Latest Startups & Entrepreneurship News
Databricks raises record $4 billion Series L to scale data and AI platform
Databricks closed a blockbuster $4 billion Series L to expand its data and generative-AI platform, marking one of the largest private software rounds of 2025 and underscoring continued investor appetite for enterprise AI infrastructure.
Chai Discovery nets $130M Series B to accelerate generative drug design
Chai Discovery, backed by OpenAI’s Startup Fund, raised $130 million at a reported $1.3 billion valuation to advance its AI-driven antibody and therapeutic design tools, positioning itself as an infrastructure player in computational biotech.
RedotPay secures $107M to scale stablecoin-powered global payments
RedotPay raised $107 million in a round led by Goodwater Capital to expand stablecoin payment rails and cross-border crypto payments, reflecting increased investor interest in crypto-native fintech solutions.
Last Energy raises $100M for micro nuclear reactors to meet AI energy needs
Last Energy closed $100 million to accelerate deployment of small modular nuclear reactors aimed at supporting growing AI and data-center electricity demand, highlighting energy infrastructure priorities tied to AI expansion.
Chai and other AI biotech rounds push venture interest in AI drug discovery
Multiple large financings in 2025, including Chai Discovery’s $130M, show venture capital flowing into AI-first drug discovery platforms as investors bet on faster, cheaper therapeutic design enabled by generative models.
Weekly funding activity remains elevated — 94 rounds reported in mid-December
Market trackers reported 94 funding rounds in the week ending December 15, 2025, with the U.S. accounting for the largest share and AI sectors dominating deal volume and total dollars deployed.
Cleantech shows signs of recovery as venture funding rebounds late in 2025
After a weak year, cleantech and energy startups saw increasing late-year funding and larger strategic rounds (including nuclear and fusion companies), as investors respond to rising energy needs and climate pressures.
Humanoid and logistics robotics attract record VC interest at California summit
A Silicon Valley robotics conference highlighted operational demos and heavy investor interest; PitchBook data cited nearly $2.8 billion invested in U.S. humanoid robotics in 2025, reflecting rapid commercialization efforts.
Northzone publishes 2025 data emphasizing AI, fintech and cross-border payments momentum
Venture firm Northzone’s 2025 review highlights portfolio activity across AI foundational models, fintech innovation (SME finance, cross-border payments) and notable exits and IPOs, including Klarna’s NYSE performance earlier in the year.
Parsers and weekly trackers list dozens of notable mid-December rounds across sectors
Industry newsletters catalog many mid-December financings — from Series A/B rounds in SaaS, fintech and healthtech to pre-seed AI startups — underscoring a broad-based venture market even as deal sizes vary.
India startup ecosystem roundup: continued deal activity and regional growth
India-focused roundups show ongoing domestic funding and startup news on December 17, 2025, with local ecosystems sustaining momentum across consumer, fintech and enterprise software verticals.
Mobility and urban startups gain traction through European support programs
Programs like EIT Urban Mobility and events such as the Mobility Startup Nexus continue to catalyze European mobility startup growth, fostering partnerships and growth-stage investment opportunities.