As we look back on 2025 from the vantage of 2026, we’re energized by the progress our founders made and grateful for the trust they placed in us. Last year was defined by strategic new investments in high-potential companies and meaningful follow-on support for portfolio teams gaining traction.

Below is a closer look at the companies we partnered with in 2025, both new and continuing, and how they advanced their missions.

New Investments in 2025

Matrice: Enabling Scalable Computer Vision

Our investment in Matrice was anchored in the belief that computer vision would become a critical layer of modern automation and sensing. Matrice’s platform makes powerful vision technology accessible to developers and operators, enabling real-world deployment without the traditional infrastructure friction that has constrained this space.

Matrice stands at the intersection of deep AI capability and practical, scalable application, and a combination which we believe will define next-generation enterprise adoption.

Parasight Systems: Revolutionizing Veterinary Diagnostics

We’re thrilled with what Parasight Systems achieved in 2025. Parasight is transforming point-of-care veterinary diagnostics with its All-in-One (AIO) system, designed to deliver rapid, in-clinic visual and digital analysis for a wide range of biological samples, from blood and fecal to mucus, and across pasture and companion animals. This system uses advanced AI to streamline traditional lab workflows and replace manual imaging and processes with fast, actionable automated results, improving both animal care and clinic efficiency. 

With its mission to help veterinarians help pets, Parasight is redefining how veterinary practices perform diagnostics and is driving operational impact in real time. 

Dealer Trade Network: America’s Trading Floor for New Cars

Dealer Trade Network continued to advance its platform as the go-to inventory partner for automotive dealerships. Through its newly launched platform, the company provides dealers with real-time data, analytics, sourcing, pricing strategies, and inventory planning tools, helping dealerships optimize supply in competitive markets. 

In 2025, Dealer Trade Network further strengthened its position by helping dealers plan, source, and move vehicles more efficiently, supporting better decision-making at every step in the inventory lifecycle. 

Follow-On Investments: Doubling Down on Execution

Wicked Technologies: Smart Incontinence Management

Wicked Technologies’ Wicked Smart Pad™ stood out for its real-world impact in senior care environments. This washable, reusable sensorized bed pad detects moisture events in real time and alerts caregivers, dramatically improving the quality of care for the 200 million seniors living with incontinence worldwide. 

In 2025, Wicked validated its solution through successful pilots in senior living communities, outcomes fueled by NIA funding and clearance through FDA registration. The company continued to build evidence that real-time monitoring can reduce sleep disruptions, accelerate response times, and improve resident well-being. 

Thynk Health: AI-Driven Patient Insights

Thynk Health continued to execute on its vision of unifying early detection, longitudinal tracking, and diagnostic follow-up across major clinical pathways. The company’s AI-powered platform, combining natural language processing and advanced analytics, empowers providers with deeper patient insights to support proactive care and ensure critical findings are followed through. 

Their solutions span pulmonary, cardiovascular, digestive, women’s health, and emergency care pathways, helping healthcare organizations reduce missed opportunity and deliver more efficient, patient-centric outcomes. 

Kyndly Benefits: Affordable, Transparent Health Coverage

Kyndly Benefits built further momentum in 2025 by making health coverage more accessible and affordable for businesses and workers through its ICHRA-based alternative to traditional group health insurance. 

With a focus on lowering employer costs while providing personalized choices for employees, Kyndly’s approach helped companies save on average 27% versus legacy group plans, driving not just cost savings but a simpler, more transparent coverage experience. 

Looking Ahead to 2026

2025 was a year of strategic positioning and early scaling. Our new investments reflect forward-looking conviction in technologies with real market impact, and our follow-on capital underscores confidence in strong execution and tangible outcomes.

With these new investments, Awesome Fund has now backed 13 startups and continued to participate in the follow-on rounds of portfolio companies in the first few years after launching. Expect more activity this year as the team continues to scout high-growth opportunities across the Commonwealth and beyond the Kentucky Region.

We’re excited about what lies ahead, from expanding commercial traction to deepening product impact, as we continue to partner with these visionary founders into 2026 and beyond.

Here’s to another year of building meaningful, enduring value.

For press inquiries or to pitch your company, reach out at awesomefund.vc.

About Awesome Fund

Founded in Lexington, Kentucky, Awesome Fund is an early-stage venture capital fund dedicated to investing in high-potential startups with innovative solutions. Launched by Awesome Inc, the fund has been deploying capital since August 2023 to drive entrepreneurship and economic growth in Kentucky and beyond.

About Awesome Inc

Founded in 2009, Awesome Inc is a Lexington-based startup accelerator, coworking space, and coding school dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and tech talent thrive. Through programs like the Awesome Fellowship, 5 Across pitch competition, and Awesome Inc U, the organization provides vital resources to founders and startups across the region. Learn more at awesomeinc.org.