Technology

Top Down Ventures Closes US$28M Founders Fund I, Exceeding Target

Published

6 months ago

May 12, 2026

First institutional venture fund exclusively focused on MSP software announces final close, strong early performance, and first exit

VANCOUVER, BC, May 12, 2026 /CNW/ – Top Down Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on early-stage software and AI companies serving the Managed Service Provider (MSP) market, today announced the final close of its Founders Fund I at US$28 million (C$38 million), oversubscribing its original US$25M target. The fund held its first close in October 2024 and completed its final close in April 2026.

Founders Fund I is the first institutional venture fund dedicated exclusively to early-stage MSP software and AI companies. The fund has attracted over 100 LPs (limited partners), the majority of whom are founders, operators, and executives from across the MSP ecosystem, creating a strategic LP base that actively contributes to portfolio company growth. The fund also includes participation from Pax8 founder and chairman John Street, Upward Trajectory Fund, and a number of private family offices across Canada and the United States.

The MSP ecosystem has long been the invisible infrastructure of the global economy, powering the technology operations of over 100 million SMBs (small and mid-sized businesses) worldwide, and on track to reach US$1 trillion in annual spend by 2030. According to Top Down’s 2025 State of MSP Capital in the Age of AI report, 2026 marks a historic shift: for the first time, the total addressable market for SMB IT spend is projected to surpass that of Enterprise IT. What was once considered a niche market is crossing into the mainstream, and institutional capital is beginning to take notice. Top Down was built on the conviction that this moment was coming, that Main Street’s technology needs would eventually demand Wall Street’s attention.

Strong Early Performance

The fund’s first exit has already been realized: zofiQ, a portfolio company focused on agentic AI for MSPs, was acquired by ConnectWise, returning 5.3x to the fund just six months after the initial investment. A second portfolio company has completed its Series B at a 3.5x markup to Top Down’s entry.

Since beginning to invest in 2024, the fund has deployed capital into 12 portfolio companies. Based on early DPI and deployment metrics, the fund is tracking in the top decile of 2024 vintage venture funds (Source: Carta, Q4 2025 VC Fund Performance).

The firm’s general partners bring a hands-on track record in the MSP space, having founded and scaled companies including IT Glue (acquired by Kaseya), Fully Managed (acquired by TELUS), N-able (NYSE: NABL), and ScalePad. Their prior investments generated a 12.8x MOIC and 97% IRR.

“We’re proud to have built a fund that reflects the strength and alignment of the MSP ecosystem. Our LP base is not just capital, it’s a flywheel of operators, founders, and industry leaders helping the next generation of MSP software companies scale faster and smarter.”

– Joel Abramson, Managing Partner, Top Down Ventures

Investing in the AI-Native Generation

Top Down’s investment strategy has focused on backing a new cohort of AI-native SaaS companies, businesses built from inception with modern AI development tooling, resulting in faster product cycles, leaner teams, and differentiated capabilities tailored to the evolving MSP landscape. These are not companies that have bolted AI onto existing products; they were designed around it.

“We’re seeing a fundamentally different caliber of company. These are AI-native businesses built from day one with new tooling, new cost structures, and new expectations around speed and scale.”

– Chris Day, Founder & Chairman, Top Down Ventures

AI-native companies are doing to the MSP stack what cloud once did to on-premise software – not bolting on features, but rebuilding foundational workflows from the ground up, around intelligence, redefining what it means to deliver managed services. Just as cloud reshaped the economics and architecture of IT delivery a decade ago, AI is now doing the same, creating both urgency and opportunity for the MSPs and software vendors willing to move first.

A Platform Built on Deep Industry Specialization

Top Down combines capital with a hands-on platform approach, providing operational guidance, go-to-market support, and access to a deeply embedded industry network. The firm convenes CEO peer groups, hosts its annual Horizons investor summit, and publishes the MSP Outliers blog and podcast, resources that connect founders, operators, and investors across the ecosystem.

“In one of the most challenging fundraising environments, we are grateful for the support from institutions, family offices, and everyone from the MSP ecosystem who engaged with our vision in defining the new era of AI-first MSP software. We believe there has never been a more important time to invest at the early stage, especially in a category like MSP that remains underappreciated but critical to the global SMB market for managed IT, security and AI.”

– Mark Scott, General Partner, Top Down Ventures

What’s Next

Top Down will be active across the MSP and venture community through the rest of 2026, including its annual Horizons investor summit in November in Scottsdale, where it will showcase portfolio companies to LPs, founders, and industry leaders. The firm is also expanding the Outliers program with new research and content for the operators and institutional investors shaping the next decade of MSP software.

About Top Down Ventures

Top Down Ventures is the first early-stage venture capital firm focused on the MSP software/AI ecosystem. The firm partners with founders building automation, intelligence, and governance platforms for the global SMB market. Through its research, events, and investments, Top Down’s mission is to elevate the MSP industry from Main Street to Wall Street. For more information, visit www.topdown.com.

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Technology

ADT Secures AI Innovation with Oracle

Published

28 minutes ago

October 27, 2026

ADT estimates it can save more than $3 million over four years and improve application performance by 25 percent by migrating business-critical applications to Oracle AI Database@Google Cloud

Oracle Cloud HCM automatically answers 90 percent of ADT’s basic HR inquiries

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Oracle AI World — ADT Inc. (NYSE: ADT), the trusted leader in smart home security solutions, is expanding its use of AI with Oracle AI Database@Google Cloud and Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications. To reduce infrastructure costs, improve application performance, strengthen data security, and bring business data closer to its analytics and AI tools, ADT moved critical applications to Oracle AI Database@Google Cloud. In addition, ADT is leveraging the extensive AI capabilities in Oracle Fusion Cloud Human Capital Management (HCM) to answer employees’ routine HR questions and help managers complete performance reviews faster.

“To develop more intelligent, proactive protection, we need to make it easier for our teams to put critical data to work,” said Dave Scott, executive vice president and chief people and administration officer, ADT. “By using Oracle AI Database@Google Cloud, we are bringing that data closer to the tools our teams use to develop and test new ideas. With Oracle Fusion Applications, we are also using AI to help improve HR outcomes. For example, our new hires get the guidance they need while our managers gain more time to support their teams.”

Bringing Critical Data Closer to AI and Analytics
ADT estimates that moving its billing, tax, and order management applications to Oracle AI Database@Google Cloud can save more than $3 million over four years and improve application performance by 25 percent. The move also brings data from those applications closer to ADT’s Google BigQuery data warehouse, making it more accessible for planned AI projects using Gemini Enterprise. Keeping the data next to the Google Cloud services that use it can also simplify data management, accelerate analyses, and reduce the need to move or duplicate sensitive information. ADT also uses Oracle Database Zero Data Loss Autonomous Recovery Service to help secure and protect critical data, and Oracle Maximum Availability Architecture to enhance availability and disaster recovery of its databases deployed across the three Google Cloud regions it currently uses.

Improving the Employee Experience with AI
With more than 5,000 new hires each year, ADT wanted to give employees a more consistent experience, allow managers to spend more time with their teams, and reduce integration work across its systems. To meet these goals, ADT selected Oracle Cloud HCM, part of Oracle Fusion Applications, to bring HR processes and data together on one platform and take advantage of the latest AI capabilities.

With the AI capabilities in Oracle Cloud HCM, ADT has been able to automate responses to 90 percent of basic HR inquiries. In addition, Oracle Cloud HCM has enabled ADT to reduce HR support tickets by 26 percent, giving HR specialists more time for workforce planning and supporting complex employee needs. For managers, the AI-assisted tools in Oracle Cloud HCM save two to three hours per direct report during performance review cycles. ADT has also built a predictive turnover model in Oracle Cloud HCM that helps leaders identify potential attrition risks by job group and location.

“ADT is taking a practical approach to AI that is delivering results today while creating new opportunities for innovation,” said Nathan Thomas, senior vice president, product management, Oracle. “By bringing critical data closer to its AI and analytics tools, ADT is creating new opportunities to move faster and innovate, while its use of AI in HR is already giving employees more time to focus on higher-value work. Together, these efforts will help ADT continue to deliver smarter, more proactive protection for its customers.”

ADT’s migration to Oracle AI Database@Google Cloud was supported by the Google Solution Line at Insight and Oracle Consulting.

Additional Resources

Customer Story: ADT embraces Oracle AI to improve onboarding and enhance workforce insightsProduct Overview: Oracle AI Database@Google CloudProduct Overview: Oracle Fusion Cloud Human Capital Management (HCM)

About ADT
ADT is a leading provider of security, interactive and smart home solutions serving residential and small business customers in the U.S. Through innovative offerings, unrivaled safety and a premium customer experience delivered by the largest network of smart home security professionals in the U.S., ADT empowers people to protect and connect to what matters most, every second, every day. For more information, visit ADT.com.

About Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications
Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications are a complete suite of cloud applications that form the enterprise system of record, spanning finance, HR, supply chain, manufacturing, sales, service, and marketing. The suite includes Oracle Fusion Cloud Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Oracle Fusion Cloud Human Capital Management (HCM), Oracle Fusion Cloud Supply Chain & Manufacturing (SCM), and Oracle Fusion Cloud Customer Experience (CX).

Fusion Agentic Applications extend that foundation into a system of outcomes. They can coordinate and execute end-to-end work toward business objectives, and are designed to operate within the policies, controls, and authority each organization defines. With Oracle AI Agent Studio for Fusion Applications, customers and partners can create, extend, and manage these agents and agentic applications combining trusted enterprise data with the security, data governance, and performance needed to operate at scale.

About Oracle
Oracle offers integrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at oracle.com.

About Oracle AI World
Oracle AI World is where customers and partners discover the latest product and technology innovations, see how AI is being applied across industries, and connect with experts and peers. Attendees will gain practical tips and insights to drive immediate impact within their organizations and explore how Oracle is helping unlock the full potential of AI. Join the event to see new capabilities in action and hear from thought leaders and industry movers. Register now at oracle.com/ai-world or follow the news and conversation at oracle.com/news and linkedin.com/company/oracle.

Trademarks
Oracle, Java, MySQL and NetSuite are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation. NetSuite was the first cloud company—ushering in the new era of cloud computing.

Contact:
Ben Wolfson
Oracle
+1.510.480.5230
ben.wolfson@oracle.com

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SOURCE Oracle

Technology

Oracle Unveils New Cloud Networking Innovations for AI

Published

28 minutes ago

October 27, 2026

New Oracle Acceleron capabilities help customers move data efficiently, keep distributed AI workloads running, and securely scale multi-tenant clusters

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Oracle AI World — Oracle today announced new capabilities in Oracle Acceleron, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure‘s (OCI) suite of networking and infrastructure technologies that help customers run demanding AI workloads reliably, securely, and at scale.

The latest additions build on OCI’s continued investments in high-performance connectivity, network architecture, host-level acceleration, and security and give customers more flexibility across compute and storage while improving the network’s ability to adapt to changing conditions.

“AI infrastructure can be unforgiving when it comes to network friction,” said Pradeep Vincent, executive vice president, Compute and AI Infrastructure, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. “When thousands of accelerators are working together, one congested or failed path can have consequences far beyond a single connection. With Oracle Acceleron, we are building a network that can respond by rerouting traffic, recovering from failures, and helping customers scale securely.”

Oracle Acceleron combines dedicated network fabrics, more direct data paths, and a converged NIC to boost performance and lower cost, with host-level zero-trust routing and multi-planar designs to strengthen security and resilience. Its unique software architecture simplifies complex networking operations through a programmable foundation that unifies advanced networking, storage, and security capabilities across a broad range of hardware.

New capabilities span AI data movement, distributed AI communication, and secure multi-tenant AI infrastructure:

AI Data Movement

Oracle Acceleron High-Performance Fabric: Helps customers deploy inference, storage, and HPC workloads with greater performance through RDMA connectivity on OCI front-end compute.Expanded NVMe Block-storage Attachment Options: Helps customers support AI, database, and other data-intensive workloads with NVMe block storage across Oracle Acceleron bare metal and VM shapes improving performance up to 3x.

Distributed AI Communication

Oracle Collective Communications Library: Helps customers keep distributed AI workloads running when network paths fail by spreading collective traffic across OCI’s backend Multiplanar Network. It steers traffic toward healthier paths and helps workloads instantaneously recover when links, ports, or NICs fail, significantly improving the network availability and resilience.Transparent Front-End Multiplanar Networking: Helps customers improve resiliency across compute infrastructure by bringing multiplanar networking to front-end networks, with built-in transparent path selection and failover, as well as transparent congestion control for front-end RDMA traffic.

Additional Resources

Learn more about new Oracle Acceleron capabilities and innovationsLearn more about Oracle Cloud InfrastructureLearn more about Oracle Cloud NetworkingLearn more about Oracle Acceleron

About Oracle
Oracle offers integrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at oracle.com.

Future Product Disclaimer
This press release is intended to outline our general product direction. It is intended for information purposes only, and may not be incorporated into any contract. It is not a commitment to deliver any material, code, or functionality, and should not be relied upon in making purchasing decisions. The development, release, timing, and pricing of any features or functionality described for Oracle’s products may change and remains at the sole discretion of Oracle Corporation.

Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer
Statements in this article relating to Oracle’s future plans, expectations, beliefs, and intentions are “forward-looking statements” and are subject to material risks and uncertainties. Many factors could affect Oracle’s current expectations and actual results, and could cause actual results to differ materially. A discussion of such factors and other risks that affect Oracle’s business is contained in Oracle’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including Oracle’s most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q under the heading “Risk Factors.” These filings are available on the SEC’s website or on Oracle’s website at oracle.com/investor. All information in this article is current as of October 27, 2026 and Oracle undertakes no duty to update any statement in light of new information or future events.

Trademarks
Oracle, Java, MySQL and NetSuite are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation. NetSuite was the first cloud company—ushering in the new era of cloud computing.

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Technology

Oracle Introduces Oracle Media Fabric

Published

28 minutes ago

October 27, 2026

Integrated platform brings together AI-powered production, enterprise media models, and distributed video delivery to help media companies, streaming providers, and brands get more value from their content

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Oracle AI World — Oracle today announced Oracle Media Fabric, an integrated platform designed to help media companies, streaming providers, and brands reduce content production time and cost, distribute and stream high-quality video at scale, and create more personalized experiences for viewers. The platform brings sophisticated content creation and streaming capabilities once available only to the largest proprietary streaming platforms to content creators of all sizes. By connecting AI-powered creative tools with next-generation video delivery infrastructure built around open standards, Oracle Media Fabric enables audience-specific advertising, tailored programming, and shared viewing experiences built around what audiences care about.

“Creating content and delivering it to viewers were separate processes,” said Clay Magouyrk, CEO, Oracle. “With Oracle Media Fabric, we’re bringing content creation and streaming together, using AI across the entire production and distribution workflow. That helps creators reduce production time and cost, make better use of their existing content, and tailor viewing experiences for different audiences in real-time.”

Oracle Media Fabric brings together Oracle Creative Studio, Oracle AI Media Models, and Oracle Video Edge to help customers create, adapt, and deliver content. It includes safeguards to help protect customers’ intellectual property (IP) and reduce the risk of generated content infringing the IP rights of others. Powered by the Oracle Creative Studio and Oracle Video Edge, the Oracle Adaptive Media Platform connects creation and delivery to enable audience-specific advertising, personalized programming, and shared viewing experiences.

Oracle Creative Studio: Helps professional media teams and a broad range of creators turn ideas into storyboards, scenes, cinematic video, visual effects, and virtual characters. As an AI-powered production suite, it brings together Oracle AI Media Models and leading third-party models through a flexible, model-agnostic platform that can select models for each creative task based on requirements for security, provenance, cost, and IP protection.Oracle AI Media Models: Help media studios and entertainment companies accelerate content creation while maintaining creative control. The Oracle-developed models focus on video generation, image generation, and image editing, enabling governed, large-scale media processing, intelligent curation and search, and frontier-model customization on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI).Oracle Video Edge: Helps broadcasters and streaming providers maintain high video quality and low latency during large-scale live events, helping ensure viewer playback starts fast and remains smooth as audience sizes peak. The AI-enabled managed platform uses real-time network and playback information to coordinate capacity and direct viewers to suitable delivery locations across OCI and participating content delivery networks and internet service provider networks.Oracle Adaptive Media Platform: Helps connect creation and delivery, enabling customers to develop audience-specific advertising, personalized programming, and shared viewing experiences. Brands can generate variations of a base advertisement within brand guidelines and approval rules, helping reduce the time and cost of creating multiple versions.

By helping broadcasters and streaming providers understand how audiences respond to programming and advertising, Oracle Media Fabric can inform more engaging experiences, strengthen viewer relationships within customers’ applications, and create new opportunities to monetize content. Oracle Media Fabric is planned to be available within the next 12 months.

About Oracle
Oracle offers integrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in Oracle Cloud. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit oracle.com.

Trademarks
Oracle, Java, MySQL, and NetSuite are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation. NetSuite was the first cloud company—ushering in the new era of cloud computing.

Future Product Disclaimer
The preceding is intended to outline our general product direction. It is intended for information purposes only, and may not be incorporated into any contract. It is not a commitment to deliver any material, code, or functionality, and should not be relied upon in making purchasing decisions. The development, release, timing, and pricing of any features or functionality described for Oracle’s products may change and remains at the sole discretion of Oracle Corporation.

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SOURCE Oracle