VCs put real cash into synthetic data, what Amazon’s investing in with new $1B fund, and more - April 22, 2022

April 22, 2022 [Synthetic data startups pick up more real cash]( The still nascent market of synthetic data—or artificially manufactured data—seems to be having a moment right now. Interest in the space has even worked its way into the venture capital world, according to Crunchbase data. [Crusoe caps $505M raise for bitcoin mining]( Although crypto funding may be feeling some of the effects of a down market, one of the key underpinnings of the industry seems to be doing well. Denver-based Crusoe Energy Systems, which helps power bitcoin mining, closed a $350 million Series C equity round led by G2 Venture Partners. [What’s up with Amazon’s new $1B fund?]( Amazon’s new $1 billion fund—Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund—comes amid record venture investment into the shipping and logistics management space prompted by snarled global supply chains. [Never boring, Elon Musk venture raises $675M to dig more tunnels]( Tunnel construction startup The Boring Company raised $675 million in a new round of funding that brings its valuation to nearly $6 billion. The startup last raised $120 million in July 2019, according to Crunchbase. [Want to join a board? Three ways to beat the odds]( If you are determined to join a board of directors, here are some actions worth taking to improve your chances from guest author Kip Knight of Thomvest Ventures. [Despite growth, crypto-corn sector not immune to macro trends]( Crypto sometimes seems like the darling of venture capital—impervious to a slowdown as rounds and valuation only go up, but that is proving untrue according to Crunchbase data. [4 advanced social selling tips for B2B pros]( Social selling, a way to engage and get to know prospects through social media, is about focusing on people instead of pipeline. The best salespeople leverage social media to build long-term relationships with their clients and prospects. Here are four social selling tips to digitally interact with customers, qualify yourself as a trusted consultant, and attract qualified leads. Crunchbase Pro: Searches and Lists Name Type Entries [Unicorn Leaderboard: Emerging Unicorns]( Companies 304 [Online learning companies that have raised more than $1M]( Companies 307 [Austin based companies that have raised funding in the last year]( Companies 299 [More Featured Searches and Lists]( [Check out our Crunchbase solutions here]( – prospecting tools made for everyone Recent Investments [The Boring Company]( [$675M]( / [Series C]( The Boring Company engages in constructing underground transportation networks. Categories: Construction • Infrastructure • Transportation Founders: [Elon Musk]( Investors: [Sequoia Capital]( (Lead), [Vy Capital]( (Lead), [8VC]( [+ 4 more]( [UPSIDE Foods]( [$400M]( / [Series C]( UPSIDE Foods produces meat directly from animal cells without the need to raise and slaughter animals. Categories: Food and Beverage • Food Processing • Organic Food Founders: [Nicholas Genovese]( [Uma Valeti]( [William Clem]( Investors: [Abu Dhabi Growth Fund]( (Lead), [Temasek Holdings]( (Lead), [Baillie Gifford]( [+ 16 more]( [Beta Technologies]( [$375M]( / [Series B]( Beta Technologies manufactures electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and recharging pad systems. Categories: Aerospace • Air Transportation • CleanTech • Manufacturing Founders: [Kyle Clark]( Investors: [Fidelity Management and Research Company]( (Lead), [TPG Rise Climate Fund]( (Lead) More Fundings Company Amount / Round Lead Investor [Foodics]( $170M / [Series C]( [Prosus]( [Convoy]( $160M / [Series E]( [Baillie Gifford]( [Convoy]( $150M / [Debt Financing]( [JP Morgan]( [Convoy]( $100M / [Debt Financing]( [Hercules Capital]( [DoubleMe]( $25M / [Series A]( [Coentry Investment]( [Noice]( $22M / [Series A]( [Northstar Group]( [prezent.ai]( $20M / [Series A]( [Greycroft]( [Everstage]( $13M / [Series A]( [Elevation Capital]( [Meter Feeder]( $2.6M / [Seed Round]( [Trucks Venture Capital]( [All Recent Funding Activity]( Recent Acquisitions [Ascot Lloyd]( Pending acquisition by [Nordic Capital]( for 10B GBP More Acquisitions Company Acquired By Amount [Version 1]( [Partners Group]( 800M EUR [All Recent Acquisition Activity]( Upcoming Tech Events Accelerator Deadlines Date Accelerator Location May 1, 2023 [ORLEN Skylight accelerator]( Unknown Jan 1, 2025 [Smmpanel group]( Unknown [More Upcoming Deadlines]( Don’t see your event? Reach out to us at events@crunchbase.com. #{Rails.configuration.daily.cb_url} Discover innovative companies and the people behind them. [Follow Us on Crunchbase]( [View Jobs on LinkedIn]( [Follow Us on Twitter]( [Like Us on Facebook]( 564 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94104 © 2022 Crunchbase Inc. All rights reserved. [Privacy Policy]( | [Terms of Service]( [Unsubscribe]( from Crunchbase Daily.