Latest Startups & Entrepreneurship News
Skild AI Secures Record $1.4B Funding
Skild AI raised $1.4 billion in a venture round, topping the week's largest startup funding deals and signaling strong investor conviction in AI and deep tech. The funding underscores momentum in robotics and AI infrastructure amid surging demand.
This positions Skild AI as a frontrunner in next-generation automation technologies.
Etched.ai Raises $500M for Transformer AI Chip
Cupertino-based Etched.ai secured $500 million, bringing total funding to $625.4M, backed by Palantir and Peter Thiel. The Sohu chip targets transformer models, challenging Nvidia in AI hardware.
Demand for inference hardware drives investor interest in alternatives.
Merge Labs Bags $252M Seed for Brain-Computer Interfaces
Sam Altman-backed Merge Labs raised $252 million in one of the largest seed rounds for neurotechnology and BCI tech. Applications span healthcare, accessibility, and human-AI integration.
The deal highlights biotech-neurotech convergence with AI.
Defense Unicorns Lands $136M for National Security AI
Colorado-based Defense Unicorns raised $136 million, totaling $171.5M, from Sapphire Ventures and others. It provides open-source software and AI for defense systems.
Backers include David Petraeus, emphasizing military AI adoption.
Onebrief Secures $200M for Military AI Planning
Honolulu's Onebrief raised $200 million, reaching $311M total, backed by General Catalyst and Salesforce Ventures. The platform aids operational planning and decision-making for command teams.
It reflects growing defense tech investments.
FuriosaAI Eyes $500M Raise Ahead of IPO
South Korea’s FuriosaAI seeks up to $500 million in funding to challenge Nvidia in AI accelerators. Focus on inference and training hardware amid supply shortages.
Positions AI chips as a hot fundraising category.
Sequoia Capital to Invest in Anthropic
Sequoia is set to back Anthropic, following investments across AI labs, per The Information. Signals VC belief in multi-winner AI landscape.
Provides Anthropic networks, recruiting, and signaling power.
one.five Raises €14M for AI Packaging Platform
Hamburg startup one.five secured €14 million Series A led by Dr. Hans Riegel Holding for AI-driven packaging development. Funds expand Product Market Fit Compass and data foundation.
Aims to cut failed products and shorten time-to-market.
Techstars Revives Toronto Accelerator
Two years after going dark, Techstars is staffing up its Toronto program with a new board including Troy Henikoff. Offers $120K investments, mentorship for pre-seed startups.
Details on launch timing pending.
MENA Startups Hit Record $7.5B Funding in 2025
MENA region saw 647 startups raise $7.5 billion, up 225% YoY, per Wamda report. Reflects booming regional investment amid global AI surge.
Jerusalem VC opens Dubai outpost for Middle East AI capital.
Replit Raises $400M, Valuation Nears $9B
Replit secured $400 million, pushing valuation toward $9 billion on AI-powered coding platforms. Highlights investor confidence in developer tools amid AI boom.
Part of broader AI infrastructure funding wave.