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This week, even if current events cloud the outlook, some startups still have a significant amount of funding, and are full of people tied to security and sovereignty. I’ve checked.
The most interesting startup story of the week
Uncertainty usually doesn’t rhyme with investment. But whether online or IRL, there is always money for security.
Countercycle: AI startups raised $110 billion in 2024, an increase of 62% compared to 2023, while overall startup funding fell 12% year-on-year.
Meanwhile, European startups in the tech space for defense, security and resilience raised $5.2 billion last year. This is a record 10% of all VC funds in the region.
European AI: French champion Mistral AI was in the spotlight this week during the Paris AI Summit, making AI Assistant LE Chat the most downloaded iOS app in France.
Security M&A: Software Security Review Startup SafeBase $250 million, obtained by Security Compliance Company Data. Identity security company Cyberark purchased Startup Zilla Security for $165 million in cash, adding $10 million to certain milestones.
Most Interesting VC and Funding News This Week
Startups from a wide range of sectors have announced this week’s funding round. Additionally, the Founders Fund should have more capital to invest in immediately.
Bank Money: Zeta, a Bengaluru-based provider of banking software, is valued at $2 billion after raising $50 million from strategic investors.
Quantum Note: Google-backed Boston Quantum Startup Quera is a private rating that CEOs say is “representing a very significant increase” compared to previous rounds, with 23,000 yen via convertible notes We have secured a liability of 1,000 million dollars.
Forest: Carbon removal startup Chestnut Carbon has shut down its $160 million Series B round funding to turn old farms into forests.
FirstName.ai: Australian health tech startup Harrison.ai has collected a $112 million Series C round for Annalise.AI, an AI-enabled medical diagnostic software focused on radiology.
Simple Invoice: Just six months after raising $29 million, American startup candid health shut down a $52.5 million Series C to simplify healthcare costs.
Manifesto: Latent Labs, an AI biotech startup founded by former research scientists at DeepMind, has come out of stealth mode with a $50 million funding.
Crystal Ball: Israeli startup Boyantis has won $41 million and applied AI to help customers understand their customers’ lifetime value.
Lucky 3 times? Sources say Peter Thiel’s founder fund is on track to shut down an additional $3 billion fund. This will be the company’s third growth fund.
Last but not least, it’s important
If you’re reading this, you might be one of the 150,000 x followers of Seal Monot. But even if not, an interview with Mary Anne Azevedo co-founder and general partner at Better Tomorrow Ventures is worth listening.
In their chat, Monotto talked about his Twitter fame and AI and Fintech, where he is still as bullish as ever. “I am excited about a lot of things that we have always believed in.