Unit Network raises $18M for decentralized platform enabling real-world and digital asset trading - Related to meat, digital, entertainment, raises, $18m

CalArts launches D.R.E.A.M.S. program to train students in location-based entertainment

The California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) has launched the [website] (Digital Research Entertainment Arts Media Storytelling) Initiative supported by a gift from Tom Dolan and the Dolan Family Foundation.

The initiative is intended to prepare students for dynamic careers in the rapidly growing industry of location-based entertainment (LBE)—the creation of unique immersive experiences designed to entertain and educate visitors.

The Dolan Foundation was drawn to CalArts in part because the Institute was founded on the principles of disrupting rigid academic traditions while also embracing innovation, creative risk-taking, and experimentation. This program is one of the few of its kind in higher education, offering students unparalleled access to industry partnerships and hands-on learning experiences.

“Initiatives like [website] are critical to positioning our students for the careers of tomorrow,” expressed Ravi Rajan, president of CalArts, in a statement. “This is just the latest example of how CalArts continues to lead the way in defining the future of the arts, entertainment, and immersive media industries.”.

Key components of the [website] Initiative include:

Paid student internships where students can gain practical experience with leading companies in immersive technologies and entertainment.

A student venture fund that will allow students to pitch their ideas, develop business plans, and secure start-up capital to bring their visions to the creative industries.

New micro-credential programs to equip students with targeted, industry-relevant skills by broadening access to CalArts’ educational programs.

“With visionary support from Tom Dolan and industry leaders, the program fosters real-time collaboration between artists and professionals, as well as education and enterprise,” noted Rajan. “It will allow the next generation of students to think differently, push boundaries, and explore new mediums.”.

Housed in the Patty Disney Center for Life and Work at CalArts, the [website] Initiative will serve as an industry-partnership hub, connecting CalArts students and faculty with real-world, commercial projects involving immersive technologies.

“Experiential learning will shape the future of immersive engagement, which is crucial as the market for location-based entertainment is projected to more than quadruple in the next five years. There’s no improved home for [website] than the place Walt Disney built,” expressed Travis Cloyd, a futurist, in a statement.

Cloyd’s vision was instrumental to the development of the initiative. The program, which will be bolstered by visiting speakers and lecturers including Cloyd and LBE executive Vincent Butta, will enable students to more effective explore, develop, and evolve alongside real-time emerging trends in the entertainment space.

“We believe in the power of creativity to shape the future,” expressed Tom Dolan, director of the Dolan Family Foundation, in a statement. “This initiative embodies our commitment to supporting the next generation of storytellers, artists, and innovators who will have unprecedented access to new and evolving immersive LBE techniques and technologies.”.

The launch of this initiative aligns with CalArts’ longstanding commitment to innovation and experimentation in art and technology, music technology, experience design and production, and interactive media and continues the legacy, present since its inception, of creative industry partnerships. The [website] Initiative will officially launch in spring 2025.

California Institute of the Arts has set the pace for educating professional artists since 1970. Offering rigorous undergraduate and graduate degree programs through six schools—Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music, and Theater—CalArts has championed creative excellence, critical reflection, and the development of new forms and expressions.

As successive generations of faculty and alumni have helped shape the landscape of contemporary arts, the institute first envisioned and founded by Walt Disney encompasses a vibrant, eclectic community with global reach, inviting experimentation, independent inquiry, and active collaboration and exchange among artists, artistic disciplines, and cultural traditions. Charles F. Dolan was the founder of HBO.

For example, Meta’s Llama model may perceive your brand as exciting and reliable, whereas OpenAI’s ChatGPT may view it as exciting but not necessarily......

Unit Network raises $18M for decentralized platform enabling real-world and digital asset trading

Unit Network, a decentralized financial ecosystem enabling trading of real-world and digital assets through tokenization, has raised $18 million.

The venture capital investment was led by industry leaders such as the Blockchain Founders Fund and Outlier Ventures, alongside notable entrepreneurs including Cristina Venture (White Star Capital), Diego Gutiérrez Zaldívar (Rootstock), Joshua Seims (Metastable Capital), Richard Wang (Draper Dragon Fund), Thomas Hessler (Zanox), Yuval Rooz ([website].

