Latest Startups & Entrepreneurship News
Andreessen Horowitz raises over $15B to back AI and ‘strategic technologies’
Venture firm **Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)** has closed more than **$15 billion** across five new funds, one of the largest raises in VC amid a broader fundraising slowdown. The capital includes **$6.75B for growth**, **$1.7B for AI infrastructure**, and **$1.12B for U.S. “national interest” areas** such as defense, housing, and supply chains, underscoring sustained investor conviction in AI- and deep-tech startups.
Cybersecurity startup Torq becomes unicorn with $140M Series D
Cybersecurity startup **Torq** raised **$140 million** in a **Series D** round at a **$1.2 billion valuation**, joining the unicorn ranks. The company builds an AI-driven platform that uses autonomous agents to operate and automate security operations centers; the round, led by **Merlin Ventures** with major existing investors, will fund global expansion, including a push into U.S. federal and public-sector markets.
Pomelo Care hits $1.7B valuation with $92M Series C
New York–based **Pomelo Care**, a maternal and infant healthcare startup, has raised **$92 million in Series C** funding at a **$1.7 billion valuation**. The round was led by **Stripes** with participation from **Andreessen Horowitz, PLUS Capital, Atomico, BoxGroup**, and others, illustrating strong investor appetite for tech-enabled healthcare platforms.
Corgi AI raises $108M to build insurance platform for startups
San Francisco–based **Corgi AI**, an insurance platform focused on startups, secured a **$108 million** funding round at a **$630 million valuation**. Investors include **Y Combinator, Kindred Ventures, Contrary, Glade Brook Capital Partners, SV Angel** and several others, positioning the company as a key infrastructure player for risk management in the startup ecosystem.
Biller Genie secures $22M Series B for AR automation
Accounts receivable automation startup **Biller Genie** closed a **$22 million Series B** round led by **Radian Capital**, bringing its total funding to **$33.5 million**. The U.S.-based company targets small and medium-sized businesses with software that streamlines invoicing and collections, and the new capital will support product expansion and growth into new markets.
Articul8 AI raises $70M Series B to scale enterprise AI
Enterprise AI company **Articul8 AI**, based in Dublin, California, has raised **$70 million** in a **Series B** round. The funding brings its total capital raised to **$70 million over one round**, highlighting investor interest in AI platforms that help large organizations deploy and manage advanced models at scale.
Global Innovation Forum at CES 2026 links startup ecosystems from seven countries
The **Global Innovation Forum** at **CES 2026** in Las Vegas brought together startup ecosystem leaders and support organizations from **seven countries**, expanding from five in 2025. Organized by the **Seoul Business Agency** and partners from Switzerland, Israel, Japan, Quebec, and France, the forum created cross-border collaboration and investment opportunities, with awards going to startups **Firsthabit, Hua Tec International, and CubicSpace**.
South Korea opens permanent Startup Venture Campus in Silicon Valley
South Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups has opened the **Startup Venture Campus (SVC) in Silicon Valley**, the country’s first **permanent global base** for Korean ventures. The hub consolidates overseas **K-Startup Centers and Global Business Centers**, will run **200+ programs annually**, and offers workspace and networking zones to help Korean startups access U.S. capital, partners like **Naver** and **Hyundai**, and co-R&D opportunities.
Korea–HP ‘Garage 2.0’ partnership to accelerate global AI startups
The **Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development (KISED)** signed an **MOU with HP** to jointly run the **AroundX Global Corporate Collaboration Program** starting in 2026. Through HP’s **Garage 2.0** open-innovation platform, the partnership aims to boost the global competitiveness of Korean **AI and data science** startups and support their international expansion.
Nuclear-tech and deep-tech startups draw renewed investor interest
Investors are increasingly backing **nuclear and deep-tech startups**, with new companies pursuing **small modular reactors** and advanced nuclear designs while navigating regulatory and capital-intensity challenges. Coverage highlights that these ventures are again “in vogue” as decarbonization and energy security rise on policy agendas, even as companies face long development timelines and significant commercialization risk.
Women-led and science-driven startups close multi-million-dollar rounds globally
A wave of **women-led startups** recently secured significant funding, including **Luminate** (home-based cancer treatment; **$21M Series A**), **Tucuvi** (clinical voice agents; **$20M Series A**), **BrightHeart** (prenatal heart-defect screening; **€11M Series A**), **Aurora Therapeutics** (personalized genetic medicines; **$16M seed**), and **Lemon Slice** (digital avatars; **$10.5M seed**). These deals across the U.S. and Europe underscore investor interest in healthtech, AI, and next-gen consumer technologies founded or co-founded by women entrepreneurs.