**The Rise of Thinking Machines Lab**

Former OpenAI Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati is steering her mysterious AI startup, **Thinking Machines Lab**, into the spotlight. With a staggering **$2 billion raised at a $10 billion valuation**, the startup is backed by heavyweight investors like Andreessen Horowitz. The lab's ambitious vision is becoming clearer, positioning itself as a formidable competitor in the AI arena.

**A High-Stakes AI Race**

Murati's venture is not just another AI startup; it's a bold challenge to established players like OpenAI. The lab's focus remains shrouded in mystery, but its financial backing and leadership suggest a serious contender in the race to advance artificial intelligence.

**What Sets Thinking Machines Lab Apart?**

While details are scarce, the startup's **unprecedented funding and valuation** hint at groundbreaking ambitions. The involvement of top-tier investors underscores confidence in Murati's vision, potentially signaling innovative approaches to AI development that could disrupt the current landscape.

The thinking behind Thinking Machines Lab, a high-profile but mysterious artificial intelligence startup led by former OpenAI Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati, is becoming clearer. After raising an astonishing $2 billion at a $10 billion valuation from investors including Andreessen Horowitz ...

Ex-OpenAI CTO's Bold New Venture: Can Thinking Machines Lab Outshine OpenAI?

## **GoKwik's Remarkable Growth and Valuation Leap**

**GoKwik**, an Indian startup revolutionizing the e-commerce space with its suite of integrated products, has recently secured a **$13 million growth round**, catapulting its **pre-money valuation to $450 million**. This round, led by **RTP Global**, marks a **43% increase** from its last valuation of $315 million in May 2022. Despite being **63% smaller** than its Series B round of $35 million, this funding underscores the startup's **rapid growth and investor confidence**.

### **Why Investors Are Betting Big on GoKwik**

GoKwik's allure lies in its **comprehensive e-commerce solutions** that empower businesses of all sizes to **establish and scale their online presence** in the **direct-to-consumer (D2C) space**. With the **D2C market in India** projected to grow from **$12 billion in 2022 to $60 billion by 2027**, GoKwik is perfectly positioned to capitalize on this explosive growth.

![GoKwik's E-Commerce Solutions](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/gokwik-valuation_ffb567.jpg)
*Image Credits: Jagmeet Singh / TechCrunch*

### **Expanding Global Footprint**

Currently, GoKwik serves **over 12,000 paying merchants** across **India, Europe, the U.K., and the U.S.**, a significant jump from **2,500-3,000 merchants a year ago**. Its **SaaS products** enable merchants to:
- **Set up online stores** via platforms like Shopify, Magento, and WooCommerce.
- **Facilitate seamless checkouts, online payments, and returns**.
- **Offer cash-on-delivery options** and **commerce via WhatsApp**, a popular platform in markets like India and Brazil.

### **Notable Clients and Competitive Edge**

GoKwik boasts an impressive clientele, including **Lenskart, Honasa Consumer, Lakmé, Pepe Jeans, and Xplosive Ape**. While competitors like **Razorpay and Cashfree Payments** offer similar checkout solutions, GoKwik's **integrated product suite** ensures merchants typically use **at least two of its products**, enhancing **retargeting and engagement**.

### **Financial Performance and Future Plans**

GoKwik has achieved:
- **$30 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR)** this year, up from **$25 million last year**.
- **$2 billion in cumulative gross merchandise value (GMV)**, with **55% prepaid payments** and **45% cash-on-delivery**.
- **80% of prepaid transactions** via India's **Unified Payments Interface (UPI)**.

With **$35-$37 million in the bank** and a **runway of 60-70 months**, GoKwik aims to:
- **Expand into new markets** like Germany, France, and Latin America.
- **Enhance AI capabilities** for products like **AI calling for abandoned carts**.
- **Launch a global checkout solution** integrating **Stripe and other international payment processors**.

![GoKwik CEO Chirag Taneja](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/chirag-taneja-gokwik-co-founder-ceo.jpg)
*Image Credits: GoKwik*

### **Road to Profitability and IPO**

GoKwik is targeting **profitability within the next 18 months** and plans to **go public in 3-5 years**. With a team of **400 employees** primarily based in **Gurugram and Bengaluru**, the startup is well-positioned to continue its **upward trajectory**.

