Dynamo Dispatch (2025/12/22)
Issue 357 | Galbot, Axion, Nirvana
Dynamo Dispatch. A weekly update from Dynamo Ventures covering the latest and greatest in supply chain, mobility, and building venture-scale businesses.
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Weekly Commentary đ
As we head into the holidays, the global economy isnât slowing downâitâs resetting, with tariffs, front-loaded freight, automation gaps, and supply-chain realignment shaping a choppy 2026. This weekâs Dispatch breaks down where the pressure is buildingâand where disciplined operators and investors can still find an edge across how we make, move, and monetize.
From all of us at Dynamo Ventures, thanks for reading and building with us this year, and wishing you a great holiday season! See you next year!
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Make, Move, and Monetize đŚ
â How Trumpâs Trade War is Playing Out Inside US Supply Chain as Retailers Stocked Up For the Holidays. Holiday freight held up despite tariffs, with apparel, housewares, and promos leading, e-commerce volumes rising, and inventories already front-loaded for peak; luxury and furniture lagged, and overall US imports eased as replenishment grew costlier. The 2026 setup is choppyâtariff uncertainty, geopolitics, and new vessel capacity point to volatile volumes, pressured rates, and more carrier exits, while sourcing keeps tilting toward Southeast Asia, Mexico, and Turkey alongside steady reshoring. The edge goes to shippers and logistics firms that pair hybrid inventory models with AI-driven visibility and dual sourcing, positioning for uneven demand (ocean strength into Lunar New Year, niche air growth in data centers and healthcare) rather than a broad rebound. Completely unrelated, Georgia Regulators Approve Massive Power Grid Expansion to Serve Data Centers.
How 2026 Will Reshape the US Critical Mineral Resilience. In 2026, Washington will widen critical minerals policy beyond rare earths to high-risk inputs like antimony and tungsten, shifting funding toward domestic processing that is cleaner, cheaper, and more resilient than extraction alone. Aging US midstream capacity for aluminum, copper, magnesium, and titanium is colliding with surging power demand from AI and data centers, creating white space for technologies that cut electricity use, emissions, and total cost. The practical outcome is that capital, grants, and procurement will concentrate around processors that can prove scalable, energy-thrifty, low-emission methods, while extraction-only strategies and power-hungry incumbents lose ground. Also, USA Rare Earth Mine-to-Magnet Gap: Americaâs Strategic Supply Challenge and Rare Earth Metals Market Size - By Product Type, Application, Industry Analysis, Share, Growth Forecast 2025 - 2034.
How Tariffs Hit in 2025: Who Lost, Who Gained, and Whatâs Next. Two tariff waves and the lapse of AGOA rewired market access in 2025, pushing the average US tariff up sharply and hitting developing countries hardest as least developed economies lost preference and saw their relative position erode. Trade was front-loaded before the hikes and slowed after, and while most partnersâ relative access barely moved, the gap widened in favor of developed economies, with a few outliers gaining or losing big based on product mix. The practical takeaway is that exporters from developing countries face a multi-year demand and margin squeeze unless they move up the value chain, build regional supply links (e.g., AfCFTA), and diversify products and markets, while investors and operators should plan for costlier, more politicized trade routes in 2026. For more, check out Manufacturers Plan Price Hikes Over Reshoring to Combat Tariff Effects.
Trump Promised a Blue-Collar Jobs Boom. The Opposite is Happening. Trump promised a blue-collar jobs boom, but by late 2025 core manual-labor sectorsâmanufacturing, transportation/warehousing, and miningâare trimming headcount, with construction a rare bright spot and health care continuing to hire. Economists point to tariff shock, high borrowing costs, pricier inputs, and automation; even policies aimed at reshoring are landing with a lag, while wages have risen for some workers. The takeaway for operators and investors is to expect near-term softness in tariff-exposed, energy- and materials-intensive industries, plan for multiyear reshoring timelines and greater automation, and position around construction and health-care adjacencies until trade uncertainty and financing costs ease.
Chinese Chipmakers Race to IPO Market After Back-to-Back Listings Surge. Chinese chipmakers are stampeding to IPOs on Shanghaiâs STAR board and in Hong Kong, using blockbuster debuts and secondary listings to bankroll AI and memory ambitions and advance Beijingâs tech self-reliance agenda. Names like Biren, Kunlunxin (Baidu), Iluvatar, Enflame, GigaDevice, Montage, ChangXin Memory, and Yangtze Memory are pitching themselves as domestic Nvidia alternatives or critical memory suppliers, with Hong Kong listings doubling as a test of global investor appetite amid US export controls. The implication is a faster-capitalized China chip stack that could pressure Nvidiaâs pricing power and reroute supply chains, while investors face a volatile mix of state backing, growth narratives, and sanction risk; expect capital markets to bifurcate further, with valuations driven as much by geopolitics and access to tools as by fundamentals. Related, NVIDIA Aims to Begin H200 Chip Shipments to China by Mid-February, Sources Say
How Mexico is Doing the USâ Dirty Work For It. Mexicoâs Senate approved sweeping 50% tariffs on imports from China, India, Brazil, South Korea, Vietnam, and Taiwanâwidely seen as aligning with Trumpâs tariff agenda ahead of the 2026 USMCA review to avoid jeopardizing market access. The move raises costs at home (inflation risk) and abroad (e.g., Indiaâs auto parts and small-car exports), threatens supply crunches at border factories, and invites retaliationâall while offering no guarantee Washington preserves USMCA. The broader signal is a cascading, copycat trade war: countries may quietly enforce US preferences or band together against âcollaborators,â leaving Mexico exposed if the US. walks and forcing companies to hedge with nearshoring alternatives, diversified inputs, and contingency pricing. Completely unrelated, Aptiv and Vecna Robotics to Develop Next Generation Autonomous Mobile Robots.
