**Anthropic**, a leading AI startup and rival to ChatGPT maker OpenAI, is in talks to potentially double its valuation to over **$150 billion**. This strategic move involves engaging with Middle Eastern investors, a notable shift given the company's previous stance on avoiding Gulf sovereign funds due to ethical concerns.

### Key Developments:
- **Valuation Leap**: Anthropic is exploring funding options that could elevate its valuation significantly, marking a pivotal moment in the AI industry.
- **Middle Eastern Interest**: The startup is now open to investments from the Middle East, despite earlier reservations about funding sources linked to authoritarian regimes.
- **Ethical Considerations**: The discussion highlights the delicate balance between securing substantial investment and adhering to ethical funding practices.

This development underscores the **competitive and fast-evolving landscape of AI startups**, where securing capital is as much about financial strategy as it is about maintaining ethical standards.

Rival to ChatGPT maker OpenAI has so far shunned Gulf sovereign investors that ‘enrich dictators’

Anthropic's Bold Move: Seeking Mideast Funds to Skyrocket Valuation Beyond $150bn

**Ramp**, a leading corporate card and expense management startup, is currently in discussions to secure a massive **$350 million** in funding. This round could catapult the company's valuation to an impressive **$21 billion**, marking a **30% increase** from its June financing valuation of $16 billion.

### The Rise of Ramp
Founded just six years ago, Ramp has quickly established itself as a formidable player in the fintech space. Its innovative approach to corporate spending and expense management has attracted significant attention from investors and businesses alike.

### What This Means for the Fintech Industry
This potential funding round underscores the growing investor confidence in fintech solutions that streamline business operations. Ramp's success is a testament to the demand for **efficient, transparent, and user-friendly financial tools** in the corporate sector.

![Ramp's growth trajectory](https://example.com/ramp-growth.jpg)

### Looking Ahead
With this new capital, Ramp is poised to expand its product offerings and possibly enter new markets. The fintech industry will be watching closely to see how Ramp leverages this investment to fuel its next phase of growth.

Ramp, a six-year-old corporate card and expense management startup, is in discussions with investors to raise $350 million at a valuation of about $21 billion with the investment, according to three people with direct knowledge of the fundraising, just a month after raising at a $16 billion ...

Ramp's Valuation Soars to $21 Billion in Latest Funding Round - What's Next for the Fintech Giant?

**E-commerce startup OpenStore** has made headlines with its decision to **slash its valuation from nearly $1 billion to just $50 million** in a new funding round. This strategic move comes as the company plans to **narrow its focus** exclusively on developing its menswear brand, **Jack Archer**.

Based in Miami, OpenStore was co-founded by prominent venture capitalists **Keith Rabois** and **Jack Abraham**. The company is currently in the process of raising **$15 million in Series C funding** at this significantly reduced valuation. Key investors, including **Khosla Ventures** (where Rabois serves as a managing director) and **Atomic** (led by Abraham), are backing this round, signaling continued support despite the valuation adjustment.

This pivot highlights the challenges and tough decisions startups face in today's competitive e-commerce landscape, especially when refining their business models to ensure long-term sustainability and growth.

E-commerce startup OpenStore is slashing its valuation from nearly $1 billion to just $50 million in a new round of funding as it prepares to narrow its focus to building up menswear brand Jack Archer.

OpenStore's Dramatic Valuation Drop: From $1B to $50M Amid Strategic Shift

**Sports Leagues Hunt for Startup Investments in a Chummy Style of Venture Capital**

A couple weeks ago, LeBron James was in Las Vegas, seated courtside at the Thomas and Mack Center to watch his team, the Los Angeles Lakers, scrimmage against their crosstown rivals, the Clippers. The game was a highlight of the NBA’s annual off-season Summer League tournament, where rookies and ...

**The Rise of Sports Leagues in Venture Capital**

Sports leagues are increasingly turning their attention to the startup world, leveraging their vast networks and resources to invest in promising ventures. This trend is not just about financial returns; it's about **strategic partnerships** that can enhance the fan experience, improve player performance, and even revolutionize how sports are consumed.

**Why Startups?**

Startups offer sports leagues a unique opportunity to stay ahead of the curve. By investing in innovative technologies, leagues can **enhance their offerings** and maintain their competitive edge. From **AI-driven analytics** to **virtual reality experiences**, the possibilities are endless.

**The NBA’s Playbook**

The NBA, for instance, has been particularly aggressive in this space. Through its investment arm, the league has backed startups that focus on everything from **player health monitoring** to **fan engagement platforms**. These investments are not just about money; they’re about **building long-term relationships** with innovators who can help shape the future of sports.

