Latest Startups & Entrepreneurship News
SpaceX, OpenAI and Anthropic line up landmark IPOs, OpenAI targets $750B valuation
Market chatter points to potential blockbuster IPOs from **SpaceX, OpenAI and Anthropic**, deals that together could exceed the total proceeds of all ~200 U.S. IPOs in 2025. OpenAI is reportedly discussing a new fundraise at a valuation of **$750 billion or more**, up from an already lofty $500 billion, underscoring investor conviction in AI platforms as they eye public markets.
Anthropic in talks to raise $10B at $350B valuation
AI safety and foundation model startup **Anthropic** is reportedly planning to raise **$10 billion** at a valuation of about **$350 billion**, nearly double its September round. Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund **GIC** and hedge fund **Coatue Management** are said to be leading the raise, signaling continued enthusiasm for well-capitalized AI challengers.
Elon Musk’s xAI announces $20B round at $230B valuation
Elon Musk’s AI startup **xAI** has announced a massive **$20 billion funding round** that tops the week’s global venture deals. The raise comes at a stated valuation of about **$230 billion**, placing xAI among the world’s most richly valued private AI companies and intensifying competition with OpenAI and Anthropic.
Andreessen Horowitz closes $15B across five new tech and AI funds
Venture firm **Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)** has raised **more than $15 billion** across five new funds, its largest fundraising to date. The haul includes a **$6.75B scale-up fund**, **$1.7B for AI infrastructure**, and **$1.12B for "national interest" sectors like defense and housing,** representing over **18% of all U.S. VC dollars in 2025** and reinforcing a16z’s central role in late-stage tech and AI financing.
North American startup funding jumped 46% in 2025, powered by AI boom
New data show **North American startup funding grew 46% in 2025**, with about **$280 billion** invested from seed through growth stages in the U.S. and Canada. Analysts attribute the surge largely to an **AI-driven investment wave**, as investors race to back infrastructure, model, and application-layer startups across sectors.
Photonic raises $180M to commercialize networked quantum computing
Vancouver-based **Photonic** has secured **$180 million** in the first close of its latest round to scale its **networked quantum computing** platform for enterprises. With participation from existing investors including strategic partner **Microsoft**, Photonic’s total funding now stands at about **$375 million**, positioning it as a key player in bringing practical quantum services to market.
CrowdStrike to acquire identity-security startup SGNL for about $740M
Cybersecurity giant **CrowdStrike** has agreed to acquire identity-security startup **SGNL** in a deal valued at roughly **$740 million**, reflecting consolidation in security tech. The acquisition aims to deepen CrowdStrike’s identity protection capabilities as enterprises seek integrated platforms to defend against increasingly complex cyber threats.
Philadelphia life sciences startups secure $295M as new funds and infrastructure launch
The **Philadelphia life sciences ecosystem** saw about **$295 million** in recent venture funding, including a **$160M Series A** for obesity and metabolic disease startup **Alveus Therapeutics**. The city also announced a **$450,000 SBIR/STTR matching grant program** and the **$50M Penn–BioNTech Innovative Therapeutics Seed Fund**, while **Eli Lilly’s Gateway Labs** innovation center prepares to open, together strengthening the region’s startup pipeline.
NYC startup Protege raises $30M to tackle AI’s data bottleneck
New York–based startup **Protege** has raised **$30 million**, led by a16z, to address AI development’s **data-access bottleneck** through licensed real‑world datasets. The company aims to provide compliant, high‑quality data pipelines that help AI teams train and deploy models in regulated industries where data scarcity and governance are major constraints.
Equitable Earth raises $14.6M to scale carbon credit verification platform
Climate-tech venture **Equitable Earth** has secured about **$14.6 million (€12.6 million)** in new funding backed by initiatives from **Salesforce** and **Milkywire** to support emerging carbon removal technologies. The startup is building a more transparent and equitable verification and financing framework for nature-based carbon projects, reflecting growing investor interest in climate and carbon infrastructure startups.
CES 2026 showcases 1,200+ startups in Eureka Park and spotlights industrial AI
At **CES 2026**, more than **1,200 startups** exhibited in the **Eureka Park** area across 40+ country pavilions, covering AI, digital health, robotics, and smart home. A keynote featuring **Siemens** and **NVIDIA** unveiled new industrial AI tools like **Digital Twin Composer**, while discussions with **General Catalyst** and other investors highlighted how AI is reshaping startup strategy, capital allocation, and global competitiveness.
Crunchbase highlights 2026 IPO candidates as market momentum returns
A new **Crunchbase** analysis identifies **15 private companies** that could go public in 2026 as the IPO market shows signs of recovery. The list underscores how improved valuations and strong late‑stage funding—particularly in AI, software, and advanced hardware—are reopening exit pathways for high‑growth startups and their investors.