# Figure AI Secures Over $1 Billion in Funding, Valued at $39 Billion

**Figure AI Inc.**, a pioneering company in the development of **humanoid robots**, has successfully raised more than **$1 billion** in a recent financing round. This investment values the startup at an impressive **$39 billion**, positioning it among the **most valuable startups** globally.

The fundraising efforts, which were officially announced on a Tuesday, had been ongoing for much of the year. Earlier reports from **Bloomberg News** in February indicated that Figure was in discussions with investors to secure **$1.5 billion** at a valuation of **$39.5 billion**, highlighting the strong investor interest in advanced robotics.

Figure AI Inc., a company developing humanoid robots, has received more than $1 billion in committed capital in a financing round that values it at $39 billion, a deal that would make it one of the most valuable startups.

Humanoid Robot Maker Figure AI Hits $39 Billion Valuation in Massive Funding Round

## Workday Acquires AI Startup Sana in Major $1.1 Billion Deal

**Workday (WDAY)** has announced a significant move in the AI space, agreeing to purchase artificial intelligence startup **Sana** for $1.1 billion. This acquisition comes as Workday prepares for its analyst day, coinciding with the annual Workday Rising customer conference, where updates on guidance and long-term strategy are expected.

Sana specializes in an **AI-native platform for learning and knowledge management**, which aligns with the growing trend of autonomous, goal-driven AI agents that can perform tasks independently. This deal is part of a broader pattern where established software companies like Workday, **ServiceNow (NOW)**, and **Salesforce (CRM)** are actively acquiring AI startups to bolster their capabilities. Workday has previously made acquisitions including Evisort, Flowise, Paradox, HiredMind, and Plex.

Workday is primarily known for its **human resources management software**, such as payroll tools, with about 70% of its revenue derived from human capital management products. The company has also expanded into financial software, but has faced challenges with slowing subscription revenue growth, putting pressure on its stock performance.

In recent financial results, Workday reported second-quarter earnings that exceeded Wall Street estimates, with earnings up 71% to 84 cents per share and revenue climbing nearly 13% to $2.348 billion. However, the stock has seen a decline, dipping slightly in morning trading to 221.31 and retreating about 12% in 2025.

From a technical perspective, Workday stock holds a Composite Rating of 71 out of 99, indicating room for improvement compared to top growth stocks, and an Accumulation/Distribution Rating of D+, reflecting recent price and volume trends.

This acquisition highlights the intense competition and innovation in the AI sector, with other events like Salesforce's upcoming Dreamforce conference expected to feature more AI announcements.

Workday agreed to buy AI startup Sana in a $1.1 billion deal. The software maker hosts an analyst day for Workday stock late Tuesday.

Workday's $1.1 Billion AI Acquisition: How Sana Deal Could Revolutionize Enterprise Learning

# Major Studios Accuse MiniMax of Intellectual Property Piracy

**Walt Disney Co.**, **Comcast Corp.**'s **Universal Studios**, and **Warner Bros. Discovery Inc.** have filed a lawsuit against Chinese artificial intelligence startup **MiniMax**, alleging the company has pirated their intellectual property. The complaint, filed in the US District Court for the Central District of California, claims MiniMax 'completely disregards US copyright law' by using copyrighted characters without permission.

## MiniMax: A Rising AI Powerhouse

Founded in 2021 and based in Shanghai, MiniMax has developed several generative AI models that power apps like **Hailuo AI** (a video and image editor) and **Talkie** (a chatbot competing with Character.AI). Valued at approximately **$3 billion**, MiniMax is considered one of China's 'AI Dragons' and is reportedly planning a public listing as early as this year.

## Details of the Allegations

The lawsuit highlights that MiniMax markets Hailuo AI as a 'Hollywood studio in your pocket,' which the plaintiffs call 'audacious' given the alleged use of stolen intellectual property. Subscribers can generate high-quality images and videos featuring iconic characters such as **Spider-Man**, **Superman**, **Darth Vader**, **Shrek**, **Buzz Lightyear**, and **Bugs Bunny** through text prompts. These outputs often include MiniMax and Hailuo branding, and the company uses these copyrighted elements to advertise its services to US customers.

