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The Rounds Raises $24M Series B to Accelerate Sustainable, AI-Driven Last-Mile Delivery

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NEW YORK, Aug. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Rounds, an inventory management platform that delivers recurring grocery and household essentials in reusable packaging, today announced a $24 million Series B funding round led by Moderne Ventures, with participation from FJ Labs and existing investors, bringing its total funding to date to $66 million. The company will use the investment to scale its AI-powered service, strategically focusing on profitable growth in existing markets, expanding its team across machine learning, data science, and executive leadership, and launching new markets. The funding comes at a time of rapid progress towards market profitability. Since its Series A, The Rounds has posted 6X revenue growth, opened a state-of-the-art facility in Washington D.C., launched cold chain operations, and extended its closed-loop supply chain with local vendors.

“Sustainability has been at our core since day one. According to the EPA, more than 82 million tons of packaging waste is discarded every year and less than 10% is recycled. Waste is just bad design. The Rounds creates a better experience for our members that wastes less than the alternatives. To date, we’ve saved over 1 million pounds of packaging waste, proving sustainability does not have to come at the expense of convenience,” said Alex Torrey, Co-Founder and CEO of The Rounds. The company sources products locally, directly from producers, and in bulk, then refills in reusable packaging and delivers on a weekly schedule to members via its proprietary two-way last-mile logistics network. “By applying machine learning to provide smarter prediction on when everyday items in your home need to be refilled and sharing personalized product recommendations, The Rounds offers a better solution for managing your recurring essentials and we’re breaking the mold of quick commerce with a sustainable path to profitable long-term growth.”

The Rounds recently launched new AI-enabled features giving its members greater flexibility to choose their own “Refill Day” and add products one time or have products managed on a recurring basis using the company’s “Psychic Home Manager” feature. The company also expanded its product selection with over a hundred new SKUs—including fresh produce, local goods, and household staples—and now provides more transparency around its sustainability benefits, with detailed information on product sourcing and a redesigned sustainability page. “We aim to make The Rounds the #1 go-to platform for all your essentials. Our goal is to continue to enhance member satisfaction with a service that provides smarter recommendations, is tailored to your schedule, and allows you to easily see the positive environmental impact of your purchasing decisions that reduce your waste at home and support local businesses in your community,” said Torrey.

As the company scales, it looks to strategically partner with multifamily property managers, which is why it opted to work with Moderne Ventures. “The Rounds is addressing a huge pain point for city dwellers by enabling them to restock household essentials and get trusted local brands delivered with unparalleled convenience and less waste,” said Liza Benson, Partner at Moderne Ventures. “Our strategy at Moderne is rooted in connecting our portfolio companies with top real estate companies to create outsized returns. We are excited to work with The Rounds and multifamily partners to bring this valuable amenity to many more residents.”

The company has also expanded its Board of Directors to include Gad Allon, a professor of Operations, Information, and Decisions at Wharton School of Business, who also serves as the Director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Management & Technology program. “The Rounds exemplifies the critical intersection of tech innovation and operations, which is essential for the future of last-mile logistics to be sustainable,” said Professor Allon. “By leveraging AI to optimize operations and reduce waste, The Rounds is not just scaling up its business but is also setting a new standard for sustainable growth and efficiency in two-way last-mile logistics. I am excited to join the Board and contribute to a mission that aligns with my research on scaling operations in tech ventures and linking strategy with execution.”

To learn more about The Rounds, visit therounds.co.

About The Rounds

The Rounds is an AI-driven shopping platform designed to intelligently manage home essentials and reduce packaging waste. For $10 a month, Members can automate the delivery and replenishment of thousands of grocery SKUs in categories including household, personal care, pantry, produce, dairy, and dry goods, along with favorites from local brands and businesses. All products are delivered in reusable packaging and empty containers are picked up, sanitized, and refilled by The Rounds weekly, leveraging their proprietary two-way logistics network. The company’s personalized set-it-and-forget-it platform allows for predictive recurring deliveries and smarter product recommendations over time. Launched in 2019, the company has expanded to service Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Atlanta.