**The Bigger Picture**

This trend is part of a larger shift in how sports leagues operate. No longer content with just organizing games, leagues are now **active participants** in the tech ecosystem, using their influence and resources to drive innovation. It’s a win-win situation: startups get access to **valuable networks and expertise**, while leagues get a front-row seat to the latest technological advancements.

**What’s Next?**

As more leagues jump on the bandwagon, we can expect to see even more **collaborations and investments** in the startup space. The lines between sports and technology are blurring, and the results could be game-changing.

A couple weeks ago, LeBron James was in Las Vegas, seated courtside at the Thomas and Mack Center to watch his team, the Los Angeles Lakers, scrimmage against their crosstown rivals, the Clippers. The game was a highlight of the NBA’s annual off-season Summer League tournament, where rookies and ...

How Sports Leagues Are Secretly Dominating the Startup Investment Game

**A Seattle-based startup, TriMagnetix, is pioneering a nanomagnetic processing chip technology that promises to drastically reduce the energy consumption of AI operations.** This innovation comes at a critical time when the demand for semiconductors is skyrocketing, alongside concerns over their environmental impact.

![TriMagnetix co-founders](https://cdn.geekwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/TriMagnetix-co-founders.jpg)
*TriMagnetix’s co-founders, Madison Hanberry and Aspen White, are at the forefront of this technological breakthrough.*

### **The Energy Efficiency Breakthrough**
TriMagnetix's technology utilizes nanomagnets that operate on electrical pulses rather than a constant power stream, significantly cutting down electricity use and heat production. This approach not only addresses the energy inefficiency of current semiconductors but also integrates smoothly with existing computing infrastructures.

### **Funding and Future Prospects**
The startup has secured a $200,000 investment from SNØCAP, a climate venture fund, to further develop its prototype. With the AI boom exacerbating the energy demands of data centers, TriMagnetix's solution could not be timelier. Data centers in the U.S. are projected to more than double their energy consumption in the next decade, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable alternatives.

### **Overcoming Industry Barriers**
Despite the potential, Madison Hanberry, co-founder and chief of R&D at TriMagnetix, acknowledges the challenges: "What we’re doing is a totally different paradigm." The startup is navigating intellectual and capital barriers, leveraging the Washington Nanofabrication Facility at the University of Washington to prototype its chips without the prohibitive costs of fabrication equipment.

### **Beyond Data Centers: Diverse Applications**
The technology's resistance to radiation damage opens up aerospace applications, while its minimal heat generation makes it ideal for wearable electronics, such as VR and AR headsets. Jonathan Azoff of SNØCAP sees TriMagnetix's approach as a smarter, more efficient pathway to computing, contrasting with the current trend of co-locating nuclear reactors next to data centers.

A Seattle startup is developing a processing chip that is predicted to be orders of magnitude more energy efficient than today's semiconductors.

Revolutionary Chip Tech by Seattle Startup Could Slash AI's Energy Hunger

**Silicon Valley startups are making a massive $4 billion gamble on transforming defense manufacturing**, with companies like Neros Inc. leading the charge by ramping up drone production to unprecedented levels. Despite having orders for just 36,000 drones for Ukraine, Neros aims to produce 10,000 drones monthly by year's end, highlighting a strategic move to **secure supply chains** ahead of demand.

**Anduril Industries Inc. and Saronic Technologies** are at the forefront, investing $1 billion and $2.7 billion respectively in **AI-powered manufacturing megafactories**. These facilities are designed to produce tens of thousands of autonomous ships, drones, and fighter jets, marking a significant shift towards **rapid manufacturing** in the defense sector.

This wave of investment is part of a broader trend, with startups like **Shield AI, Astranis Space Technologies, and Divergent Technologies Inc.** also expanding their manufacturing capabilities. The goal is clear: to address the **slow speed of US weapons manufacturing** compared to China, ensuring America can compete in modern warfare scenarios where production speed is critical.

However, this ambitious expansion comes with risks. **Venture capitalists have poured over $70 billion into defense startups**, yet these companies have secured only $29 billion in contracts. The challenge lies in bridging the gap between private investment and public defense spending, which remains heavily skewed towards traditional contractors like **Lockheed Martin and Boeing**.

**Epirus Inc.**, another key player, is investing $50 million in a new facility to produce electronic weapons capable of disabling drones. Yet, CEO Andy Lowery voices a common concern: **"Where's the paperwork?"** Without guaranteed orders, the financial viability of these expansions remains uncertain.

Despite these challenges, the push for **advanced manufacturing and innovation** continues, driven by a mix of patriotism and the allure of opportunity. As Jared Friedman of Y Combinator notes, the next generation of entrepreneurs is increasingly drawn to **hardware and defense technology**, signaling a lasting shift in Silicon Valley's priorities.

