These days, many business leaders are taking action or making a statement — in some form or another — to show just how important immigrants are to the U.S. workforce.
Scott Galloway's voice is among the loudest.
The L2 founder and New York University professor, who recently said the best political posture for companies now is to be " overtly and explicitly progressive,” has created the Galloway Fellows Fund.
The goal is to assist high-achieving business students at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business who come from immigrant families. Galloway made a $4.4 million gift donation to the school with the intention of funding scholarships and fellowships for undergraduate and graduate business students.
Galloway's gift underscores just how challenging of a time is is for many immigrant families — especially since President Donald Trump rescinded a policy that provides work and study permits for about 750,000 children of undocumented immigrants.
"As the son of a single immigrant mother, the big hand of government lifted me up," Galloway said in a prepared statement. "I want to ensure the hand remains extended for the next generation of aspiring business leaders who come from immigrant families."
THIS WEEK IN VC
Raise
Just a few months after the launch of a new mobile app, the startup received $60 million in series C funding from PayPal (Nasdaq: PYPL) and other investors. Following the lead of Peter Thiel's payments company are Accel, New Enterprise Associates and Bessemer Venture Partners. Sameer Gandhi of Accel, and Chicago entrepreneur Mark Tebbe are set to join Raise’s board of directors.
mParticle
The startup clinched series C funding in the lump sum of $35 million. Harmony Partners led with participation from existing investors Social + Capital and Bain Capital Ventures, bringing total funding to date to $76 million.
Victor
The on-demand flight concierge company secured $20 million in series B financing. The New York-based company has raised $44.45 million in funding since its launch in 2011. BP Ventures, BP plc’s investment arm, committed $10 million as lead investor.
Acast
The on-demand audio and podcasting company secured a Series B investment of $19.5 million led by Swedbank Robur funds Ny Teknik and Microcap as well as Norron Asset Management’s funds Target and Select. Acast has now raised over $32 million to date. Other investors include Bonnier Growth Media, MOOR, Alfvén & Didrikson, the CNI Network, and Inbox Capital.
Pilot
The fiber internet services to businesses received $17 million in funding. Foundry Group led the round.
Smartly.io
The automated marketing tools provider announced a $20 million investment by Highland Europe. Over 500 brands and agencies including eBay and Zillow Group rely on Smartly.io to run Facebook advertising at scale.
Capsule8
The company completed a $6 million round of funding. Bessemer Venture Partners led the Series A round with participation from strategic investors. This round brings total funding to more than $8.5 million for the next-generation security provider. ClearSky Security managing director Jay Leek joins Bessemer’s Bob Goodman and former RSA Chairman and Capsule8 investor Art Coviello on Capsule8’s board of directors.
Pymetrics
The neuroscience-based assessment and prediction technology platform raised $8 million in additional Series A funding. JAZZ Venture Partners led the effort, and was joined by Khosla Ventures, Randstad Innovation Fund, and BBG Ventures.
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