🖥 This Week's Biggest Funding Rounds: Smaller Deals Amid Election Week

Due to election-related news overshadowing funding announcements, only a few sizable U.S. rounds occurred this week, led by Physical Intelligence’s impressive $400M round for AI-driven robotics. Other notable deals included Precision Neuroscience’s $93M Series C and AmplifyBio’s $50M biotech investment.

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💵 ZAP Surgical Raises $78M Series E to Expand Robotic Brain Surgery Platform

ZAP Surgical Systems has secured $78 million in Series E funding, led by Qingdao Baheal Medical Inc. The financing will support the expansion of ZAP Surgical’s ZAP-X Gyroscopic Radiosurgery platform, designed for non-invasive robotic brain surgery.

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❓ a16z's Martin Casado Criticizes AI Regulations as Misguided and Premature

Martin Casado, a general partner at a16z, argues that current AI regulations focus on hypothetical future risks rather than present realities, stifling innovation. At TechCrunch Disrupt, he pointed out that these laws often rely on vague definitions and can deter AI development, as seen with California’s AI “kill switch” bill. Casado suggests building on existing tech regulatory frameworks rather than rushing into speculative rules targeting AI.

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👀 Swiggy IPO to Test India's Appetite for Billion-Dollar Tech Listings

Swiggy’s IPO will gauge India's interest in billion-dollar tech listings as it aims to expand its quick-commerce model, already popular in major cities. With backing from major investors like Prosus and SoftBank, the IPO also highlights India’s rapid digital shift, though profitability in smaller cities remains a question for the long term.

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Cogna Raises $15M to Revolutionize Enterprise Software with AI

Cogna, a U.K. startup founded by Ben Peters, has raised $15 million to develop AI-driven software that automates enterprise software creation, focusing on ERP systems. Using generative AI and a "natural language compiler," Cogna aims to simplify custom solutions and challenge traditional IT consultancies.

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💵 Fleek Secures $20M to Transform Wholesale Second-Hand Clothing Market

Fleek, a marketplace connecting second-hand clothing wholesalers with retailers, has raised $20 million to expand its global platform, aiming to simplify sourcing for resellers and bring structure to the fragmented industry.

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💵 Robotics Funding Soars as Startups Aim to Expand Robots' Skills

Robotics startups have raised $6.4 billion in 2024, with increased funding for versatile robots that leverage AI to perform multiple tasks. Key players, including Physical Intelligence and Figure, received large investments, driven partly by Jeff Bezos, who has backed companies advancing adaptable robotic technology for various industries.

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🗣️ Generative AI Startup Writer Raises $200M at a $1.9B Valuation

Writer has raised $200 million in Series C funding to advance its enterprise-focused generative AI, bringing total funding to $326 million. The funds will support product development and AI solutions tailored to enterprise needs, with clients including Mars, Salesforce, and Intuit.

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💭 Metaverse and VR Funding Declines Despite Apple’s Vision Pro Launch

Metaverse and VR startup funding has hit a multi-year low, with only $758 million raised this year as consumer interest wanes. Even Apple’s Vision Pro struggled with slow sales, possibly halting production due to its high price tag and limited consumer integration. As companies like Meta and Apple explore cheaper alternatives, the future of immersive wearable devices hinges on accessibility and practical use.

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✔️ Prosus Eyes 2025 IPO for PayU Following Swiggy Success

Following Swiggy's successful listing, Prosus is targeting an IPO for its fintech firm PayU in 2025, with a valuation range of $5–$7 billion. PayU recently resumed merchant acquisitions after regulatory approval in India's competitive digital payments market, where it rivals Razorpay and PhonePe.

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🔝 5 Key Factors to Evaluate When Assessing AI Startups

As the generative AI market grows, investors should focus on five critical factors when evaluating startups:

*️⃣LLM customization;
*️⃣Access to vertical-specific training data;
*️⃣Speech-to-text/text-to-speech capabilities;
*️⃣API integrations;
*️⃣User-friendly business interfaces.

These factors ensure AI products are accurate, versatile, and accessible for enterprise adoption, with the potential for greater business transformation.