About Moderne Ventures

Moderne Ventures is a strategic venture capital and growth equity firm with more than $500M assets under management and a 16-year track record generating top-tier returns across multiple funds. Moderne is a generalist investor with a vertical approach focused on technology companies in and around the multi-trillion-dollar industries like real estate, finance, insurance, and sustainability – which make up >17% of the US GDP and are ripe for innovation and disruption. The Fund focuses on companies that pertain both to these verticals and that can also expand beyond these industries to capture larger markets and top-tier venture returns.

Moderne differentiates itself by bringing customers to its portfolio companies. Moderne has both a Fund and an Industry Immersion Program, the Moderne Passport, designed to foster innovation, partnership, and growth between industry partners and emerging technology companies. Moderne has built an extraordinary network of over 1,500 executives and corporations within its core industries and programmatically connects its portfolio to the industry network to help generate growth for the portfolio. Moderne has invested in over 150 companies across three funds.

Contact:
Lauren O’Reilly
laurenoreilly@therounds.co

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Landis+Gyr Secures Major Contract with Leading US Utility

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October 26, 2026

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CHAM, Switzerland and ALPHARETTA, Ga., Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Landis+Gyr Group AG (SIX: LAND), a global energy technology leader driving intelligent innovation across the grid, today announced that it has secured a major contract with a leading US investor-owned electric utility. The agreement covers more than 3 million advanced metering endpoints.

Under the agreement, Landis+Gyr will provide Revelo meters and associated network and head-end system technologies, complemented by advanced security solutions, premium support, and software maintenance and services. The deployment is expected to advance the utility’s grid modernization objectives by enhancing security, grid visibility and operational performance.

“This important win reflects the strong momentum of our Grid Edge Intelligence portfolio and the trust customers place in Landis+Gyr to support large-scale grid modernization programs. By combining advanced metering, integrated technology, security and support capabilities, we look forward to helping this utility enhance grid visibility, reliability and operational performance,” said Peter Mainz, Chief Executive Officer of Landis+Gyr.

About Landis+Gyr

Landis+Gyr is a global energy technology leader, delivering intelligent solutions that connect devices, data, and decisions across the grid. Trusted by more than 2,000 utilities worldwide, we transform traditional devices into intelligent, networked sensors, giving utilities real-time grid visibility and system control. With these combined insights, electric, gas, and water companies can anticipate demand, optimize operations, and deliver energy that’s more reliable, resilient, accessible, safe, and sustainable for everyone. For more information, please visit our website www.landisgyr.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/landisgyr-secures-major-contract-with-leading-us-utility-302919687.html

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In HelloNation, Electrical Expert Sean McGahy Breaks Down How a Whole Home Surge Protector Works

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43 minutes ago

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October 26, 2026

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The Article Explains How This Type of System Protects a Home’s Electronics From Power Surges Throughout the Day.

WAKE FOREST, N.C., Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What does a whole home surge protector do? A HelloNation article answers that question and explains how this type of device defends a home’s wiring and electronics from voltage spikes.

The article explains that many power surges happen quietly throughout the day, often without anyone noticing. Large appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators create small voltage spikes every time they cycle on and off.

According to the article, a whole home surge protector is installed directly at the electrical panel, where it can monitor voltage across the entire house. Unlike a power strip, which protects a single outlet, this device works at the source.

The article notes that modern homes rely on sensitive electronics, including smart thermostats, entertainment systems, and connected appliances. Repeated voltage fluctuations can damage this circuitry over time, even when a homeowner never notices it happening.

External surges from lightning strikes or utility grid fluctuations tend to be more severe than everyday cycling surges, the article explains. A whole home system is designed to respond quickly and redirect excess voltage away from a home’s circuits.

Installation is typically straightforward for a licensed electrician and does not usually require major changes to existing wiring, the article states. Many systems include indicators that let homeowners confirm the device is functioning properly.

The article points out that surge protectors are rated by how much energy they can absorb, often measured in joules. Homes with more electronics generally benefit from a protector with a higher rating.

A protector does not last forever, the article notes. Absorbing a large surge can wear down its internal components, even if the device still looks functional. Periodic testing by an electrician can confirm the system is still working as intended.

Electrical Expert Sean McGahy of Zar Electric is featured in the article. The article explains how periodic testing can confirm that a whole home surge protector is still providing the level of protection it was designed for.