Tech startups are spending big on advanced factories and weapons production. Customers are not guaranteed

Silicon Valley's Bold $4 Billion Bet on Revolutionizing Defense Manufacturing

In a remarkable transformation, Portland's **Lloyd Center**, once a fading shopping mall, has become a vibrant hub for startups and creative ventures. With anchor stores gone, the mall now hosts a diverse mix of **independent retailers, art galleries, and unique activity spaces**, breathing new life into its vast, underutilized spaces.

### A New Lease on Life

The mall's evolution began as major retailers like Nordstrom and Macy's departed, leaving behind spacious vacancies. Entrepreneurs seized the opportunity, attracted by **cheap rent and ample square footage**. Today, the Lloyd Center is home to about **60 independent businesses**, including a pinball museum, an art gallery, and a Star Wars-inspired lightsaber shop.

### The Entrepreneurial Spirit

Jason Leivian, owner of **Floating World Comics**, describes the mall as a "capitalist temple" now repurposed for creativity. The affordability has allowed small businesses to thrive, fostering a **sense of community and innovation**. From vintage clothing stores to pickleball courts, the mall offers a unique blend of retail and entertainment.

### Challenges and Opportunities

Despite its revival, the Lloyd Center faces an uncertain future. Plans for redevelopment loom, with proposals to transform the site into a mixed-use space with housing and entertainment venues. However, tenants remain optimistic, leveraging the mall's current state to **build their brands and connect with customers**.

### A Cultural Hub

The mall has also become a cultural hotspot, hosting events like monthly **Mall Crawls** and serving as a venue for choirs, chess clubs, and puppet shows. This eclectic mix of activities underscores the mall's role as a **community gathering place**, far removed from its traditional retail roots.

![Customers browse light sabers at Docking Bay 45](https://www.oregonlive.com/resizer/v2/BTSQ27F4FJEJZHSPY34XSYOD7I.jpeg?auth=ffb8d2897f19c1c2dcdef4a4c494e2dcaa11f8c2888c6278904a7df2aa04c6cb&width=1280&quality=90)

![Jason Andersen, owner of Star Tropics Pinball Museum](https://www.oregonlive.com/resizer/v2/ROACS342RBDKBGUJK6IZ65EM24.jpeg?auth=0836e65f086f6af947123cf1396b650fdec2d2f65caf676a27ad7f7f3a6ee4b1&width=1280&quality=90)

“We’re almost just squatting in this capitalist temple,” said Jason Leivian, owner of Floating World Comics. “It’s a beautiful space, so we might as well use it.”

Portland's Ghost Mall Transforms into a Thriving Startup Incubator

## The Rise of No-Code AI Platforms

No-code AI platforms are transforming the way businesses are built, enabling **solo creators** to launch and scale ventures without traditional coding. A prime example is the recent acquisition of **Base44** by Wix for **$80 million**, a startup that began with just a founder using no-code tools and AI APIs.

![No-code web development](https://imageio.forbes.com/specials-images/imageserve/68831cc830e7c1e69540e952/No-code-web-development--Simplify-software-development-with-easy-tools-and-low-code/960x0.jpg?format=jpg&width=960)

### From Power Users to Product Creators

Platforms like **Vertical AI** are empowering users to fine-tune, deploy, and monetize AI models without writing code. Founder Manouk Termaaten highlights **"creator sovereignty,"** where users shape AI tools for specific niches. Vertical AI has grown to **30,000 users** handling **100,000 prompts monthly**.

### The Economics of No-Code AI

The shift isn't just technical—it's economic. No-code AI reduces the need for expensive infrastructure and scarce developer talent. For under **$100**, creators can launch **profitable AI products**, often breaking even within weeks.

### Prompt-Native Products

A new wave of **prompt-native builders** is emerging, creating lightweight tools for specific industries. Examples include **chatbot therapists** and **real estate onboarding tools**, launched in days or even hours.

![Vertical AI Headshot](https://imageio.forbes.com/specials-images/imageserve/68831c27492c010fb3365fe0/Vertical-AI-Headshot/0x0.jpg?crop=1000,1210,x0,y0,safe&height=860&width=711&fit=bounds)

### The Future of AI Entrepreneurship

This movement isn't about building the next OpenAI but creating **reliable revenue streams**. No-code AI allows experts to productize their knowledge without VC funding or dev teams, focusing on **solving real problems** and serving niche markets.

No-code AI platforms are turning prompts into products, helping solo creators launch and scale businesses with ease.

Anthropic's Bold Move: Seeking Mideast Funds to Skyrocket Valuation Beyond $150bn

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