Disney's $1B OpenAI Investment, Port's $100M Raise, and Robo.ai's $180M Financing - AI Funding Brief #44
December 16, 2025 -
AI Funding Brief
Hi there,
Welcome to the latest edition of the AI Funding Brief, where we bring you the most recent developments in AI funding and investments. This week, we spotlight a diverse array of companies making significant strides in the AI industry. Cashew Research is innovating the market research sector with AI, having raised C$1.5 million to expand its operations. Meanwhile, Ricursive Intelligence has launched a new AI lab in Palo Alto with $35 million in funding, aiming to revolutionize semiconductor design.
In other news, CoLab has secured $72 million to enhance its AI-driven engineering platform, while Averna and Spherea have announced a strategic merger to strengthen their position in test and quality engineering systems. Additionally, DeepWorq AI and Solve Intelligence are advancing their AI solutions with new funding rounds, and Baseten has acquired Parsed to create a unified platform for AI development. Stay tuned as we delve into these stories and more, highlighting the dynamic landscape of AI innovation and investment.
Welcome to the latest edition of the AI Funding Brief, where we bring you the most recent developments in AI funding and investments. This week, we spotlight a diverse array of companies making significant strides in the AI industry. Cashew Research is innovating the market research sector with AI, having raised C$1.5 million to expand its operations. Meanwhile, Ricursive Intelligence has launched a new AI lab in Palo Alto with $35 million in funding, aiming to revolutionize semiconductor design.
In other news, CoLab has secured $72 million to enhance its AI-driven engineering platform, while Averna and Spherea have announced a strategic merger to strengthen their position in test and quality engineering systems. Additionally, DeepWorq AI and Solve Intelligence are advancing their AI solutions with new funding rounds, and Baseten has acquired Parsed to create a unified platform for AI development. Stay tuned as we delve into these stories and more, highlighting the dynamic landscape of AI innovation and investment.
Cashew Research Targets Market Research Industry with AI
Calgary-based Cashew Research is set to transform the $90 billion market research industry by leveraging AI for efficient and cost-effective research solutions. Read more
Ricursive Intelligence Opens AI Lab with $35M Funding
Ricursive Intelligence has opened a new AI lab in Palo Alto, California, backed by $35 million in seed funding from Sequoia Capital. The lab, founded by Dr. Anna Goldie and Dr. Azalia Mirhoseini, aims to innovate semiconductor design through AI. Read more
CoLab Secures $72M for AI Engineering Platform
CoLab, an AI startup from St. John's, Canada, has raised $72 million in Series C funding to enhance its AI-driven engineering platform, EngineeringOS. The funding aims to reduce design cycles significantly using their AI agent, AutoReview. Read more
Averna and Spherea Announce Merger
Averna and Spherea have announced a strategic merger, with Spherea acquiring full ownership of Averna. This move aims to create a leading firm in test and quality engineering systems integration. Read more
DeepWorq AI Secures Pre-Seed Funding
DeepWorq AI, a startup focused on automating business operations, has secured a pre-seed investment to further develop its financial AI tools and other automation modules. The funding will support research and prototyping of solutions aimed at improving productivity and compliance in business processes. Read more
Solve Intelligence Raises $40M for AI Patent Solutions
Solve Intelligence, an AI platform for the patent industry, has secured $40 million in Series B funding and is launching a new product for generating patent claim charts. The company has experienced significant growth in annual recurring revenue and serves over 400 IP teams globally. Read more
Baseten Acquires Parsed for AI Development
The acquisition of Parsed by Baseten is set to create a unified platform for AI development, focusing on continuous improvement from real production data. Read more
Oboe Raises $16M for AI Course Platform
Oboe, a learning startup, has secured $16 million in Series A funding from a16z to enhance its AI-powered course-generation platform. The platform, launched in September, focuses on personalized learning experiences, particularly in STEM topics. Read more
Shapes Secures $24M for AI-native HR Platform
Shapes, a Tel Aviv-based startup, has raised $24 million in funding to advance its AI-native PeopleOS, which aims to automate and customize HR processes. Read more
Port Raises $100M to Compete with Spotify's Backstage
Israeli startup Port has raised $100 million in a Series C funding round, valuing the company at $800 million. The funding will support its efforts to compete with Spotify's Backstage by enhancing its developer tool portal. Read more
osapiens Acquires Lucent AI for Risk Management
