## BostInno's 25 Under 25 is back with another impressive class of young entrepreneurs and go-getters. Here's what this year's awardees have been working on.

BostInno's prestigious **25 under 25** list has returned, showcasing a dynamic group of **young entrepreneurs** and innovators who are making waves in the business world. This year's cohort includes individuals driving advancements in technology, sustainability, and social impact, highlighting their **groundbreaking projects** and entrepreneurial spirit. From startups focused on AI and healthcare to ventures in renewable energy, these awardees exemplify the future of innovation and leadership.

Their achievements underscore the importance of nurturing **emerging talent** in the startup ecosystem, providing inspiration for aspiring founders and investors alike. The list serves as a testament to the vibrant entrepreneurial community and the potential for **disruptive ideas** to shape industries.

BostInno's 25 under 25 is back with another impressive class of young entrepreneurs and go-getters. Here's what this year's awardees have been working on.

Unveiling BostInno's 25 Under 25: Meet the Trailblazing Young Entrepreneurs of 2025

# Sierra's AI Agents Revolutionize Customer Support with Massive Funding Boost

Sierra, a startup specializing in **custom AI agents for enterprise customer service**, is on the verge of securing a **$350 million financing round** that values the company at an impressive **$10 billion**. This development highlights the surging demand for AI-driven solutions in the business world.

## Why This Matters

The field of **AI agents** has been a hot topic throughout the year, yet the industry is still navigating the best approaches for development and deployment. Sierra is carving out a niche with a **specialized strategy** focused on optimizing support and customer service needs, positioning itself as a leader in this evolving space.

## Key Background

Founded by high-profile executives **Bret Taylor**, former co-CEO of Salesforce and current chair of OpenAI, and **Clay Bavor**, a former Google executive, Sierra has quickly gained traction. The company previously raised **$175 million** at a $4.5 billion valuation in October 2024, with Greenoaks Capital leading both rounds.

![Photo of Clay Bavor, Bret Taylor and Ina Fried on stage](https://images.axios.com/Q5SgRXMzk2_IEJgDPcKzJhi7BMk=/0x0:1920x1080/1920x1080/2025/09/03/1756857617899.jpg?w=3840)
*Clay Bavor and Bret Taylor with Ina Fried at Axios' AI+ Summit in San Francisco on Dec. 17, 2024. Photo: Chris Constantine/Axios*

## By the Numbers

Sierra is projected to surpass **$100 million in enterprise annual recurring revenue**, demonstrating strong growth. The startup boasts hundreds of customers, with **15% having revenue over $10 billion** and **50% exceeding $1 billion annually**, underscoring its appeal to large enterprises.

## Deeper Insights

For more on the rise of autonomous agents in generative AI, explore related developments in the industry.

The company's specialty, AI agents for customer support, is in growing demand.

Sierra AI Nears $350M Mega-Round at $10B Valuation: The Future of Customer Service Agents

## Run Ventures Launches $290M Fund to Back the Next Generation of Tech Trailblazers

Published on September 2, 2025

[Run Ventures](https://run.vc/) today announced the launch of a **$290 million early-stage venture capital fund** focused on leading **Series A investments** for technology companies in high-growth ecosystems across the United States. Founded by veteran investors [Brandon Tidwell](https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-tidwell-35a9aa/) and [Ben Dahl](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bendahl1/) and based in Salt Lake City, the firm will back ambitious entrepreneurs building companies in **artificial intelligence** and other transformative sectors. The firm’s name reflects its core philosophy: helping founders go faster and further in their entrepreneurial journey.

### Track Record and Foundation

Tidwell and Dahl previously invested together across two funds at Signal Peak Ventures, with a track record that includes companies such as **Filevine**, **Authenticx**, and **Bark**. Run Ventures builds on that experience with a strategy centered on Series A leadership, while also selectively participating in seed-stage investments.

### The Opportunity Beyond the Coasts

“We’re witnessing a powerful convergence of talent, opportunity, and technology across the country’s rising tech centers,” said Tidwell. “At the same time, AI is accelerating company-building faster than ever before. By combining our investment experience with a commitment to founders outside the coasts, we’re positioned to identify and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs solving previously intractable problems.”

Traditionally, Series A firms have preferred to invest close to home, concentrating capital in Silicon Valley, New York, and Boston. Run Ventures was built on a different premise: with Salt Lake City as its base and strong national connectivity, the firm is structured to lead investments in markets such as **Austin**, **Denver**, and **Atlanta**, providing capital and hands-on partnership wherever founders are building.

