Ravi Mhatre

Confluent, a leading data streaming platform provider, has launched Sell With Confluent, a new reseller program designed to help system integrators accelerate growth and capture opportunity in the rapidly expanding data streaming market. As real time data becomes the backbone of modern enterprises, Confluent is simplifying how partners sell, close deals, and scale their practices. Key Highlights: • 86% of IT leaders consider data streaming a strategic priority, according to the 2025 Data Streaming Report. • Sell With Confluent removes traditional reseller bottlenecks such as slow approvals, complex processes, and unclear pricing structures. • New self service quoting tools enable automated quotes with instant approvals and programmatic discounts. • A restructured rewards framework provides competitive double digit discounts for partners sourcing and closing deals. • Deal protection safeguards partner sourced opportunities and pipeline investments. • The Business Investment Fund supports co marketing initiatives including workshops, regional events, and customer engagement programs. • Partner Nexus serves as a centralized hub for more than 1,400 global partners with access to tools, program details, and growth resources. Kamal Brar Vice President, Partners and Technology Group at Confluent, said partners see daily demand for data streaming platforms and that Sell With Confluent removes slow approvals and complicated processes so they can capitalize on the opportunity in front of them. Discover how Confluent is enabling partners to sell faster, earn more, and lead in the growing data streaming platform market. #DataStreaming #ChannelPartners #EnterpriseGrowth https://lnkd.in/dbfsFK8Q

8

Upwind Security, a San Francisco-based cloud security platform provider, has raised $250 million in a Series B round led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with participation from Salesforce Ventures, Picture Capital, and existing investors including Greylock, Cyberstarts, Leaders Fund, Craft Ventures, TCV, Alta Park, Cerca Partners, Swish Ventures, and Penny Jar Capital. Founded by Amiram Shachar and the team behind Spot.io, the company plans to use the funds to accelerate growth and expand its platform across data, AI, and code. Upwind Security, which secures workloads, containers, and Kubernetes across multi-cloud environments, is doubling its workforce to over 300 and growing its presence in key markets, serving global enterprises such as Waste Management, Siemens, Carvana, Roku, ClickUp, Wix, Nubank, Agoda, Peloton, Fiverr, and BILL. FOUNDER: Amiram Shachar INVESTORS: Bessemer Venture Partners, Salesforce Ventures, Picture Capital, Greylock, Cyberstarts, Leaders Fund, Craft Ventures, TCV, Alta Park, Cerca Partners, Swish Ventures & Penny Jar Capital ROUND: Series B AMOUNT: $250,000,000 HQ: San Francisco, California #VentureCapital #UpwindSecurity #AmiramShachar #TradedVC

104

2 Comments

AI-driven cyberattacks are becoming one of the biggest threats facing small and medium-sized businesses today. That’s why we’re proud to have Jordan Smith, VP at CMIT Solutions, speaking at the 4th Annual Excellerate Central Oregon Business Forum on September 11 at the Riverhouse Convention Center. Jordan will share insights on how AI is changing the cybersecurity landscape and most importantly, how business leaders can defend against evolving threats. The Excellerate Forum brings together top business leaders from across Central Oregon for a morning of learning, networking, and strategies to thrive in the years ahead. 📅 Thursday, September 11 | 6:30 – 10 AM PDT 📍 Riverhouse Convention Center | Bend, OR 👉 Register here: [https://lnkd.in/guPrQmnv]

5

🌟 The SaaS world moves fast, and scaling efficiently requires strategic alignment, operational rigor, and cross-functional coordination. Fractional COOs are helping early- and mid-stage SaaS companies grow seamlessly while maintaining agility. At 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, we’re committed to 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆—spotlighting leaders who combine operational expertise with strategic insight to drive measurable results. 👋 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 Dawn Strobel, 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗢𝗢 Dawn helps SaaS companies align strategic objectives with day-to-day execution, ensuring scalable growth without sacrificing agility. She specializes in operational strategy, cross-functional alignment, process optimization, and efficiency audits. Here’s what she’s known for: ✅ Operational strategy for scaling 🏷️ Cross-functional alignment 🌟 SaaS process optimization 🔎 Operational efficiency audits Dawn empowers SaaS teams to scale smarter, improve performance, and operate with clarity—turning strategy into action at every level. 🔗 Learn more about Dawn Strobel and other Fractional COO professionals for SaaS companies here: https://lnkd.in/dSzCuv-R

1

The move from early traction to scale forces a different set of capital decisions. In today's episode of the Private Equity Value Creation Podcast, Jonathan D. Drillings of Riverside Acceleration Capital talks with Shiv Narayanan about how B2B software companies fund that in-between phase—and why the wrong structure at the wrong moment creates problems later. Tune in to learn: - The role of growth lending in hitting milestones - How early equity affects dilution, valuation and future flexibility - What durability actually looks like before scaling - How AI affects risk without changing the fundamentals And much more. The link to the episode is in the comments below.

11

3 Comments