What has made GoKwik so attractive to investors is its offerings, which help companies, big and small, set up shop online and enter the direct-to-consumer (D2C) space.

GoKwik's $13M Growth Round Skyrockets Valuation to $450M: A Deep Dive into India's E-Commerce Innovator

**Melio**, the Israeli **fintech** unicorn specializing in **payments solutions**, is reportedly in advanced talks for a **$1.5-2 billion acquisition**. This potential deal could mark the second major **fintech exit** in Israel for 2025, following **Next Insurance**.

![Melio co-founders](https://pic1.calcalist.co.il/picserver3/crop_images/2023/11/09/S1G3C7qQa/S1G3C7qQa_0_0_1600_1066_0_large.jpg)
*Photo: Dana Tamari*

### The Potential Buyer
According to sources, **New Zealand's Xero**, a fintech giant with a **$20 billion market cap**, is leading the negotiations. Melio has declined to comment on these reports.

### Recent Funding and Growth
In 2024, Melio secured significant funding led by **Fiserv**, with participation from **Shopify, Capital One**, and others. Despite a **valuation cut**, the company has seen a **tenfold revenue increase** since its last funding round in 2021, surpassing **$100 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR)** by 2023.

### Challenges and Restructuring
The company underwent **restructuring**, including layoffs in Israel and the U.S., as part of efforts to streamline its **sales and marketing operations**.

### Industry Context
This deal could signal a rebound in the **fintech sector**, which has faced challenges like **tightening venture capital** and **declining valuations**. It follows the acquisition of **Next Insurance by Munich Re**, highlighting a potential resurgence in **fintech exits**.

### About Melio
Founded in 2018 by **Matan Bar (CEO) and Ilan Atias (CTO)**, Melio employs **600 people** across Israel and the U.S. The company offers a **digital payments platform** for U.S. businesses, enhancing services provided by **financial institutions and software companies**.

The Israeli payments platform could mark 2025’s second major local fintech exit after Next Insurance.

Melio's Billion-Dollar Exit: The Next Big Fintech Acquisition on the Horizon

**OpenAI**, alongside design legend **Jony Ive**, has been accused of attempting to overshadow a competing startup, **iyO**, through controversial marketing tactics. The CEO of iyO successfully obtained a restraining order against the Sam Altman-led group, compelling them to withdraw promotional materials related to a staggering **$6.4 billion venture**.

This legal confrontation sheds light on the intense competition within the tech and AI sectors, where **innovation and market positioning** are fiercely contested. The dispute centers around allegations that OpenAI's marketing strategies were designed to **diminish iyO's visibility** and potential in the market.

**Key Developments:**
- **Restraining Order Issued:** iyO's legal victory marks a significant moment, showcasing the startup's resolve to protect its interests against industry giants.
- **Marketing Materials Pulled:** The court's decision forced OpenAI to retract certain promotional content, highlighting the legal boundaries in competitive practices.
- **$6.4 Billion Venture at Stake:** The magnitude of the venture underscores the high stakes involved in this rivalry, with both parties vying for dominance in a lucrative market.

This incident raises questions about **ethical competition** and the lengths to which companies will go to secure a leading position in the fast-evolving tech landscape.

CEO of iyO won restraining order forcing Sam Altman-led group to pull marketing materials about $6.4bn venture

OpenAI and Jony Ive Under Fire for Allegedly Undermining Rival Startup iyO

**Wispr Flow**, an innovative AI-powered dictation app, has recently announced a **$30 million Series A funding round** led by Menlo Ventures, with participation from notable investors including NEA, 8VC, and several industry leaders. This funding brings the company's total raised to **$56 million**, marking a significant milestone in its journey to redefine voice AI technology.

### The Rise of Voice AI Startups

The voice AI sector is witnessing unprecedented growth, with startups like **ElevenLabs, Cartesia, Granola, and Read AI** securing substantial investments. Wispr Flow's latest funding round underscores the increasing demand for advanced voice recognition and dictation solutions.

### From Hardware to Software: Wispr's Evolution

Initially focused on developing a hardware device for silent typing, Wispr pivoted to software with the launch of **Wispr Flow**. The app, designed to seamlessly integrate with users' workflows, has seen rapid adoption since its release on **Mac (October 2024), Windows (March 2025), and iOS (June 2025)**.