The article adds that surge protection works best as one part of a broader approach to electrical safety. Homes should still have properly functioning breakers, updated wiring, and routine inspections alongside this added layer of defense.

Homes in areas prone to storms or frequent power fluctuations may see added value from this protection, the article notes. New construction offers a convenient time to add it, though retrofitting an existing home is described as achievable and usually quick.

The article notes that cost varies depending on the type of system installed and the complexity of a home’s existing electrical setup. Many homeowners view the expense as reasonable compared to the potential cost of replacing damaged electronics after a serious surge event.

Some insurance providers take note of these systems when evaluating a home’s overall risk profile, the article adds, though policies vary from carrier to carrier. This is described as one more reason homeowners weigh the value of this type of protection.

The article closes by noting that deciding whether this protection makes sense often comes down to a home’s electronics, its location, and a homeowner’s comfort level with risk. A licensed electrician can walk through these considerations before a final decision is made.

How Does Whole Home Surge Protection Safeguard Your Home? features insights from Sean McGahy, Electrical Expert of Wake Forest, North Carolina, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused digital publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers expert-driven, good-news content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

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SOURCE HelloNation

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In HelloNation, Building Materials Expert Andy Maetzold Explains How Freeze-Thaw Cycles Affect Minnesota Homes

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October 26, 2026

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The Article Shows How Moisture, Temperature Swings, and Hail Shape Material Choices for Roofs, Windows, Walls, and Decks.

WACONIA, Minn., Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — How do freeze-thaw cycles damage a home in Minnesota? The answer appears in a HelloNation article that was newly published for homeowners choosing building materials for a cold climate. The article features insights from Building Materials Expert Andy Maetzold, a fourth-generation member of the family behind Mayer Lumber.

The HelloNation article explains that a Minnesota home faces a wider range of weather than houses in most of the country. Below-zero nights, humid summers, and hailstorms all test the products used to build and repair it.

According to the article, moisture often does more harm than cold by itself. Water seeps into small gaps, freezes overnight, and expands, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles slowly push joints and seams apart.

The article also notes that large temperature swings make many products expand in summer and shrink in deep cold. Materials installed without room to move can buckle, crack, or pull loose from their fasteners.

The roof takes more of this stress than any other part of the house, the article explains. Asphalt shingles remain the most common choice because they are affordable and familiar to most roofing crews. In areas that see hail, many homeowners look at impact-resistant shingles that earn a Class 4 rating.

The article points out that some insurance companies offer lower premiums for Class 4 roofs, though discount rules vary by insurer. Metal roofing is another option that sheds snow quickly, and snow guards are often added above doors and walkways.

Ice dams get special attention in the piece. The article explains that no shingle stops them alone, because the real cause is warm air leaking into the attic and melting snow on the upper roof. Air sealing, attic insulation, and steady ventilation deal with that heat directly.

Cold-climate building codes also call for an ice barrier membrane under the shingles along the eaves, according to the article. This layer helps keep backed-up water away from the roof deck and the ceilings below.

For windows, the article points readers to the National Fenestration Rating Council label and its U-factor, which measures how easily heat passes through the whole unit. A lower number means better insulation and a warmer glass surface on a January night.

The article compares double-pane windows with triple-pane units, which cut heat loss further but cost and weigh more. It also notes that vinyl and fiberglass frames insulate well, while aluminum frames need a thermal break to suit Minnesota winters.

Walls, decks, and lumber are covered as well. The article explains that house wrap and flashing protect wall framing from water, and that wood touching concrete or soil generally needs pressure treatment.

The insights from Building Materials Expert Andy Maetzold also address cost. The article encourages comparing the full life of a product rather than the purchase price alone, since a cheaper material that needs frequent repairs can cost more over 20 or 30 years.

Finally, the article advises checking with local building officials about code rules. It also stresses following manufacturer installation instructions, since many warranties depend on them.

How Do Freeze-Thaw Cycles Affect Building Materials in Minnesota? features insights from Andy Maetzold, Building Materials Expert of Waconia, Minnesota, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused digital publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers expert-driven, good-news content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/in-hellonation-building-materials-expert-andy-maetzold-explains-how-freeze-thaw-cycles-affect-minnesota-homes-302919645.html

SOURCE HelloNation

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