### Founder Partnerships

Ryan Anderson, co-founder and CEO of Filevine, added: “What sets the team at Run Ventures apart is their authenticity and accessibility. Throughout Filevine’s accelerated growth, they’ve transcended the typical investor role to become essential collaborators — helping us raise subsequent rounds of capital, recruit key additions to our team, and provide substantive expertise precisely when it matters most.”

### Investment Approach

For entrepreneurs, Run Ventures promises a deeply engaged, roll-up-your-sleeves approach. “It’s often more enjoyable to go running with a partner than hitting the pavement alone,” said Dahl. “We see ourselves as the running partners to founders — encouraging, coaching, and pushing them forward.”

Brandon and Ben have assembled a dynamic, energetic team that is deeply committed to [founders](https://gritdaily.com/discipline-trap-founders-waste-energy-wrong-problems/). With a name inspired by grit, momentum, and shared victories, Run Ventures is more than a firm — it’s a mindset. Entrepreneurs take the lead, and Run Ventures is right beside them, in stride, ready to go the distance.

For more information, visit the [Run Ventures website](https://www.run.vc/).

Run Ventures today announced the launch of a $290 million early-stage venture capital fund focused on leading Series A investments for technology companies in

Run Ventures Unleashes $290M Fund to Supercharge Tech Innovators Beyond the Coasts

# Israeli Tech Entrepreneurs Choose New York for US Expansion

Israeli tech entrepreneurs are increasingly selecting **New York City** as a hub to expand in the US, driven by travel disruptions from the ongoing Gaza war and other challenges that complicate attracting foreign investors and building businesses.

According to a new report by venture capital fund **97212 Ventures**, New York is now home to about **560 privately-held startups founded by Israelis**. Last year, this number was 450, including public companies, as per data from Israel Mapped in NY.

Eyal Bino, founder of New York-based 97212 Ventures, stated, "We are seeing **dramatic growth of Israeli founders of startups** over the past year moving to the Big Apple. Founders who raise their first funding are moving to New York quicker than ever before to build a US base, typically six to 12 months after recruiting an R&D team in Israel."

Since the war began with Hamas on October 7, 2023, Israeli startups have faced difficulties in securing financing, operational disruptions from military reserve duty, flight cancellations, and investor caution. Foreign airlines' service halts to Israel made it hard to do business, prompting many startups to relocate employees to target markets like the US.

Bino explained, "With fast developments in **AI** and bigger competition in almost every tech category, startups need to grow faster and be closer to customers. It's hard for Israeli founders to manage this over Zoom or with infrequent visits, especially with travel issues and high costs, so moving quickly makes sense."

![Eyal Bino, founder of 97212 Ventures](https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2025/09/KAB_8096-2-copy-300x480.jpg)
*Eyal Bino, founder of New York-based 97212 Ventures. (Courtesy)*

The report found that 30% of Israeli-founded businesses in New York are early-stage startups. Industries include **60 cybersecurity startups**, with the rest in AI, enterprise software, fintech, and financial services. About 15% have a female member in the founding team.

Out of the 560 startups, 27 are **unicorns** (worth over $1 billion), up from about five in 2019. California leads with 35 Israeli-founded unicorns in the US.

New York has become a global hub for Israeli startups seeking growth beyond Israel's small market. Bino highlighted reasons: access to US public markets, a larger pool of investors and customers, and proximity to venture capital funds. "If before, Silicon Valley was the top destination, especially for cyber companies, there's no question now why many choose New York—due to the time difference, Israeli entrepreneur community, vast capital access, customers, and a thriving ecosystem," he said.

Over 20,000 Israelis live in New York City, which has the largest Jewish population outside Israel, according to the NYCEDC. The city hosts over 25,000 startups and 300 VCs.

Bino added, "The tech community in New York shows a lot of respect for Israeli founders who persevere despite the challenges of the last two years."

97212 Ventures, founded in 2022, is a $20 million fund investing in Israeli early-stage startups and facilitating their US market entry for growth.

Israelis are increasingly moving to New York City to set up base and enter the US market, as war-related travel disruptions make building business challenging, 97212 Ventures says

Why Israeli Tech Founders Are Flocking to NYC: A Surge of 560 Startups and Counting

# OpenAI's Strategic Acquisition of Statsig

In a landmark move, **OpenAI** has agreed to acquire product testing startup **Statsig** for **$1.1 billion** in an all-stock deal, marking one of the largest acquisitions in the history of the ChatGPT maker. This deal underscores OpenAI's aggressive expansion strategy in the AI and tech space.

## What Statsig Brings to the Table

Founded in 2021, **Statsig** specializes in building tools that help software developers test and flag potential new features. Its services have been utilized by employees at prominent tech firms, including **OpenAI**, **Eventbrite Inc.**, and **SoundCloud Ltd.** Earlier this year, Statsig raised $100 million in a funding round, valuing the company at $1.1 billion, which aligns perfectly with this acquisition price.