Rail Giants Aim to Prove Benefits of Coast-to-Coast Network. Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have filed to create the first coast-to-coast US railroad, promising end-to-end service, fewer handoffs, and pricing commitments; a decision is expected in 2027 under tougher STB rules. Rivals, shipper groups, and parts of labor warn the deal could reduce choices, raise rates, and spur a follow-on CSXâBNSF tie-up. For operators, shippers, and investors, the question is whether real service gains and truck-to-rail shifts outweigh weaker competitionâplan for prolonged regulatory conditions, network redesign, and pricing shaped by STB safeguards. Also, A Union Pacific Kicks Off Regulatory Review for $85B CoastâtoâCoast Rail Merger and Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern File Historic Rail Merger Application.
Port of LA Defies Tariffs, Heads for One of Its Biggest Cargo Years Ever. Despite tariff volatility and a sharp November dip, the Port of Los Angeles is on pace to top 10 million TEUs in 2025âits third-busiest yearâthanks to coordinated operations that kept cargo flowing without congestion. Weak late-year volumes reflect heavy frontloading and softer demand, with forecasters projecting US import declines to extend into 2026 even as holiday sales top $1 trillion, underscoring a growing gap between consumer spending and containerized imports. For shippers and carriers, the edge shifts to ports that offer reliability and quick turns, but planning still hinges on tariff policy: expect choppy volumes, leaner inventories, and selective routing to resilient West Coast gateways as 2026 uncertainty builds. For more, check out Even If the Supreme Court Rules Trumpâs Global Tariffs Are Illegal, Refunds Are Unlikely Because That Would Be âBery Complicated,â Hassett Says.
Only 37 Percent of US Manufacturers Have Significant or Full Automation in Place, Vention Report Finds. US manufacturers say automation is mission-critical (92%), yet only 37% report significant or full deployment; most plan to spend more over the next three years, with nearly half targeting robotics. Projects stumble on basicsâchoosing the right tech (50%), thin in-house expertise (39%), and budget overruns (32%)âpointing to integration, complexity, and predictability as the real blockers rather than intent. Expect budgets to favor turnkey, modular, and low-code stacks that compress deployment and de-risk outcomes; vendors and integrators that guarantee faster time-to-value and cost certainty will capture the next wave of automation spend.
Maersk Makes First Red Sea Transit Since December 2023. Maersk completed a cautious, first Red Sea/Bab el-Mandeb transit after two years, signaling a stepwise test toward restoring Suez routings if security and insurance thresholds hold. With CMA CGM also trialing sailings and January restorations planned, a broader return would shorten routes and release capacityâBIMCO pegs the impact at roughly a 10% drop in effective ship demandâwhich would pressure freight rates and ease schedules. The practical read is to plan for gradual normalization and softer spot rates into 2026, while keeping contingency routings and war-risk coverage in place as carrier policies remain highly conditional. Related, Shipping Giant Maersk Completes First Red Sea Voyage After Nearly Two Years Away.
Request for Startups đ˘
Dynamo is always looking to meet startups that are helping to make, move, and monetize goods. Check out our latest request for startups below!
The Future of Operational Technology (OT) â Reindustrialization is colliding with decades-old, vendor-locked PLCs and fragmented OT networks, creating a critical opportunity for software-defined, interoperable, secure, and AI-assisted control systems to become the foundation of the next industrial era. Read more here.
The Future of Supply Chain đď¸
Check out our podcast series thatâs been running since 2018. On each episode of the Future of Supply Chain, we sit down with a different entrepreneur, investor, or industry veteran to discuss innovation, technology, and the most exciting opportunities in supply chain as we build the future of the industry together.
Fundraises and M&A đ¸
Square Robot Secures Series B Funding. Square Robot has completed a Series B funding round with participation from Marathon Petroleum, which will also collaborate on developing the companyâs next-generation submersible tank inspection robots. The funding supports expansion of Square Robotâs technology that enables in-service tank inspections without confined space entry. Marathon will continue deploying the existing fleet across its US terminals and refineries.
Quintrans Raises $750K in Pre-Seed Funding. Quintrans, a deep tech startup developing electromagnetic linear motion systems for industrial automation, has raised $750,000 in pre-seed funding. The capital will support manufacturing setup, R&D, and team expansion as the company prepares for commercial rollout. The round was led by Capital-A with participation from Sumeet Kabra, SanchiConnect, AIC-Pinnacle, and IIMA Ventures.
