US & International Startup & Tech News
General Catalyst Makes Big $8 Billion Play In AI Investment
General Catalyst is committing around $8 billion to accelerate AI-driven business innovation, including $4 billion in core VC and $800 million for company creation and transformation efforts. CEO Hemant Taneja emphasizes a hands-on approach, aiming to build companies rather than merely funding them, focusing on integrating AI into established industries like healthcare. Notably, Taneja and Managing Director Jeannette zu Fürstenberg view AI as transformational rather than disruptive, positioning it to enhance existing sectors rather than fundamentally altering them.
Bluesky raises $15M Series A, plans to launch subscriptions
Bluesky, the decentralized social platform initially incubated by Twitter, raised $15 million in Series A funding, bringing its total user base to 13 million as it attracts users disillusioned with X's recent policy changes. The funds will go towards community growth, Trust and Safety, and new subscription features, although Bluesky emphasized it won’t follow X’s “pay-to-win” model. Despite Blockchain Capital leading the round, Bluesky reassured users it’s not adopting blockchain or crypto, maintaining a user-centered approach.
Future of farming? Carbon Robotics raises $70M for AI robots that blast weeds with lasers
Seattle-based Carbon Robotics raised $70 million to expand its agriculture technology platform that uses AI-driven "LaserWeeder" machines to eliminate weeds without herbicides. Led by BOND and supported by Nvidia, the Series D funding will help Carbon Robotics scale its operations, following rapid growth over the past year. Founder Paul Mikesell emphasizes the company’s close work with farmers and practical approach to agtech, avoiding typical models like “robots-as-a-service,” which he believes don't work well in agriculture.
YC startup Pharos lands a $5M seed led by Felicis to bring AI to hospital quality reporting
Pharos, a startup from Y Combinator’s summer 2024 cohort, is using AI to automate the labor-intensive quality reporting process to clinical registries, which typically takes hospital staff hours per patient. Co-founded by industry veterans and a medical doctor with AI expertise, Pharos recently raised a $5 million seed round led by Felicis to expand its team and enhance its platform. This solution aims to save hospitals money and redirect nurses’ time back to patient care, filling a gap in healthcare administration with few competing startups.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s comp tops $79M as stock soars; cash bonus cut in half on security woes
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella earned over $79 million in total compensation for the 2024 fiscal year, a significant increase from the previous year, largely tied to Microsoft’s strong stock performance. Despite this, Nadella requested a reduction in his cash incentive to emphasize personal accountability for the company's cybersecurity efforts, which the board approved with a 50% reduction. Microsoft’s stock has risen 28% over the past year, bolstered by investor optimism around AI-driven growth.
Joby launches $200M public offering ahead of 2025 commercial eVTOL release
Joby Aviation has launched a $200 million public stock offering to fund its certification, manufacturing, and 2025 commercial launch plans, with a 30-day option for underwriters to purchase an additional $30 million shares. The eVTOL company, aiming to launch urban air taxis in New York, Los Angeles, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, recently gained FAA clearance to operate alongside traditional aircraft and has secured a $131 million contract with the Department of Defense. This move follows a recent $500 million investment from Toyota, bringing Joby's total raised funds to $2.6 billion.
LATAM Startup & Tech News
In 10 years, Endeavor Catalyst invested US$ 150 million in Latin America
Igor Piquet, Head of Latam at Endeavor Catalyst, emphasizes the potential of Ecuadorian entrepreneurs and the importance of expanding their businesses internationally. Endeavor Catalyst, which started a decade ago with $10 million, now manages $500 million globally, with over $150 million invested in Latin America. Piquet highlights Latin America as a priority market, where resilience and innovation are essential for entrepreneurs navigating political and economic instability. Despite current investment challenges, he sees promising growth in early-stage funding, essential for driving new waves of startups in the region.
Mexican fintech Bravo secures US$ 27M financing with BBVA Spark to boost its growth and credit division
BBVA Spark has partnered with Bravo, a Spanish fintech specializing in debt management, to support its innovative, technology-driven approach to helping individuals improve their financial situations. Bravo offers personalized credit solutions that help clients settle debts with discounts, positioning it as a financial advisory and debt management leader. Since its founding in 2009, Bravo has cleared over 380,000 debts worth 965 million euros and now collaborates with BBVA Spark to further its mission.
Koltin, the first Mexican health insurance startup for seniors
Koltin, a fast-growing Mexican startup, seeks to improve the quality of life for those over 50 by offering healthcare memberships focused on physical and emotional wellness, not just traditional insurance. Unlike other options, Koltin provides preventive care and a dedicated space, Casa Koltin, where members can access medical services, classes, and social activities to combat loneliness. Founded in 2022, Koltin aims to expand its reach across Mexico, advocating for a healthier aging process and forming alliances with major health institutions.
Osigu Secures Investment from Visa and Strategic Investors to Bridge the Gap Between Healthcare and Fintech in Latin America
Osigu has partnered with Visa to improve healthcare payment processes across Latin America and the Caribbean through real-time, automated payment solutions. Backed by new Series B funding led by IDC Ventures and Visa as a strategic investor, Osigu aims to streamline transactions between healthcare providers, payers, and patients to reduce delays, errors, and costs. This collaboration leverages Osigu’s AI-driven healthcare platform and Visa’s payment infrastructure to address long-standing inefficiencies in the region’s healthcare payments, enhancing financial transparency and operational efficiency.
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