Latest Startups & Entrepreneurship News
xAI Closes $20 Billion Funding at $230 Billion Valuation
Elon Musk's xAI secured $20 billion in funding, exceeding its $15 billion target, with investors including Nvidia, Cisco, Valor Equity Partners, Fidelity, Qatar Investment Authority, and MGX. This positions xAI among top AI giants amid continued sector investment.
The round highlights robust capital flow into AI despite high valuations.
Skild AI Raises $1.4 Billion for Robotics Foundation Model
Robotics startup Skild AI raised $1.4 billion led by SoftBank, tripling its valuation to over $14 billion. The funding supports development of a unified model controlling any robot without prior body knowledge.
Investors include Samsung, LG, Schneider Electric, CommonSpirit Health, and Salesforce Ventures.
Etched Secures $500 Million for AI Chip Development
AI chip startup Etched raised about $500 million at a $5 billion valuation, led by Stripes with Peter Thiel, Positive Sum, and Ribbit Capital. The company targets competition with Nvidia in AI processors.
This reflects booming demand for specialized AI hardware.
Anthropic Signs $10 Billion Round at $350 Billion Valuation
Anthropic agreed to a $10 billion funding term sheet led by Coatue and GIC, following Amazon, Microsoft, and Nvidia investments. Reports indicate potential for $25 billion total at $350 billion valuation, with Sequoia joining despite VC rival taboos.
Microsoft and Nvidia committed up to $15 billion combined.
Sequoia Breaks Taboo by Investing in Anthropic
Sequoia Capital is investing in Anthropic's round, alongside OpenAI and xAI holdings, led by GIC and Coatue each at $1.5 billion. This challenges VC norms against backing sector rivals.
Anthropic eyes a 2026 IPO.
Google Launches 2026 Startup Programs with Up to $350K Credits
Google for Startups updated for 2026, offering Cloud credits up to $350,000 for AI-first companies, plus accelerators and funding like AI Futures Fund up to $2 million equity. Tiers include Start ($2,000) and Scale ($200,000+).
Focuses on early-stage AI with DeepMind support.
Thinking Machines Lab Faces Funding Stall After $2B Seed
Mira Murati's AI startup, after $2 billion seed led by a16z valuing it at $12 billion, stalled on mega-round amid team exodus from OpenAI. Valuation ambitions hit $50-60 billion but investor caution grew.
Risks down round without business progress.
Interstellar Technologies Raises $129.7 Million Series F
Japanese spacetech firm Interstellar Technologies closed Series F with 20.1 billion JPY ($129.7 million). Other spacetech deals include Hydrosat's $60 million Series B and SkyFi's $12.7 million Series A.
CesiumAstro got $200 million government financing.
Korean Startups Secure Major Funding Rounds
SDT raised $20.6 million for AI-quantum infrastructure eyeing 2026 IPO; BOOSTERZ got $25 million for K-Beauty expansion. KOREALFP raised $3 million at CES for battery tech; FOBECON and SYU also funded for AI construction and workflow automation.
MENA Startups Raise Over $250 Million in Fresh Funding
Saudi's Governata raised $4 million seed for AI data governance; Oman's eMushrif got $7.5 million for IoT school management. UAE fintech Mal develops digital banking for 2026 launch; total MENA activity shows investor appetite despite December slowdown.
JetZero Raises $175 Million for Fuel-Saving Aircraft
JetZero secured $175 million Series B led by B Capital for midsized triangular aircraft design. Other mobility deals include Allegiant's $1.5 billion Sun Country acquisition and Dealerware buyout.
Flix acquired Flibco stake.
Healthcare Tech Firms Attract $100+ Million Funding
Biobeat raised $50 million for blood pressure tech, Nanit $50 million for baby monitoring, Cellens $6.5 million for AI cancer diagnostics. Chinese DP Technology got $114 million for AI lab automation in pharma.
Signals strong healthtech investment.