Digicust Raises âŹ2.3M in Pre-Series A Funding. Vienna-based Digicust has raised âŹ2.3M in Pre-Series A funding to enhance its AI-driven customs clearance platform. The investment will support product development, expansion of AI capabilities, and market entry across Europe. The round was led by Jet Investment with participation from Look AI Ventures and existing investors.
MyDello Raises âŹ3.1M. Estonian logistics startup MyDello has secured âŹ3.1M in funding, led by Frumtak Ventures, to expand into the UK and further automate its freight operations using AI. The B2B digital freight forwarder serves 12,500 businesses in 12 countries and offers instant door-to-door pricing across all freight modes. The company plans to automate most shipment processes by 2026 and reach full European coverage by 2027.
Unlimited Raises $12M. Unlimited Industries, which automates the construction design process for data centers, has raised $12M in new funding. The investment will support product development and reduce the time needed to move projects from design to ground-breaking. The round was led by Andreessen Horowitz with participation from CIV.
Pyxis Raises $13M. Singapore-based Pyxis has secured $13M in the first close of its $18M growth round to scale electric vessel production and marine charging infrastructure. Funds will expand capabilities of its ElectraTM platform, increase vessel manufacturing, and accelerate regional deployments. Backers include Shift4Good, Motion Ventures, MOL PLUS, SEEDS, and OCBC via green financing.
Ember LifeSciences Raises $16.5M in Series A Funding. Ember LifeSciences has secured $16.5M in Series A funding to enhance its temperature-controlled shipping solutions for global healthcare logistics. The funds will support the launch of Ember Cube 2, scale high-volume deployments, and expand into new markets. The round was led by Sea Court Capital with participation from Cardinal Health, Carrier Ventures, and former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Cerrion Raises $18M in Series A Funding. Cerrion, a Zurich-based startup providing AI-powered factory monitoring and analytics, has raised $18M in Series A funding. The company will use the funds to scale its platform, which helps manufacturers reduce downtime and improve operational efficiency. The round was announced by CEO Karim Saleh.
Galatek Raises $30M in Series A Funding. Singapore-based AI and automation startup Galatek has raised $30M in Series A funding to advance its smart lab tools and semiconductor packaging systems. The funds will support product development, supply chain enhancements, and team expansion across Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia. Investor names and valuation were not disclosed.
Axion Raises $37M in Series B Funding. Axion, a startup focused on reducing product recalls and failures through manufacturing flaw detection, has secured $37M in Series B funding. The capital will be used to expand its AI-driven platform and grow its presence across key industrial markets. The round values the company at $300M and was disclosed by CEO Daniel First.
Generative Bionics Raises âŹ70M. Genoa-based Generative Bionics has secured âŹ70M to accelerate the development of its intelligent humanoid robots for use in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and retail. The funding will support product launch efforts, including the unveiling of its first model at CES 2026. CDP Venture Capital led the round, joined by Tether, AMD Ventures, Duferco, and Eni Next.
Nirvana Raises $100M in Series D Funding. Nirvana Insurance has raised $100M in a pre-emptive Series D to accelerate development of its AI-powered insurance operating system for commercial fleets. The funds will support enhancements in telematics integration, underwriting automation, and in-house claims processing. Valor Equity Partners led the round, with continued support from Lightspeed Venture Partners and General Catalyst.
Galbot Raises Over $300M. Beijing-based Galbot has secured more than $300M in new funding, bringing its total to $800M and valuing the company at $3B. The funds will support further development and global expansion of its humanoid robots, which are already deployed at scale across manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and retail. Investors from China, Singapore, and the Middle East participated in the record-setting round.
Diginex Acquires The Remedy Project to Strengthen Supply Chain Compliance Capabilities. Diginex Limited has signed a definitive agreement to acquire The Remedy Project, a Hong Kong-based advisory firm specializing in labor and human rights in global supply chains. The deal enhances Diginexâs offering by integrating advisory services into its AI-powered compliance platforms, particularly for grievance mechanisms and remediation. This move supports growing regulatory demands such as the EUâs corporate sustainability due diligence directive.
Samsung Biologics Acquires Human Genome Sciences Facility from GSK for $280M. Samsung Biologics has acquired GSKâs Human Genome Sciences facility in Rockville, Maryland, marking its first US-based manufacturing site and expanding its global CDMO footprint. The company plans to invest further to increase the siteâs 60,000-liter drug substance capacity and enhance its capabilities to support a broader range of biologics programs. The $280M acquisition was made through Samsung Biologics America, its US subsidiary, and includes the retention of over 500 staff to ensure continuity.
Whoâs Hiring? đŠâđť
Be sure to check out the Dynamo website for more job opportunities at our portfolio companies!
Founding Engineer at Mello in Berlin, Germany.
Founding Product Engineer at Guided in Paris, France.
Senior Software Engineer â Founding Team Member at FuelUp in Utah County, UT
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