Summary:
Chime files for IPO, revealing a $33M deal with the Dallas Mavericks
Databricks to acquire Neon for $1B to enhance AI agent deployments
Acorns acquires EarlyBird to expand its smart money app for kids
Google launches AI Futures Fund, while Y Combinator calls it a monopolist
Bestow raises $120M Series D to launch new insurtech products
Hedra secures $32M from a16z for AI-generated talking baby podcasts
Welcome to Startups Weekly — your weekly recap of everything you can’t miss from the world of startups. This week was all about steady progress, with a mix of IPO filings, acquisitions, and new launches that signal a brighter outlook for the startup ecosystem.
Most Interesting Startup Stories from the Week
- Digital consumer bank Chime publicly filed for an IPO, revealing a $33 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks as part of its marketing efforts.
- Databricks plans to acquire Neon, a startup building an open-source alternative to AWS Aurora Postgres, for around $1 billion.
- Acorns acquired EarlyBird, an investment gifting platform for families, to expand its smart money app for kids.
- AutoUnify, a startup from Porsche’s partnership with UP.Labs, aims to become the Plaid of automotive retail with a new API.
- Google launched its AI Futures Fund, while Y Combinator accused the tech giant of being a monopolist.
- Vertical Aerospace is working on a hybrid-electric eVTOL aircraft, capitalizing on Europe's defense tech moment.
- Elizabeth Holmes’ partner is reportedly raising $50 million for a new blood-testing startup, sparking controversy.
Most Interesting VC and Funding News This Week
- Bestow raised a $120 million Series D to launch new insurtech products.
- TensorWave secured $100 million for its AMD-powered AI cloud infrastructure.
- Sprinter Health raised $55 million to expand its at-home healthcare services.
- Nawy, Africa’s largest proptech platform, secured $52 million for MENA expansion.
- Granola raised $43 million for its AI note-taking platform.
- Realta Fusion obtained $36 million to finalize its fusion reactor design.
- Hedra locked in $32 million from a16z for its AI-generated talking baby podcasts.
- Doji raised $14 million to make virtual apparel try-ons fun through AI avatars.
- Work-Bench raised $160 million for its fourth fund, focusing on New York-based startups.
- Mercury’s CEO launched a $26 million fund to back early-stage startups.
Last but Not Least
Eric Slesinger, a CIA officer turned investor, is betting on European defense tech through his firm, 201 Ventures. His unique focus highlights the growing importance of defense and resilience tech in the region.
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