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🌐 Tesla’s Energy Business Accelerates with High Profit Margins

Tesla’s energy generation and storage division grew over 50% in Q3 with a 31% gross profit margin, doubling automotive margins and marking it as Tesla's most profitable segment amid rising demand for renewable energy storage solutions.

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🟢 Reliance and Disney Complete $8.5B Media Merger in India

Reliance and Disney have finalized an $8.5 billion merger, creating India’s largest media venture by combining Star India and Viacom18. Reliance will control the venture, which now holds the majority of India’s streaming and TV market share, along with valuable sports rights. Chaired by Nita Ambani, the new entity aims to deliver extensive content and affordable options for Indian viewers.

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💎 Quantum Computing Funding Surges Amid AI Growth

Quantum computing startups raised a record $1.5 billion in 2024, fueled by AI's demand for faster, more energy-efficient computing. Major investments include Quantinuum’s $300 million and PsiQuantum’s $620 million. Quantum’s potential to improve AI efficiency and energy consumption is driving this surge, with broad applications ranging from AI to life sciences.

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🗣️ Bitsight Buys Cybersixgill for $115M

Bitsight, valued at $2.4B, has acquired dark web threat intelligence firm Cybersixgill for $115M. The Israeli startup specializes in analyzing dark web activity to detect potential breaches, complementing Bitsight's cyber risk management tools. Bitsight plans to invest in Cybersixgill’s AI-driven technology and team to expand its offerings.

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📊 Spotify Posts Record Profits After Strategic Cuts

Spotify achieved its most profitable quarter ever by streamlining operations through layoffs, reduced marketing expenses, and higher subscription prices – moves aimed at countering the post-pandemic subscriber growth slowdown.

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🔥 44 U.S. AI Startups with $100M+ Raises in 2024

AI funding surged in Q3 2024, with $18.9 billion raised – 28% of all venture capital funding, according to Crunchbase data. Highlighting the trend, OpenAI secured $6.6 billion, marking the largest venture deal ever. It was among six AI funding rounds exceeding $1 billion this year.

🙂OpenAI: $6.6B round, valuing at $157B.
🙂xAI: $6B Series B, valued at $24B.
🙂CoreWeave: $1.1B Series C, $19B valuation.
🙂Scale AI: $1B Series F, $14B valuation.
🙂Safe Superintelligence: $1B round, $4B valuation.
🙂Figure: $675M Series B, $2.7B valuation.
🙂AlphaSense: $650M Series F, $4B valuation.
🙂Groq: $640M Series D, $3B valuation.
🙂Poolside: $500M Series B, $3B valuation.
🙂KoBold Metals: $491.5M round, investors undisclosed.

The full list is available at the source via the link below.

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💎 Real Estate Investors Eye Four Key Trends

Despite funding declines, startups in home equity financing, rental management, eco-friendly construction, and construction streamlining tools are attracting investments. These areas address affordability, rising rents, sustainability, and efficiency challenges in today’s market.

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🔍 Hannah Bronfman Sets Sights on Launching Her Own Fund

Angel investor and wellness entrepreneur Hannah Bronfman, known for backing over 70 companies, plans to launch a fund targeting overlooked founders. Speaking at AfroTech, she emphasized the importance of community, mentorship, and increasing Black investor representation. Bronfman envisions writing $1M–$3M checks and eventually creating a Black-owned conglomerate akin to LVMH.

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📊 Wonder’s $250M Food Delivery Round Headlines a Diverse Week in Startup Funding

Wonder led the week's funding news with $250M to fuel its Grubhub acquisition, followed by biotech Metsera's $215M Series B. Other major rounds included Writer's $200M AI funding, Firefly Aerospace's $175M for lunar missions, and Chaos Industries' $145M to enhance defense tech. This diverse week highlights continued investor interest in food delivery, biotech, AI, and defense sectors.

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🌐 Turning Corporate Venture Building into Growth

Corporate venture building is reshaping how CEOs tackle innovation. Companies are adopting venture-building strategies to create new revenue streams, future-proof their businesses, and respond to disruptive market shifts. McKinsey highlights how successful leaders embed this approach into their strategies to unlock growth and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

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