💸 Venture Capital & Investment

VC funding rounds, angel investing, exits, IPOs, fund strategy, startup valuation

'I lost thousands in savings and my partner's money is in limbo'

The number of people withdrawing money from a LISA is outpacing the number using one to buy a home. Why?

More: 'I lost thousands in savings and my partner's money is in limbo'. The number of people withdrawing money from a LISA is outpacing the number using one to buy a home.
TL;DR: The number of people withdrawing money from a LISA is outpacing the number using one to buy a home.
Read original at Bbc
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Ross Fubini wrote Anduril’s first check. Here’s what he’s looking for in defense tech.

Defense tech is red hot right now. Anduril and Mach Industries just doubled and quadrupled their valuations, respectively, and the U.S. government is proposing a 40% increase in defense budget. A wave of new startups is chasing those government contracts, but according to Ross Fubini, the venture investor who wrote Anduril’s first check, most of them will get lost in the Valley of Death between prototype contract […]

More: Defense tech is red hot right now. Anduril and Mach Industries just doubled and quadrupled their valuations, respectively, and the U.S. government is proposing a 40% increase in defense budget.
TL;DR: Defense tech is red hot right now. Anduril and Mach Industries just doubled and quadrupled their valuations, respectively, and the U.S. government is proposing a 40% increase in defense budget.
Read original at Techcrunch
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How Europe’s AI strategy diverges from Silicon Valley’s

The global AI race is often framed as a battle between the United States and China. But at VivaTech, Europe is expected to make the case for an entirely different model.

More: How Europe’s AI strategy diverges from Silicon Valley’s. The global AI race is often framed as a battle between the United States and China. But at VivaTech, Europe is expected to make the case for an entirely different model.
TL;DR: The global AI race is often framed as a battle between the United States and China.
Read original at Techcrunch
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Why VivaTech 2026 is the place to see Europe’s AI strategy take shape

The global AI race is often framed as a battle between the United States and China. But at VivaTech, Europe is expected to make the case for an entirely different model.

More: Why VivaTech 2026 is the place to see Europe’s AI strategy take shape. The global AI race is often framed as a battle between the United States and China. But at VivaTech, Europe is expected to make the case for an entirely different model.
TL;DR: The global AI race is often framed as a battle between the United States and China.
Read original at Techcrunch
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Ex-M&S chief to help government tackle youth unemployment

Marc Bolland will advise on getting young people into work after a review warned of a "lost generation".

More: Ex-M&S chief to help government tackle youth unemployment. Marc Bolland will advise on getting young people into work after a review warned of a "lost generation".
TL;DR: Marc Bolland will advise on getting young people into work after a review warned of a "lost generation".
Read original at Bbc
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Tickets for festivals are getting more expensive - we compared them

Reading and Leeds, Glastonbury, Parklife and Download have surged in price.

More: Tickets for festivals are getting more expensive - we compared them. Reading and Leeds, Glastonbury, Parklife and Download have surged in price.
TL;DR: Reading and Leeds, Glastonbury, Parklife and Download have surged in price.
Read original at Bbc
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The Week’s 10 Biggest Funding Rounds: Anthropic Dominates In An Otherwise Slower Week For Megarounds

Venture funding has always been a world of haves and have nots. And these days, the haves are having more than ever. Case in point this week was generative AI giant Anthropic's $65 billion Series H funding, followed by a billion-dollar funding for an AI software developer.

More: The Week’s 10 Biggest Funding Rounds: Anthropic Dominates In An Otherwise Slower Week For Megarounds. And these days, the haves are having more than ever. Case in point this week was generative AI giant Anthropic's $65 billion Series H funding, followed by a billion-dollar funding for an AI software developer.
TL;DR: Case in point this week was generative AI giant Anthropic's $65 billion Series H funding, followed by a billion-dollar funding for an AI software developer.
Read original at News
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After Nvidia’s $20B not-aqui-hire, AI chip startup Groq reportedly raising $650M

Chipmaker Groq is looking to raise $650 million in internal funding as it pivots from hardware to focus more on AI inference, the process of refining the way AI models respond to prompted requests, per Axios. 

