A Silicon Valley venture capital firm, **MFV Partners**, has successfully attracted investments from high-profile billionaires such as **Don Wilson**, **Michael Polsky**, and **Ashley Duchossois Joyce**. This collective effort is aimed at funding technology startups emerging from the **University of Chicago**.

### The $25 Million Fund Initiative
MFV Partners, which has strong connections to Chicago, is launching a **$25 million fund** specifically designed to support early-stage companies that originate from the university. This strategic move is set to focus on startups operating in cutting-edge fields like **quantum computing** and **artificial intelligence**.

### Investment Strategy
Over the next three years, the fund plans to back approximately **40 firms**, providing them with the necessary capital to scale their innovations and make significant impacts in their respective industries.

A Silicon Valley venture capital firm has lured investment from billionaires including Don Wilson, Michael Polsky and Ashley Duchossois Joyce to fund University of Chicago technology startups.

Billionaires Bet Big on University of Chicago Tech Startups with New $25M Fund

## The Boldest and Most Visionary Startups of VivaTech 2025

The **Innovation of the Year Award** at VivaTech 2025 is set to spotlight the most groundbreaking startups reshaping industries. With criteria focusing on **Innovation & Creativity, Market Disruption, and Scalability**, 30 startups have been shortlisted from hundreds of applicants. These pioneers are not just solving problems—they're building the future.

### The Ultimate Prize

The top five finalists will pitch live on June 11, with the winner announced at the **VivaTech Global Awards Ceremony** on June 12. The grand prize includes a pitch slot at the ceremony, a **free Startup Corner at VivaTech 2026**, and a spot in the **TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200**.

### Breakthrough Innovations

This year's shortlist is nothing short of revolutionary, featuring:
- **Self-driving guide dogs** integrated into glasses
- **Photonic chips** poised to redefine computing
- **Mining waste conversion** into carbon sinks
- **Microrobot swarms** for space exploration
- **AI that reads minds** to control devices
- **Bioelectronic implants** combating brain cancer

These startups are pushing the envelope in **sustainability, human-machine interfaces, advanced diagnostics, and accessible healthcare**.

### The Top 30 Startups

Here’s the complete list of the **VivaTech 2025 Innovation of the Year Award** top 30 startups:

1. **Chipiron**: France, health
2. **Virtuosis AI**: Switzerland, information technologies
3. **Enerdrape SA**: Switzerland, energy
4. **snap DISCOVERY**: Germany, deep tech, BCI
5. **NunoX Technologies**: Taiwan, software development/cloud services
6. **Phigi**: France, industry
7. **Noxon**: Germany, health
8. **.lumen**: Romania, mobility/transportation
9. **HUA TEC International**: Taiwan, health
10. **Video Analytics for Safety**: Singapore, information technologies
11. **Geolinks Services**: France, energy
12. **Moonlite Labs**: Canada, media/entertainment/culture
13. **Stellaria**: France, energy
14. **Mendo**: France, software development/cloud services
15. **NeuralTeks**: France, health
16. **Vita325**: Ukraine, health
17. **Blue Skies Minerals GmbH**: Canada, industry
18. **Anivance AI**: Taiwan, health
19. **La Touche Musicale**: France, media/entertainment/culture
20. **InSimili**: Italy, health
21. **Nellow**: France, information technologies
22. **Oncoelectronics**: France, health
23. **Zeeh Africa**: Nigeria, banking/finance/insurance/legal
24. **LumiSync**: France, telecom/connectivity
25. **Onkos Molecular Diagnostics**: Spain, health
26. **Wisp Solutions**: France, mobility/transportation
27. **Werover**: United Kingdom, energy
28. **BeyondMath**: United Kingdom, information technologies
29. **Kumulus**: France, industry
30. **FireTracking**: New Caledonia, software development/cloud services

Don’t miss the chance to witness these innovators in action at VivaTech 2025!

The Innovation of the Year Award celebrates the boldest and most visionary startups exhibiting at VivaTech 2025. Open to all exhibiting companies, the

VivaTech 2025 Unveils Top 30 Game-Changing Startups Competing for Innovation of the Year

**Even if AI models write flawless code, vibe-coded software can still have major security flaws because of how it’s implemented.** The models generating code can’t yet see the big picture and scrutinize how it will ultimately be used. They might be able to provide guidance on that topic, but inexperienced users might not even know the right questions to ask.

Lovable, for instance, uses AI models to create websites instantly. But for websites to do much of anything, they need to be connected to databases that store things like user accounts and payment information.

