WHAT’S INSIDE

• Tech Company Watch: Databricks, Paradigm, Labubu, Startmate, Multiverse

• Big Movers: The Big tech movers, shakers and partnerships this week

• Making Waves: Companies making a buzz in the Tech world

• Open Deals: Startups raising capital this week

• In The Money: Significant raises last week and why they matter

• Exit Watching: Mergers & Acquisitions and IPOs

• The Funding Buzz: VC & PE Activity To Watch

BIG MOVERS

Big tech moves, movers and trends to watch this week

Google — Major AI reveals: (1) agentic features in Search AI Mode for personalized assistance; (2) Launching 'Gemini for Government' with enterprise search and customizable AI agents supporting the OneGov Strategy andAI Action Plan; and (3) Building a small modular nuclear reactor with TVA to power data centers by 2030.

Nvidia — Instructed suppliers like Amkor Technology and Samsung Electronics to stop producing its H20 AI chip for China following Chinese concerns over data risks, despite Nvidia clarifying the chip is not for military use.

Anthropic — Nearing a $170B valuation with a $5B funding round led by Iconiq Capital. Despite revenue growth from $4B to $5B and a goal of $9B, it faces a $3B annual cash burn and customer concentration issues.

Meta — Reorganized its AI operations into four teams focusing on research, training, products, and infrastructure. Led by Alexandr Wang and Nat Friedman, it aims to speed up superintelligence development and improve product integration.

Teaming Up

Meta-Google Cloud Deal — Google secured a $10B cloud contract with Meta spanning six years, diversifying Meta's cloud infrastructure beyond primary provider AWS and secondary provider Microsoft Azure.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH RUBRIK

📈 From Ad Hoc to Systematic: Assess and Improve Your Cyber Resilience Maturity

Explore how to go beyond prevention and join our upcoming virtual session, "From Ad Hoc to Systematic: Assess and Improve Your Cyber Resilience Maturity," on August 27 at 8:30 am PT / 11:30 am ET / 4:30 pm GMT.

(Can’t make the time? Register anyways to be notified of on-demand availability!)

[OPEN DEALS] RAISING DOLLARS:

Startups, firms or funds raising capital this week

Pure Cipher - A deep-tech AI Security startup developing technologies to prevent AI data poisoning and compromise, targeting a $1.6T market of Enterprise and already secured DoD clients. Founded by AI & cybersecurity experts.

Anthropic — Nearing a $170B valuation with a $5B funding round led by Iconiq Capital. Despite revenue growth from $4B to $5B and a goal of $9B, it faces a $3B annual cash burn and customer concentration issues.

FieldAI — The advanced robotic intelligence development startup is raising over $400M. The firm is expanding its reach with projects like the Spirit Runner, a mobile food bus in Central Valley, CA, supported by Save the Children.

Lambda Inc. — This cloud infrastructure company supported by Nvidia is in talks to secure funding, potentially valuing it between $4B and $5B. It plans an IPO by year-end, with bankers already engaged in discussions.

Cerebras — The AI computing systems and wafer-scale chips startup is seeking a $1B funding round led by Fidelity. Based in California, Cerebras plans to go public this year, marking a significant growth phase.

Rivos — The AI chip startup based on RISC-V architecture is seeking $400-$500M in funding at a valuation over $2B. Founded in 2021, Rivos aims to challenge Nvidia with customizable, energy-efficient designs, despite Apple lawsuit.

MAKING WAVES

Startups, trends and signals to watch in the USA this week

Databricks — The San Fran-based data and AI company is closing a $1B funding round at a $100B valuation to develop Lakebase, an AI Agents database. Also agreed to acquire ML startup Tecton valued at $900M, to enhance its AI agents.

Paradigm — Based in New York, Paradigm offers an AI-powered spreadsheet with over 5,000 AI agents to automate data entry. Founded by Anna Monaco, the startup recently raised $5M in seed funding, targeting AI growth in consulting and finance.

