Startups / Funding
Following the money and the vision. Insights into early-stage startups, major funding rounds, VC ecosystem shifts and tech-driven industry disruption.
166 articles
Lambda Raises $4 Billion at $14.5 Billion Valuation Ahead of 2027 IPO
AI computing startup Lambda secures $4B led by Coatue and Blackstone, backing from Nvidia. IPO planned for 2027 signals rising demand for AI infrastructure.
Ghost Raises $11M for $3,499 Personal AI Computer
A 19-year-old founder secured $11 million from Andreessen Horowitz for Ghost, a startup making a $3,499 desktop computer for local AI processing. The device, called AI Ghost, aims to give users private, on-device AI power.
RobCo Reaches $1 Billion Valuation, Joining Europe's Robotics Unicorn Club
German robotics startup RobCo has hit a $1 billion valuation, marking a milestone for Europe's growing automation sector. The company joins a select group of private robotics firms worth over $1 billion.
IPO Window Opens Selectively as Readiness Becomes Key Differentiator
The IPO market is recovering selectively, with only well-prepared companies able to go public. Datasite data shows capital-raising projects rose 33% in early 2026, signaling a shift toward readiness over timing.
Nuclear Startups Raise Record Funds but Shares Tumble in Public Markets
Nuclear startups secured record $6B in funding, but IPOs face sharp declines. The gap between private and public sentiment signals caution for the sector.
AI Infrastructure Startup Restate Raises $20M to Solve Reliability Gap for Autonomous Agents
Restate, founded by Apache Flink veterans, raises $20M to provide durable infrastructure for AI agents, challenging Temporal in the workflow orchestration market.
Two Google Alumni Raise $11.3 Million Fund for Enterprise-Focused AI Startups
BAG Ventures, founded by two Google alumni, closes $11.3M Fund I to back AI startups solving enterprise problems, signaling a shift toward practical AI investments.
Tiny Health Secures $33M to Expand Microbiome Testing From Infants to Adults
Tiny Health raises $33M Series B to scale at-home gut microbiome tests, shifting focus from infants to adults with shotgun metagenomic sequencing.
Modal Labs Nears $750M Round at $15.75B Valuation
Modal Labs, an inference provider, is close to a $750M round at a $15.75B valuation, tripling from four months ago. The deal highlights surging investor demand for AI inference infrastructure over training.
Startup Nights 2026 Sets Dates for November Event in Switzerland
Startup Nights 2026, a premier startup conference in Switzerland, is scheduled for November 5-6. The event connects founders, investors, and industry leaders.
Startup Star Catcher Prepares First Space Laser Energy Test
Startup Star Catcher is set to test space-based energy transmission using lasers. The milestone experiment could transform satellite power systems.
Hotel AI Startup Dextr AI Lands $6.7M Seed Round to Automate Guest Services
Dextr AI raises $6.7M from Elevation Capital to build AI agents that handle hotel reservations, check-ins and staff coordination. The San Francisco startup targets labor cost pressures with voice and chat tools.
Starfish Space Prepares to Deploy Otter Satellite Servicing Vehicles After Seven-Year Development
After seven years, Starfish Space is launching its Otter spacecraft, designed to service satellites and reduce orbital debris. Founded by ex-Blue Origin engineers, the startup aims to transform how satellites are maintained in orbit.
UK Small Businesses Boost Software Spending but Struggle With Admin Overload
New Monzo Business report reveals UK small businesses are investing in software yet face a growing admin burden, costing 53 minutes per day.
Letterboxd Acquisition Talks Value Cinephile Platform at $300 Million
Sources say Sony, The New York Times, and others are pursuing Letterboxd. A sale could reshape how film lovers discover and discuss movies.
Gaming Startup Investment Rebounds in 2026 Powered by AI
After a dismal 2025, gaming startup funding surged past $2B in 2026, led by AI-focused firms like Decart and Meshy AI. Venture funds Makers Fund and Griffin Gaming Partners also raised fresh capital, signaling a cautious but real recovery.
Baselayer Raises $35M to Verify AI Agent Identities for Financial Firms
Baselayer, an AI-powered startup that helps financial institutions verify businesses, has raised $35M to expand its technology to authenticate AI agents acting on behalf of companies.
Defense Tech Veteran Warns of 'Tourists' as Software VCs Rush Into Hard Tech
Van Espahbodi warns that software investors lack the sector expertise needed for defense and industrial tech, despite a wave of FOMO-driven funding.
Supercritical CO2 Tech Targets Data Center Power Efficiency
Startup uses supercritical carbon dioxide to boost data center gas turbine efficiency, cutting fuel use and emissions.