Other investors also include star poker players Alec Torelli and Huck Seed, and musician Oliver Tree. Already serving a global community of 50,000 active consumers, Unit Network has been built on its own blockchain to eliminate barriers in traditional finance, enabling businesses, creators, and communities to seamlessly launch and manage tokenized assets.

This funding will enable Unit Network to scale its blockchain infrastructure, integrate with additional blockchain ecosystems, and expand tokenization efforts in key industries such as real estate, gaming, and digital commerce.

“With tens of millions of businesses, creators, and communities looking to participate in the digital economy, the need for accessible and equitable financial tools has never been greater,” mentioned Michael Healy, CEO of Unit Network, in a statement. “As our ecosystem continues to grow, we are seeing firsthand how a strong, engaged community fosters creativity, strengthens economic collaboration, and opens new pathways for economic participation. This investment moves us closer to a world where financial access is open, ownership is shared, and economic opportunities are available to us all.”.

Unit Network is built on three core pillars: (1) financial inclusion through a cooperative economic model, (2) a seamless crowdfunding platform for easy capital raising, and (3) a decentralized ownership exchange that empowers businesses and communities. Unit also provides a crowdfunding platform that allows anyone to raise capital with ease while building on new ventures. Lastly, Unit enables businesses of all sizes to turn their customers, employees, and supporters into co-owners through a decentralized ownership exchange.

“By giving communities direct avenues to support and invest in the ventures they believe in, we’re establishing a new blueprint for economic growth,” added Kat Miroshnikova, cofounder of Unit Network, in a statement. “When individuals evolve from mere consumers into true stakeholders, we open the door to an economy where shared success is not just an aspiration but a tangible outcome.”.

“Technology should empower people, not limit them. Our investors understand and are excited that Unit Network is focused on removing barriers to finance,” mentioned Healy. “By making tokenization as simple and accessible as possible, Unit is unlocking new opportunities for customers to take control of their economies and drive meaningful change in the financial industry.”.

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Kynda secures €3M Seed for alternative meat

Kynda, a Hamburg-based biotech producing sustainable proteins, has raised €3M in Seed funding.

The round was led by Enjoy Ventures (through their Invest-Impuls Scale fund), with participation from PHW Group and Clima Now, a Swiss climate tech investor. The new group of investors will be joined by [website] Investment in a second closing.

Kynda specialises in the production of alternative proteins for the food and pet food industries. They utilise proprietary fermentation technology to convert agricultural by-products into mycoprotein—a protein-rich and fiber-rich substance derived from mushroom mycelium. This process is notably efficient, producing mycoprotein within 24 to 48 hours, significantly faster than traditional methods.

Kynda's approach emphasises sustainability by upcycling underutilized agricultural biomass, addressing environmental concerns and contributing to food security. Their mycoprotein offers a meat-like texture and rich umami flavor, making it a versatile ingredient for various meat alternatives. Additionally, Kynda provides.

Clients with low-cost, plug-and-play bioreactors and starter cultures, enabling in-house biomass fermentation. In 2024, Kynda began constructing a large-scale facility near Hamburg to produce several thousand tons of "Kynda Meat" annually. This expansion aims to meet the growing demand for sustainable proteins.

Kynda plans to scale up production at its new facility in Jelmstorf, near Hamburg, scheduled to open in Q2 2025.

“Many of our clients require thousands of metric tonnes of product. This investment will allow us to increase our production capacity with our partners to meet those needs and to reach the mass market,” showcased Daniel MacGowan, co-founder of Kynda.

“This strategic partnership creates exciting synergies, accelerating the implementation and commercialisation of our technology and superfood raw materials,” noted Franziskus Schnabel, co-founder of Kynda.

“With PHW’s support, we are well-positioned to drive sustainable innovation at scale.” Kynda is positioning itself as a key player in the future of global alternative protein production."

"With the vegan food market growing and consumers demanding minimally processed products, Kynda provides manufacturers with a sustainable and competitive solution to meet these trends for cleaner, healthier, and allergen-friendly food ingredients. This funding round, combined with strong partnerships and cutting-edge technology, enables Kynda to accelerate the adoption of circular economy solutions in food production and animal nutrition." added Gerrit Gnisa of Enjoy Ventures.

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