Lovable doesn’t build those databases itself. It offers users an easy way to connect to a database service run by a startup called Supabase.

On March 20, Replit employee Matt Palmer noticed a vulnerability in a Lovable-created website called Linkable, which would automatically turn anyone’s LinkedIn page into a personal website. According to the report, Palmer was able to see the email addresses of the 500 or so users who had engaged with the app.

The reason, he discovered, was that the Supabase database was not configured correctly. Palmer tweeted on X at Lovable co-founder and CEO Anton Osika, notifying him of the problem. Palmer said Lovable told him there was no issue.

The following day, Palmer and his colleague, Kody Low, did the deeper analysis that turned up 170 vulnerable Lovable sites.

On April 14, another software engineer [posted](https://x.com/danialasaria/status/1911862269996118272) on X that he had “hacked” multiple websites on the Lovable recommendation page. In 47 minutes, he said he had turned up personal debt amounts, home addresses, API keys, and “spicy prompts.” He posted a screenshot of a prompt one user had entered into a Lovable-created app that read: “Beautiful girl with big …”

Lovable responded to the scrutiny by announcing it had implemented a new feature that it said “scans your app for security issues before you publish.”

But according to the vulnerability report, the security scan only does one thing: It determines whether Supabase access controls are enabled. It doesn’t surmise whether they are configured properly — something even seasoned software developers can get wrong.

Alex Stamos, chief information security officer at cybersecurity firm SentinelOne, said the best practice for web apps is to avoid letting users access the database at all. Instead, the application determines what information users should be able to access and then fetches that data.

In that sense, it’s sort of like delivering a person’s mail to their house, rather than letting them wander into the post office while trying to keep them from grabbing someone else’s mail.

But that method can be complex. When Stamos was chief security officer at Facebook, he said, the biggest drain on compute resources was access control, determining which data users could see and then serving them the relevant content.

Allowing users to connect directly to a database is risky, he said. “You can do it correctly. The odds of doing it correctly are extremely low.”

In an X thread in April, Lovable told its users that when they build a website with their service, it’s “pretty much guaranteed to be secure.” The company also acknowledged that using Supabase can expose data if it’s not configured properly.

For sensitive data, Lovable suggested a “human security review,” putting some responsibility on its vibe-coding customers to handle the task.

It finished the thread by saying “Lovable will help you keep your app secure, even if you don’t know anything about security. We’re making vibe coding secure.”

When Replit CEO Amjad Masad called out Lovable on X, Mosika [fired back](https://x.com/antonosika/status/1923277711524442498). “1. Be Replit founder 2. Have a decade-long head start 3. Watch small EU competitor, Lovable, surpass you in usage and making vibe coding secure 4. Copy it 4 weeks later 5. Bash Lovable for not being secure,” he wrote.

Palmer decided to submit an official vulnerability to report to the National Vulnerabilities Database, which gave Lovable 45 days from the time it was notified by Palmer before the report was made public.

“Vibe coding has done wonders to democratize software development,” Masad said in a statement. “We can’t expect novice developers to audit low-level security configs. If a tool makes it easy to deploy an app, it should also make it hard to accidentally expose sensitive data.”

Lovable is accused of failing to fix security flaws that exposed information about users, a growing vulnerability as vibe coding’s popularity surges.

Vibe Coding's Dark Side: How Lovable's Security Flaws Expose User Data

**Northrop Grumman** has made a significant investment of **$50 million** into **Firefly Aerospace**, a move that underscores the growing interest in **space startups**. This partnership aims to accelerate the production of their jointly developed rocket, **Eclipse**, which is set to make its debut launch from **Wallops Island, Virginia**, as early as **2026**.

### The Eclipse Rocket: A Game Changer
Built upon **Northrop Grumman's Antares** and **Firefly's Alpha** rocket technologies, Eclipse is designed to cater to a wide range of missions. These include:
- **Space station resupply**
- **Commercial spacecraft** deployments
- **Critical national security missions**
- **Scientific payloads** for both domestic and international markets

### The Rising Tide of Space Startups
This investment comes at a time when the **space industry** is experiencing a surge in interest, partly fueled by **U.S. President Donald Trump's efficiency drive**. This initiative encourages collaborations between **large defense contractors** and **smaller tech firms**, paving the way for innovative projects like Eclipse.

