Latest Startups & Entrepreneurship News
Meta Acquires Singapore AI Startup Manus for Over $2 Billion
Meta Platforms acquired Manus, a Singapore-based AI startup specializing in autonomous AI agent technology, in a deal valued at more than $2 billion. This is one of the most talked-about startup funding events bridging late 2025 and early 2026. The acquisition highlights the relentless race for AI supremacy in the global innovation landscape.
Octopus Energy Secures $1 Billion for AI-Powered Kraken Technologies
British renewable energy firm Octopus Energy Group raised $1 billion for its standalone AI software business Kraken Technologies, valuing it at $8.65 billion. The round was led by D1 Capital Partners with Fidelity International, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board, and Durable Capital Partners. An additional $320 million was injected into Octopus Energy’s broader business to fuel clean-energy innovation.
AI Startups Raised Record $150 Billion in 2025
Venture capital investment in AI startups reached historic highs of about $150 billion in 2025, nearly half of all worldwide startup funding. This surge reshaped global innovation, with funding spanning seed to multibillion-dollar rounds. AI now commands a larger share of VC flows compared to prior years.
Knight Fintech Raises $23.6 Million in Series A
Mumbai-based fintech infrastructure startup Knight Fintech secured $23.6 million in Series A funding led by Accel, with IIFL, Rocket Capital, and others participating. This early 2026 deal reflects investor focus on scalable fintech infrastructure. It demonstrates diversity in funding across sectors beyond just AI megadeals.
Rideflux Secures $13.9 Million Pre-IPO Funding for Autonomous Tech
South Korea's Rideflux, focused on autonomous driving for heavy-duty vehicles, raised $13.9 million from Atinum Investment and Korea Development Bank, totaling $52.3 million. The startup plans a KOSDAQ IPO in late 2026, potentially pioneering autonomous trucking in Asia. This funding supports transition from pilots to commercial markets.
FINNY AI Prospecting Tool Raises $17 Million Series A at $150M Valuation
AI-powered prospecting solution FINNY raised $17 million in Series A funding led by Venrock, with Y Combinator and Altruist founder Jason Wenk participating, at a $150 million valuation. The tool aims to boost organic growth for financial advisory firms. It targets outbound prospecting, used by only 5% of firms currently.
Nevis Raises $35 Million to Eliminate Advisor Admin Work
Technology startup Nevis secured $35 million to help financial advisors reduce administrative tasks and focus on clients. Despite advisors spending significant time on admin, research questions tech's full impact. The funding underscores demand for efficiency tools in AdvisorTech.
VCs Predict More Funding and Bigger AI Rounds in 2026
Top VCs from Insight Partners, Menlo Ventures, and Sapphire Ventures forecast increased venture dollars in 2026, driven by AI growth rounds, with total funding up 10-15%. AI will claim about half of funding, with concentration in growth-stage megarounds.
They expect more IPOs and M&A for liquidity.
Asia Sees Early 2026 Funding in Biotech, Deep Tech, and Clean Energy
Asian startups like Syneron Bio, CoreEL Technologies, EtherealX, and ETHSGas featured in first-week 2026 funding leaderboards across biotech, deep tech, clean energy, and AI. This reflects active capital flow despite selective global markets. Investors prioritize practical innovation and scalable models.
Boonray Technology Completes New Funding Round
Boonray Technology, an intelligent connected vehicle startup, successfully completed a new funding round. Details on amount and investors were not specified in reports. This adds to momentum in autonomous and mobility tech sectors.
Consumer Sector Corporate Funding Rises Slightly to $4.7 Billion
Corporate-backed funding in the consumer sector totaled $4.7 billion, a slight increase from the prior year. Trends point to hyper-personalized and in-person consumer experiences shaping 2026. This supports startups in consumer innovation.