## Broader Context in the AI Industry

This legal action is part of a larger trend where Hollywood studios are aggressively targeting AI companies for copyright infringement. In June, Disney and Universal sued **Midjourney Inc.**, and earlier this month, Warner Bros. filed a separate suit against Midjourney. The studios argue that such practices not only seek compensation but also represent a cultural attack on the creative community and a threat to the American motion picture industry, which contributes over **$260 billion** to the economy and supports millions of jobs.

## MiniMax's Response and Legal Proceedings

A representative for MiniMax did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The plaintiffs claim they have asked MiniMax to cease using their works without permission and to implement protective measures, but to no avail. The case is officially listed as Disney v. MiniMax, 25-cv-08768, in the US District Court, Central District of California (Los Angeles).

Walt Disney Co., Comcast Corp.’s Universal Studios and Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. are suing Chinese artificial intelligence startup MiniMax, accusing the company of pirating the studios’ intellectual property.

Hollywood Giants Sue Chinese AI Unicorn MiniMax Over Alleged Copyright Theft

## A New Era in Cybersecurity

Venture investors are pouring money into Israeli cybersecurity startups, and the latest standout is **Vega**, which has emerged from stealth mode with a massive $65 million in funding. This round, led by **Accel** with participation from Cyberstarts, Redpoint, and CRV, values the company at an impressive **$400 million valuation**.

![Vega cofounders Shay Sandler (left) and Eli Rosen.](https://i.insider.com/68c8686557d362d375e830d4?width=700)

This funding surge comes at a pivotal time, as Google is attempting to close its $32 billion acquisition of **Wiz**, another Israeli-founded security firm, potentially marking one of the largest cybersecurity deals ever.

### The Team Behind the Innovation

Vega's cofounder and CEO, **Shay Sandler**, acknowledges the inevitable comparisons to Wiz. "It's quite humbling to say that it's similar," he remarked. "We were bold enough to chase a very big problem without being too apologetic about it."

Like the Wiz founders, Sandler and his cofounder **Eli Rosen** are alumni of **Unit 8200**, the elite Israeli intelligence unit renowned for producing some of the country's most successful tech entrepreneurs.

### Market Context and Growth

Funding for Israeli security startups nearly doubled last year from 2023, reaching a level equal to 40% of the entire US cybersecurity funding market, according to data from Startup Nation Central. This highlights the growing global interest and investment in this sector.

Vega already boasts 63 employees spread across Israel and the U.S., with offices in San Francisco, Miami, and New York, where Sandler recently relocated. The company has already secured deals with **Fortune 20 companies**, major banks, and a global top-10 healthcare organization.

### Competitive Edge and Technology

Vega is entering a crowded space, competing with legacy systems like **Splunk** and Palo Alto Networks' QRadar, as well as other startups such as Sumo Logic, Exabeam, and Panther. However, Vega differentiates itself with a simple yet powerful pitch: traditional security systems are too slow and expensive.

Big companies rely on these tools to detect attacks before they cause damage, but they often require massive amounts of data to be centralized. Vega claims it can provide faster answers by analyzing information where it already resides, eliminating the need to consolidate data first. This approach reduces wasted time and costs, enabling quicker responses to threats.

"Our unique architecture really enabled us early on to provide value to the biggest customers, and this kind of shocked venture capitalists because they had never seen something like it in this domain," Sandler explained.

### Investor Perspective

For **Andrei Brasoveanu**, a partner at Accel, backing Vega was a decision based on both the team's expertise and the immense market opportunity. He noted that aside from AI, VCs are more excited about cybersecurity than any other category right now, driven by the need for companies to invest heavily in defending against evolving threats.

"The number of attackers and the sophistication of attackers are only increasing," Brasoveanu said, acknowledging that the $400 million valuation is ambitious for such a young company. "Our business is relying on power law type outcomes and we need to take these big swings. It's a team that's moving at a very fast pace, already landing large enterprise customers. I'm incredibly excited about them."

Vega is coming out of stealth mode and has landed $65 million in funding to take on some of the biggest incumbents in security.

