SignalPulse:

WHAT’S INSIDE

• Tech Company Watch: PsiQuantum, Groq, Salesforce, World Labs, BrainCo

• Big Movers: The Big tech movers, shakers and partnerships this week

• Making Waves: Companies making a buzz in the Tech world

• Open Deals: Startups raising capital this week

• In The Money: Significant raises last week and why they matter

• Exit Watching: Mergers & Acquisitions and IPOs

• The Funding Buzz: VC & PE Activity To Watch

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BIG MOVERS

Big tech moves, movers and trends to watch this week

Nvidia — Acquiring a $5B stake in Intel for AI chip collaboration and investing $900M to acquire Enfabrica's CEO and technology, aiming to boost AI infrastructure by connecting over 100,000 GPUs.

Microsoft — Investing $4B in a Wisconsin data center for ChatGPT (opening 2026 with Blackwell chips) and $30B in UK AI infrastructure to build the nation's largest supercomputer.

Google Cloud — Experiencing robust growth, with $50B ARR, expected to hit $58B in new revenue over two years. Partners with Lovable and Windsurf, providing incentives like cloud credits and Nvidia GPU access.

PayPal — The digital payment leader has partnered with Google to enhance AI-driven shopping experiences. PayPal will integrate its payment solutions across Cloud, Ads, and Play, promoting the Agent Payments Protocol for purchases.

Paramount Skydance — The newly merged entity is now preparing a bid for Warner Bros. Discovery. The potential acquisition faces regulatory and financing hurdles, with discussions still in the preliminary stages and no formal talks yet.

[OPEN DEALS] RAISING DOLLARS:

Startups, firms or funds raising capital this week

Mercor — An AI training startup connecting firms like OpenAI and Meta with domain experts. Aiming for a $10B valuation, it boasts a $450M ARR. Expands to software infrastructure for reinforcement learning. Faces legal challenge from Scale AI.

Vercel — The San Fran-based web and AI applications startup is raising hundreds of millions of dollars at a valuation of $9B, tripling its previous valuation from 2024. Acce is reportedly leading the round, bringing total to $500M+.

Pure Cipher - A deep-tech AI Security startup developing technologies to prevent AI data poisoning and compromise, targeting a $1.6T market of Enterprise and already secured DoD clients. Founded by AI & cybersecurity experts.

MAKING WAVES

Startups making waves, hot trends and signals to watch in the USA this week:

PsiQuantum — A CA-based quantum computing firm raised $1B, boosting its valuation to $7B. It aims to deliver a 1M-qubit quantum computer by 2027, collaborating with Nvidia for integration with AI chips.

Groq — Raised $750M at a $6.9B valuation, challenging Nvidia with its Language Processing Units for AI inference. With over 2M devs using it, Groq aims to scale manufacturing and sales to meet AI infrastructure demand.

Salesforce — Launched Missionforce, a new unit integrating AI into defense operations for military personnel. Led by Kendall Collins, this move aligns with tech giants like OpenAI and Google providing specialized services to the U.S. govt.

World Labs — Released Marble, a groundbreaking beta model for creating navigable 3D worlds from images or text. It focuses on stability and geometric coherence, offering creators tools to build complex environments.

CrowdStrike — The cybersecurity firm based in Sunnyvale, CA, saw its stock rise 12% after targeting $20B in ARR by 2036. The acquisition of AI security platform Pangea and a Salesforce partnership bolster its position in a $57B M&A market.

TransThera Sciences — The Chinese biotech firm experienced a 4,500% stock surge since its Hong Kong debut, rising to HK$679.50 from HK$13.15. Despite no revenue reported by June 30, investor enthusiasm for China's biotech sector is strong.

Brain Co. — A Jared Kushner co-founded startup focuses on integrating AI into large businesses and governments. Based on strategic partnerships with OpenAI, it raised $30M to develop applications that address AI adoption challenges.

Divergent Technologies — The LA-based company secured a $290M round, valuing it at $2.3B. Known for its advanced 3D printing capabilities, it aims to expand production of military components, addressing defense supply chain vulnerabilities.

Teaming Up

PayPal — Formed a multi-year partnership with Google to integrate AI technology in shopping experiences, embedding PayPal's solutions across Google's platforms. PayPal will enhance its role in Google Cloud, Google Ads, and Google Play.

Real Intent and RealScout — The real estate tech firms have launched the Listing Engine, combining exclusive lead data with automated nurturing technology. This partnership enhances lead-to-appointment conversion rates to 8%, providing agents with predictive buyer and seller intent data for improved lead conversion.

IN THE MONEY

Companies that raised money in the past week and why they matter

Massive Deals

Groq — The AI chip startup raised $750M at a $6.9B valuation to compete with Nvidia. Its Language Processing Units (LPUs) target AI inference, offering a cost-effective alternative. With over 2M developers, plans to scale manufacturing, sales.

Divergent Technologies — The California-based 3D printing company secured a $290M funding round at a $2.3B valuation. Known for supplying major defense contractors, it plans to expand its LA facilities and build a new factory in Oklahoma.

Lila Sciences — AI-powered autonomous research labs startup raised $235M in Series A funding, led by Braidwell and Collective Global. Founded in 2023, the firm plans to expand in Boston, San Francisco, and London. Notably, George Church.

DYNA Robotics — The robotics company raised $120M to enhance its technology and expand its operations. Located in an undisclosed area, DYNA emphasizes first principles in robotics, focusing on AI model generalization, distribution, and ROI.

Upscale AI — Upscale AI, a specialist in AI networking infrastructure, raised over $100M to develop open-standard networks. The round was co-led by Mayfield and Maverick Silicon, aiming to enhance AI capabilities with high-performance networks.

