The Impact of Tariffs on Startups 📉, The Art of Product-Market Fit 🎯, Future of Marketplaces 📊

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 🔍

• The Definitive Guide to Mastering the Art of Product-Market Fit 🎯
  Product-market fit is make or break. This guide offers clear frameworks and tactics to help you hit the sweet spot. [Ben Erez]

  

• EU Startup Funding: Horizon Europe 🇪🇺
  Horizon Europe grants are a game-changer for EU startups. Here’s how to tap into this funding goldmine. [Ruben Dominguez Ibar]

• Four Frameworks on Product-Market Fit 📦
  Get your product-market fit faster with these four essential frameworks. Perfect for founders in a hurry. [Jeroen Coelen]

  

• Top Beginner's Guide to AI: Video & Text-to-Video 🎥
  A simple guide to understanding text-to-video tech - AI’s next big thing for media creation. [Michael Spencer & Daniel Nest]

• The Psychology of Conversions: Secrets to High-Impact UX 🧠
  Understand the psychology behind UX that converts. Small tweaks can lead to big results. [Chris Tottman & Ruben Dominguez Ibar]

  

• AI 2027: The Future of Artificial Intelligence 🤖
  What’s next for AI? This guide covers the trends that will shape the future of the tech.

  

• Your Product Team Doesn’t Need a North Star 🧭
  Forget the rigid “North Star.” Flexibility is the secret to building great products. [Ravi Mehta]

• The Impact of Tariffs on Startups 📉
  Tariffs are a global issue for startups. Learn how they affect your business and how to manage the risk.

  

  ---

---

Trending News

• Elon Musk’s xAI Acquires Social Media Platform X for $45 Billion 💰

  Musk’s xAI just scooped up X (formerly Twitter) for $45B. Social media and AI power moves in one deal. [Greg Bensinger]

  

• 34% of Acquisitions Are by Other Startups, A New Record 📈

  A record 34% of acquisitions are now startup-to-startup. The M&A game is shifting. [Jason Lemkin]

• Amazon Makes Bid to Buy TikTok: What’s at Stake? 📦

  Amazon wants TikTok. This could reshape e-commerce, media, and everything in between.

• How Trump’s Tariffs Could Impact Penguins and Beyond 🦏⚖️🌍💼

  Trump’s tariffs are having bizarre side effects - penguins included. Trade wars hit unexpected places. [Brian Barre]

  

• China Hits Back with 34% Tariff on US Imports 🇨🇳⚔️📉💸

  China retaliates with a 34% tariff on all US imports, sending shockwaves through global markets. [Eleanor Butler & AP]

• MidJourney Releases Its First New AI Image Model in Nearly a Year 🎨

  MidJourney drops its first major AI image model update in almost a year. Expect bigger, better creations. [Kyle Wiggers]

• Klarna Puts IPO Plans on Hold Amid Market Volatility 💳

  Klarna presses pause on its IPO. The market's still too shaky for fintech’s big debut. [Mimi Billing]

---

Social Media Gems 💎

• OpenAI Valued at $300B: A Milestone Achievement 🤖

  OpenAI’s valuation is a game-changer in AI, reflecting its massive growth and influence.

  

• The Future of Marketplaces 📊

  Eric Flaningam’s take on the evolution of marketplaces and the looming questions about automation, demand, and market dominance. [Eric Flaningam]

  

• Trump's Political Comeback Announcement 🇺🇸🗣️

  Trump’s latest move sparks a new wave of political debate. [James Eagle]

  

• Best ChatGPT Images: A Glimpse Into AI Creativity 🎨

  ChatGPT is pushing the boundaries of creativity with stunning visuals that leave us wondering: what’s next? [OpenAI]

---

New Funds 💰

• Urban Innovation Fund raising up to $80M for Fund IV, backing startups reshaping sustainable cities.

• Switch Ventures has raised $50M for their fourth fund, doubling down on early-stage tech.

• Moneta Ventures has secured a $250M fund to back fintech, AI, and enterprise startups.

• Runtime Ventures launching with $32M, focused on software, AI, and deep tech innovation.

• Ocampo Capital closes Fund I with a focus on healthtech, fintech, and consumer goods investments.

• Xcellerant Ventures raises $7M to fuel Arizona-based healthtech startups.

• EA Ventures and Plug and Play launch a $20M fund to invest in early-stage startups across a wide array of industries.

• Iron Prairie Ventures raises $15M for pre-seed and seed-stage investments in agtech and rural innovation.

---

That’s a wrap for this week.

If you want to stay ahead of the curve, make sure you're subscribed. No fluff, just real startup insights delivered straight to your inbox.

See you next time 🚀