Foxconn — In collaboration with SoftBank, it plans to manufacture data center equipment in Ohio under the Stargate project. This joint venture aims to boost U.S. AI infrastructure with significant investments focusing on power, venue, and timing.

Labubu — Pop Mart's plush monster toy is on track to exceed $1 billion in revenue this year, marking a 688% YOY increase. Its popularity, boosted by celebrity endorsements and unique blind box sales, has turned it into a fashionable accessory.

Startmate Winter '25 Cohort — Features innovative startups tackling challenges in AI healthcare, hybrid care delivery, and automated retail. Notable projects include Care GP's AI for healthcare, and Ninja AI's app integration.

Multiverse Computing — Launched two new advanced AI models offering enhanced capabilities for IoT devices via its technology. In negotiations with major tech firms for integration, signaling strong growth potential.

IN THE MONEY

Companies that raised money in the past week and why they matter

Massive Deals

Nexstar — Nexstar will acquire Tegna for $3.54B, covering 80% of U.S. TV households and enhancing its presence in nine of the top ten U.S. markets. The deal, valued at $6.2B including debt, aims to compete against Big Tech, with expected annual savings of $300M.

Group14 — The silicon anodes startup secured $463M to expand manufacturing for EV batteries, enhancing energy density and charging times. The round was led by SK, with Porsche and Microsoft participating, signaling strong confidence in the lithium-ion battery sector's growth potential.

FieldAI — FieldAI, specializing in robotic intelligence, raised over $400M to advance its technology, significantly enhancing its capability in the field. The funding is a testament to the company's innovation and growth potential in the tech industry.

Quantinuum — Honeywell closed a $300M equity round for Quantinuum at a $5B pre-money valuation. Backed by JPMorgan Chase, Mitsui, and Amgen, the funds will enhance quantum computers and software, driving innovations in financial services, energy, and AI.

Ontic — Ontic, a corporate security software firm, raised $230M in a round led by KKR. The funding will help expand its platform to manage physical threats and enter the government sector, as corporate security spending rises.

restor3d — The U.S.-based personalized orthopedic solutions company raised $104M through a strategic partnership with Partners Group, who acquired a minority stake. The investment will drive product innovation and commercial expansion.

Nuro — The CA-based autonomous vehicle company raised a $97M Series E extension at a $6B valuation, down from $8.6B backed by Nvidia & Uber. Expanding into software licensing & a global robotaxi partnership with Lucid and Uber.

Large Deals

Stark — The German defense tech startup raised $62M led by Sequoia Capital, valuing it at $500M. Founded in 2024, Stark focuses on weaponized drone systems. With a total of $100M raised, it has expanded into the UK.

NGU Sports Lighting — Lieef committed up to $60M to support NGU’s growth. Led by CEO Mike Lorenz, it aims to become the leading provider of solid-state sports lighting solutions in the U.S., enhancing its capabilities in the sector.

Wellth — The digital health startup secured $36M in an oversubscribed Series C led by Mercato Partners to expand its app for daily motivation and behavior change, improve product innovation, and personalize care.

Zed — The San Fran-based startup raised a $32M Series B led by Sequoia to develop DeltaDB, an operation-based version control system, enabling real-time collaboration in coding environments with both humans and AI agents. Now hiring.

Twin Health — The UK-based metabolic health startup, raised a $53M Series E at a $950M valuation. Utilizing digital twin technology, they manage diabetes and metabolic issues. A study showed 71% of users reduced A1C levels.

The Better Meat Co. — The California-based company focuses on enhancing meat products with mycoprotein fermentation. It raised $31M in a Series A round to expand production. Aims to offer its Rhiza ingredient cheaper than US ground beef.

Upstage — South Korean AI startup specializing in unstructured document processing raised $45M in Series B, backed by Korea Development Bank, Amazon, and AMD. Funds will drive global expansion and enhance enterprise-grade genAI.