The software provider osapiens has acquired the Berlin-based startup Lucent AI to enhance its financial risk management and compliance automation solutions. Read more
Disney Invests $1 Billion in OpenAI for Sora Video Tool
The Walt Disney Company has invested $1 billion in OpenAI to enhance the Sora video generation tool with characters from Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars. This agreement allows users to create videos featuring these characters. Read more
Medra Raises $52 Million for AI-Driven Drug Discovery Lab
Medra has secured $52 million in funding to build one of the largest autonomous labs in the US, focusing on AI-driven drug discovery. The investment will aid in expanding their technology for autonomous biological experiments. Read more
Serval Reaches $1 Billion Valuation After Funding
AI startup Serval has achieved a $1 billion valuation following a $75 million Series B funding round led by Sequoia. The company plans to use the funds to expand its workforce and enhance its AI technology. Read more
SoftBank Eyes $50 Billion Acquisition of Switch
SoftBank Group Corp. is considering a $50 billion acquisition of data center operator Switch Inc. to boost its AI infrastructure capabilities. The move aligns with SoftBank's strategy to enhance its position in the AI sector. Read more
Robo.ai Inc. Secures $180 Million Financing with ATW Partners
Robo.ai Inc. has announced a $180 million financing agreement with ATW Partners, consisting of convertible notes and an equity purchase facility. The funding will aid in the company's strategic growth and expansion in AI and smart technology sectors. Read more
Quantum Systems Wins €210 Million German Army Drone Contract
The startup Quantum Systems has secured a €210 million contract to provide 520 Falke surveillance drones to the German military, with deliveries expected in 2026. This deal is part of a larger military spending initiative by the German government. Read more
Punto Health Raises $2.7 Million for AI Dementia Care
London-based startup Punto Health has secured $2.7 million in Seed funding to advance its AI platform for early dementia detection and personalized care. The investment will support product development and expansion in the UK and Spain. Read more
HIRO Capital Launches €50M Fund with Notable Advisory Board
On December 10, 2025, HIRO Capital announced the launch of the HIRO III fund, a €50 million venture capital fund aimed at supporting scale-up companies in Europe, with Sir Nick Clegg and Yann LeCun on the Advisory Board. Read more
Intel in Talks to Acquire SambaNova for $1.6 Billion
Intel is reportedly in advanced discussions to acquire AI chip startup SambaNova Systems for around $1.6 billion, including debt. The acquisition could be finalized by next month. Read more
Mirelo Secures $41M to Improve AI Video Soundtracks
Berlin-based startup Mirelo has raised $41 million in seed funding from Index Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz to enhance its AI video soundtrack capabilities. Read more
Philips to Acquire SpectraWAVE for AI Coronary Imaging
Dutch health technology company Philips plans to acquire SpectraWAVE Inc. to integrate AI-powered vascular imaging technologies into its portfolio, enhancing coronary artery disease treatment. Read more
Cvent Acquires Goldcast to Boost Event Marketing
Cvent has acquired Goldcast, a B2B video content platform, to enhance its event marketing capabilities. This move aims to improve engagement and revenue generation by simplifying tech stacks and automating content creation. Read more
Chai Discovery Raises $130M for AI Molecule Design
Chai Discovery, supported by OpenAI, has secured $130 million in Series B funding to advance its AI-driven platform for designing life-saving medicines. The funding round values the company at $1.3 billion. Read more
Qargo Secures $33 Million for AI in EU Logistics
Qargo, a transport management company, has secured $33 million in Series B funding to advance AI and automation in the European logistics industry. The investment will support the expansion of its cloud-based platform aimed at enhancing operational efficiency. Read more
Vivo Expands CVC Fund to R$470 Million for AI Investments
Vivo has increased its corporate venture capital fund to R$470 million, adding R$150 million to focus on artificial intelligence. The fund has already invested R$230 million in startups across various sectors. Read more
Sporta Raises £123k for AI Sports Bank
Sporta has secured £122,923 through Crowdcube to advance its AI-native banking services for the sports and leisure sectors, aiming for a UK banking license and product development by 2026. Read more
Wingify Acquires AI Startup Blitzllama
Wingify, known for its VWO platform, has acquired the AI user insights startup Blitzllama. The acquisition aims to enhance user feedback analysis by integrating Blitzllama's tools into VWO. Read more
Dell in Talks to Acquire AI Startup Dataloop