### Why Investors Are Betting on Wispr Flow

CEO **Tanay Kothari** revealed that the app has become a staple among **Silicon Valley VCs**, who use it daily for emails, memos, and documents. This organic adoption sparked significant investor interest, mirroring the success story of **Granola**, another AI notetaking app favored by VCs.

![Tanay Kothari, CEO of Wispr Flow](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Tanay-headshot.jpeg?w=680)
*Image Credits: Wispr Flow*

### Growth and Future Plans

Wispr Flow boasts a **50% month-over-month user growth**, with a diverse user base spanning the **U.S. (40%), Europe (30%), and other regions (30%)**. The app supports **104 languages**, with **60% of dictations in non-English languages** like Spanish, French, and Mandarin.

The new funding will fuel **team expansion**, **Android app development**, and **enterprise solutions**, including company-wide phrase context and support teams. Wispr Flow is also working on transforming into an **AI-powered assistant** capable of handling tasks like messaging, note-taking, and reminders.

### A Vision for the Future

Menlo Ventures' **Matt Kraning**, a vocal advocate for the app, highlighted Wispr Flow's potential to **bridge the gap between digital thoughts and intent**, offering a more efficient alternative to traditional input methods.

CEO Tanay Kothari noted that the startup will soon achieve profitability at the current rate of growth. Initially, he didn't want to raise money, but he worried that Big Tech players with a massive distribution advantage could be a risk to the company. He wanted to rapidly multiply the company's revenue and reach and decided to take the investment.

Wispr Flow Secures $30M Series A to Revolutionize AI-Powered Dictation

**Lime**, the **Uber-backed** electric bike and scooter startup, is making headlines as it prepares for a **U.S. initial public offering (IPO)**. According to sources familiar with the matter, the company has enlisted the help of **Goldman Sachs** and **JPMorgan Chase** to navigate the complexities of going public, with the IPO potentially happening as early as next year.

### A Glimpse into Lime's Journey
Founded in 2017 and now under the leadership of former Uber executive **Wayne Ting**, Lime has expanded its operations to over **280 cities across nearly 30 countries**. The company specializes in short-term rentals of **electric bikes and scooters**, catering to the growing demand for **micromobility solutions**.

### Financial Highlights and Market Position
Lime's financial performance has been impressive, with the company reporting a **32% growth in net revenue to $686 million for 2024**. Notably, Lime has been **free cash flow positive for two consecutive years**, a significant achievement in the capital-intensive micromobility sector.

The IPO could value Lime significantly higher than its **2020 valuation of $510 million**, when Uber led a funding round. This move comes at a time when the **IPO market is showing signs of recovery**, following a challenging period marked by investor skepticism towards technology startups.

### Challenges and Opportunities
Despite its success, Lime operates in a sector fraught with challenges, including **regulatory hurdles** and **high operational costs**. The bankruptcy of **Bird**, a fellow e-scooter operator, serves as a cautionary tale. However, Lime's strong financials and strategic partnerships position it as a **leader in the micromobility space**.

### The Bigger Picture
Lime's IPO is not just a milestone for the company but also a **litmus test for the IPO market** and investor confidence in technology startups. With the **U.S. IPO market raising nearly $27 billion this year**, up 45% from the same period last year, Lime's debut could signal a broader resurgence in public listings.

**Key Takeaways:**
- Lime is preparing for a **U.S. IPO** with the help of Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase.
- The company reported **$686 million in net revenue for 2024**, with positive free cash flow.
- Lime operates in over **280 cities across nearly 30 countries**, offering electric bikes and scooters.
- The IPO could value Lime significantly higher than its **2020 valuation of $510 million**.
- The micromobility sector faces challenges, but Lime's strong financials set it apart.

Lime, a startup backed by Uber Technologies that operates an electric bike and scooter network, has hired investment banks to help it prepare for a long-awaited U.S. initial public offering, according to people familiar with the matter.

Lime Electric Bikes Gears Up for a Blockbuster IPO: What Investors Need to Know

## The AI Startup Catching Tech Giants' Eyes

A nearly three-year-old AI startup, **Perplexity**, has reportedly caught the attention of **Meta** and **Apple**, highlighting the intense competition for AI talent and the race to lead the next major evolution of the internet.