Smaller Deals

Loft Dynamics — The Swiss VR pilot training company raised $24M in a Series B round led by Friedkin and Alaska Airlines. It plans to develop cloud-connected systems, including simulators for Boeing 737 and Airbus A320.

General Fusion — The Canadian nuclear fusion startup raised $22M from existing investors to fund its half-scale prototype reactor, LM26. This follows a 25% workforce reduction and falls short of the $125M initially sought.

Garage — The marketplace for fire equipment, raised $13.5M in Series A funding. Founded by Martin Hunt and Alaz Sengul, the platform uses AI to streamline equipment transactions, supporting team expansion and marketplace growth.

Definite — The AI-native data analytics startup secured $10M to develop a unified platform that reduces setup time and costs. The platform, featuring an assistant named Fi, automates SQL queries, facilitating data exploration for non-experts.

Verdata — The New York-based data-driven risk intelligence firm secured an $8M iSeries A led by Continental Investors to boost product innovation and expand Verdata's solutions in business identity, financial stability, and compliance.

SRE.ai — Founded by Edward Aryee and Raj Kadiyala, the AI startup raised $7.2M to automate complex DevOps workflows. Emerging from Y Combinator's Fall '24 cohort, it plans to enhance its AI-driven platform for cloud services.

Agenda Hero — The AI platform for calendar management secured $5.6M in funding to launch features to automate event creation from notes and PDFs, offering bulk editing, shareable schedules, and customizable options for enhanced productivity.

Legion — Crypto startup focused on responsible token sales, raised $5M to revive the ICO model while preventing scams. The round was led by VanEck and Brevan Howard Digital, with support from major crypto exchanges.

Oway — A San Fran-based startup raised $4M to develop a decentralized freight service, akin to Uber, targeting inefficiencies in long-haul trucking. Utilizing electronic logging devices and ml it aims to cut U.S. shipping costs by up to 60%.

EXIT WATCHING

Mergers & Acquisitions and IPOs

Databricks — To acquire Tecton, a machine learning startup valued at $900M, to enhance its AI agent offerings. The acquisition aims to integrate Tecton's technology to improve AI application response times, aligning with Databricks' AI strategy.

Serve Robotics — The Uber spin-off acquires Vayu Robotics to enhance its delivery robots with improved AI capabilities for safety, reliability, and navigation speed; plans to deploy up to 2,000 robots on the Uber Eats platform.

IPO WATCH

Netskope — The cloud security provider based in Santa Clara, has filed for a US IPO. Reported $328.5M revenue and reduced losses of $169.5M for the first half, showing improvement and aiming to leverage the tech listings' market interest.

Pattern Inc. — The Lehi, Utah-based e-commerce company plans to file for a US IPO by early September, potentially raising $400M. The filing is supported by Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase.

THE FUNDING BUZZ

VC & PE Activity To Watch

Zero Shot Fund — A new $100M investment fund by former OpenAI employees focusing on AI startups, especially those by OpenAI alumni. Inspired by "zero-shot" learning, it reflects a trend of tech wealth fueling new investment initiatives, akin to Facebook and Uber.

TECH BUZZ DIRECTORY
Featured Products*

SEO Bot — A fully autonomous "SEO Robot" with AI agents for busy founders.

Memelord — Meme Software for marketing memes, tech memes, & sales memes.

Otonomos — Incorporate your Delaware C-corp or tax advantaged foundation and get 5% OFF.

FOR INVESTORS
Open Deals
Investors– request an intro to startups - invest@techbuzz.ai.

Before we restart our placements of raising startups, we’re sharing an open call to send in your own company. Just shoot us an email with a deck and we may feature you in this bulletin.

For detailed pitch materials, please email invest@techbuzz.ai with your deck.
🔥 — hot deal!
⏰ — leaving soon.

FOR EMPLOYERS
Job Candidates

Employers– request an intro to candidates - jobs@techbuzz.ai