### Firefly Aerospace's Ascent
Firefly Aerospace has quickly risen to prominence in the **space race**, notably becoming the **second private firm** to achieve a **moon landing** on its first attempt with the **uncrewed Blue Ghost spacecraft**. With a valuation exceeding **$2 billion** as of November, Firefly specializes in **small- and medium-lift launch vehicles** for commercial orbital launches.

The medium launch vehicle, dubbed "Eclipse", is built upon  Northrop Grumman's Antares and Firefly's Alpha rocket, and is set to first launch from Wallops Island, Virginia, as early as 2026.  Eclipse is designed to support space station resupply, commercial spacecraft, critical national security missions and scientific payloads for domestic and international markets.  Northrop's investment comes as interest in space startups heats up under U.S. President Donald Trump's efficiency drive, encouraging more joint projects between big defense contractors and smaller tech firms.

Northrop Grumman's $50M Bet on Firefly Aerospace: A New Era in Space Exploration

## Birmingham's 2150 Center Fosters Entrepreneurship Among College Students

The **2150 Center for Innovation, Commercialization & Growth**, based in Birmingham, is making waves by connecting college entrepreneurs with essential resources and investors. This initiative, launched by **Miles College**, aims to nurture business growth and innovation on a national scale.

### A National Mentorship Initiative

Recently, the 2150 Center announced its **Public Policy iLab** at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. This program brings together students from **Miles College, Florida A&M University, Johnson C. Smith University, and Jackson State University** to collaborate on innovative solutions and business ventures.

"This iLab model convenes and curates the best and brightest minds to problem solve and build businesses," said **Erskine 'Chuck' Faush**, CEO of the 2150 Center.

### Scalable and Personalized Mentorship

The center is partnering with **MentorPro**, a mobile-first technology platform, to provide students and early entrepreneurs with **real-time, interest-aligned mentorship**. This collaboration aims to make mentorship more accessible and tailored to individual needs across campuses.

"With these amazing institutions and through partnership with MentorPro, we’re creating a framework where students can engage directly with leaders, build relationships, and help design the systems they want to champion," said **Tonya Perry**, Provost of Miles College.

### Future iLabs and Sector Focus

The 2150 Center plans to expand its iLab initiatives to focus on **manufacturing, artificial intelligence, health, and energy sectors**, further driving innovation and entrepreneurship among college students.

The 2150 Center at Miles College pairs college entrepreneurs with resources and investors to foster business growth. 


Birmingham's 2150 Center: Uniting College Entrepreneurs with Investors for National Impact

**ClickHouse Inc.**, a database technology startup, has nearly tripled its valuation to **$6.35 billion** in a new funding round, highlighting the growing investor enthusiasm for companies powering the AI revolution. **Khosla Ventures** led the **$350 million** financing, with participation from new and existing investors including **Bond Capital**, **Institutional Venture Partners**, and **Battery Ventures**.

### Rapid Growth and AI Adoption

ClickHouse's data platform is designed for fast and cost-effective query responses, making it ideal for companies looking to **run and build AI tools**. The startup is nearing an **annualized revenue run rate of $100 million**, a testament to its rapid growth since launching its cloud product in 2022.

### Competing in a Crowded Market

Based in Silicon Valley with offices in the Netherlands, ClickHouse was spun out from **Yandex NV** four years ago. It now competes with giants like **Snowflake Inc.** and **Databricks Inc.** in the data analysis and organization software market. The startup counts **AI company Anthropic**, **Tesla Inc.**, and the **Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center** among its customers.

### Funding and Future Plans

The funding will fuel **international expansion**, **customer acquisition**, and further **startup purchases**, following the acquisitions of **HyperDX** and **PeerDB**. Additionally, ClickHouse secured a **$100 million credit facility** led by **Stifel Nicolaus** and **Goldman Sachs Group Inc.**

The would-be Snowflake competitor has raised $350 million from investors.

ClickHouse Soars to $6.35B Valuation: The AI-Powered Database Startup Challenging Snowflake

## **Vivodyne's Breakthrough in Preclinical Research**

In a significant leap forward for **biotech innovation**, Vivodyne has announced a **$40 million investment** to advance its cutting-edge system designed to replace traditional animal testing with **human tissue replicas**, powered by **robotics and artificial intelligence**.

![Vivodyne co-founder and CEO Andrei Georgescu and Chief Operating Officer Julie O’Shaughnessy](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-HIVE_Andrei_Julie-645x645.jpg)

### **The Vision Behind Vivodyne**

Founded by bioengineer **Dan Huh** and collaborator **Andrei Georgescu**, Vivodyne aims to transform preclinical drug development. Their system integrates **AI and robotics** to create more accurate and ethical testing methods, aligning with the **FDA and NIH's push** to reduce reliance on animal testing.

