Big Tech Breaks New Grounds: Startup Takeovers and Investments Surge

Your rundown of the unmissable events from the thrilling world of startups is here. As Big Tech companies widen their net with fresh investments and acquisitions, they’re reshaping the startup landscape.

Week’s Highlight Reel in Startup News

Among noteworthy events, M&As caught the spotlight considering the scarcity of tech IPOs in the U.S., while a new startup emerged on our radar.

An intriguing name to follow is Blaize, an AI chip venture, founded by Intel engineers which is set to go public. Similarly, Amazon’s impending acquisition of Indian BNPL startup Axio sets its sight on accelerating financial services in India, one of its burgeoning markets.

On another front, eBay commits to acquire Caramel, a startup simplifying car transactions, following its previous acquisitions like Cargigi and Motors.co.uk. In a strategic move, Moody’s plans to obtain geospatial AI startup Cape Analytics, aiming to deliver precise risk insights for its insurance clientele.

Investment Updates from the VC World

Colossal Biosciences, with its grand vision of resurrecting the woolly mammoth, closes a whopping $200 million Series C round. Loft Orbital, a rapidly expanding space infrastructure startup, secures $170 million in funding spearheaded by Tikehau Capital and Axial Partners.

Surprisingly, Synthesia’s AI avatar-based videos caught investors’ attention, closing a $180 million Series D funding round, while French AI startup Bioptimus raised $41 million to develop a crucial AI model for biological applications.

In a bid to enhance digital transformations within the healthcare industry, Berlin-based Nelly fetched $51 million in Series B funding. Quantum computing startup SEEQC accelerated its commercial chipset roadmap with a $30 million Series A extension.

Introducing a new coup, Intel plans to reinvent its corporate venture arm, Intel Capital, into an independent fund. Meanwhile, Nvidia continues to expand its AI empire with fresh investments in startups like Taiwanese company, MetAI.

Original source: Read the full article on TechCrunch