Latest Startups & Entrepreneurship News
AI Chip Startup Etched Raises $500M to Challenge Nvidia
Etched, building specialized AI chips for inference, raised $500 million as investors back Nvidia alternatives for cheap, scalable AI model deployment in apps and enterprises. The funding highlights the shift from training to production inference across consumer and enterprise AI.
Source: Bloomberg.
Cerebras in Talks for $1B Raise at $22B Valuation
Cerebras Systems, known for wafer-scale AI chips, is negotiating a $1 billion raise at $22 billion valuation, focusing on training efficiency and cluster scaling. This reflects capital concentration in high-impact AI infrastructure.
OpenAI signed a $10B compute deal with Cerebras for faster model responses.
Sources: The Information, TechCrunch.
Voice AI Startup Deepgram Raises $130M at $1.3B Valuation
Deepgram secured $130 million at $1.3 billion valuation to expand internationally, develop models, and pursue acquisitions in voice AI for workflows and analytics. Voice is emerging as a key AI interface beyond customer support.
Source: TechCrunch.
Hupo Lands $12.5M After Pivoting to AI Sales Coaching
Hupo pivoted to focus on individual sales reps, raising $12.5 million for AI systems that coach, analyze calls, and prescribe actions in sales enablement. The bet targets measurable, high-leverage sales performance improvements.
Type One Energy Raises $87M for Fusion Development
Fusion energy startup Type One Energy (Madison, WI) raised $87 million via convertible note, backed by Breakthrough Energy Ventures and others, totaling ~$160M pre-Series B. Funding announced January 14, 2026.
Aikido Security Secures $60M Series B
Belgium-based Aikido Security raised $60M Series B led by DST Global, with PSG Equity and others, totaling $84M for security automation. Funding date: January 14, 2026.
Caldera Therapeutics Bags $112.5M Series A Extension
Cambridge, MA biotech Caldera Therapeutics raised $112.5M in Series A including A-1 extension, led by Omega Funds with Wellington and Janus Henderson. First institutional funding for the firm.
depthfirst Raises $40M Series A for AI Software Security
San Francisco's depthfirst, an applied AI lab for software security, announced $40M Series A led by Accel. The funding supports future-focused security innovations.
Date: January 14, 2026.
Novee Raises $51.5M Seed/Series A
Tel Aviv/New York startup Novee raised $51.5M in Seed + Series A led by YL Ventures, with Canaan and Zeev Ventures. Focuses on undisclosed tech innovation.
Project Eleven Secures $20M Series A for Post-Quantum Security
New York-based Project Eleven raised $20M Series A led by Castle Island Ventures, with Coinbase Ventures and Balaji Srinivasan, totaling $26M. Specializes in post-quantum security for digital assets.
Bain & Company Partners with Seven Top VC Firms for AI Innovation
Bain formalized ties with Bain Capital Ventures, Battery, ICONIQ, Insight, Lightspeed, Menlo, and NEA to connect startups with corporates amid AI funding surge. Announced January 14, 2026, to drive client innovation.
German Tech Startups Accelerate with Rapid Unicorn Growth
Germany saw a third of Europe's 16 new unicorns since 2020, averaging under two years to unicorn status; startups raised €4B in H1 2025. Peec AI exemplifies fast revenue growth post-launch.
Date: January 15, 2026.