### What is Perplexity?

Perplexity is an **AI-powered search engine** that curates answers by parsing web content, providing summaries with source links. Founded in August 2022, it offers two search modes: **quick search** for general queries and **pro search** for detailed responses. The free tier allows three pro searches daily, while the $20/month paid tier unlocks more AI models, unlimited file uploads, and image generation.

### Why Meta and Apple Are Interested

- **Meta** discussed acquiring Perplexity in late April or early May, though no deal was reached.
- **Apple** internally debated acquiring Perplexity, with talks still in early stages.

Both companies are seen as lagging in AI compared to rivals like **Google** and **OpenAI**. A Perplexity acquisition could bolster their AI capabilities, especially as Apple explores integrating an AI-powered search engine into **Safari**.

### Challenges and Controversies

Perplexity faces stiff competition from **ChatGPT**, which dominates AI chatbot downloads. It's also embroiled in controversies over **content use**, with the **BBC** and **Dow Jones** accusing it of unauthorized content copying.

### The Bigger Picture

Tech giants view AI as the next leap forward, akin to the internet and smartphones. For **Apple** and **Meta**, staying relevant in AI is crucial. Whether they can innovate in this space may define their future success.

A nearly 3-year-old AI startup has reportedly caught the attention of two of the largest and most influential tech companies, underscoring the fierce competition for AI talent and push to become leaders in what some believe will be the next major evolution of the internet.

Perplexity AI: The Startup That's Turning Heads at Meta and Apple

**Cluely**, an AI startup recently backed by a $15 million funding round led by a16z, is making waves with its unconventional hiring strategy. According to cofounder Chungin "Roy" Lee, the company focuses on just **two key roles** to drive its growth, betting big on influencers to scale their operations.

![Cluely's cofounders](https://i.insider.com/6855f8ddf748d8c055f41b60?width=700)

*Cluely CEO and cofounder Chungin "Roy" Lee (center) emphasizes the importance of their unique hiring approach.*

### The Two Roles That Matter
At Cluely, the focus is razor-sharp. The startup believes that by concentrating on these two pivotal roles, they can streamline operations and accelerate growth. While the specifics of these roles remain under wraps, the emphasis is clear: **quality over quantity** in hiring.

### Influencers as Growth Drivers
Cluely is leveraging the power of influencers to expand its reach and market presence. This strategy aligns with their broader vision of using **AI to revolutionize** how businesses interact with their audiences. The recent funding injection will likely fuel these efforts, positioning Cluely as a formidable player in the AI space.

### A Unique Approach to Startup Success
By narrowing their hiring focus, Cluely is challenging traditional startup growth models. This approach not only reduces overhead but also ensures that every team member is aligned with the company's core mission. It's a bold move that could set a new precedent for **AI startups** worldwide.

Cluely, which recently landed $15 million in funding led by a16z, is betting big on influencers to drive growth, said its cofounder.

Ex-OpenAI CTO's Bold New Venture: Can Thinking Machines Lab Outshine OpenAI?

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Other Latest News

GoKwik's $13M Growth Round Skyrockets Valuation to $450M: A Deep Dive into India's E-Commerce Innovator

Melio's Billion-Dollar Exit: The Next Big Fintech Acquisition on the Horizon

OpenAI and Jony Ive Under Fire for Allegedly Undermining Rival Startup iyO

Wispr Flow Secures $30M Series A to Revolutionize AI-Powered Dictation

Lime Electric Bikes Gears Up for a Blockbuster IPO: What Investors Need to Know

Perplexity AI: The Startup That's Turning Heads at Meta and Apple

Cluely's Bold Hiring Strategy: Only 2 Roles Matter in Their AI Startup

Other Latest News

GoKwik's $13M Growth Round Skyrockets Valuation to $450M: A Deep Dive into India's E-Commerce Innovator

Melio's Billion-Dollar Exit: The Next Big Fintech Acquisition on the Horizon

OpenAI and Jony Ive Under Fire for Allegedly Undermining Rival Startup iyO

Wispr Flow Secures $30M Series A to Revolutionize AI-Powered Dictation

Lime Electric Bikes Gears Up for a Blockbuster IPO: What Investors Need to Know

Perplexity AI: The Startup That's Turning Heads at Meta and Apple

Cluely's Bold Hiring Strategy: Only 2 Roles Matter in Their AI Startup