## Leadership and Integration Plans

As part of the acquisition, **Vijaye Raji**, the founder and CEO of Statsig, will join OpenAI as the **chief technology officer of applications**. He will report to **Fidji Simo**, the former Instacart head who recently took over as CEO of that division. In a statement, Simo emphasized that Raji will play a key role in helping companies and developers use OpenAI's technology to build safe and empowering applications.

## OpenAI's Acquisition Spree and Valuation Surge

OpenAI has been increasingly active in pursuing high-value acquisitions this year, driven by its soaring valuation. In March, the company finalized a deal to raise $40 billion in funding at a **$300 billion valuation**. Recent reports indicate that OpenAI is in talks for a share sale that could value the startup at an astounding **$500 billion**.

This acquisition follows other major deals, such as the $6.5 billion all-stock purchase of an AI device startup co-founded by Apple's former design chief Jony Ive, and an attempted $3 billion acquisition of AI coding startup Windsurf, which ultimately fell through.

## Regulatory and Organizational Changes

The Statsig acquisition is currently pending regulatory review. Additionally, OpenAI is undergoing several leadership changes: Kevin Weil, the chief product officer, is moving to a new role as vice president of AI for Science, while Srinivas Narayanan becomes chief technology officer of B2B applications. Several product leaders will now report directly to Fidji Simo, signaling a restructuring to better integrate new acquisitions and focus on growth.

OpenAI has agreed to buy product testing startup Statsig for $1.1 billion in an all-stock deal, the company said, marking one of the largest acquisitions in the ChatGPT maker’s history.

OpenAI's Billion-Dollar Bet: Acquiring Statsig to Revolutionize Product Testing and AI Integration

# Anthropic's Funding Triumph

Anthropic, the AI startup behind Claude and a key competitor to OpenAI, has just announced a massive **$13 billion funding round**, catapulting its post-money valuation to an astounding **$183 billion**. This news comes hot on the heels of the holiday weekend, marking a significant milestone in the AI industry.

## Explosive Growth Metrics

In less than nine months, from the start of 2025 to August, Anthropic's run-rate revenue skyrocketed from approximately **$1 billion to over $5 billion**. The company now boasts more than **300,000 business customers**, with its list of large accounts—those generating over $100,000 in run-rate revenue each—increasing sevenfold in the past year alone.

## Claude Code's Success

One of Anthropic's primary revenue drivers, **Claude Code**, has already generated more than **$500 million in run-rate revenue**. Since its full launch, usage has surged by more than tenfold in just three months, underscoring its rapid adoption and market impact.

## Investment Backing

The Series F round was led by prominent investors including **ICONIQ**, **Fidelity Management & Research Company**, and **Lightspeed Venture Partners**. Other participants included the Qatar Investment Authority, TPG, Altimeter, Blackstone, Coatue, General Catalyst, and more. Anthropic plans to use the funds to meet growing enterprise demand, deepen safety research, and support international expansion.

![Anthropic Logo](https://example.com/anthropic-logo.jpg) *Image: Anthropic's logo, symbolizing innovation in AI.*

Anthropic Soars to $183 Billion Valuation: Inside the AI Giant's Meteoric Rise

# Kite Secures $18 Million to Build AI Blockchain for Seamless Agent Interactions

In the bustling world of Silicon Valley, **AI and crypto** are the hottest trends, with startups racing to merge them since ChatGPT's debut in 2022. While results have been mixed, Kite stands out, backed by a major $18 million investment led by **PayPal Ventures** and **General Catalyst**. This Series A round, which includes participants like 8VC, Samsung Next, and Alumni Ventures, brings Kite's total funding to $33 million. The startup's CEO, Chi Zhang, has kept valuation details under wraps and hasn't specified if the raise involves equity or token warrants for a future cryptocurrency.

## The Vision for Automated Shopping

Kite, formerly known as Zettablock, aims to create a blockchain that enables **AI agents** to communicate directly, eliminating the need for human intermediaries. Imagine a future where you can shop through **ChatGPT** or other chatbots without leaving the app—no more browsing Amazon or Shopify stores manually. Zhang envisions this automated world, where AI agents from different platforms interact trustworthily, facilitated by a decentralized database.

## The Rise of AI Agents and Infrastructure Needs

AI agents are evolving from general-purpose models to specialized tools for tasks like coding or shopping. However, as Alan Du from PayPal Ventures notes, the infrastructure is still in its early stages. Kite is building the necessary backbone to make agents transformative, ensuring they can identify and trust each other through blockchain technology.