Vega's $400M Valuation: The Israeli Cybersecurity Startup Taking on Giants with Revolutionary Tech

# Supercal: A Revolutionary Free Scheduling Platform by Kayak Co-Founder Paul English

Paul English, the co-founder of **Kayak**, has introduced **Supercal**, a new scheduling platform designed to make booking meetings more efficient and simple. Born from his personal struggles with coordinating schedules across eight boards of directors, Supercal aims to compete directly with **Calendly** by offering similar features for free.

## Key Features and Functionality

With Supercal's group scheduling feature, users can email a group and CC the service's AI, which reads everyone's calendars, finds a common available time, books the meeting, and replies with the details—all automatically.

![Supercal Booking Page](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/BookingPage-Desktop.png?w=680)

Supercal allows syncing up to six calendars, integrating work, personal, and other schedules in one place. It offers eight meeting types, including 15-minute, 30-minute, and 60-minute slots, as well as VIP meetings for full calendar access. Future plans include an **Open Table integration** for booking meetings at restaurants or coffee shops.

Additional features include pre-meeting context forms, automatic guest time zone detection, reminders, and prebuilt templates to enhance organization.

## Future Plans and Premium Features

While currently free, Supercal plans to introduce premium features via subscription, keeping core functionalities accessible. Paul English envisions Supercal evolving to provide feedback on meeting effectiveness, such as speech pace, volume, and filler word usage, to help users become more impactful speakers.

![Supercal Confirmation Page](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/BookingConfirmation-Desktop.png?w=680)

Long-term goals include reducing unnecessary meetings by identifying low-participation sessions and suggesting cancellations, as well as tracking action items and decisions made during meetings.

## Availability and Expansion

Supercal is available on the web, with future developments including browser and email plugins, plus iOS and Android apps.

The entrepreneur has launched Supercal, a free scheduling platform that’s designed to make booking meetings more efficient and simple.

Kayak Co-Founder Launches Supercal: The Free Scheduling Tool Challenging Calendly's Dominance

# MoonPay's Strategic Acquisition of Meso: A Game-Changer for Global Crypto Payments?

![MoonPay Image](https://stat.theblock.co/cdn-cgi/image/format=webp,q=50/wp/uploads/2022/01/20220126_Moonpay-1200x675.jpg)

In a bold move to expand its global footprint, **MoonPay**, a leading crypto payments infrastructure firm, has acquired the payments startup **Meso**. This acquisition is part of MoonPay's ambitious initiative to build a comprehensive international payments network that integrates banks, card systems, stablecoins, and blockchains under a unified regulatory framework.

## Key Details of the Acquisition

MoonPay announced the deal in a [statement](https://www.moonpay.com/newsroom/meso-acquisition?from=%2Fnewsroom), emphasizing its goal to create a seamless global network. The acquisition supports compliance with key U.S. licenses and Europe's **MiCA** regime, ensuring a robust and regulated environment for crypto transactions.

Ivan Soto-Wright, co-founder and CEO of MoonPay, stated, "We've built trusted ramps that brought millions into crypto, now we're building the global network that will move money across every form and in every market."

## Leadership Integration and Expertise

With this acquisition, Meso co-founders **Ali Aghareza** and **Ben Mills** will join MoonPay's leadership team. Aghareza takes on the role of Chief Technology Officer, while Mills becomes Senior Vice President of Product. Both bring extensive experience from their time at **Braintree**, **PayPal**, and **Venmo**, which is expected to enhance MoonPay's product offerings and technological capabilities.

## Expansion Through Strategic Acquisitions

This is not MoonPay's first acquisition in 2025. Earlier this year, the company acquired **Helio**, a Solana-based payments firm, and **Iron**, a stablecoin infrastructure company. Additionally, Bloomberg reported the acquisition of onchain payment tool **Decent.xyz**. These moves aim to diversify MoonPay's services, supporting crypto purchases via cards, bank transfers, and mobile options, thereby broadening its market reach.

## Company Background and Challenges

Founded in 2019, MoonPay achieved a valuation of **$3.4 billion** during its Series A financing round in 2021, raising $555 million. However, in June 2024, the company laid off 10% of its staff due to high costs and below-expected operating margins, highlighting the challenges in scaling a crypto business amidst market fluctuations.

The terms of the Meso acquisition were not disclosed, and The Block has reached out for further comments.

MoonPay said that the deal supports its goal of building an international crypto payments network under a unified regulatory framework.