TL;DR: Chipmaker Groq is looking to raise $650 million in internal funding as it pivots from hardware to focus more on AI inference, the process of refining the way AI models respond to prompted requests, per Axios. 
Read original at Techcrunch
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2 days left: Lock in ticket savings of up to $410 to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026

Savings of up to $410 on TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 tickets end tomorrow, May 29, 11:59 p.m. PT. Register now to save and join 10,000+ tech leaders on October 13-15 in San Francisco.

More: 2 days left: Lock in ticket savings of up to $410 to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Savings of up to $410 on TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 tickets end tomorrow, May 29, 11:59 p.m. Register now to save and join 10,000+ tech leaders on October 13-15 in San Francisco.
TL;DR: Savings of up to $410 on TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 tickets end tomorrow, May 29, 11:59 p.m.
Read original at Techcrunch
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Triomics nabs $22M to bring oncology-specific AI to cancer centers

The Series B round was led by Battery Ventures.

More: Triomics nabs $22M to bring oncology-specific AI to cancer centers. The Series B round was led by Battery Ventures.
TL;DR: The Series B round was led by Battery Ventures.
Read original at Techcrunch
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Startup Battlefield 200 applications close today: Nominate a founder or submit your startup

Today is the final day to apply or nominate a startup for Startup Battlefield 200. Once the clock strikes 11:59 p.m. PT, the window closes on your chance to compete for $100,000 in equity-free funding, gain global visibility, connect directly with investors, and launch on the TechCrunch Disrupt stage.

More: Startup Battlefield 200 applications close today: Nominate a founder or submit your startup. Once the clock strikes 11:59 p.m. PT, the window closes on your chance to compete for $100,000 in equity-free funding, gain global visibility, connect directly with investors, and launch on the TechCrunch Disrupt stage.
TL;DR: Once the clock strikes 11:59 p.m.
Read original at Techcrunch
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TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Early Bird ticket savings end in 3 days

There are only 3 days left to save up to $410 on your ticket to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Early Bird pricing ends May 29 at 11:59 p.m. PT, and once the deadline passes, ticket prices increase. If you plan to attend one of the most influential gatherings in tech this year, now is the time to lock in your pass before rates go up again.

More: TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Early Bird ticket savings end in 3 days. There are only 3 days left to save up to $410 on your ticket to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Early Bird pricing ends May 29 at 11:59 p.m.
TL;DR: There are only 3 days left to save up to $410 on your ticket to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026.
Read original at Techcrunch
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ClickHouse triples annualized revenue to $250M, charting a path toward an IPO

The database provider is eyeing a public debut within the next few years.

More: ClickHouse triples annualized revenue to $250M, charting a path toward an IPO. The database provider is eyeing a public debut within the next few years.
TL;DR: The database provider is eyeing a public debut within the next few years.
Read original at Techcrunch
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Tech CEOs are apparently suffering from AI psychosis

"CEOs are uniquely prone to AI psychosis," Box CEO Aaron Levie opines. Maybe that explains the almost religious belief in AI productivity gains.

More: Tech CEOs are apparently suffering from AI psychosis. "CEOs are uniquely prone to AI psychosis," Box CEO Aaron Levie opines. Maybe that explains the almost religious belief in AI productivity gains.
TL;DR: "CEOs are uniquely prone to AI psychosis," Box CEO Aaron Levie opines.
Read original at Techcrunch
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TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Early Bird ticket rates end May 29

Save up to $410 on your TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 pass before prices increase on May 29 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Register here to join the tech epicenter in San Francisco.

More: TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Early Bird ticket rates end May 29. Save up to $410 on your TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 pass before prices increase on May 29 at 11:59 p.m. Register here to join the tech epicenter in San Francisco.
TL;DR: Save up to $410 on your TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 pass before prices increase on May 29 at 11:59 p.m.
Read original at Techcrunch
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Amazon fulfillment competitor Stord raises $250M at $3B valuation

Stord offers a network of physical warehouses and inventory management software for e-commerce. It bills itself as a sort of anti-Amazon, giving brands "the speed to compete" while still owning their customer relationships.

