AI-Driven Layoffs📉, Google Launches AI Fund💰, Startup Option Pools⚖️
If you're building, investing, or just trying to stay ahead of the curve, you're in the right place. Every week, we break down the latest insights, funding news, and founder-friendly gems—no fluff, just what matters. Plus, we track the freshest VC funds deploying capital so you know where the money’s moving.
Let’s get into it 👇
In-Depth Insights 🔍
Seed 100: Best Early-Stage VC Investors of 2025 💥
Meet the 100 most influential seed-stage investors shaping the next generation of tech giants.
A no-nonsense guide to navigating startup business development and building key partnerships. [Jason Cohen]
Seed Startup Shrink Pool SAFEs ⚖️
The shift in seed startup funding as SAFE pools shrink and early investors rethink their strategy.
Nine Emerging Developer Patterns for the AI Era 💻
Explore how AI is transforming developer workflows and reshaping product development. [Yoko Li]
You need a better testing strategy 🎯
Learn the testing strategies that help startups scale efficiently and effectively. [Casey Hill,
]
Perplexity is mastering growth, acquisition, and retention strategies to dominate the AI space. [Adam Fishman]
Trending News ⚡
Tekever Joins Europe's Defencetech Unicorn Club 🦄
Tekever reaches unicorn status, marking a key milestone for Europe's defencetech sector. [Cate Lawrence]
Open-Source Text-to-Speech Model "Dia" Challenges Industry Giants 🔊
The open-source model "Dia" aims to take on the big players in text-to-speech tech. [Carl Franzen]Google Launches AI Startup Fund with Model Access 💰
Google’s AI fund promises startups access to its advanced models for innovation. [Jennifer Elias]
Rippling Raises $450M, Valued at $16.8B 💸
Rippling raises $450M, reaching a $16.8B valuation, with Y Combinator as a key customer.
Proofpoint, Hornetsecurity IPO Talk Heats Up 🔐
Proofpoint and Hornetsecurity make moves ahead of a potential IPO in the booming cybersecurity space.Trump's Middle East AI Investments Stir Debate 🌍
Trump’s investments in Middle East AI projects raise questions about his global strategy.
eToro IPO Sparks Fintech Frenzy 🔥
eToro’s IPO success signals a larger fintech boom, attracting global attention.
Microsoft Finds No Evidence of Harmful Use of Tech by Israeli Military ⚖️
Microsoft concludes no evidence that its tech was used by the Israeli military to harm civilians. [Todd Bishop]
Bill Gates Pledges 99% of Wealth to Global Health, Climate Concerns Arise 🌍
Bill Gates’ massive health-focused donation pledge raises questions about climate impact.
Social Media Gems 💎
The Local Maximum Trap in Startups 📈
Early traction doesn’t equal PMF. Avoid the trap of “good enough” and keep iterating to scale. [Sequoia]
AI agents are not just ChatGPT with a pretty front end 🤖
AI agents are complex systems. The hype will fade. Winners simplify and deliver value. [
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Top 10 Must-Read AI Insights This Week 🔍
Key AI updates: Sequoia on software models, AI agents need goals, GitHub x ChatGPT, and more. Check out the full breakdown. [
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AI-Driven Layoffs: Tech Giants Rewire for the Future 📉
AI is causing major layoffs in tech, as companies reallocate resources to fund AI initiatives. [
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IT Will Manage Entire Armies of AI Agents 🔧
IT is shifting from device management to running AI agents - it's happening now. [
]
New Funds 💰
Wave Ventures launches €7M Fund III focused on Nordic pre-seed bets.
Nexa Equity closes $390M Fund II to double down on lower mid-market software.
Dynamo Ventures secures $54M for Fund III, backing supply chain and mobility founders.
Immad Akhund launches $26M solo GP fund targeting early-stage fintech and AI.
Work-Bench raises $160M Fund IV to keep fueling NYC enterprise software.
Vivo Capital wraps $740M+ for its Public Fund, investing across healthcare and life sciences.
Matchpoint Ventures targets $30M for debut fund focused on the intersection of sports and tech.
Marathon Venture Capital closes €75M Fund III to support Greek and European tech startups.
That’s a wrap for this week.
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Love this post (and the diagram)!