Dell Technologies is reportedly in discussions to acquire Dataloop, an Israeli startup specializing in AI data infrastructure. The acquisition aims to enhance Dell's enterprise AI capabilities. Read more
Jutro Medical Secures €24M for AI Healthcare Expansion
Warsaw-based startup Jutro Medical has raised €24 million in a Series A extension to enhance its AI-driven primary healthcare services across Poland and Europe. Read more
Paladin Capital Group Invests $927 Million in AI Safety Tech
Paladin Capital Group has announced a significant investment of $927 million in AI Safety, Security, and Assurance as part of its 2025 initiatives. This move is part of a broader trend in the Safety Tech industry, which has raised over $1 billion, highlighting the growing focus on safety measures amid increasing AI adoption. Read more
Boom Supersonic Secures $300M for AI Data Center Turbines
On December 9, 2025, Boom Supersonic announced a $300 million funding round to support its Superpower natural gas turbines, aimed at powering AI data centers. Read more
ServiceNow in Talks to Acquire Armis for $7 Billion
ServiceNow is reportedly in advanced negotiations to acquire cybersecurity startup Armis for up to $7 billion. The deal could be announced soon, though it may not conclude successfully. Read more
Summit Acquires HorizonIQ, Expands Data Centers
Managed IT infrastructure provider Summit has acquired HorizonIQ, enhancing its private cloud capabilities and gaining access to nine data centers. Read more
All G and Armor Protéines Form Joint Venture for Lactoferrin Production
Australian startup All G has partnered with French company Armor Protéines to commercialize human and bovine lactoferrin using precision fermentation. The venture aims to scale production, with a launch planned for 2026. Read more
Oracle Faces Revenue Concerns After OpenAI Commitment
Oracle has experienced a significant stock drop due to concerns over its reliance on OpenAI. The company's financial results have raised fears about OpenAI's ability to meet commitments amid rising competition and costs in the AI sector. Read more
Lightspeed Venture Partners Raises $9 Billion
On December 15, 2025, Lightspeed Venture Partners announced it raised $9 billion, marking the largest fundraise in the firm's history. The firm plans to continue funding AI projects. Read more
Nvidia Acquires SchedMD and Releases New AI Models
Nvidia has acquired SchedMD to bolster its open-source AI projects and has launched new AI models named Nemotron 3 to enhance AI agent efficiency. Read more
Quantum Computing Inc. Acquires Luminar Semiconductor for $110 Million
Quantum Computing Inc. has announced its acquisition of Luminar Semiconductor for $110 million. The acquisition is intended to enhance QCi's quantum technology capabilities by incorporating LSI's photonic technologies and workforce, pending bankruptcy court approval. Read more
OpenEvidence Valuation Hits $12 Billion After Funding
The AI healthcare startup OpenEvidence has reached a valuation of $12 billion following a $250 million equity financing round. The company offers a platform for quick access to evidence-based medical information. Read more
NJEDA and CoreWeave Launch $20M AI Fund for Startups
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority and CoreWeave have introduced a $20 million fund to support startups linked to the NJ AI Hub Strategic Innovation Center, aiming to boost AI innovation in New Jersey. Read more
X8 Cloud to Invest $50 Billion in Paraguay AI Data Center
U.S.-based X8 Cloud plans a significant investment in Paraguay to construct the largest AI data center in South America, starting in 2026. The project will leverage local dam power and aims to generate thousands of jobs, though it faces scrutiny over energy supply and regulations. Read more
Argyll Infrastructure Holdings Secures Funding for AI Data Center
Argyll Infrastructure Holdings has obtained £15 million in initial funding for an AI data center in Dunoon, Scotland, with plans for an additional £100 million. The project aims to position Scotland as a key hub for AI computing infrastructure. Read more
Donnerstag.ai Secures €4.3 Million in Seed Funding
Donnerstag.ai, a German startup, has raised €4.3 million in Seed funding to advance its AI-driven accounts receivable management platform. The round was led by Speedinvest with participation from QED Investors, Crestone VC, and European business angels. Read more
Flex Raises $60 Million in Series B Funding
Flex, an AI-native bank for high-net-worth individuals, has secured $60 million in a Series B funding round led by Portage. The bank plans to launch Flex Elite, an invite-only consumer card, and aims to enhance its financial platform for middle-market business owners. Read more
First Voyage Secures $2.5M for AI App Momo Self Care
The startup First Voyage has raised $2.5 million in seed funding to develop its AI companion app, Momo Self Care, which assists users in building habits through a digital pet named Momo. Read more
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