startup valuations

Investment part of broader $730 million round; valuation up 30% since last secondary transaction.

Mistral AI co-founder Arthur Mensch warns Europe has a two-year window to build its own AI infrastructure or face long-term dependence on US tech giants. He emphasized that control over chips, energy, and computing power, not just software, will determine AI competitiveness, urging swift action to avoid becoming a "vassal state."

Skyroot Aerospace has achieved unicorn status by raising $60 million at a $1.1 billion valuation, becoming India's first space tech unicorn. Co-led by Sherpalo Ventures and GIC, the funding will accelerate Vikram-1 launches, scale manufacturing, and develop Vikram-2. This investment underscores global confidence in India's private space sector.

OpenAI has enabled over 600 employees to sell shares worth $6.6 billion, with some cashing out up to $30 million. This significant wealth creation is fueled by the intense AI talent war, particularly after Meta's substantial compensation offers, prompting OpenAI to boost salaries and equity packages to retain its workforce.

Skyroot Aerospace has achieved unicorn status, valued at $1.1 billion after raising $60 million. This funding propels India's first private orbital rocket, Vikram-1, closer to launch. The capital will scale production and develop future rockets, marking a significant leap for India's burgeoning private space sector and its global ambitions.

The Pentagon is forging new partnerships with companies like Anduril and Leidos to rapidly boost US strike capabilities. The Low-Cost Containerized Missiles (LCCM) program aims to procure over 10,000 affordable cruise missiles by 2027, while a separate deal with Castelion will scale low-cost hypersonic solutions. This initiative emphasizes speed, innovation, and private sector investment to rebuild America's military might.

New-age insurer Acko, backed by General Atlantic and Accel, is gearing up for its IPO, aiming for an early 2027 launch. The company has appointed Morgan Stanley, ICICI Securities, and Kotak Securities as bankers. Acko targets a valuation of $2-2.5 billion, a significant increase from its previous $1.4 billion. This move comes as India's IPO market navigates global volatility.

19-year-old Samrath Singh Chadha's story is one of passion for computers and AI, and an amazing capacity for persistence. He's been selected to the Y Combinator and Z Fellows accelerator programmes. He is currently training a small, highly specialised model, sub-one-billion parameters, to get coding agents to search faster. He tells youngsters there is big demand for those who can build using AI tools

Unlike traditional Earth observation systems that rely on either optical or radar imaging, Mission Drishti combines both to deliver clear, real-time insights in any condition — day, night, or bad weather. Here’s why it matters.

nthropic CEO Dario Amodei keeps predicting that AI will trigger mass unemployment on a global scale. But with an Anthropic IPO reportedly targeting a $900 billion valuation, his warnings may be doing double duty—as both public service and investor pitch. Anthropic's own labor research shows the reality is far more gradual. And voices from Sam Altman to Meta's Yann LeCun are increasingly pushing back.

Tech giants Google and Amazon are injecting billions into AI startup Anthropic, recognizing its rapidly growing influence, particularly with its Claude Code product. This strategic investment secures substantial computing power for Anthropic, while also creating a symbiotic relationship where Anthropic becomes a major customer for Google and Amazon's cloud services and hardware.

China has reportedly instructed leading AI firms to reject American capital, implementing a 'state filter' on funding to prevent sensitive AI breakthroughs from reaching US hands. This directive, aimed at bolstering national security, impacts major players like Moonshot AI and ByteDance, signaling a shift away from reliance on foreign investment.

Jeff Bezos' AI venture, Project Prometheus, has secured a massive $10 billion in new funding, valuing the company at $38 billion. This AI lab, co-led by Bezos, focuses on creating tools for designing and manufacturing physical products, targeting industries beyond software. Bezos is actively involved in the company's strategic direction, aiming to enhance business efficiency.

Microsoft considered buying AI coding firm Cursor. However, SpaceX ultimately agreed to acquire Cursor. This deal comes amid intense competition in AI development tools. Microsoft continues to grow its own AI offerings like GitHub Copilot. SpaceX's acquisition highlights the increasing value of AI coding assistants.

Jeff Bezos' AI lab, Project Prometheus, is reportedly in talks to lease a significant office space in London's King's Cross. This move, following substantial funding, highlights the UK's growing appeal as a hub for AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic, which are also expanding their London footprints.

Meta continues its aggressive AI hiring by recruiting three more employees from Mira Murati's Thinking Machines Lab, including founding team members Mark Jen and Yinghai Lu. This follows Meta's previous attempts to acquire the startup and a subsequent "full-scale raid" on its talent. The latest hires bolster Meta's AI research and engineering capabilities.