More: Amazon fulfillment competitor Stord raises $250M at $3B valuation. Stord offers a network of physical warehouses and inventory management software for e-commerce. It bills itself as a sort of anti-Amazon, giving brands "the speed to compete" while still owning their customer relationships.
TL;DR: Stord offers a network of physical warehouses and inventory management software for e-commerce.
Read original at Techcrunch
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The pitch trick that helped an esports startup raise $20M when VCs only wanted AI

Earlier this year, Lucra Sports founder and CEO Dylan Robbins did something that no one else has ever done. And he shared several secrets on how he did it.

More: The pitch trick that helped an esports startup raise $20M when VCs only wanted AI. Earlier this year, Lucra Sports founder and CEO Dylan Robbins did something that no one else has ever done. And he shared several secrets on how he did it.
TL;DR: Earlier this year, Lucra Sports founder and CEO Dylan Robbins did something that no one else has ever done.
Read original at Techcrunch
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5 days left: Save up to $410 on TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 passes before prices increase

Early Bird savings for TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 in San Francisco end May 29 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Register now to save up to $410 before prices increase.

More: 5 days left: Save up to $410 on TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 passes before prices increase. Early Bird savings for TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 in San Francisco end May 29 at 11:59 p.m. Register now to save up to $410 before prices increase.
TL;DR: Early Bird savings for TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 in San Francisco end May 29 at 11:59 p.m.
Read original at Techcrunch
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Peec, one of Berlin’s rising startups, more than doubled annualized revenue in months to $10M, sources say

Peec, which helps brands track their presence in AI searches, offers proof of a key trend among European startups.

More: Peec, one of Berlin’s rising startups, more than doubled annualized revenue in months to $10M, sources say. Peec, which helps brands track their presence in AI searches, offers proof of a key trend among European startups.
TL;DR: Peec, which helps brands track their presence in AI searches, offers proof of a key trend among European startups.
Read original at Techcrunch
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How VCs and founders use inflated ‘ARR’ to crown AI startups 

Some AI startups are stretching traditional revenue metrics when talking about progress publicly. And their investors are fully aware.

More: How VCs and founders use inflated ‘ARR’ to crown AI startups . Some AI startups are stretching traditional revenue metrics when talking about progress publicly. And their investors are fully aware.
TL;DR: Some AI startups are stretching traditional revenue metrics when talking about progress publicly.
Read original at Techcrunch
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This young startup is taking on a fragrance industry that hasn’t changed in almost half a century

Fragrance tech company Patina announced Thursday a $2 million raise from investors, including Betaworks and True Ventures. 

More: This young startup is taking on a fragrance industry that hasn’t changed in almost half a century. Fragrance tech company Patina announced Thursday a $2 million raise from investors, including Betaworks and True Ventures. 
TL;DR: Fragrance tech company Patina announced Thursday a $2 million raise from investors, including Betaworks and True Ventures. 
Read original at Techcrunch
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Beauty booking startup Fresha hits $1B valuation with KKR backing

Beauty and wellness booking marketplace Fresha says it has raised $80 million investment from KKR’s Next Generation Technology Growth fund, KKR's growth equity arm.

TL;DR: Beauty and wellness booking marketplace Fresha says it has raised $80 million investment from KKR’s Next Generation Technology Growth fund, KKR's growth equity arm.
Read original at Techcrunch
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Imperagen raises £5 million to use quantum physics, AI on enzyme engineering

Biotech company Imperagen announced on Thursday a £5 million ($6.7 million) seed round led by PXN Ventures, with participation from IQ Capital and Northern Gritstone.

TL;DR: Biotech company Imperagen announced on Thursday a £5 million ($6.7 million) seed round led by PXN Ventures, with participation from IQ Capital and Northern Gritstone.
Read original at Techcrunch
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Sam Altman makes ‘mic drop’ offer to every Y Combinator startup

Altman offered to have OpenAI invest in every single startup in this Y Combinator class: tokens for equity.

TL;DR: Altman offered to have OpenAI invest in every single startup in this Y Combinator class: tokens for equity.
Read original at Techcrunch
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