Airia LLC — The enterprise AI security firm raised $100M from co-founder John Marshall to enhance its platform addressing vulnerabilities and compliance issues. With Kevin Kiley as the new CEO and Marshall as chairman.

Large Deals

Irregular — The AI security startup, focusing on identifying AI risks, raised $80M in a Series A led by Sequoia Capital, achieving a $450M valuation. Their simulation framework for evaluating AI model vulnerabilities positions them as a key player.

Splash Financial — The AI-powered lending marketplace based in the US raised over $70M in Series C funding. The funds will support the launch of a new HELOC product and accelerate growth. It connects consumers with credit unions and banks.

CodeRabbit — An AI-powered code review platform based in the U.S., raised $60M in Series B funding at a $550M valuation. Founded by Harjot Gill, it enhances code efficiency and reduces review labor, charging $30/month.

Tabs — The AI-native revenue platform startup raised $55M in a Series B round led by Lightspeed Venture Partners. Tabs, which automates billing and revenue recognition, plans to expand its engineering and AI teams. 200+ customers.

MarqVision — MarqVision, an AI-powered brand protection startup, raised $48M to enhance its technology and expand globally, targeting larger brands and new markets like Japan. 350+ customers, aims for $100M in ARR by mid-2027.

Numeral — Numeral, an automated sales tax compliance startup, raised $35M in a Series B round, valuing it at $350M. Founded by Sam Ross, the company uses AI to simplify tax compliance for over 2,000 clients, with revenue growing 3.5x y-o-y.

Smaller Deals

Markup AI — Markup AI, focusing on AI-generated content compliance, raised $27.5M to launch its Content Guardian Agents. These tools ensure content trust and compliance, with notable early adopters like Amazon and Adobe.

Extend — The New York-based spend and expense management platform raised $20M to enhance its virtual card services for employee spending via platform expansion and profitability goals. Francois Horikawa, ex-PayPal, joins as the first CFO.

Mueon — Mueon, a company focused on enhancing data center efficiency for AI computing, has launched with $15.5M in seed funding. Their Cubelets™ technology promises up to 10x improvements in density and energy efficiency.

Centari — Centari secured $14M in an oversubscribed Series A led by Sentinel Global. The funding will enhance its AI-powered Deal Intelligence Platform for M&A and finance, offering attorney-level accuracy structured insights from docs.

Blacksmith — A startup offering continuous integration and delivery services, raised $10M in a Series A round led by Google Ventures. Founded by Cockroach Labs veterans, Blacksmith has grown to $3.5M in ARR on 700+ customers.

EXIT WATCHING

Mergers & Acquisitions and IPOs

Nvidia — Nvidia is acquiring a $5 billion stake in Intel to develop AI chip products, integrating Nvidia's NVLink for faster data transfers. This collaboration aims to create customized x86 CPUs and system-on-chips with Nvidia's RTX GPUs.

Nvidia — Nvidia has invested over $900M in acquiring Enfabrica's CEO Rochan Sankar and other employees, alongside licensing the startup's tech. This cash-and-stock deal aims to boost Nvidia's AI infrastructure by connecting over 100,000 GPUs.

Workday — Workday, an enterprise cloud application provider, will acquire Sana for $1.1B to enhance its platform with AI-powered tools. The deal will integrate Sana's capabilities for improved employee experiences and is expected to close in 2026.

Navan — Navan, a startup in business travel and expense management, has filed for an IPO on Nasdaq under the symbol "NAVN." The company reported $613M in revenue, $7.6B in gross bookings, and was last valued at $9.2B. 

Atlassian — Atlassian has acquired developer productivity platform DX for $1B. Founded by Abi Noda and Greyson Junggren, DX aids enterprises in analyzing engineering productivity. The acquisition will enhance Atlassian's product suite.

IPO Watch

Groww — India's largest retail brokerage firm, is launching a multi-billion-dollar IPO to raise $121M, valuing the company at $9B. The IPO marks the first Indian startup listing domestically post-U.S. relocation.

Netskope — The cloud security firm, priced its IPO at $19 per share, reaching a $7.3B valuation and raising $908M. Backed by prominent VCs, it enters the market amid a tech IPO resurgence, aiming to challenge industry leaders.

Klarna — Klarna, a fintech company, went public on the New York Stock Exchange, raising $1.4B with shares at $40, surpassing expectations. Existing investors like Sequoia Capital sold most shares but retained significant holdings.

Figure — The home equity lender plans an IPO targeting a $4.13B valuation, aiming to raise $526M by issuing 21.46 million shares at $18-$20 each. Uses blockchain to fund $17B in home equity loans, reporting a $20M net income on $341M revenue.

Fermi — Co-founded by former U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry, Fermi plans an IPO on Nasdaq under "FRMI". The company is developing the world's largest energy and data complex using nuclear, natural gas, and solar to support AI growth.

THE FUNDING BUZZ

VC & PE Activity To Watch

Robinhood — Robinhood has filed for Robinhood Ventures Fund I to allow its 24M users access to pre-IPO investments in sectors like aerospace, AI, fintech, and robotics. This initiative aims to democratize startup investing.

VoLo Earth Ventures — Colorado-based VC firm raised $135M for its second fund, up 50% from its prior fund, focusing on energy, mobility, building, and industrial sectors for decarbonization. Backed by Voloridge Investment Management.

T.Rx Capital — Co-founded by Michael Langer, son of Bob Langer, this new biotech venture fund has raised $77.5M. It targets early-stage investments in cell and gene therapies, AI-driven drug discovery, and tech-enabled services.

BNVT Capital — BNVT Capital, founded by former Gates Foundation and Hedosophia investors, launched a €126M VC fund. It's focused on AI and technology companies tackling global challenges by "Benevolent Disruption".

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