Mobility Threads | Release #7
Why consumer tech doesn't feel like magic anymore, robotics continues to be the top category across verticals in 2025; Oh, and if there's anyone I should meet in Dubai; let me know.
The Digital Future: From Magic to "Enshittification"
Remember when technology felt exciting—like it was ushering in a bright, sci-fi-inspired future? A recent viral discussion on reddit - which I could not stop reading - suggests that feeling is gone, replaced by frustration with digital technology that seems more like a data-harvesting, ad-infested mess than a tool for innovation.
Tech was once a symbol of progress, now feels mass-produced and predatory. Instead of gadgets that expand our world, we get incremental updates designed to squeeze profits. Smartphones? No longer futuristic, just rectangles filled with low-effort content and inescapable ads. The rise of AI? Less about empowering users, more about automating spam. The only thing that excites me now? Cars. When you get into a beautifully designed EV with an out of this world feature, I go back to the time when I held a touch screen Nokia N96 in my hands.
Will consumer tech ever get back to being magical? I don’t know. For now, many are dreaming of a simpler, ad-free digital utopia…or at least a return to Windows XP.
On the Right Track
Rails (Atlanta, GA) – Raised an undisclosed Early Stage VC round from Dorm Room Fund to expand its AI-driven rail freight optimization platform. By automating planning and logistics, Rails is making freight transport faster, greener, and more efficient.
Literal Labs (Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK) – Raised an undisclosed Early Stage VC round from Dhuna Ventures to advance its AI-powered autonomous agents. The company is building next-gen AI systems designed to automate real-world workflows, helping businesses streamline operations with minimal human intervention.
Bahn Express (Helsinki, Finland) – Raised €920K in pre-seed funding led by Innovestor and Trind Ventures, with participation from Wave Ventures, Jiri Heinonen, Ekaterina Gianelli, and Tony Honkanen. Bahn Express is building a digital freight platform to improve cross-border rail logistics, enhancing efficiency and sustainability across Europe.
Contoro Robotics (Austin, TX) – Raised $12M in Series A funding led by Doosan Investment, with backing from Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund, Coupang, SV Investment, Kakao Ventures, and FuturePlay. The company is developing AI-powered robotic automation solutions for industrial applications, focusing on warehouse logistics, smart manufacturing, and fulfillment operations.
Revvo (San Mateo, CA) – Raised $12M in Series A funding at a $47M post-money valuation from undisclosed investors. Revvo is pioneering AI-powered tire intelligence, helping fleets predict failures, optimize maintenance, and extend tire life—all in real time.
Dealcar (Madrid, Spain) – Raised €3M in seed funding led by 4Founders Capital and Entourage Ventures, with backing from Toubkal Partners, Bynd Venture Capital, and Demium Capital. Dealcar is building a B2B marketplace to streamline wholesale used car transactions, making vehicle sales faster, more transparent, and more profitable for dealers.
Package.ai (Tel Aviv, Israel) – Raised $14M in Series A funding to modernize retail operations with its AI-driven platform. By integrating customer engagement with last-mile logistics, Package.ai aims to enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction in the retail sector.
Figure (Sunnyvale, CA) – Raised $675M at a $2.6B valuation and signed a collaboration agreement with OpenAI to develop next-generation AI models for humanoid robots. Figure is working on advanced robotics solutions for logistics, manufacturing, and beyond.
Enapi (Berlin, Germany) – Raised €7.5M in Seed funding led by Voyager Ventures, with participation from Project A, Seedcamp, and Helloworld VC. Enapi provides a unified API for the EV charging ecosystem, integrating multiple charge point operators and eMobility service providers to streamline industry connectivity.
Side Track
yes, this is the whole meme.
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Disclaimer: The views expressed here are my own and do not constitute investment advice, guidance, or recommendations of any kind.