MoonPay's Strategic Acquisition of Meso: A Game-Changer for Global Crypto Payments?

# From Bain Consultant to Startup Founder: The Untold Lessons You Won't Learn in Consulting

Daphne Tay made a bold move by leaving her prestigious role at Bain to launch her own startup, aiming to solve a common daily work pain. While her consulting background provided a strong foundation in analysis and strategy, she quickly realized that the **startup world demands a whole new set of skills**.

![Daphne Tay Bluente](https://i.insider.com/68b800d2a17a8c5b4053e765?width=700)

*Daphne Tay left Bain to start an AI startup solving a daily work pain. Consulting skills helped, but sales and the startup playbook she learned from scratch.*

## Key Challenges and Learnings

One of the biggest hurdles was mastering **sales and customer acquisition**. Unlike consulting, where projects are often handed to you, startups require proactive outreach and persuasion. Daphne had to dive into the **startup playbook** from the ground up, learning about fundraising, product-market fit, and iterative development.

Her experience highlights that while corporate roles teach valuable problem-solving and teamwork, they often fall short in preparing for the **uncertainty and hustle** of entrepreneurship. She emphasizes the importance of being adaptable and willing to learn on the fly, as no amount of consulting experience can fully equip you for the rollercoaster of building a business from scratch.

This story, originally from Business Insider, underscores that **transitioning from a stable job to a startup** is not just about applying old skills but embracing a new mindset focused on innovation and resilience.

Daphne Tay left Bain to fix a daily work pain. Consulting skills helped, but she had to learn sales and the startup playbook from scratch.

From Bain Consultant to Startup Founder: The Untold Lessons You Won't Learn in Consulting

Y Combinator recently hosted its Summer 2025 Demo Day, featuring over 160 startups. While AI continues to dominate, this batch showcased a shift towards **AI agents** and the infrastructure supporting them, including voice AI and monetization tools for the AI economy.

We consulted YC-focused investors to identify the most buzzworthy startups. Here are the top picks:

## Autumn
**What it does:** Stripe for AI startups
**Why it's a favorite:** Managing complex AI pricing on Stripe is manual and time-consuming. Autumn offers an open-source infrastructure that simplifies this, already used by hundreds of AI apps and 40 YC startups. Could this be the next big fintech success?

## Dedalus Labs
**What it does:** Builds Vercel for AI agents
**Why it's a favorite:** Automates infrastructure for AI agents, reducing coding from hours to clicks with features like autoscaling and load balancing.

## Design Arena
**What it does:** Crowdsource rankings of vibe-coded designs
**Why it's a favorite:** Solves the problem of evaluating AI-generated designs by crowdsourcing feedback, improving AI models with input from major AI labs.

## Getasap Asia
**What it does:** Tech-enabled distributor for retailers in Southeast Asia
**Why it's a favorite:** Founded by a 14-year-old, it delivers supplies in under 8 hours, has millions in revenue, and secured funding from General Catalyst with a high valuation.

## Keystone
**What it does:** AI engineer that fixes bugs in production
**Why it's a favorite:** Founded by a 20-year-old AI master's graduate, it reduces software breaks and has already rejected a seven-figure acquisition offer.

## RealRoots
**What it does:** AI matchmaker for female friends
**Why it's a favorite:** Addresses loneliness with AI-organized social experiences, generating $782,000 in revenue last month from 9,000 paying clients.

## Solva
**What it does:** Automates insurance claims with AI
**Why it's a favorite:** Handles routine tasks for adjusters, preventing improper payouts and amassing $245,000 in ARR just 10 weeks after launch.

## Perseus Defense
**What it does:** Counter-drone mini-missiles
**Why it's a favorite:** Develops cost-effective solutions for the U.S. military to counter drone swarms, with demonstrations already underway.

## Pingo AI
**What it does:** AI foreign language tutor
**Why it's a favorite:** Offers conversational practice with AI native speakers, growing 70% monthly and earning $250,000 in monthly revenue.

We asked YC-focused investors to name the startups from the Summer 2025 batch that generated the most interest.

Humanoid Robot Maker Figure AI Hits $39 Billion Valuation in Massive Funding Round

Summary:

Figure AI Secures Over $1 Billion in Funding, Valued at $39 Billion

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