Waymo targets international expansion after $16 billion round
Waymo raised $16 billion at a $126 billion valuation to scale its robotaxi fleet, with plans to expand into over 20 additional cities internationally by 2026.
Sections
Startups & Funding
810 storiesSpaceX acquires xAI to build space-based data centers
SpaceX has acquired xAI in a deal valuing the combined entity at $1.25 trillion, with plans to develop space-based data centers to address terrestrial power limitations.
Breakthrough Ventures launches $2M accelerator for student founders
Breakthrough Ventures has raised $2 million to launch a nationwide accelerator program providing grant funding and follow-on investment to student and recent graduate entrepreneurs.
Linq raises $20 million to build infrastructure for AI agents
Birmingham, Alabama-based Linq raised $20 million in Series A funding to pivot its messaging API into an infrastructure layer for AI agents.
Five European startups reach unicorn status in January
January saw five new European unicorns emerge, signaling continued investor appetite for high-valuation tech startups despite the current market climate.
Waymo nears $16 billion funding round at $110 billion valuation
Waymo is reportedly nearing a $16 billion funding round that would value the autonomous vehicle company at $110 billion, with Alphabet providing the majority of the capital.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang denies friction with OpenAI
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang dismissed reports of friction with OpenAI, confirming the company will participate in the startup's upcoming funding round.
Kofi Ampadu leaves a16z following TxO program pause
Kofi Ampadu has left a16z, marking a potential end to the firm's Talent x Opportunity program, which was previously paused amid broader industry shifts away from diversity commitments.
OnlyFans considers majority stake sale to Architect Capital
OnlyFans is reportedly considering selling a 60% majority stake to investment firm Architect Capital in a deal that would value the platform at $5.5 billion.
SpaceX, Tesla, and xAI reportedly in early merger talks
Reports suggest Elon Musk is exploring potential mergers between SpaceX, Tesla, and xAI, with a possible SpaceX-xAI combination occurring ahead of a planned June Initial Public Offering (IPO).
Amazon reportedly in talks to invest at least $50 billion in OpenAI
OpenAI is reportedly seeking $100 billion in new funding, with Amazon potentially contributing at least $50 billion to the deal, which could close by Q1.
Apple acquires Israeli startup Q.ai for nearly $2 billion
Apple has acquired Israeli startup Q.ai in a deal valued at nearly $2 billion, marking the tech giant's second-largest acquisition to date.
Upwind Security raises $250M at $1.5B valuation
Upwind Security raised $250 million at a $1.5 billion valuation, aiming to expand its inside-out runtime cloud security platform following 900% year-over-year revenue growth.
Tesla pushes forward with $2 billion xAI investment
Tesla has invested $2 billion in Elon Musk’s xAI, a move expected to close in the first quarter despite previous shareholder opposition to the deal.
Outtake raises $40M to automate digital identity security
Outtake raised a $40 million Series B round to scale its agentic cybersecurity platform, which automates the detection and removal of digital identity fraud and impersonation.
Luminar’s lidar business sold to MicroVision after bankruptcy auction
A bankruptcy judge approved MicroVision’s $33 million acquisition of Luminar’s lidar business, rejecting a higher but legally flawed mystery bid.
Handshake acquires data-auditing startup Cleanlab
Handshake has acquired data-auditing startup Cleanlab in an acqui-hire, bringing nine employees aboard to bolster its AI data-labeling research capabilities.
Modelence raises $3M to simplify AI app infrastructure
California-based Modelence raised a $3 million seed round led by Y Combinator to build an all-in-one infrastructure framework for AI-generated applications.
Standard Nuclear raises $140 million for nuclear fuel production
Standard Nuclear raised $140 million to supply nuclear fuel, though the company could face challenges if the broader small modular reactor market fails to scale.
Redwood Materials raises $425M to scale energy storage
Redwood Materials raised $425 million in a late-stage funding round, pushing its valuation north of $6 billion as it scales energy storage for AI data centers.