### **Why This Matters**

The biotech industry is at a pivotal moment, with increasing demand for **alternatives to animal testing**. Vivodyne's technology not only addresses ethical concerns but also promises to **accelerate drug development** and improve the reliability of preclinical research.

### **The Road Ahead**

With this new funding, Vivodyne is poised to scale its operations and bring its innovative solutions to the forefront of **drug discovery and development**. The company's progress reflects a broader trend towards **sustainable and humane scientific advancements**.

FDA, NIH push to reduce or replace animal testing expected to spur growth in organoid firms; Dan Huh's Vivodyne announces $40 million investment.

Vivodyne Secures $40M to Revolutionize Drug Testing with AI and Robotics

The European Commission (EC) has launched an ambitious strategy to bolster Europe's tech startup ecosystem, aiming to make the continent a leading hub for global technology businesses. Dubbed **"Choose Europe to Start and Scale,"** this initiative seeks to address the challenges European startups face in scaling from lab to market and competing on the global stage.

### Key Initiatives of the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy
- **Innovation-Friendly Environment:** Reducing administrative burdens and fragmented regulations across the EU Single Market.
- **Scaleup Europe Fund:** A proposed €10 billion ($11.3 billion) public-private fund to bridge the financing gap for startups.
- **Lab to Unicorn Initiative:** Connecting universities across the EU to foster innovation.
- **Talent Attraction and Retention:** Offering advice on employee stock options and cross-border employment to keep top talent in Europe.
- **Infrastructure Access:** Facilitating startups' access to necessary infrastructure.

**"Businesses that are born in Europe must grow in Europe,"** stated Stéphane Séjourné, EC Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy. The strategy aims to cut red tape, improve access to financing, and enhance the ability to do business across the Single Market.

### Challenges and Opportunities
Fredrik Erixon of the European Centre for International Political Economy (ECIPE) highlights the need for Europe to learn from other regions, noting that **"impossible regulations"** are driving innovation and investment out of Europe. The strategy aims to simplify rules and foster a more conducive environment for startups and scaleups.

### Measuring Success
Progress will be tracked via a **European Startup and Scaleup Scoreboard**, comparing ecosystem performance against global competitors. An annual survey will also gauge the strategy's impact.

### The Big Picture
With 35,000 startups, Europe is a leader in early-stage funding, but still trails the US in the number of high-earning startups. The strategy aligns with the broader **Choose Europe** initiative, with a progress report expected by the end of 2027.

### The Tech Tax Dilemma
Europeans reportedly pay a $100 monthly **"tax"** to use US-created technology, a figure that could rise with the widespread adoption of AI. The strategy also addresses the growing interest in reducing reliance on American hyperscalers in favor of local cloud operators.

: Sick of paying the US tech tax and relinquishing talent to other continents, politicians finally wake up

Billionaires Bet Big on University of Chicago Tech Startups with New $25M Fund

Summary:

The $25 Million Fund Initiative

Investment Strategy

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Other Latest News

VivaTech 2025 Unveils Top 30 Game-Changing Startups Competing for Innovation of the Year

Vibe Coding's Dark Side: How Lovable's Security Flaws Expose User Data

Northrop Grumman's $50M Bet on Firefly Aerospace: A New Era in Space Exploration

Birmingham's 2150 Center: Uniting College Entrepreneurs with Investors for National Impact

ClickHouse Soars to $6.35B Valuation: The AI-Powered Database Startup Challenging Snowflake

Vivodyne Secures $40M to Revolutionize Drug Testing with AI and Robotics

EU's Bold Move: Transforming Europe into a Startup Powerhouse to Rival the US

Other Latest News

VivaTech 2025 Unveils Top 30 Game-Changing Startups Competing for Innovation of the Year

Vibe Coding's Dark Side: How Lovable's Security Flaws Expose User Data

Northrop Grumman's $50M Bet on Firefly Aerospace: A New Era in Space Exploration

Birmingham's 2150 Center: Uniting College Entrepreneurs with Investors for National Impact

ClickHouse Soars to $6.35B Valuation: The AI-Powered Database Startup Challenging Snowflake

Vivodyne Secures $40M to Revolutionize Drug Testing with AI and Robotics

EU's Bold Move: Transforming Europe into a Startup Powerhouse to Rival the US