Hard tech startups generate a lot of buzz, but there’s a growing cohort of companies building digital tools squarely focused on making hard tech development faster, more efficient, and — well, a whole lot more like software development.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zen Educate, an online marketplace that connects schools with teachers, has raised $37 million in a Series B round of funding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CyberArk — one of the army of larger security companies founded out of Israel — is acquiring Venafi, a specialist in machine identity, for $1.54 billion.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Since he was very young, Bar Mor knew that he would inevitably do something with real estate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Private equity giant Thoma Bravo has announced that its security information and event management (SIEM) company LogRhythm will be merging with Exabeam, a rival cybersecurity company backed by the likes of Cisco and Lightspeed Venture Partners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wind is the largest source of renewable energy in the U.S., according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, but wind farms come with an environmental cost as wind turbines can wreak havoc on bird populations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

So did investors laugh them out of the room when they explained how they wanted to replace Quickbooks? Kind of. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

PayHOA, a previously bootstrapped Kentucky-based startup that offers software for self-managed homeowner associations is an example of how real-world problems can translate into opportunity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Charging has long been the Achilles’ heel of electric vehicles. One startup thinks it has a better way for apartment dwelling EV drivers to charge overnight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Four-year-old Mexican BNPL startup Aplazo facilitates fractionated payments to offline and online merchants even when the buyer doesn't have a credit card. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sona, a workforce management platform for frontline employees, has raised $27.5 million in a Series A round of funding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Call centers are embracing automation. There’s debate as to whether that’s a good thing, but it’s happening — and quite possibly accelerating. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The social network has announced an updated version of its app that lets you offer feedback about its algorithmic feed so you can better customize it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When Class founder Michael Chasen was in college, he and a buddy came up with the idea for Blackboard, an online classroom organizational tool. His original company was acquired for $1.64 billion in 2011. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For cancer patients, medicines administered in clinical trials can help save or extend lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cleaning the outside of buildings is a dirty job, and it’s also dangerous Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’ve all seen them. The inspector with a clipboard, walking around a building, ticking off the last time the fire extinguishers were checked, or if all the lights are working. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meati Foods is adding 2,000 retail locations within Kroger’s family of stores by April. Three products will be available, including the Classic cutlet as well as Classic and Carne Asada steaks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Insempra plans to turn oil yeast in lipids on an industrial scale using yeast fermentation factories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The French startup's AI assistant is aimed at helping obstetricians and gynecologists with the evaluation and documentation of ultrasound exams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices