Investors poured $1.5 billion into enterprise supply chain management deals in Q2, according to PitchBook. Why it matters: The ability to forecast demand and balance the right inventory levels is a top-of-mind concern for retailers, and companies that can connect various parts of their supply chain are necessary in today's world, e2open CEO Michael Farlekas tells Axios. Context: Consumer product goods companies and retailers have contended with supply chain disruptions from COVID-related lockdowns, congested ports, and a war in Ukraine for nearly three years now. What's happening: E2open, an Austin, Texas-based supply chain software company with a broad set of applications, helps retailers and CPGs with demand sensing, a near-future forecasting method, and with inventory management and planning.