cloud Biocompute as a Service, targeting gaming, robotics, AI and LLM developers already spending $20,000 or more per month on GPUs. The company has secured more than $1 million in early capital and non-dilutive support and is raising a $5 million seed round to bring the BPU to data center partners. Intactis is built by a team with more than $900 million in prior exits.

About Intactis Bio

Intactis Bio builds biohybrid computers that run living human neurons alongside silicon to deliver compute with dramatically lower energy, cost, and footprint. Its rack-mountable Biohybrid Processing Unit (BPU) targets the widening gap between AI compute demand and available power. Learn more at intactis.bio.

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SOURCE Intactis Bio Corp

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