News

Orlando, Fla. – September 17, 2026 -- Mach Industries doubled its valuation to $3.7 billion in three months, up from $470 million a year earlier, as defense startup funding heads for a record 2026 even while exits remain scarce, according to Backswing Ventures.

Crunchbase data shows 2026 funding at record levels with few exits in sight

Crunchbase News reported this month that 2026 is on pace to be the largest year on record for defense startup funding. Backswing Ventures founder Kyle Asman said that surge is not matched by liquidity, since government sales cycles and dual-use commercial traction can take years to materialize into a sale or IPO.

"Raising money has never been faster in this sector," Asman said. "Turning that money into an exit is a separate problem, and a much slower one."

Salt Lake City – – September 17, 2026 -- Instructure, maker of Canvas LMS, has appointed Stephan Geering as chief privacy officer to lead its global data privacy programs and AI regulatory compliance efforts. Geering brings more than 20 years of experience in data privacy, risk management and public policy across technology, financial services and government sectors.

Geering will vet AI features for privacy and safety risks before customer release

In his new role, Geering will work across Instructure's legal, security and product teams to set requirements for how new products handle learner and educator data. He will oversee the evaluation of AI features for data privacy and safety risks prior to deployment and lead the company's response to emerging AI regulation worldwide.

Raleigh – September 17, 2026 -- Endpoint Clinical L.P., a portfolio company of Arsenal Capital Partners, has acquired Boston-based Bluefin, a clinical supply forecasting and planning technology provider, expanding Endpoint's footprint from randomization and trial supply management (RTSM) into upstream supply chain planning.

Bluefin will keep operating independently across all RTSM platforms

Under the deal, Bluefin will continue to run as a standalone, RTSM-agnostic business, connecting with RTSM systems industry-wide rather than being folded exclusively into Endpoint's technology stack. Endpoint will provide global project management, implementation, quality and customer support resources to help sponsors deploy Bluefin's platform at scale.

Tacoma, WA – September 17, 2026 -- Sound Credit Union and the University of Washington Tacoma Milgard Center for Business Analytics will host the second annual HuskyHack fintech competition on October 17, 2026, offering a $15,000 grand prize to the winning team.

Student Teams Get 24 Hours to Build Fintech Solutions

Students from colleges and universities across Washington State will compete individually or in teams at the University of Washington Tacoma campus. Participants have 24 hours to develop a product, prototype, or concept aimed at helping consumers manage their finances with greater confidence while building trust in financial services. The specific challenge topic will be disclosed at the opening ceremony.

Los Angeles – September 17, 2026 -- IDrive has added Microsoft Entra ID Backup to its Microsoft Office 365 Backup solution, extending data protection to identity and access management systems for $10 per Entra ID seat per year with unlimited storage.

Native Microsoft recovery tools leave identity data exposed to gaps

Microsoft Entra ID functions as the central control plane for workforce identities, applications, and privileged access across organizations. IDrive states that native retention and recovery capabilities may not fully protect critical Entra ID configurations, meaning the loss or modification of users, groups, applications, roles, policies, or devices can disrupt sign-ins and force time-consuming manual reconstruction.

New York – – September 17, 2026 -- Belfry Software has expanded its security guard services platform with two new AI-driven capabilities, Belle AI Dispatch and Belle AI Assistant, alongside a newly launched applicant tracking system called Belfry Recruiting, now available to all customers.

Pittsburgh – September 17, 2026 -- InventHelp has submitted a new pacifier design, the NIPLI, to its Birmingham sales office and made it available for licensing or sale to manufacturers and marketers in the infant care market.

Inventor Designs Pacifier to Replicate Maternal Scent

An inventor from Weaver, Alabama, developed the NIPLI after her newborn struggled to sleep without nursing. The pacifier is engineered to mimic a mother's natural scent and feel, aiming to calm and soothe infants even when the mother is not present.

Product Targets Comfort and Separation-Anxiety Gaps in Existing Pacifiers

The NIPLI offers an alternative to traditional pacifiers, which the inventor says lack the natural look, feel and scent of nursing. The design is intended to increase comfort and bonding between parent and infant and may reduce separation anxiety.

Greenville, S.C. – September 17, 2026 -- Senior Helpers Greenville has become the first private duty in-home care provider in the United States to earn Age-Friendly Care at Home certification from the Community Health Accreditation Partners (CHAP), the locally owned franchise confirmed August 27, 2026.

CHAP certification validates a 4Ms clinical framework across daily operations

The certification requires providers to embed the 4Ms Framework -- What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility -- into every client interaction, a research-backed model designed to reduce hospitalization risk and improve outcomes for aging-in-place seniors. Teresa Harbour, COO of CHAP, credited the location's prior deployment of clinical tools, including its LIFE Profile hospitalization-risk assessment and Senior Gems dementia care program, as groundwork that made the certification a natural extension of existing practice.

Alexandria – September 17, 2026 -- The American Staffing Association (ASA) named Dr. Aline Milfort, a licensed school psychologist with National Recruiting Consultants (NRC), its 2027 National Staffing Employee of the Year, kicking off National Staffing Employee Week, Sept. 14-20.

ASA recognizes millions of temporary and contract workers placed annually across U.S. staffing agencies

The award, sponsored by StaffPro 3, a division of PMC Insurance Group, spotlights Dr. Milfort's work serving 10 campuses across North Houston, Texas. Since joining NRC in 2023 after earning her doctor of psychology degree in 2022, she has provided special education support through a contract role with Aldine Independent School District.

Colorado Springs – September 17, 2026 -- Prime IV Hydration & Wellness has added Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) and Niagen, a patented NAD+ precursor, to its service menu at select locations across its 215-plus site franchise network.

Prime IV expands physician-guided hormone therapy to address andropause and menopause symptoms

The BHRT program uses compounded bioidentical hormones delivered via a 100% USDA Certified Organic, solvent-free topical base designed for rapid absorption and minimized transfer risk. The offering includes initial consultation, personalized treatment planning, and ongoing provider access, targeting symptoms such as fatigue, mood changes, sleep disruption, brain fog, low libido, weight changes and decreased vitality. Prime IV has structured separate membership tracks for men and women to address andropause and perimenopause/menopause respectively.