One of Kite's initial projects focuses on allowing users to purchase items directly via text in ChatGPT, integrating with platforms like Shopify. This innovation promises to redefine how we interact with AI, moving us into what Zhang calls the 'agentic era'.

![AI Blockchain Interaction](https://example.com/ai-blockchain-image.jpg) // Note: Placeholder image URL; actual implementation would use provided media if available.

The startup wants to make it easier for users, for example, to buy products straight through ChatGPT or other chatbots.

How Kite's AI Blockchain is Revolutionizing Shopping with ChatGPT and PayPal's Backing

# Plaud: The AI Notetaking Revolution

On a rainy July morning in Amsterdam, Nathan Xu clips a slim, memory stick-sized device to his shirt. With a click, this pill-shaped gadget—dubbed the **NotePin**—starts recording, transcribing, and summarizing conversations in real-time. Made by Xu's startup **Plaud**, it leverages AI tools like **ChatGPT** to turn up to 20 hours of recordings into searchable transcripts.

Since its 2023 launch, Plaud has sold over **1 million devices** to professionals like doctors, lawyers, and businesspeople, making it a front-runner in the wearable AI space. Unlike many competitors, Plaud is not only profitable but bootstrapped, with Xu and cofounder Charles Liu funding it through savings and a $1 million crowdfunding campaign. The company is on track for $250 million in annualized revenue, boasting margins comparable to Apple's.

## The Rise of Wearable AI

Plaud is part of a growing trend to move AI out of phones and onto the body. Competitors like Rabbit and Humane have stumbled, while investors pour $350 million into startups like Omi and Limitless. Big players are also entering: Amazon acquired Bee, and OpenAI spent $6.4 billion on Jony Ive's AI device startup. As AI notetaking becomes commonplace, etiquette around recording is shifting, with many assuming all meetings are captured.

## From Failure to Success

Xu's journey began after a banking career was upended by an innovation class. His first startup failed, draining his savings, but he found success as a venture capitalist, backing companies like Akulaku. In 2021, he spotted an opportunity in Shenzhen's hardware market, leading to the creation of Plaud. The pivot from a spy gadget (Izyrec) to a professional tool with AI integration via a Kickstarter campaign netted over $1 million in pre-orders.

## Challenges and Opportunities

Plaud faces ethical and legal hurdles, with strict laws on recording without consent. Xu emphasizes consent and positions Plaud as a productivity tool for business meetings. The company is expanding into healthcare with templates for patient consultations and a recent acquisition of a San Francisco-based software startup. Despite competition from giants like Microsoft and Apple, Xu believes wearable AI will surpass smartphones in popularity.

With a team split between Shenzhen and San Francisco, Plaud is positioning itself as an American company to navigate geopolitical tensions. Future plans include new device designs and enhancing AI capabilities to create a true "work companion."

Nathan Xu’s Plaud has sold more than 1 million AI recording devices that transcribe and summarize the busy days of doctors, lawyers and business people.

Unveiling BostInno's 25 Under 25: Meet the Trailblazing Young Entrepreneurs of 2025

Summary:

BostInno's 25 Under 25 is back with another impressive class of young entrepreneurs and go-getters. Here's what this year's awardees have been working on.

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Other Latest News

Sierra AI Nears $350M Mega-Round at $10B Valuation: The Future of Customer Service Agents

Run Ventures Unleashes $290M Fund to Supercharge Tech Innovators Beyond the Coasts

Why Israeli Tech Founders Are Flocking to NYC: A Surge of 560 Startups and Counting

OpenAI's Billion-Dollar Bet: Acquiring Statsig to Revolutionize Product Testing and AI Integration

Anthropic Soars to $183 Billion Valuation: Inside the AI Giant's Meteoric Rise

How Kite's AI Blockchain is Revolutionizing Shopping with ChatGPT and PayPal's Backing

How This AI Notetaking Startup Is Profitable and Outpacing Giants Like Apple

Other Latest News

Sierra AI Nears $350M Mega-Round at $10B Valuation: The Future of Customer Service Agents

Run Ventures Unleashes $290M Fund to Supercharge Tech Innovators Beyond the Coasts

Why Israeli Tech Founders Are Flocking to NYC: A Surge of 560 Startups and Counting

OpenAI's Billion-Dollar Bet: Acquiring Statsig to Revolutionize Product Testing and AI Integration

Anthropic Soars to $183 Billion Valuation: Inside the AI Giant's Meteoric Rise

How Kite's AI Blockchain is Revolutionizing Shopping with ChatGPT and PayPal's Backing

How This AI Notetaking Startup Is Profitable and Outpacing Giants Like Apple